By SAM WORTHINGTON - The Dominion Post
The Wellington Saints have pulled off a major coup on the eve of their NBL season opener with experienced Tall Black Casey Frank joining an already powerful squad.

Frank, 32, flew from Auckland to attend Saints training in Wellington last night and is believed to have agreed terms with the side.

The 2.03m American forward debuted for New Zealand in 2005 and has also played for the New Zealand Breakers and the Wollongong Hawks in the Australian NBL.

By SAM WORTHINGTON - The Dominion Post

It is turning into a classic good news-bad news week for Wellington Saints chief executive Nick Mills.

The good is that the Saints have signed their second import, American Erron Maxey.

The bad, neither Maxey, 31, or new player-coach Pero Cameron will be in Palmerston North for the NBL season opener against the Jets on Saturday night.

Both are required to fulfil their contractual agreements with the Gold Coast Blaze, who have Australian NBL season-ending prize-giving and sponsorship obligations at the weekend.

LOGAN SAVORY - The Southland Times

The Sharks have signed a United States import on a short-term deal as the new Southland National Basketball League team eyes a positive start to their debut season.

Twenty-two-year-old Mike Rose arrived in Invercargill last night to provide cover for the Sharks in the early rounds of the competition.

The Southland team has been dealt a blow with its key player and captain Luke Martin ruled out for Saturday night's opening game because of his involvement in the Australian National Basketball League.

By BRENDON EGAN - The Southland Times

If someone suggested a couple of years ago that a basketball player from Southland could make the Tall Blacks, you would have been a laughing stock.

How times have changed.

With the Southland Sharks part of National Basketball League history for the first time this season, talented young basketball players in the Southland region finally have a clear pathway to the top and no longer have to move north to crack the big time.

Christchurch Cougars v Easy LPG Bay Hawks
When: Thursday March 4, 7pm
Where: Cowles Stadium Christchurch
Projected Starting Fives
Cougars Bay Hawks
PG: Jeremy Kench Jarrod Kenny
SG: Aidan Daly Everard Bartlett
SF: Paora Winitana Chris Daniel
PF: Trent Wurtz Ben Hill
C: Lionel Hopgood Jamil Terrell

ANENDRA SINGH | 23rd February 2010

``It's a pain in the butt'', according to Paul Henare, but in reality he is referring to a different part of his anatomy - his ankle.

The New Zealand Breakers and 0800 Easy LPG Hawks point guard went under the surgeon's knife in Auckland last Friday and this Thursday the cast will be removed and a moon boot fitted for a speedy rehabilitation.

By BRENDON EGAN - The Southland Times

Rene Rougeau has plenty of reasons to be excited.

For starters, the Southland Sharks' United States import is playing overseas professionally for the first time after finishing up his four-year collegiate career with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Runnin' Rebels last year. Then there is the added fact that his new team is this season competing in New Zealand's National Basketball League for the first time ever.

By BRENDON EGAN - The Southland Times

Southland Sharks supporters will be praying the Townsville Crocodiles knock over Luke Martin's Wollongong Hawks in their do-or-die Australian NBL playoff match tomorrow.

By IAN ANDERSON - Waikato Times

A new-look, new-style Waikato Pistons are primed to chase a third successive NBL title.

The two-time National Basketball League champions start their campaign on Thursday and coach Dean Vickerman admits his troops are set to run their way to the title.

Expect the Pistons to play a more up-tempo game than last season's chiefly half-court game, as Vickerman goes with a horses for courses approach.

By IAN ANDERSON -

The new Waikato Pistons import is a tattooed trash-talker with a history of off-court woes who may be the league's best player in recent history.

The two-times defending NBL champions have signed former US college star Eric Devendorf to play point guard for the upcoming season.

The 1.93m guard had an outstanding college career at Syracuse University and will be one of the best-credentialled imports to play in New Zealand's National Basketball League.

But he won't get off the plane here without bringing some baggage.