American centre Antoine Tisby is the latest import to pass through the Otago Nuggets' revolving door as the franchise searches for its opening win this season.
The 2.06m, 118kg giant arrived in Dunedin on Wednesday evening and will replace fellow American Jay Anderson in the squad as soon as he gets clearance to play in the National Basketball League, which could take up to a week.
Tisby, who turns 25 on Sunday, is the fifth import signed by the Nuggets this season. The Nuggets let Jamal Livingston go after the forward sought a release from his contract to pursue other opportunities.
His replacement, 2.14m centre Rahsaan Smith, was axed after two matches with guard Lemar Gayle joining the franchise.
With the Nuggets (0-6) desperate to register their first win, Anderson has become the latest victim.
The lanky 2.10m forward provided the Nuggets with some good service, scoring 109 points at an average of 18.2 and hauling in 47 rebounds at 7.8.
But with Smith replaced by a guard, and Anderson best suited as an outside shooter, the Nuggets lacked a go-to man on the inside.
"We need someone to throw the ball to and we just have to establish an inside presence,'' Nuggets coach Don Sims said yesterday.
"If you don't shoot well you have to have an inside presence.''
"I love the way Jay plays. He is a great guy and there was not anything he could have done different. It is just we have a different need at this point.''
Sims coached Tisby at the Seattle Mountaineers in the International Basketball League last year and is familiar with his game. Tisby is expected to muscle up in the paint and pose a threat on offence.
"He is very adept at scoring on the low post and is a tough rebounder. He will allow us to attack on the inside which will hopefully help our shooters and give them more time.
"What has happened in the last couple of games is teams have recognised we don't have an inside presence and have pressed our shooters.
"With our shooters not shooting well it has become even tougher".
Tisby had been playing in Saudi Arabia for Alahli during the past six weeks but became available when his side missed out on a place in the play-offs.
Tisby has also played in Germany and Chile.
A former student at South Carolina University, Tisby is aware the Nuggets have been struggling to open their account. And while he had not practised with the Nuggets when he spoke to the Otago Daily Times yesterday morning, he had seen some video footage and saw potential.
"It's my job to play hard and rebound then, hopefully, we can get some wins,'' he said.
"It seems that is all the team has been lacking.''
