THE 2023/24 National Basketball League (NBL) season was one of the most entertaining in recent memory, with all teams performing at a high level and making a genuine run at some postseason action along the way.

All 10 teams were in the hunt for a spot in the finals and play-in until the penultimate round, demonstrating the impressive quality of the competition.

Given the season has concluded, Rookie Me Central will be dissecting each team’s campaign, and the key pieces that shaped it.

Next up are the New Zealand Breakers, who impressed with an exciting play-in win, but fell one result short of booking a spot in the semi-finals.

New Zealand Breakers

2023/24 record – 13 wins, 15 losses
Ladder Position – 6th
Postseason Result – Eliminated in second play-in match

How it happened

Coming off a grand final appearance the season before, the Breakers found the going tough at times throughout the 2023/24 fixture. With a significantly changed roster, New Zealand had to deal with injuries to key players, and slumped down the standings. In fact, the Breakers spent time on the bottom of the ladder at times throughout the season,

Undeterred, they flipped the script with some eye-catching road wins in the back half of the season. A win over the Bullets in the final round sealed their spot in the play-in, where they sent the reigning champions home in a seriously gutsy triumph. However, the Hawks got the better of them in the final play-in match, ending New Zealand’s title hopes.

MVP – Parker Jackson-Cartwright

Replacing Barry Brown Jr. was always going to be tough, but Jackson-Cartwright was up to the task. Despite being shorter in stature than many of his peers, his impact was huge, leading New Zealand to several victories single-handedly and leaving his mark on both ends of the court.

Throughout the 2023/24 NBL season, the guard averaged 20.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game on 47 per cent shooting from the field, and was named to the All-NBL First Team. Although unlikely to return next season, Jackson-Cartwright left a mark in the best way possible.

The Coach – Mody Maor

Having taken the team to new heights and a Championship Series last time around, Maor once again showed his coaching prowess in the 2023/24 season. Although not dealt the best hand on the injury front, he made adjustments on a nightly basis to try and get the most out of the players that were on the court. Seemingly popular with the players, Maor was again vocal on the bench each and every game, and helps his players get to another level.

Where to?

Once again, it looks as if the Breakers will be unable to retain their big name imports over the off-season, as greater financial opportunities come calling from overseas. For the second year in a row, Maor conceded that the team will likely take a hit on this front, so New Zealand will be looking at the import market to try and get some replacements. Re-signing William McDowell-White is a massive part of the team’s outlook, with the star point guard set to hit free agency, and already gathering plenty of attention from rival teams.