American Zylan Cheatham has been signed as NZ Breakers' first import player for the 2023/24 Australian NBL campaign.
The power forward attended San Diego State University and Arizona State University, before making four appearances for New Orleans Pelicans and one for Utah Jazz in the NBA.
Cheatham, 27, has since carved out a professional career in the G-League and Europe, where he played most recently for Bayern Munich in Germany. In six Euroleague outings, he averaged 11.5 points and 4.8 rebounds off the bench and also represented United States at the FIBA AmeriCup tournament in Brazil.
"It is very fitting that Zylan is our first import signed for the upcoming season, because he plays with a special level of intensity and effort," says Breakers coach Mody Maor.
"What makes Zylan special is that those traits come together with elite athleticism, high-level court vision, and the ability to play both on the perimeter and in the paint."
"I'm sure we have signed another fan favourite in Zylan and I'm looking forward to working alongside him, as we both share the same collective goal in our desire to win."
The Breakers have now signed 11 players to their roster, including NBL Next Star candidate Mantas Rubstavicius - with two more imports spots still to fill.
The squad is Tom Abercrombie, Finn Delany, Dan Fotu, Cam Gliddon, Izayah Le'afa, Mangok Mathiang, Will McDowell-White, Dane Pineau and Rubstavicius.
