Kiwi centre Alex Pledger has signed a three-year deal with the Breakers in the face of "fierce opposition" from other NBL clubs, keeping him at the New Zealand sideuntil 2019.
Pledger becomes the latest in a host of Breakers players to extend their contracts -- alongside Tom Abercrombie, Corey Webster and Mika Vukona -- renewing the Breakers' hopes that they can put together another run for the NBL crown in seasons to come.
And the man nicknamed 'The Chief' says the club's new management was a big motivation to stick around.
"The key for me in committing to a new deal was having Dillon [Boucher] and Pauli [Henare] on board as general manager and head coach," he said.
"It feels to me like there is a renewed energy at the club, which is something I am keen to be a part of."
However he admits the decision wasn't always so clear cut -- in the wake of other clubs' interest in acquiring his services, the 29-year-old had tossed a coin to help make his mind up on whether he should stay with the Breakers or move to a different team.
"The coin landed on the 'other team' and I immediately wished it hadn't," Pledger explained.
"I guess I kind of knew and put myself through that as a little test -- and while a coin toss was never going to be the final decision-maker, it was a strong message and told me in my head where I should be."
New Breakers head coach Paul Henare says Pledger's allegiance to the club "will play a huge part in [the club's] fortunes over the next three years".
"He knows this club, lives and breathes our values and will only go on to dominate even more with a strong off-season under his belt," Henare said.
"He is the sort of player we can build a team around -- I am delighted to announce his signing in the face of fierce opposition for his signature."
Newshub.
