Abercrombie calls time on NBL career

A titan of NBL basketball will call time on his storied career at the culmination of NBL24, after New Zealand captain and four-time NBL champion Tom Abercrombie announced his 16^th season in the competition would be his last.

Abercrombie will end his career having represented his hometown New Zealand Breakers for the entirety of his career, and he leads the franchise in games, points, blocks and steals.

Aside from his four championships with the Breakers he was also named Grand Final MVP in 2011 and was nominated to the All-NBL First Team in 2012.

Abercrombie was also the second player in the history of the NBL – behind Daniel Kickert – to enter the NBL’s 50-40-90 club, when he shot 50 per cent from the field, 46.5 per cent from three and 90.5 per cent from the free throw line in NBL20.

“Playing for the Breakers has meant everything to me,” Abercrombie said.

“It’s been about representing a family, a country, and a lot of people who have put their heart and soul into this organisation.”

Given the delicate nature of this season’s ladder, New Zealand’s Round 20 clash with Brisbane could be the final time Abercrombie graces the Spark Arena court. Heading into the round New Zealand sits sixth on the ladder.

“I just want to take my hat off to you,” Breakers part-owner and NBA legend Shawn Marion said.

“You are ‘Mr Breakers’ himself. 16 years with the club, you’re the epitome of what a professional athlete is, and I’m happy for you.

“This is the end and the beginning of something new and special for you. What you’ve done for this city and this club. I don’t think anyone can do or say enough for you.

“It’s been a truly amazing ride for you and I’m happy I got to experience some of it, and I just want to say thank you.”

The Breakers stalwart has never played for another club in the NBL, but spent time playing in New Zealand, Turkey, Spain and France during his career.

He was also a long-time representative of the Tall Blacks and was a key member of the 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medal winning side, and he retired from international play in 2023.

Rumours of Abercrombie’s retirement swirled at the back end of NBL23, and after the club stalwart was confirmed as playing in NBL24, head coach Mody Maor said he was dreaded the day his captain decided to finish his playing days.

“Tom Abercrombie is everything you want an athlete to be, from positional size, to toughness, to athleticism, to shooting, to IQ, to leadership,” Maor said.

“We are losing a player who is a connection with the Breakers of today, and the legacy of the Breakers’ past."