The New Zealand Breakers coach Dan Shamir is confident he can get the best out of firebrand recruit Glen Rice Jr.
Former NBA shooting guard Glen Rice Jr. Photo: Supplied
Rice, a former Washington Wizards guard and son of three-time NBA All-Star Rice Sr, will temporarily replace the injured Scotty Hopson at the Breakers and could play as early as tomorrow night against Melbourne United.
A proven scorer, the 28-year-old Rice played under Shamir at Israel's Hapoel Holon last year.
But Rice, who already had a history of troublemaking in the United States, was axed after reportedly punching a teammate in the face in the locker room.
Shamir says while Rice has "had a few incidents in his career" he is confident he has the ability to create a winning team can be a positive influence on the team.
The Breakers have won just two of their six games so far and sit seventh in the ANBL.
Further injuries to Rob Loe and Finn Delany haven't helped Shamir but he's confident Rice's addition will have instant impact.
"I remember very vividly we put him in the first game after we signed him and immediately everyone on the team realised what he can do for us and his effect on our team as a whole," said Shamir.
"Very quickly we became probably the strongest and most exciting team in the league and I'm definitely hoping he will bring the same thing to the Breakers."