Sleeper signing.

Given he was MVP, he should be decent.

There's always at least one team who "overachieves"; the Hawks, led by Bevo are always a prime candidate but this signing improves the way the Bullets are shaping up.

Along with Holt that's a handy bench backcourt

This should be the clincher in the battle for the spoon between Cairns and Brisbane.

I thought Koberulz said there was no Asian Player rule anymore :|

This is actually a nice signing.
The Bullets have some nice depth in their guard rotation.
They will also have an import up their sleeve as an injury replacement.

Cadee / Gibson
Gliddon / *Holt / Hiejima
*Import / Te Rangi
Bairstow / Vukona
Hodgson / Magnay

Nice player, really good mid-range game, bit unorthodox but knows how to finish. How he handles the speed and physicality of the NBL will be the big questions, but offensively can play.

I thought Koberulz said there was no Asian Player rule anymore :|

Koberulez knows all dem rulez.

Great news. I thought it was about time he had a crack at a higher-level foreign league - i was disappointed when he re-signed in Japan this off-season. Great that he had an out-clause.

He's my favorite player in the local Japanese comp.

The thing that stucks out about him is his craftiness - he can score in so many often unorthodox ways. Very intellingent baller.

You guys are gonna love him.

NBL should aim to recruit the top 5-6 Asian players in the world. Satnam Singh and Li Jianliang would be nice provided they could be recruited outside of salary cap and payed predominantly by another party.

Whatever you reckon Locke. Illawarra and Cairns will be the ones fighting it out for the wooden spoon.

Brisbane will be pushing for a playoff berth, especially if they end up signing Conger (providing they don't find anyone better).

The Asian Player rule was modified to say you had to be born in that country so no more Tai Wesley situations going forward.

So Kobe the NBL is wrong?

Yeah, I am looking forward to it.

You can sign unlimited Asian players and they are not classed as imports I believe(could be wrong)

"The Asian Player rule was modified to say you had to be born in that country so no more Tai Wesley situations going forward. "

No, no it wasn't.

The Asian Player rule, which actually previously applied to FIBA's Asian and Oceania zones, was restricted to a handful of countries, deemed to be those where the NBL is hopeful of developing cooperation. Off the top of my head: India, China, Japan, South Korea, Philipines, maybe a couple more, possibly Singapore.

AD, Um yes it was

You used to be able to be a passport holder of an Asian country and qualify now you have to actually have been born in that country to be signed under the rule.

Wesley has had to receive special NBL dispensation for his situation to continue to play in the NBL as a local until he gets NZ/ Aussie citizenship.

Blatche would have qualified previously but now doesn't.

Earnest Ross would qualify as he was born in Guam.

Singh last year for the Kings was used this way.

Watch this space on the new Brisbane owners......

Anon #262 - Brisbane have 10 players locked up with 1 roster spot to go (import SF).....learn to count!

Anon #260 - No knowledge at all? Good one! It is far from a pipe dream.

He has been in talks with Brisbane, but Drej and CJ are seeing what they can find over in the US first.

Drej . haha.

Nope, sorry KB, you're wrong.

The rule you are referring to nolonger applies.
The issue with Wesley has nothing to do with whether or not he was born in Guam.

As I said, the eligible countries has been restricted to a small list, approved by the NBL. Guam is not on that list so neither Wesley or Ross would qualify.

I don't know if there are any further restrictions. The goal is to encourage cooperation with those target nations' leagues, so it may be that you need to actually have played there?? eg If an Indian moved to the US when he was two and came up through the US School and College system, not sure that signing him would meet the aims of this rule?

"You can remove Philippines from that list."

LOL

Could certainly generate some publicity if we signed one of their national players?

What about that young guy that protected Goulding? That would be good PR.

For a guy who is shot, he (Fazekas) sure helped do a number on the Boomers last month. I'll admit it hurts just watching him shuffle up and down the court - but he constantly defies expectations when he's on court. Any import big that opposition teams here in Japan throw at him - he finds a way to outsmart. The fact that he can play at such a high level considering his mobility issues is freakish.

He'd be a decent third import in OZ. But he's on serious coin and in a great situation here in Japan, why would he bother.

Fair enough. Depending on roster make up, that can be overcome.

Don't fall into the trap of throw him into the 'Big White Stiff' basket though - he's anything but.