New Zealander gives Spurs credit for promotion

[spurssheriff]

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/770902

The NZ Breakers have promoted development player Brent "The Butcher" Charleton to the club's main roster for the 2006/07 Philips Championship starting in late September.

The Breakers have now secured nine of their 10-man roster. A point guard is the only position remaining on the shopping list of head coach Andrej Lemanis.

Charleton, a Canadian-born New Zealander, joined the Breakers for the 2005 tour of China where his form and team focus led to his selection as the sole development player for the 2005/06 season.

Nicknamed "Butcher" for his rugged defence, Charleton made 11 appearances for the Breakers in his first season. He has been a heavy scorer for the Harbour Heat in the NZ NBL over the past two seasons and was selected as a non-traveling reserve for the Tall Blacks last year.

Schooled in Canada, Charleton broke scoring records during his final season with Simon Fraser University in British Columbia and was named to the 2005 All-West Canada Second Team.

Lemanis says Charleton's hunger to succeed and his ongoing improvement made his elevation "a no-brainer".

"Brent showed last season that he was prepared to work hard and do what it takes for the team goals" said Head Coach Andrej Lemanis.

"I'm really pleased by how he has responded to coaching, and by his efforts and results for the Harbour Heat in the New Zealand NBL. I think he's ready to step up for us."

Charleton can partly thank the San Antonio Spurs for his inclusion in the full Breakers squad.

One of the key learnings Lemanis took from his visit to the NBA club earlier this year was the importance of team culture and chemistry.

"It's vital - one of the most important things I could take from the Spurs was that chemistry is something you have to have. One of the things Brent does bring to our team is that chemistry - Butcher is one of those guys who would walk over broken glass for his team mates," Lemanis said. "He's a great club man, he works incredibly hard on his game and, most of all, he's a quality player.

"We're pleased that he's making the step up and it goes to show that the development roles are important in providing a pathway into the main squad."

Charleton's elevation to the full roster is another success for the Breakers development programmes, following Mika Vukona's successful progression from the development ranks.

The importance of the Breakers development approach takes on even more significance this season, with the club likely to field four Development Players. The club is also launching a Development Institute for selected 15-19 year old basketballers, headed by former Tall Black Judd Flavell.

"We are committed to developing local talent - it's a key part of our vision" said Lemanis. "We want New Zealander's demanding places in our playing roster, and are committed to helping provide the resources to make that happen."