The buzz surrounding the Breakers' off-season movements has never been so loud, and all in part due to one marquee signing - NBA-bound prodigy RJ Hampton.
The 18-year-old American's decision to forego the traditional college route to the NBA in favour of a year of balling against seasoned professionals in the ANBL created ticker headlines across the United States and beyond, putting the Breakers name under brighter lights than ever before.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, Hampton's mission took another significant step when he touched down in Auckland for the first time, full of enthusiasm as he got his first taste of Maori culture with a traditional powhiri - and he wasn't afraid to throw down a pukana himself.
"It was great," said Hampton. "I felt welcomed and that everyone came out and did this and took time out of their day to see me."
Projected as a top-five pick in next year's Draft, Hampton will be the subject of NBA General Managers' microscopes throughout the Breakers' 2019/20 campaign.
But Hampton quickly dismisses any suggestion of pressure. He insists the Breakers aren't just a stepping stone, and he's confident that he has the kind of talent to bring them back to title contention.
"I feel if I develop as a player like I know I can over the season, we will be the best team in the NBL. I want to win an NBL championship… help the Breakers out as much as I can.
"I have a good support system behind. At the end of the day, it's just basketball so you have to go out there and play the game you know how to play."
The five-star recruit drew a flood of offers from US college powerhouses coming out of Little Elm High School in Texas, including Kansas, Kentucky, and Memphis. While turning them away wasn't easy, Hampton has no doubts he's made the right decision - one that the ANBL hopes will blaze a trail for many more to follow.
Hampton isn't the first to make use of the NBL's innovative 'Next Star' program, but - alongside new Illawarra Hawk LaMelo Ball - he's the most high-profile to date.
"All the guys I've talked to in the NBA have told me I made the right decision and this was going to better my game and if they thought about this, they might have done it too. There has been lots of support and no negative comments.
"I made the decision knowing that this was going to happen and going cause a buzz in the basketball world and I'm glad I did."
Hampton is already reaping the benefits of life as a professional. He's signed a five-year, multi-million dollar deal with Chinese sneaker company Li-Ning, and will wear his own signature shoe emblazoned with the'"RHJ" initials this coming season.
"It has been a different process and I'm embracing it and over the last three months since making the announcement, I've been working hard on being a professional basketballer like I know I can become."
The 6 ft, 5in point guard - who won gold with the United States at last year's U-17 World Cup - has the kind of quickness, handle and ability to create his own shot that should see him make an immediate impact on the court.
"From the highlights I've seen, I know they like to get up and down in transition. They like to move the ball - it's not a one-man show. So I'm looking forward to coming here and play a team game, play my game and then we'll come out with wins."
There's plenty of big-game experience and wisdom on offer at Atlas Pl and Hampton is eager to take advantage of it all, humble enough to realise he still has plenty to learn from both his teammates and incoming coach Dan Shamir.
He'll join forces with one of the most talented import trios to hit Auckland in recent years in Scotty Hopson, Sek Henry, and Chris Obekpa, and will likely earn the start at point guard.
"I'm going to take pieces from their game and add them to mine - take the knowledge they give me. I know guys like Scotty [Hopson] and Tom [Abercrombie] are great guys - Tom has been with the Breakers for a long time and he knows lots out the team so he can give me pointers on what it's like to be a pro.
"I know [Shamir] coached in the Israel League and I know he is a genius basketball mind, so he'll be able to help me and other guys with their development and, of course, help us get wins."
For now, the first point of order will be catching his new Instagram pal TJ Perenara in action for the All Blacks against Australia at Eden Park, where he'll continue his quick-fire introduction to Kiwi culture.
"I've talked to TJ three times over the last month... I know he's one of the biggest names in New Zealand, best rugby players so I'm excited to see him play. I've actually never seen rugby so I'm excited."
Hampton will have his first opportunity to impress on court when the Breakers tip-off the new ANBL season against the Sydney Kings on Friday October 18.
Newshub.
