Category: New Zealand Breakers

High Schol Star RJ Hampton to join NBL’s New Zealand Breakers

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au : US teen sensation RJ Hampton will join the New Zealand Breakers as part of the NBL Next Stars program. Hampton, 18, is the number three ranked point guard in ESPN’s 2020 Draft Class Rankings and is the sixth highest ranked prospect overall, making him the highest ranked draft prospect to play in the NBL. Hampton, who is widely considered a top prospect in the 2020 NBA Draft, announced his decision to join New Zealand live on ESPN’s Get Up. From Little Elm High School in Texas, he…

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NBL and Players’ Association reach new Collective Bargaining Agreement

Brandon King

courtesy of nbl.com.au : The National Basketball League (NBL) and the Australian Basketball Players’ Association (ABPA) will deliver the most professional conditions in the League’s history under a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Minimum salaries will significantly increase and investment in player welfare and development will be doubled under the three-year agreement. Under the deal: Minimum salaries for players will be set at $55,000 – an increase of 38 per cent since 2016; Development Players will receive a minimum salary for the first time, set at $17,000 for the NBL Season;…

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Andrew Bogut wins Andrew Gaze NBL MVP Trophy

Brandon King

Former NBA veteran, world champion Andrew Bogut capped off his successful inaugural season in the NBL by being awarded the Andrew Gaze Trophy, which is given to the Most Valuable Player. The former no. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft garnered 83 votes to beat out Melbourne United’s Caspar Ware, who finished with 77 votes and Bryce Cotton of the Perth Wildcats, with 65 votes. Bogut was not done racking up hardware and acclaim, as was also named the NBL’s Best Defensive Player as well as earning a…

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Liam Santamaria’s Week 17 Studs and Duds

Brandon King

Written for nbl.com.au by Liam Santamaria Bryce Cotton is a gift from the Basketball Gods and Damian Martin is the hero we all deserve. STUDS Bryce Cotton (Perth Wildcats) What Bryce Cotton did across the final 16 minutes yesterday was one hundred percent pure basketball brilliance. As Perth’s clash with Sydney approached three-quarter time, and with the Wildcats trailing by 8, Cotton was 0-for-10 and had not scored a single point for the afternoon. That’s before a backcourt steal by Clint Steindl gifted him a rare open look, sparking a…

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NBL R17 preview: Illawarra Hawks v NZ Breakers

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au: Illawarra Hawks v New Zealand Breakers When: 7.50pm (AEDT), Saturday 9 February Where: WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong Broadcast: Fox Sports; Sky Sports NZ The last time Illawarra 107 (Blanchfield 27, Conklin 20, Jett 14, Ogilvy 14) d New Zealand 96 (Weeks 22, Abercrombie 20, Long 17), WIN Entertainment Centre, Round 14 The wheels fell off shortly after three-quarter-time for New Zealand. Tom Abercrombie nailed a trifecta to put them 15 in front and cruising to victory, but the Hawks unleashed a 34-8 run to steal the game. AJ Ogilvy and Emmett…

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Cairns defeats New Zealand in OT 106-98

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au: FAST FACTS • Cairns have hosted consecutive home games with overtime for the first time in their history • The Taipans came from 12 points down to win – the first time they have won from more than four points behind this season • It was Taipans first overtime win since December 2015 after five consecutive losses • Melo Trimble had 32 points, five rebounds and five assists. First Taipan ever to have 32/5/5 twice in the same season • Jarrad Weeks scored 17 points for the Bre…

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Why NBA people whose thoughts, actions and decisions mean something are looking at the NBL

Brandon King

This is an interesting read from Liam Santamaria on how more NBA team eyes are starting to focus on the NBL. Written for nbl.com.au by Liam Santamaria The NBL’s reputation as a breeding ground for NBA talent continues to grow, with more NBA coaches, agents, analysts and scouts than ever viewing the league as a legitimate development pathway. It’s a reputation that has skyrocketed over recent years thanks to a combination of factors, including the increased visibility of the league, the NBLxNBA initiative and the success of young players developing…

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Illawarra defeats New Zealand 107-96 in come from behind win

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au: Forward pair Todd Blanchfield and Brian Conklin combined for 47 points to lead the Illawarra Hawks to Friday night’s inspired 107-96 comeback victory over the New Zealand Breakers at WIN Entertainment Centre. Illawarra were behind at every change before outscoring the Breakers 34-11 in the final quarter to claim their 10th win of the season and stay in the finals race. Jordair Jett and AJ Ogilvy scored 14 points apiece off the bench for the Hawks, while four-time Olympian David Andersen added 10. “Our last four games are…

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