Manchester Giants have completed the signing of 6’9” American big man Breaon Brady, a former competitor in the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen as the starting centre for the University of Houston Cougars between 2017 and 2019.

The 23-year-old, from Akron, Ohio, has a reputation for his muscular play and dominant defence, and averaged six points and four rebounds in 14 minutes per game for the Cougars, shooting 58% from the field. That included 13 points, on 6-6 shooting, with eight rebounds in NCAA Tournament first round action against Georgia State, with a season-high of 19 points against Temple, and nine rebounds on two occasions.

Brady was a key part of a Houston team that won 89% of its games in 2018-19, competing in the formidable American Athletic Conference (AAC) where they were regular season Champions with a 16-2 record, and AAC Tournament runners-up. Featuring in all 37 games, Brady tied the school record for games played, and his 36 starts was fifth in school history.

Prior to Houston, Brady played on the same Saddleback Gauchos side as fellow Giant and front court partner for the 2020-21 BBL campaign, Lyle Hexom. In the year they played together, the team won 94% of its games, only falling short in the State Championship Final. With six rebounds per game, Brady was second only to Hexom on that front, and he added nine points in the 2015-16 season. The following season, after Hexom departed, Brady was second on the team with 12 points per game, and led their rebounding with seven per outing.

He initially signed for KK Gostivar in Macedonia in 2019-20, but departed for personal reasons and now looks to establish himself as a professional in Manchester.

“Breaon brings all of the physicality and aggression that we look for in our big men, but alongside that he has a very accomplished skillset in the post and great footwork,” said Head Coach Danny Byrne. “He has a soft touch as a lefty, and good vision to pass out of the post, making him a hard cover for opposition bigs.

“He was one of the best defensive players on one of the best defensive teams in the country in college, and that’s really important for us as we look to correct past issues at that end of the floor. We initially scouted and pursued Breaon last season, so I’m very happy that we’ve finally managed to bring him to Manchester.”