The 34-year-old swingman has signed a one-year deal with the franchise but hopes to return next season.
Polyblank has had a long professional career which stretches back to 1997, when he suited up for Palmerston North.
He has graced many teams since but most recently played for Fribourg Olympic in Switzerland.
He last played in the New Zealand league for Southland in 2011 with close friend Mark Dickel, who signed with the Nuggets last season and was influential in bringing Polyblank to Dunedin.
''Mark is someone I've always looked up to as a role model,'' Polyblank said.
''He was one of the first guys to really make it from my era, so he was always a positive influence on me.
''If there is anyone who is going to make you look good in the league it has got to be him. He's a pass-first point guard and just his knowledge of the game, and the way he conducts himself, means I'm always willing to come and play and be around him.''
Polyblank's wife, Caroline, is pregnant with the couple's second child. They also have a 3-year-old son, Savion, so settling in Dunedin for a few years makes sense. They moved down from Wellington earlier this week.
Polyblank last played for the Tall Blacks in 2004. He felt he could have played for the national side more often during his career, but he had a few injury problems. It did not help that he got offside with Tab Baldwin because of some ''bad decisions off the court but also because there was Dillon Boucher and Paora Winitana''.
He had opportunities to return but with playing overseas up to 10 months every year, he decided rest was more important.
''I did get the urge to play for the Tall Blacks but I just felt I was ... getting on a little bit and I wasn't sure if I could do that and stay healthy - you know, playing all year around.''
Polyblank has been injury-free for ''about four years and I put that down to getting the rest in the off-season.
''I know it is a huge honour to play for your country but I just felt if I was going to continue playing, and have this as my career, then I needed that rest.''
Polyblank is excited by the roster the Nuggets have put together.
American centre Antoine Tisby topped the player power rankings last season and is returning. Dickel will run the point and still has one of the best passing games in the league. Former Tall Black BJ Anthony is expected to make a big impact and Hayden Allen is a quality outside shooter with a big game temperament.
Leon Henry, providing he does not go under the surgeon's knife at the end of the Breakers' campaign, also adds firepower from the outside.
The Nuggets are yet to sign a second overseas player but Akeem Wright, who was outstanding for the Nuggets last season, is keen to return.
Locals Sam King, Riki Buckrell and James Ross have built up some experience and will add spark from the bench.
Polyblank's arrival will boost the Nuggets' prospects of making the playoffs for the first time since 1997.
A proven scorer, Polyblank said these days he was less concerned with his own output and more interested in what he needed to do to further the team's cause.
''Whether that is a leadership role, defence or whatever. If the team needs me to score 20 points on a night then I can do that. If the team needs me to lock somebody down then I'm more than willing to do that.
''I guess the thing you learn over the years is you have to sacrifice things for a team to win. I'm at the stage now where it does not mean a whole lot for me to portray myself as a certain type of player. I just want to do whatever it takes if it means we win a championship.''
The Nuggets will hold an open trial at the Edgar Centre on Saturday morning.
