A New Zealand professional basketball team based in Auckland, The Breakers, have announced the signing of Nigerian Chris Obekpa ahead of the 2019/20 ANBL season.

Obekpa helps fill a much-needed frontcourt vacancy for the Breakers. The defensive specialist was a dominant interior force in the Turkish SuperLeague, leading the competition in blocks per game (2.5) in 2018, then last year lifting to another level in Lebanon with 3.3 blocks to go with 11 points and 7.8 rebounds per contest.

The 25-year-old Nigerian, a 6ft 9in, played three years of college basketball with New York powerhouse St Johns and had a fleeting stay with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors in 2016. He also had stints with both the Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns’ Summer League squads.

Newly named Assistant coach Zico Coronel believes Obekpa will be a difference-maker for the Breakers and provide a dynamic inside presence at both ends of the court.

“He’s a rim protector, a great rebounder, great interior defender…who will bring some excitement on lobs and screen dives.”

The Breakers also announced the signing of American Sek Henry and Sudanese-Australian Ater Majok.

32-year-old Henry was a superstar in Israel two seasons ago, posting per game averages of 17.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists on his way to being named the league’s MVP.

The Los Angeles-native played four years of college basketball for Nebraska then made his way to Europe after being passed up in the 2010 NBA Draft, playing in Poland, Italy, France and Spain prior to his star turn in Israel.

Majok joins the Breakers from Lebanon’s Champville where he averaged 11 points, 7.8 rebounds, and a staggering 3.3 blocks. The 32-year-old will be familiar to Kiwi basketball fans after his stand-out performances for Lebanon against the Tall Blacks in two World Cup qualifying fixtures at the turn of the year.

Of Sudanese heritage, the 6ft 10in big man was a second-round draft pick of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers in 2011 coming out of the University of Connecticut. He was waived without playing a game and has traversed the basketball globe since, including stops in Slovakia, Belarus, and China.

Obekpa and Majok will back up NZ international Rob Loe at the centre position, while Henry will likely be the first man off the bench at the two-guard spot for incumbent Corey Webster.

The trio will arrive in New Zealand on September 1 to join fellow overseas-based players RJ Hampton and Terry Li, who are both scheduled to touch down August 17.

The Breakers will begin their quest for a fifth ANBL title against the Sydney Kings at Qudos Arena on Friday October 18.