6 Dec 2019

Breakers do U-turn on Rice

3:02 pm on 6 December 2019
Glen Rice Jr

Glen Rice Jr Photo: Photosport

Despite indicating he would never play for the club again, the Breakers have relented and have included troubled American import Glen Rice Junior in their lineup for their Australian national basketball league match tonight against the Taipans in Cairns.

Last month Rice appeared in court on an assault charge and the club indefinitely supsended him.

But Basketball Australia's integrity unit has now cleared the way for him to return and the Breakers have included him in their lineup.

Last month the Breakers chief executive and owner Matt Walsh said it was a calculated risk to sign Rice and he had been read the riot act.

"I think it's very unlikely he plays again for the Breakers but in the meantime, we are going to get him help," he said.

Breakers owner Matt Walsh courtside.

Breakers owner Matt Walsh courtside. Photo: Photosport

He said the legal process had to play out but Rice's days at the Breakers were definitely numbered.

"We set up some structures in place that we believed would help Glen ultimately and help him be successful here and unfortunately, and I take responsibility for this, it just didn't work."

But now Walsh has had a change of heart saying in a statement.

"Glen has done everything we have asked from a club perspective and the team is excited to have him back," said Walsh.

The Breakers have yet to win a game away this season with just three wins in 11 matches and currently sit second to last in the competition.