Experienced Kiwi Big Man Anzac Rissetto Signs for the BNZ Breakers

The BNZ Breakers have officially added a proven, battle-tested piece to their frontcourt for the NBL27 campaign, signing 208 cm powerhouse forward/centre Anzac Rissetto.

Rissetto’s signing secures a physical, homegrown Kiwi big man who already possesses genuine, hard-earned experience in the Australian NBL. Returning to Auckland, Rissetto provides interior muscle and defensive stability, fresh from his NZNBL season with the Tauranga Whai.

This completes the local roster for the BNZ Breakers with two import spots to be decided.

The 25-year-old is familiar with the Australian NBL, having spent two full seasons with the South East Melbourne Phoenix (NBL23 and NBL24), where he earned massive "cult hero" status due to his infectious, high-energy, and emotional celebrations on the bench. He became renowned league-wide as a premier culture-setter with an unselfish attitude and a strong work ethic.

His NBL experience is backed by a diverse international basketball pedigree, having played two years of major collegiate basketball for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, an NCAA Division I side.

He then refined his professional game in Germany, helping anchor the interior rotation for Phoenix Hagen as they captured the ProA championship title.

Rissetto has Tall Black representation under the belt too, having pulled on the black singlet for FIBA World Cup qualifiers in 2022.

"Securing a Kiwi big man with international experience is part of our commitment to a strong Kiwi core," says Dillon Boucher, BNZ Breakers President of Basketball Operations.

"Anzac knows this league and how to play his role to absolute perfection.  He is an enforcer who thrives on taking on the challenge head on. He does the heavy lifting, and having a local player with a team-first mindset is precisely what builds championship cultures."

Rissetto can’t wait to run out at Spark Arena wearing BNZ Breakers colours. "Wearing the BNZ Breakers singlet in front of my whānau is a dream come true. We are going to lift the roof off of Spark Arena this summer with an exciting roster as we aim to secure another banner."