History
In March 2006 it was decided that the side would change their name to the Pistons from the Titans which they used from 2000-2005. This was primarily because Hamilton is now the motorsport capital of New Zealand after gaining the rights to host the V8 supercars and the New Zealand leg of the World Rally Championship. Before this they were referred to as the Waikato Warriors . The Pistons play their home games at the Hamilton YMCA . Current players include New Zealand young Tall Blacks stars Thomas Abercrombie and Alex Pledger. After the death of former coach Murray McMahon, Dean Vickerman, the assistant coach of the New Zealand Breakers has been signed on to coach them and has coached them to a championship in 2009, with Justin Bailey being named the Finals Most Valuable Player.
In 2010 the Waikato Pistons home venues will change. They will keep playing at the Te Awamutu Events Center, but will switch the YMCA in Hamilton for the new gym at Hamilton Boys High School.
After an incident in a Napier bar, Eric Devendorf was released by the club, not only for that reason but also because Dean Vickerman felt he needed a specialised point guard to play the position.
Since the release of Devendorf, a player had been signed to fill his spot by the name of Carl Krauser, who played for the University of Pittsburgh. He is a specialised point guard at 1.90m (6 ft 2in). Since then, the Pistons coaching staff decided Krauser wasn't the right fit for the Pistons, so released him and picked up a forward by the name of Rashad Tucker who played for the Melbourne Tigers.
Read more about this topic: Waikato Pistons
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