The 2.15m centre has been auditioning for a starting spot for the past two years and will get his opportunity this season.
While the man nicknamed "Chief" has been dominant in the New Zealand domestic league, he has had to start from the bench for the Breakers, backing up outstanding import Gary Wilkinson.
The pair roomed together for Breakers away games and there was never any awkwardness between the two despite being in direct competition for court time.
The Breakers decided Pledger was ready to step up to a starting role this season, which meant the club was only able to offer Wilkinson a reduced role and corresponding salary package.
The dynamic American chose to pursue playing opportunities elsewhere. It is a big loss for the franchise but everyone is excited to see what Pledger will be capable of with more court time.
The Tall Black is one part excited and one part apprehensive.
"It is something I've looked forward to for the last couple of years and hopefully I'll be able to take full advantage of the opportunity," Pledger said.
"Gary and I have different playing styles, so if I just be myself and play my game and don't try to be him then I think I'll be fine. But they definitely are pretty big shoes to fill ... but I think I'm capable of filling them.
"If the world was perfect we would have liked to have kept Gary but unfortunately it isn't. But Gary understood the situation and he has moved on to a pretty good club in Estonia. Who knows, you might see him back in the Breakers one day."
Pledger might have first dibs on the centre spot but import Will Hudson will keep the pressure on. Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis described Hudson as a "relentless rebounder" and an all-rounder capable of contributing in every aspect of the game.
"If I want to keep the spot I'm going to have to work really hard," Pledger said.
The move from the bench to the starting line-up means Pledger will be expected to do more talking and has promised to work on his communication skills.
"It is an area I'm improving in ... and I can't be afraid to tell them what I think. That will be the biggest adjustment I'll have to make from last season."
Pledger's Dunedin-based fans will get a chance to see him strut his stuff when the Breakers play the Wollongong Hawks in a pre-season game at the Edgar Centre tonight.
It is the second of three matches. The Breakers beat the Hawks 70-61 in Christchurch on Tuesday night. Mika Vukona top-scored with 16 points and eight rebounds. Cedric Jackson chipped in with 14 points and Pledger grabbed 10 rebounds and scored 10 points in 26 minutes.
"I was pretty happy with how I went. It definitely wasn't perfect. There is a lot for me to work on but it was a pretty good place to start."
Breakers v Hawks
Edgar Centre, tonight, 7.30pm
New Zealand Breakers: Cedric Jackson, Daryl Corletto, CJ Bruton, Leon Henry, Mika Vukona, Dillon Boucher, Will Hudson, Alex Pledger, Josh Bloxham, Reuben Te Rangi.
Wollongong Hawks: Tom Wright, Oscar Forman, Daniel Jackson, Larry Davidson, Glen Saville, Rhys Martin, Auryn MacMillan, David Grubber, Lance Hurdle.
