Rob Baker II of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles the ball during a 2024 NBA Summer League game. Photo: Candice Ward
The New Zealand Breakers have completed their roster for the NBL26 season by signing 2.08m tall American forward Rob Baker II as the team's final import player.
Baker's professional career has seen him play in various leagues, including the Slovak Basketball League, Japan's B League, and in the NBA G League.
This year he played with the German EuroLeague Club ALBA Berlin and made the Indiana Pacers roster for the 2025 NBA Summer League, where he scored 26 points with 10 rebounds in a game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Breakers president of basketball operations Dillon Boucher said Baker was a versatile forward who at 6ft 10in would bring a strong presence to the team.
"His experience and talent will be a huge asset to our squad. His recent performances have shown he is a dynamic player, and we believe he will be an excellent fit for our team culture," Boucher said.
Club Chairman Marc Mitchell said Baker was a dynamic, versatile forward who could make a big impact on both ends of the court.
"His strong presence as a solid rebounder and shot-blocker is the final piece of the puzzle that Dillon and Coach Kop [Petteri Koponen] were looking for in completing our roster," Mitchell said.
"He was a standout player at Harvard University, from which he graduated with a degree in economics. We are very impressed with what he brings to the club on and off the court."
The signing of Baker finalises the team's three import slots for NBL26, joining Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Izaiah Brockington.
Baker will join the team after competing for Team USA in the 2025 FIBA Men's AmeriCup in Nicaragua in late August.
The Breakers' pre-season campaign is set to begin in September, with the regular season tipping off at Spark Arena on 19 September.
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