The NZ Breakers have added to the their roster, recruiting former NBA draft pick Glen Rice Jnr.
The Auckland-based ANBL club has been decimated by injury over the last few weeks, losing key import Scotty Hopson to a knee injury, with Rob Loe and Finn Delany already in the medical ward.
Rice has signed as a 'nominated injury replacement cover' for Hopson, whose return timetable is unclear.
Shooting guard Rice was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2013 and also spent time with the Washington Wizards.
Rice, 28, played under Breakers director of basketball Dan Shamir in Israel last year and was named league Most Valuable Player, averaging 24.5 points, 8 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game in 2018.
"I remember very vividly we put him in the first game after we signed him and immediately everyone on the team realised what he can do for us and his effect on our team as a whole," said Shamir.
"Very quickly, we became probably the strongest and most exciting team in the league, and I’m definitely hoping he will bring the same thing to the Breakers."
But Rice comes with some concerning baggage. In July 2016, the American was arrested for battery, while he was stood down several times during bis college career for off-court incidents.
Shamir acknowledged his new charge's sketchy past, but believed Rice has turned his life around.
"Everyone who knows Glen or can google his name would see he has had a few incidents in his career, but my personal experience with him is his ability to create a winning team and to affect the team in a positive way was way more significant than anything else," said Shamir.
"I am hoping Glen will like it here. I am hoping our team is a great place for players like Glen and, for me, it's all about us becoming the best team we can be."
Rice arrives in Auckland on Wednesday and could play as soon as Thursday night against Melbourne United at Spark Arena.
Join us at 7:30pm Thursday for live updates of the Breakers v Melbourne United ANBL clash
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