Wellington, March 2 NZPA - Former South Dragons and Wollongong Hawks guard Kavossy Franklin has signed with North Harbour for the National Basketball League (NBL).

American Franklin, 34, joins a squad already strengthened with the additions of NZ Breakers players Rick Rickert and Dillon Boucher.

Franklin, who joins the side on March 9, will miss Saturday night's NBL season opener against Otago at the North Shore Events Centre.

Head coach Judd Flavell is pleased to have secured Franklin's services.

"Kavossy will bring huge maturity and experience to the table and I'm sure will be a wonderful asset to us on and off court."

Franklin graduated from Augusta State University and has played his basketball in Australia since 2003, winning a title with the Sydney Kings that season before stints with the Hunter Pirates, South Dragons and Hawks.