Franklin has touched down in Auckland and will suit up for the North Shore based club on Sunday afternoon against Southland, despite having just a couple of practice sessions under the belt.

Heat Head Coach Judd Flavell says Franklin will take some time to find his feet.

“While Kavossy will be in the roster on Sunday, we will ease him in to the side and certainly won’t be expecting too much too early. As with any new player to a group it will take some time for him to come to terms with our plays and his role within the team, both on offence and defence. But I have no doubt that a player of his experience and class will bring plenty to our season. On court and off court, Kavossy will be a leader, someone who can mentor the younger guys in the group as well as do the business on game night.”

34 year old shooting guard Franklin has a long and distinguished career in the Australian NBL, winning a championship with the Sydney Kings and being one of the league’s better imports over the years with the likes of the Dragons and Hawks.

The Heat will need all the firepower at their disposal to repel the challenge of the Southlanders with the newest side in the Bartercard National League impressive despite losing to the Hawks in an overtime thriller on the weekend.

While the Heat was at times impressive in the big win over the Nuggets, they also went to sleep at times, allowing the Southerners back into the contest. This is something Flavell has been working on this week.

“We were pretty inconsistent with our intensity and concentration on Saturday night and if we play in a similar way run the risk of being beaten on Sunday. As is often the case at the start of the season there was some rustiness and players weren’t on the same page at times but there can be no excuses, we have to be better on Sunday. The league is looking like it will be very close this year, even at this early stage, it is vital then that we win our home games and set ourselves up for a good season.

“That can only be achieved one game at a time though; our focus for now is on the Sharks and no one else. This is their first road trip and in a funny way might be easier for them than playing at home. Sometimes new teams need that road trip to really come together, we must be on our game – anything less and we invite trouble in the form of the Southlanders and I’m sure they won’t need a second invitation.”

Bartercard National Basketball League

Harbour Heat v Southland Sharks

North Shore Events Centre

Sunday 14^th March

3pm tip off