New Zealand Breakers

Last updated

New Zealand Breakers
Basketball current event.svg 2023–24 New Zealand Breakers season
New Zealand Breakers logo.svg
League NBL
Founded2003;21 years ago (2003)
HistoryNew Zealand Breakers
2003–present
Arena Spark Arena
Capacity9,740
Location Auckland, New Zealand
Team coloursPink, blue, white, black
    
Main sponsor Bank of New Zealand
CEOLisa Edser
General managerSimon Edwards
Head coach Mody Maor
Team captain Thomas Abercrombie
OwnershipBreakers Basketball Ltd
Championships4 (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015)
Retired numbers3 (23, 24, 32)
Website NZ Breakers

The New Zealand Breakers (also known as the BNZ Breakers for sponsorship reasons) are a New Zealand professional basketball team based in Auckland. The Breakers are the only non-Australian side currently competing in Australia's National Basketball League (NBL), and one of only two non-Australian sides to have done so (the other being the now-absent Singapore Slingers). They play their home games at multiple venues, mainly Spark Arena in Auckland. In 2011, the Breakers won their first NBL championship and successfully defended it in 2012 and 2013, claiming the second three-peat in NBL history. They won their fourth title in 2015.

Contents

The Breakers were owned by Liz and Paul Blackwell from 2005 to 2018 when a consortium headed by former NBA player Matt Walsh became the majority shareholders via a newly formed company called Breakers Basketball Ltd. [1]

History

Early years

In March 2003, a New Zealand basketball team was confirmed to be entering the Australian National Basketball League in the 2003–04 season. [2] Three Waikato businessmen, Michael Redman, Dallas Fisher and Keith Ward, were persuaded to start the Breakers franchise. [3] [4]

A driving force behind establishing the Breakers was inaugural coach Jeff Green. [5] Green stepped down as coach two months into the season and was replaced by assistant coach Frank Arsego. [6] The Breakers finished their first season in tenth place with a 12–21 record.

After finishing the 2004–05 season in last place, the Breakers replaced Arsego with Andrej Lemanis for the 2005–06 season. [7] In 2005, Liz and Paul Blackwell took over ownership of the Breakers. [8] [9]

With the addition of Kirk Penney for the 2007–08 season, the Breakers made their first playoff appearance. [10] The Breakers returned to the playoffs in 2008–09 behind Penney and C. J. Bruton. [11] Penney was sidelined for nine games with a back injury in 2009–10, [12] with a mid-season slump leading to the Breakers missing the playoffs. [13]

Championship era (2010–2016)

Breakers' Gary Wilkinson makes a pass against Wildcats' Cameron Tovey Gary Wilkinson and Cameron Tovey.jpg
Breakers' Gary Wilkinson makes a pass against Wildcats' Cameron Tovey

The 2010–11 season saw the Breakers earn their first minor premiership with a first-place finish and a 22–6 record. [14] They went on to reach their inaugural NBL grand final with a 2–1 semi-final victory over the Perth Wildcats. [15] In the grand final series, the Breakers defeated the Cairns Taipans 2–1 to win their maiden NBL championship. They became the first New Zealand side to win a major Australian championship. [16] The team was led by Penney, Bruton, Mika Vukona, Gary Wilkinson, Paul Henare and grand final MVP Thomas Abercrombie. [16] [17]

The 2011–12 season saw the Breakers claim the minor premiership with a 21–7 record and reach the NBL grand final series, where they defeated the Perth Wildcats 2–1 to win their second championship. The team was led by Wilkinson, Abercrombie, Vukona, Daryl Corletto, Cedric Jackson and grand final MVP C. J. Bruton. [18]

The 2012 off-season saw the departure of Gary Wilkinson and the elevation of Alex Pledger to the starting line-up, [19] while guard Corey Webster returned to the squad after a 12-month suspension for the use of banned substances. [20] The 2012–13 season saw the Breakers win the minor premiership behind a 15-game winning streak. [21] [22] They went on to reach the NBL grand final series, where they defeated the Wildcats 2–0 to win their third straight championship behind grand final MVP Cedric Jackson. The Breakers became just the second team to win a three-peat of championships after the Sydney Kings in 2003, 2004 and 2005. [23] [24] [25]

The 2013 off-season saw the departure of long-time coach Andrej Lemanis. [26]

Breakers playing against the Perth Wildcats in 2014 Perth WA 6000, Australia - panoramio (2).jpg
Breakers playing against the Perth Wildcats in 2014

After missing the playoffs in 2013–14, [27] the Breakers brought back Cedric Jackson for the 2014–15 season. [28] They finished the regular season in second place with a 19–9 record and defeated the Adelaide 36ers 2–0 in the semi-finals to return to the NBL grand final. [29] [30] [31] In the grand final series, the Breakers defeated the Cairns Taipans 86–71 in game one [32] and 83–81 in game two. Ekene Ibekwe hit the game-winning buzzer beater in game two to lift the Breakers to their fourth championship in five seasons. Jackson was named grand final MVP for the second time. [33] [34]

The Breakers returned to the NBL grand final series for the fifth time in six years in 2015–16, where they lost 2–1 to the Perth Wildcats. [35] [36] Following the 2015–16 season, chief executive Richard Clarke and coach Dean Vickerman parted ways with the organisation, with Paul Henare becoming head coach and Dillon Boucher becoming general manager. [37]

Post championship era and new ownership (2016–2020)

After missing the playoffs in 2016–17, [38] [39] [40] [41] the Breakers had a 9–1 record early in the 2017–18 season, setting their best start in franchise history. [42] [43] [44] They went on to finish the regular season in fourth place with a 15–13 record [45] and lost to Melbourne United in the semi-finals. [46] Kirk Penney retired following the season. [47]

In 2018, a consortium headed by former NBA player Matt Walsh became the majority shareholders via a newly formed company called Breakers Basketball Ltd. [1] [48] [49] The Breakers missed the playoffs in 2018–19 with a sixth-place finish and a 12–16 record.

The 2019–20 season saw the appointment of new coach Dan Shamir [50] and the acquisition of R. J. Hampton as part of the NBL Next Stars program. [51] The Breakers subsequently had record home crowds and engagement. [52] [53] Despite winning 11 of their last 14 games to finish the season, the team missed the playoffs on points differential. [54] [55] [56]

COVID-affected years (2020–2022)

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season start date was delayed until January 2021. As a result of the pandemic, the Breakers were forced to commit to being based in Australia for the majority of the season. [57] [58] [59] They hosted a number of games as the 'home' team in Tasmania and only returned to play their last seven games in New Zealand in late May. [60] A number of players missed large portions of the season due to injury and personal issues, including Robert Loe (20 games), Thomas Abercrombie (9), Corey Webster (8) and Tai Webster (7). The team also had a mid-season import change, with Lamar Patterson being replaced by Levi Randolph. They finished the season in eighth place with a 12–24 record. [60]

As a result of the pandemic, the Breakers played their entire 2021–22 season in Australia, basing themselves in Tasmania. [61] [62] The team faced a COVID outbreak on the eve of the season, which they had to play through en route to a 0–6 start. [62] [63] With a 5–23 record, the Breakers had their worst season in their 19-year history. [64] [65]

Return to the grand final (2022–present)

With the departure of Dan Shamir, assistant coach Mody Maor was elevated to head coach for the 2022–23 season and helped the Breakers become championship contenders. [66] The Breakers finished the regular season in second place with an 18–10 record, as they clinched their first playoff appearance in five years. [67] [68] They went on to reach their first grand final series since 2016. [69] [70] [71] [72] In game one against the Sydney Kings, the Breakers won 95–87. [73] [74] After losing games two and three, [75] [76] the Breakers tied the series with an 80–70 win at home in game four in front of their biggest ever crowd of 9,742. [77] [78] They went on to lose the deciding game five 77–69, as the Kings claimed the championship. [79] [80]

The Breakers started the 2023–24 season with a 3–7 record. [81] [82] They went on to finish sixth with a 13–15 record [83] and lost in the play-in game. [84] Thomas Abercrombie retired following the season, ending his NBL career with 429 games and finishing as the Breakers' most-capped player. [85]

Season by season

NBL championsLeague championsRunners-upFinals berth
SeasonTierLeagueRegular seasonPost-seasonHead coachCaptainClub MVP
FinishPlayedWinsLossesWin %
New Zealand Breakers
2003–04 1 NBL 10th331221.364Did not qualifyJeff Green
Frank Arsego		 Pero Cameron Mike Chappell
2004–05 1 NBL 11th32923.281Did not qualifyFrank ArsegoPero Cameron
Paul Henare 		Aaron Olson
2005–06 1 NBL 9th32923.281Did not qualify Andrej Lemanis Paul Henare Ben Pepper
2006–07 1 NBL 10th331122.333Did not qualifyAndrej LemanisPaul Henare Carlos Powell
2007–08 1 NBL 7th301614.533Won elimination final (Cairns) 100–78
Lost quarterfinal (Brisbane) 89–106		Andrej LemanisPaul Henare Kirk Penney
2008–09 1 NBL 3rd301812.600Won elimination final (Adelaide) 131–101
Lost semifinals (Melbourne) 0–2		Andrej LemanisPaul HenareKirk Penney
2009–10 1 NBL 5th281513.536Did not qualifyAndrej LemanisPaul HenareKirk Penney
2010–11 1 NBL 1st28226.786Won semifinals (Perth) 2–1
Won NBL finals (Cairns) 2–1		Andrej Lemanis Mika Vukona Kirk Penney
2011–12 1 NBL 1st28217.750Won semifinals (Townsville) 2–1
Won NBL finals (Perth) 2–1		Andrej LemanisMika VukonaCedric Jackson
2012–13 1 NBL 1st28244.923Won semifinals (Sydney) 2–0
Won NBL finals (Perth) 2–0		Andrej LemanisMika VukonaCedric Jackson
2013–14 1 NBL 7th281117.393Did not qualify Dean Vickerman Mika Vukona Thomas Abercrombie
2014–15 1 NBL 2nd28199.679Won semifinals (Adelaide) 2–0
Won NBL finals (Cairns) 2–0		Dean VickermanMika VukonaCedric Jackson
2015–16 1 NBL 4th281612.571Won semifinals (Melbourne) 2–0
Lost NBL finals (Perth) 1–2		Dean VickermanMika Vukona Corey Webster
2016–17 1 NBL 5th281414.500Did not qualifyPaul HenareMika VukonaKirk Penney
2017–18 1 NBL 4th281513.536Lost semifinals (Melbourne) 0–2Paul HenareMika Vukona Édgar Sosa
2018–19 1 NBL 6th281216.429Did not qualify Kevin Braswell Thomas Abercrombie Shawn Long
2019–20 1 NBL 6th281513.536Did not qualify Dan Shamir Thomas AbercrombieThomas Abercrombie
2020–21 1 NBL 8th361224.333Did not qualifyDan ShamirThomas Abercrombie Finn Delany
2021–22 1 NBL 10th28523.179Did not qualifyDan ShamirThomas Abercrombie Yanni Wetzell
2022–23 1 NBL 2nd281810.643Won semifinals (Tasmania) 2–1
Lost NBL finals (Sydney) 2–3		 Mody Maor Thomas Abercrombie Jarrell Brantley
2023–24 1 NBL 6th281315.464Won play-in qualifier (Sydney) 83–76
Lost play-in game (Illawarra) 85–88		Mody MaorThomas Abercrombie Parker Jackson-Cartwright
Regular season record618307311.4973 regular season champions
Finals record422616.6194 NBL championships

As of the end of the 2023–24 season

Source: New Zealand Breakers Year by Year

Honour roll

NBL Championships:4 (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015)
Regular Season Champions:3 (2011, 2012, 2013)
NBL Finals Appearances:10 (2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2023, 2024)
NBL Grand Final appearances:6 (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2023)
NBL Most Valuable Player: Kirk Penney (2009), Cedric Jackson (2013)
NBL Grand Final MVPs: Thomas Abercrombie (2011), C. J. Bruton (2012), Cedric Jackson (2013, 2015)
All-NBL First Team: Carlos Powell (2007), Kirk Penney (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011), C. J. Bruton (2009), Gary Wilkinson (2011), Cedric Jackson (2012, 2013, 2015), Thomas Abercrombie (2012), Anthony Lamb (2024), Parker Jackson-Cartwright (2024)
All-NBL Second Team:C. J. Bruton (2010), Gary Wilkinson (2012), Mika Vukona (2013, 2014), Ekene Ibekwe (2015), Corey Webster (2016), Édgar Sosa (2018), Shawn Long (2019), Scotty Hopson (2020), Finn Delany (2021), Barry Brown Jr. (2023), Dererk Pardon (2023)
All-NBL Third Team: Mike Chappell (2004), Thomas Abercrombie (2013)
Leading NBL scorer:Carlos Powell (2007), Kirk Penney (2009, 2010, 2011)
NBL Best Sixth Man: Phill Jones (2009), Kevin Braswell (2011), Barry Brown Jr. (2023)
NBL Most Improved Player: Shea Ili (2018)
NBL Defensive Player of the Year: Dillon Boucher (2010)
NBL Coach of the Year: Andrej Lemanis (2012, 2013)
Retired numbers:#23 C. J. Bruton, #24 Dillon Boucher, #32 Paul Henare
Lifetime members of the clubAndrej Lemanis, Jeff Green, Dillon Boucher, Paul Henare

Current roster

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

New Zealand Breakers roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.Wt.
G 0 Flag of New Zealand.svg McNaught, Alex  (DP)1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)90 kg (198 lb)
G 2 Flag of New Zealand.svg Le'afa, Izayah 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)90 kg (198 lb)
G 3 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Gliddon, Cameron 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)90 kg (198 lb)
G 6 Flag of the United States.svg Jackson-Cartwright, Parker  (I)1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)74 kg (163 lb)
G 7 Flag of Australia (converted).svg McDowell-White, Will 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)89 kg (196 lb)
F/C 8 Flag of South Sudan.svg Mathiang, Mangok 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)102 kg (225 lb)
G/F 10 Flag of New Zealand.svg Abercrombie, Thomas  (C)1.99 m (6 ft 6 in)91 kg (201 lb)
F 12 Flag of New Zealand.svg Darling, Max  (DP)1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)118 kg (260 lb)
G/F 17 Flag of Lithuania.svg Rubštavičius, Mantas  (NS)1.99 m (6 ft 6 in)89 kg (196 lb)
F 21 Flag of New Zealand.svg Davison, Carlin  (DP)1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)95 kg (209 lb)
C 22 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Pineau, Dane 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in)103 kg (227 lb)
F 25 Flag of New Zealand.svg Kelman-Poto, Dominique  (NRP)1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)120 kg (265 lb)
G 37 Flag of the United States.svg Jessup, Justinian   Cruz Roja.svg  (IN)1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)97 kg (214 lb)
F 42 Flag of New Zealand.svg Fotu, Dan 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)102 kg (225 lb)
F 44 Flag of the United States.svg Lamb, Anthony   Cruz Roja.svg  (I)1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)103 kg (227 lb)
F 45 Flag of the United States.svg Cheatham, Zylan  (I)2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)105 kg (231 lb)
F 70 Flag of New Zealand.svg Delany, Finn 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)106 kg (234 lb)
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
  • Flag of Hungary.svg Mate Jakab
  • Flag of the United States.svg David Pavlakovich
  • Flag of the United States.svg Daniel Sokolovsky
Strength & conditioning coach(es)
  • Flag of New Zealand.svg Emily Nolan
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (I) Import player
  • (SRP) Special restricted player
  • (NS) Next Star player
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured
Updated: 28 February 2024

All-time roster

Notable past players

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

Criteria

To appear in this section a player must have either:

  • Set a club record or won an individual award while at the club
  • Played at least one official international match for their national team at any time
  • Played at least one official NBA match at any time.

Retired jerseys

New Zealand Breakers retired numbers
No.Nat.PlayerPositionTenure
23 Flag of Australia (converted).svg C. J. Bruton [86] [87] PG/SG 2008–2014
24 Flag of New Zealand.svg Dillon Boucher SF/PF 2003–2005, 2008–2013
32 Flag of New Zealand.svg Paul Henare PG 2003–2011 (player)
2013–2018 (coach)

In February 2019, former owners Paul and Liz Blackwell were honoured by the Breakers with a banner in the rafters at Spark Arena. [88]

Preseason games against NBA teams

3 October 2018
19:00
Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand Breakers86–91 Flag of the United States.svg Phoenix Suns
Scoring by quarter: 20–28, 22–24, 20–25, 24–14
Pts: Webster 27
Rebs: Long 10
Asts: Webster 7		Pts: Ayton 21
Rebs: Ayton 16
Asts: Ariza 6
Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, United States
Attendance: 7,183
Referees: Bill Kennedy, CJ Washington, Scott Twardoski
8 October 2019
19:00
Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand Breakers94–108 Flag of the United States.svg Memphis Grizzlies
Scoring by quarter: 14–27, 22–28, 29–22, 29–31
Pts: Webster 19
Rebs: Hopson 8
Asts: Webster 8		Pts: Jackson Jr., Allen 18
Rebs: Clarke 12
Asts: Morant 10
FedExForum, Memphis, United States
Attendance: 10,259
Referees: Derrick Collins, Michael Smith, CJ Washington
10 October 2019
19:00
Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand Breakers84–110 Flag of the United States.svg Oklahoma City Thunder
Scoring by quarter: 15–29, 20–33, 22–28, 27–20
Pts: Loe 19
Rebs: Hopson, Majok 6
Asts: Hampton, Henry 5		Pts: Adams 19
Rebs: Adams 10
Asts: Schroder 6
Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, United States
Attendance: not available
Referees: Derrick Collins, Brett Nansel, Michael Smith

Arena history

Spark Arena, 2017 Spark Arena .jpg
Spark Arena, 2017

Related Research Articles

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Alex John Pledger is a New Zealand former professional basketball player. He played college basketball in the United States for Kansas City and Belmont Abbey before playing eleven seasons in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) between 2009 and 2020. In nine seasons with the New Zealand Breakers, he won four NBL championships. In the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL), he won championships with the Auckland Pirates (2012) and Southland Sharks (2018). He was also a regular member of the New Zealand national team.

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References

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  52. ↑ "New Crowd Record Will Be Broken Against Hawks on Thursday". www.nzbreakers.basketball. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
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