NZ Breakers head coach Petteri Koponen has made his first import signing, with a player who has nearly 100 combined appearances in the NBA and the EuroLeague.
Freddie Gillespie, a 2.08m centre, made 20 appearances for the Toronto Raptors, nine for the Orlando Magic and 47 for German powerhouse Bayern Munich, the club where the Breakers recruited Zylan Cheatham from last season.
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Bayern is also the club Koponen won the Bundesliga title with as a player in 2019.
"Playing for the Breakers is so attractive and I'm excited to work with him," said Gillespie, from his base in Texas.
"Forget the tactics, from a player's viewpoint, I think he (Koponen) understands my game, and he understands the game of basketball."
Koponen said 27-year-old Gillespie would be the Breakers' defensive cornerstone in NBL25.
"Freddie has a great motor and is an excellent rebounder who will have a huge role for us this season," he said.
In two seasons with Bayern, Gillespie played 34 games, averaging 16.1 minutes. His best season was 2022-23, when he averaged 5.7 points and 6.8 rebounds.
His best season in the NBA was 2020-21, when he averaged 5.6 points and 4.9 rebounds for the Raptors.
"Playing in the NBA taught me confidence. You have to believe in yourself to play at that level," Gillespie said.
"Every night you are going up against guys who are some of the best players in history, and you have to find out how to compete.
"I know a bit about the ANBL because former Breaker RJ Hampton used to be my teammate at the Orlando Magic."
Gillespie will arrive at the Breakers fresh off winning the Serbian League and Cup double with Crvena Zvezda.
He is the third player announced this week after forward Sean Bairstow and power forward Grant Anticevich were revealed two days ago.
The roster is spearheaded by All-ANBL First Team guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright, NZ-born Mojave King, 2021 ANBL champion Mitch McCarron, former Philadelphia 76er Jonah Bolden, returning big man Dane Pineau and solitary New Zealander Sam Mennenga.
One import place remains for the side, which will assemble on August 12 in Auckland, with the Breakers' NBL25 season tipping off on September 21 against the Brisbane Bullets at Hoopsfest in Perth.
The first home game is set for September 29 against South East Melbourne Phoenix at Spark Arena.