7 Jan 2017

Flailing Breakers sign new import

9:45 am on 7 January 2017

The struggling New Zealand Breakers have brought in American point guard Kevin Dillard to replace import David Stockton for the remainder of the Australian National Basketball League season.

Dillard will waste no time in suiting up for the club, with the 27-year-old set to make his Breakers debut in tomorrow's game against table-topping Adelaide at the North Shore Events Centre.

New Breakers import, Kevin Dillard.

New Breakers import, Kevin Dillard. Photo: AFP

The Breakers are currently bottom of the NBL table after a 65-63 away loss to the Cairns Taipans on Friday night.

The club's General Manager Dillon Boucher said they decided they needed to replace Stockton because he hasn't performed to a high enough standard since coming to New Zealand for the injured Ben Woodside,

"Replacing players is never easy and not something the Breakers do lightly or often," Boucher said.

"The professionalism of David in receiving this news has been first class and reflects the person and player he is. No one likes to be told they won't play out the season, but for various reasons - none of which are through a lack of effort or skill, David has just not been able to give his best and we have made what was a difficult call to bring in a replacement to see out the season.

"We live and breathe our club values, everyone knows that. But everyone also knows that we are a club that loves to win.

"This decision to bring in Kevin is very much based on doing all we can to help this group get the results they need over the remaining nine games to be there during post-season, to have another shot at adding a fifth championship banner to the gym."

Breakers GM Dillon Boucher.

Breakers GM Dillon Boucher. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Stockton and Ben Woodside will return to the United States this week.

Dillard said the opportunity to join the Breakers and attempt to claim a play-off berth was one he thinks he will relish.

"I have played through some short-term contracts, usually with teams chasing championships," he said.

"I was in France for a month last year and then moved to Greece for the remainder of the season. But when we missed out on the post-season there I was picked up by Antwerp for the play-offs and this year I have been playing in Turkey.

"This kind of came out of the blue but the timing was good. My agent called me up, we were in the middle of negotiations in Turkey and I wanted to go somewhere and fight for a championship, it just so happened I got the call, I did my research on the coaches and players and the tradition of the team and wanted to be a part of it.

"I am a guy that loves the game, I love to win and I fight for everything, with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.

"I like pressure situations, that brings the best out in me. I am a beast from the beginning of the game but pressure makes me even better."