After a quiet opening to the National Basketball League's (NBL) free agency period, the Manawatu Jets have made a big splash.
The Jets, who finished 1-19 last season before moving on from head coach Natu Taufale, announced the first import signing on Tuesday, with the addition of American power forward Kenny Goins.
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The 6-foot-8 big from Michigan will link up with new head coach Tony Webster's squad in the New Year, joining young New Zealand point guard Dontae Russo-Nance.
Goins has been without a team since May, having previously played for CSP Limoges in the French Elite League, averaging 3.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in 22 games, while shooting 64 percent inside the arc.
The 28-year-old had a stellar four-year NCAA Division I career with Michigan State, appearing in 131 games, averaging 4.2 points and 5.1 rebounds.
The Jets confirmed 19-year-old Russo-Nance two weeks ago, their first signing as Webster attempts to turnaround the perennial strugglers.
The 6-foot-3 played seven games with the Otago Nuggets in the NBL last season, before getting injured. He averaged 11.4 points, 4.4 boards and 3.4 assists.
He is currently a development player with the Perth Wildcats in the Australian NBL, where he has appeared in five games.