Giants have picked up three time NBL champion Dion Prewstwr for next year’s NBL season.

Giants nab three time NBL champion

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The Mike Pero Nelson Giants have signed three-time NBL champion Dion Prewstwr for the 2017 season.

The franchise has also announced the re-signings of local players Bronson Beri and Ali Granger.

Nelson Giants legend, Phill Jones, who is helping facilitate player negotiations while head coach Tim Fanning is in America, has indicated he has called time on his career after more than 400 NBL games and 22 seasons in the league, after debuting in 1993.

Phill says the signings of Ali and Bronson were “the backbone of the team”.

He described Dion’s signing as one of an all-rounder, with the 26-year-old shooting guard/small forward impressing during his time with the Wellington Saints.

“He’s a very efficient player, treasures the ball, a solid two and three-point shooter and I always found playing against him that he was a good defender.”

The naturalised Kiwi also won an ANBL title with the Breakers in 2012.

Phill says the Giants will also be looking for two new imports, with Ray Cowels III and Ben Strong moving on.

Phill says the team is targeting some added height for 2017 as well as a scorer to complement Nelson’s young New Zealand Breaker Finn Delany.

“We really struggled with rebounding last season because we lacked a little height and you just can’t give second chances to teams in this league.”

Captain Sam Dempster and Finn had already re-signed with the team.

Phill says he will have no full time role with the Giants next season.

“I’m fine with stepping away,” Phill says. “I’m happy to help with player contracts like this but my involvement will be very limited once the season starts.

“Perhaps Tim (Fanning) will ask me to come in and run a few trainings, but I expect I’ll turn up to watch the first game and people will wonder why I’m not out there playing.”