American point guard Ben Woodside is the New Zealand Breakers' latest addition for the next NBL season.
Woodside, who turns 31 on Friday, has spent much of his playing career in Europe and is the first import on the Breakers' new roster.
He replaces compatriot Cedric Jackson, who is heading to Melbourne United after winning three titles with the Auckland-based club.
Former Tall Blacks shooting guard Kirk Penney, who is making a return to the Breakers, recommended Woodside after playing alongside him in Spain and Turkey.
Coach Paul Henare says experience was a pre-requisite when the Breakers set about recruiting a point guard.
"We need a player to lead us around the floor and make the right decisions in pressure cooker situations," he said.
Henare said Woodside, a Minnesota native and North Dakota State graduate, was a different style of player to Jackson.
"He is a very good outside shooter and very strong in pick-and-roll situations, and thrives in having good shooters around him, which we will have," he said.
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