Christchurch Cougars gain top recruits

The three-season signing of Paora Winitana and the return of Tim Behrendorff to the Christchurch Cougars in the National Basketball League consolidate their chances of another tilt at the title.

Winitana, who turned 33 last week, has taken the major step of committing to Christchurch for three years and will move to the city permanently with his wife and three young boys in mid-January. Former Breaker Behrendorff has signed for one more season.

While the Cougars were optimistic of Winitana returning they were less certain about Behrendorff, but the 2.1m centre will back up again after an impressive debut season this year where he consistently produced double-double returns of points and rebounds. Behrendorff has been playing for the Wollongong Hawks in the Australian league.

The signings of American forward Trent Wurtz and the arrival of former Canterbury Rams forward Mark Morrison give the team a solid core ahead of the new season, which starts in March.

While Paul Henare's departure back to Hawke's Bay was known some months ago, Cougars co-owner Amy Gardiner yesterday revealed that shooting guard Gerard Bowden would not be coming back, having signed for reigning champion Waikato. However, that loss was partly offset by the arrival of another capable guard, Dan Peck from Palmerston North.

"All in all we are very happy the way the roster is looking for next season," she said.

Getting Winitana to sign for three years was a key cornerstone for the future, Gardiner said. The personable Winitana would be a key figure in the Cougars' community coaching programme.

"He is absolutely pivotal, well respected by the players and there is no player that works harder on his game."

Winitana said he and his family had enjoyed their stint in Christchurch earlier this year, which made wanting to return not a hard decision. Winitana, a Mormon, said his strong association with the Church of the Latter Day Saints in the city was also a factor.

Winitana has taken the past season off from the Australian basketball league, where he was a regular with Adelaide after the New Zealand Breakers.

"I decided not to play despite some approaches because I had some injury niggles and wanted to get my body right. It will be good to be injury-free coming into the season."

Winitana said he was also available for Tall Black selection for next season's world championships in Turkey, form permitting.

"If I was playing well I would like to have another crack at the national team."

Winitana said he liked the look of how the Cougars team were shaping and said the camaraderie among the players last season was another factor in wanting to return. "Everyone gets on really well and we became pretty close as a group."

Morrison and Wurtz firmed up their intentions this week while forward Adrian Taylor was another expected to sign. Point guards Jeremy Kench and Aidan Daly were confirmed last month.

Meanwhile, Canterbury will open their campaign with a home match against Henare's Bay Hawks on March 4 followed by another home encounter against the Saints from Wellington on March 11.

- © Fairfax NZ News