The New Zealand Breakers' Australian Basketball League campaign start is at risk with reports eight members of the club have tested positive for COVID-19.
Stuff reports the club has confirmed expectations are that infectious numbers will grow among the 39 players, family members and staff in the teams' bubble in Melbourne.
The Breakers are scheduled to open their season next Saturday against South East Melbourne Phoenix and have already cancelled their final pre-season game.
In some good news for the club, the Breakers revealed through social media that 11 of the 14-strong playing squad have returned to the practice county after the initial COVID outbreak forced everyone into isolation on Sunday.
The NBL has yet to make any official statement but it's understood they are monitoring the situation closely and any further positive tests could force them to delay the clash against the Phoenix.
Earlier this week, team captain Tom Abercrombie said the squad is prepared to handle anything that is dealt to them.
We spoke about this before we left this year, whilst we knew things were going to be different, we also knew challenges and adversity were going to happen in one form or another," he said.
"And someone getting Covid was also not out of the realms of possibility. Whilst it's unfortunate it's happened, I wouldn't say it's something we were unprepared for.
"Obviously we've taken a hit pretty early on, but I'd like to think the guys are pretty resilient and can get through this."
Abercrombie will miss the first three weeks of the season through a hip injury.
