NZ Breakers forward James Hunter is determined to help play his role and win the Breakers an NBL championship.
The Breakers have not won the title in two seasons, with injuries affecting the team last season, as they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
The club has brought in new players, including imports Edgar Sosa and D.J Newbill, and Hunter is feeling confident that the Breakers have the right tools to win their fifth championship.
"As a team, it is about coming together and getting a championship," Hunter told Newshub.
"I think the Breakers have always been a championship-calibre team, and I think this year it is about getting back to that and bring that championship back to Auckland."
The 25-year-old is in his first season with the Breakers, after impressing coach Paul Henare on a New Zealand select team's tour of China.
Hunter said Henare has spoken to him about what he wants to achieve as an individual this season and improving is the main agenda for the 2.08m big.
"Everybody met up with him [Henare] and chatted to him a little bit about our roles, and it was good, because he put it back on us and what we wanted to achieve with our goals.
"I want to grow as a player and be the best player I can possibly be, plus bring anything I can to help the team achieve successes.
"For me, it is about growing, being a sponge to learn off all the veterans, and learning everything I can to be the best player I can possibly be."
Hunter brings some family star power to the Breakers, as the son of Todd Hunter, a founder and former musician of the rock band Dragon.
"My dad was the bass player in Dragon and my uncle was the lead singer. It was pretty funny to see them when I was younger and watch them play."
The Breakers season tips off on Sunday, when they host the Cairns Taipans in Auckland.
Newshub.
