Patrick Richard inks with New Zealand Breakers

Locked in on a one-year deal, we have officially signed our second import of the season, Patrick Richard. The 6”4 shooting-guard brings a diverse skill-set to the team, and Head Coach Kevin Braswell believes that Richard is a key piece to building his championship roster.

It’s the 28-year-old’s knowledge and versatility Braswell values most.

“Patrick is very knowledgeable when it comes to reading the game. He can also do everything. He shoots the ball well, he makes plays well, and he can defend well. I’m trying to find guards who have depth in that position and can do everything,” Braswell explains.

“Last year we had Shea Ili, DJ Newbill, Edgar Sosa, and Kirk Penney who were all quite different guards. This year we have Shea, Weeks, Corey and Patrick who are all up tempo. Now we have four guards who can push the pace… hard.”

After many conversations with Braswell, Richard couldn’t be more excited to make the transition from Louisiana to New Zealand.

“In our talks together, I just felt like Coach Braswell and I were on the same page with a lot of things, like playing exciting basketball and striving towards getting that championship title,” says Richard.

“Also, I liked that the SKYCITY Breakers are a family organisation. I want to be a part of that and hopefully keep building the tradition there in a positive way.”

Richard has recently played for Joventut Badalona of the Liga ACB (top Spanish basketball league) and has had years of experience going up against some of the best European league players.

“When you play against top players in the Euro league there is very little room for error. You have to be ready to play at your best, or those guys will take advantage of any little mistakes you make,” says Richard.

After Braswell saw Patrick playing, he knew he had to sign him then and there.

“Patrick played in one of the best leagues last year in Spain. I was contacted by our recruiter over in the US who brought up a list of all the guys who played in that league, and he started talking to me about Patrick,” says Braswell.

“When I saw his video I thought to myself, this guy can really play. He reminds me of a CJ Bruton. An older type of player that can really help out the others.”

Braswell is building a roster like the 2010/11 championship squad with the intention that the team can again walk away with the title.

We have just one more import spot to fill before completing their 2018/19 roster.