There'll be a new Auckland team in the National Basketball League next season with the Pirates to fill the gap left last year when the Stars were cut for financial reasons.
The team launched this afternoon features former Tall Black Dillon Boucher and includes American import Raheim Brown and junior Tall Black Brooke Ruscoe, while the vastly experienced Kenny Stone is the inaugural coach.
The nine-team NBL tips off on April the 13th, with the Christchurch Cougars and Harbour Heat missing.
The Christchurch earthquake put paid to the Cougars while the Heat decided to pull out this season and return in 2012 for
financial reasons.
