READING Rockets have signed 26-year-old American Trae Pemberton ahead of the NBL Division One season.

The 6ft 4in guard from Indiana, who celebrates his birthday later this month, joins compatriot AJ Carr and Irish players Adrian and Ronan O’Sullivan on the Rockets roster for the new season.

Pemberton’s move to Reading comes following two seasons of impressive competition in Ireland, where he starred with the Tralee Warriors.

Contributing to the club’s Irish Superleague Championship successes, Pemberton was named Eurobasket.com import player of the year last season, as well as Basketball Ireland All-Star two years in a row.

A multiple winner of Sportleague player of the month, he was also named Irish men’s Superleague player of the year for 2016-17.

Reading Rockets head coach Alan Keane said: “Trae is a really good signing for us. On the court he is a high volume scorer, who is very dynamic and can score in a variety of ways.

"His calm demeanour means he is very good in key moments of the game and has a track record of producing the goods when the game is on the line.

"A man with great character, Trae is going to be an awesome Rocket both on and off the court, as well as in the community."

Pemberton added: "I’m really excited about this upcoming season in Reading.

"There is a high level of basketball being played in England and the Rockets have a great history of winning.

"I’m proud to be a part of that. I think it will be a great opportunity for my basketball career and for me to be involved in a great community."

He continued: "The family atmosphere really helped me make my decision, and I really want to be a part of the Rockets family. We have a lot of good pieces on this team and I think we can do some special things.

"Having played against Adrian in Ireland, we are looking forward to playing on the same side for a change. The ultimate goal is to win some hardware at the end of the season. I’m looking forward to it.”

Rockets chairman Gary Johnson was also delighted, stating: “Our senior men’s squad just keeps getting better and better, with even more still to come.

"I am delighted Trae has signed for us. He has all the qualities we look for in a Rocket, and I think this season will be an exciting new chapter in his career.

"In Trae, the communities around Reading will have a sporting hero to look up to.”