Adrian Oliver to New Zealand

Former Modesto Christian star Adrian Oliver has signed to play in New Zealand:

Sharpshooter Jack Leasure won't be back with the Taranaki Mountain Airs in 2014.

Mountain Airs coach Daryn Shaw confirmed yesterday the American guard would not be back for a fifth season.

"I would have been more than happy to have Jack back," Shaw said yesterday.

"But he couldn't commit and I had to make a decision.

"There were a few complications. Jack's wife is expecting their second child and he's coaching fulltime.

"It was a bit tricky."

Shaw said he would have also liked to re-sign Kenny Gabriel who impressed fans last season with his athleticism and ability to slam dunk.

"Kenny's an exciting talent and it would have been good to have him back. But he's committed to playing in Greece."

With Leasure and Gabriel off the radar, Shaw went searching for two imports.

"I've signed two and they're both really exciting players.

"Two young players who are hungry and looking for a chance to get their careers going," he said.

The two are big man Gabe Knutson and shooting guard Adrian Oliver, both Americans.

Knutson is a 23-year-old 2.05m (6ft 9in) forward who played for Lehigh University before playing stints in Bulgaria and Slovakia.

"He's a good solid forward, not massive, but a skilful big man," said Shaw.

Oliver is a 25-year-old 1.9m (6ft 3in) guard who had two years with the University of Washington and three years with San Jose State, before picking up contracts in Greece and Poland as well as with NBA development team Reno Bighorns. "Adrian comes with some impressive credentials. I've seen clips of him playing and he's a good shooter . . . really exciting."

Shaw said with a limited budget, it was good to secure two young players looking to improve their games.

"These two kids want to play here and they're coming for the right reasons."