Cheshire Phoenix have added American forward Kinu Rochford to their roster in time for Sunday’s home clash with Glasgow Rocks (5.30pm).

The 6ft 6ins 24-year-old’s arrival at Cheshire fills the void left by Will Faiivae’s non-arrival during the summer after he had agreed a deal to join the club.

Rochford, who played his college basketball with NCAA Division One school Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, arrives at the Nix on the back of an impressive season playing in France’s second tier, Pro B, with Le Portel.

While with the French side Rochford, who graduated from college in 2013 and has also played professionally in Holland with Aris Leewarden, proved his worth defensively, pulling in an average of 10.7 rebounds per game last season in a fiercely competitive league.

And Lavery is hoping that defensive intensity is something that the Brooklyn, New York native will be able to bring to the table when he pulls on a Phoenix jersey.

“Kinu is someone who we knew about and he’s a big signing for us and will be a big presence for us on the defensive end,” said Nix head coach John Lavery.

Watch: Kinu Rochford's highlight reel

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“He is a quality player coming into the rotation and it will take a little bit of time for him to bed in and get used to our way of playing.

“He had a great season at Pro B level, which is a really strong league, and he is an great inside presence who will really help that side of our game. He is mobile and athletic and he’ll be a big player for us.

Prior to Rochford’s arrival, Cheshire had been relying on summer recruit Jeff Dirkin, who was initially signed to aid the defensive effort off the bench, and Donatas Visockis, who returned to the club on an initial one-month deal.

“He is a really strong signing for us and he is a very similar type of player to what we would have had in Will (Faiivae),” said Phoenix general manager James Brice.

“He has been playing in a league which is of a higher standard than the BBL and he has really done well.

“He is a big body and will give us a boost in that position. Jeff has continued to improved and it will be good for him to be able to support Kinu on that side of things.

“We’re excited to have him join us.”