CAM Rigby will return to the Bendigo Telstra Braves for the 2008 South East Australian Basketball League season.

Rigby, who is presently playing in the National Basketball League with Wollongong, confirmed to The Advertiser yesterday that he’s likely to sign a contract with the club by the end of this week.

‘‘I’m in talks with the club, but everything looks pretty good,’’ Rigby said yesterday.

‘‘Hopefully, we’ll have everything sorted out this week.’’

Rigby will fill the second of the Braves two restricted spots after the club signed American swingman Dustin Bremerman last month.

Rigby was one of the major players in the Braves championship-winning season this year.

The power forward averaged 20 points, seven rebounds and two assists per game, with a season-high 34 points against Mt Gambier on July 13.

Rigby is looking forward to reacquainting himself with his Braves team-mates.

‘‘I had a great time in Bendigo this year and I made a lot of good friends,’’ he said.

‘‘A big part of our success was the team chemistry and even though there’s been a few changes to the team, I’d like to think we can be a good group again next year.’’

Rigby is averaging seven points and four rebounds per game in his 15 games in the NBL this season.

‘‘My form has been a bit patchy,’’ Rigby admitted.

‘‘I had a pinched nerve in my shoulder, but I’ve worked through that and not having a game over the weekend has helped.’’

The Hawks are in 11th place on the ladder with a 4-11 record.

They snapped a five-game losing streak last week when they defeated the Singapore Slingers.

Despite the Hawks being unlikely to make the play-offs, Rigby will not arrive back in Bendigo until just before the SEABL season starts on March 1.

The Braves now have one place to fill on their roster.

The club would ideally like to secure a centre or power forward to back up Rigby and Chris Novak.