Rustbatch, from Christchurch, joins Derone Raukawa and Sam Waardenburg in signing development contracts for the upcoming Australian NBL season.
Rustbatch and Raukawa, who moved south for this year's NBL, impressed in the national league playing for the Canterbury Rams and Southland Sharks respectively, being rewarded with selection for the Tall Blacks. Both are on fulltime development player contracts.
Waardenburg, a highly touted prospect, is in his final year at Rangitoto College. The 6' 9" forward played for the Supercity Rangers this year and made headlines for a strong showing at this year's adidas nations tournament. He is on a non-paid contract to maintain his amateur status, allowing him to remain eligible to play college basketball in the US next year.
Rustbatch was enthused about the opportunity.
“I am looking forward to the next six months, not only to be training at a higher level but to have coaches and trainers around me all the time, helping me to push my game to new levels," he said.
"I have worked with Paulie with the Tall Blacks and enjoyed that, so I know what I will be going into and can’t wait to pick his brains and those of the other coaches.
“Having so many talented and established players in my position is going to be great for me to learn from them and to compete with them on a daily basis is going to be super good for me. I am looking forward to all the challenges ahead.”
Head coach Paul Henare said the group all offered something different.
“This year’s D-Unit have come from differing pathways. Derone was an academy player and has since been playing around New Zealand in the NBL. Ethan was born and raised in Christchurch and has spent the majority of his time playing his trade in Canterbury, while Sam has taken the more traditional route of coming straight from our academy into a development spot," head coach Paul Henare said.
“All three guys bring their own style and flair to the team but they have some tough work ahead. Last year’s D-Unit are now roster players and they’ve set a new standard in terms of what it means to be part of the D-Unit. I look forward to seeing this year’s group take on that challenge.”
Seven of the current Breakers players have come through the development pathway. All three of last season's development players - Finn Delany, Shea Ili and Jordan Ngatai - have obtained fulltime contracts for this season.
“We love winning Championships and want to win more, but we see ourselves also as a development club,” general manager Dillon Boucher said.
“We are in the business of developing players, coaches and administrators to become better at their jobs and in their careers. For some that means a progression on to our fulltime roster and potentially a long career as a Breaker, as we see with so many of our current team."
Breakers 2016/17 Roster
Ben Woodside, Shea Ili, Corey Webster, Kirk Penney, Tom Abercrombie, Jordan Ngatai, Mika Vukona, Finn Delany, Rob Loe, Alex Pledger. Development players: Ethan Rustbatch, Derone Raukawa, Sam Waardenburg.
