The New Zealand Breakers have promoted swingman Jordan Ngatai to the fulltime playing roster for the 2016-17 NBL season.
Ngatai, who spent two years in the club's development programme, has agreed a one-year deal with the team.
The 23-year-old's signature takes the Breakers roster to 10 players, with coach Paul Henare left to mull over his last roster spot which is to be used on a second import player.
Ngatai playing against China (Photosport)
Ngatai was included in the Tall Blacks squad that recently competed at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in the Philippines.
"When I got the call up for the Tall Blacks I thought it was a chance for me to make a statement to Pauli that I could do a job for the Breakers as well," Ngatai said.
"The club is a great organization, one of the best ones in the league. They have taken care of me throughout my development years and if there is one club that I wanted to earn a fulltime contact with, it's the Breakers."
The Breakers remaining import spot, which is likely to be used on a power forward, is not expected to be filled until a various of summer leagues in American have concluded.
The team used their first import spot on American guard Ben Woodside.
Breakers roster: Ben Woodside, Shea Ili, Corey Webster, Kirk Penney, Tom Abercrombie, Jordan Ngatai, Mika Vukona, Finn Delany, Rob Loe, Alex Pledger.
Newshub.
