Rising Kiwi Star Turns Back on Australia to Join Sky Sport Breakers on 3-Year Deal

Rising Kiwi Star Turns Back on Australia to Join Sky Sport Breakers on 3-Year Deal.

One of the most exciting New Zealand basketballers in the Australian NBL is choosing to bring his considerable talents home, and play for the Sky Sport Breakers for the next three years.

The signing of Yanni Wetzell, who last season played for the South East Melbourne Phoenix, is a huge coup for the Breakers and significantly changes the dynamics of the roster for next season.

It means one of the three import spots earmarked for a Centre is freed up.

Shamir says Wetzell practiced with the Breakers during the long off-season last year and should fit into the club with relative ease.

“Basketball is a dynamic business, and we were very open and genuine about the fact we didn’t have the right situation for Yanni last year,” he says.

“The dynamics have changed this year, and Yanni has also had a phenomenal season which has made things a lot different.

“He really fits the way we want to play, with his speed and energy.”

“Even though we had a tough season, and Yanni had a great season in a different place, he still has decided this is where he wants to be.  It tells you a lot about Yanni Wetzell as a person and tells you a little bit about us and his trust in us.”

Breakers owner Matt Walsh believes the signing also says a lot about the respect Shamir has within the basketball fraternity.

“Yanni deciding to come to the Breakers to further his development is testament to the club’s culture and phenomenal programme Dan Shamir has in place here,” says owner Matt Walsh.

“It says a lot about what we are trying to achieve when a player of Yanni’s calibre decides not to extend his contract in Melbourne.

“It proves the Breakers is home for the best kiwi basketballers.”

The Breakers have beaten off interest from several NBL clubs for Wetzell, who averaged 11.1 points and 6.0 rebounds over 36 games for the Phoenix in NBL21.

The 24-year-old also averaged over 26 minutes on the court, including a man-of-the-match performance on April 4 against the Breakers with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

The acquisition of Wetzell caps off a sterling week for the Breakers in the free market, having already picked up another Centre in New Zealand NBL MVP Leader Sam Timmins as a development player on Wednesday.