'Breakers’ hopes ride on PJC'

Locking in the signature of Parker Jackson-Cartwright should be New Zealand’s top priority, according to Derek Rucker.

While the Breakers have quietly re-signed key locals Izayah Le’Afa, Reuben Te Rangi and Rob Loe, their biggest move is still pending: securing their most important piece.

Rucker believes Jackson-Cartwright is the key player who will unlock the rest of New Zealand’s roster build.

“PJC, we believe, will be back… they’re in negotiations and I would find it astoundingly crazy if they don’t bring him back,” he said on The Marketplace.

The Breakers finished last year with a 10–19 record, in ninth place, made even more disappointing by the fact they were 6–2 after Round 7.

Jonah Bolden, Matt Mooney and Mojave King have all departed, while Mitch McCarron and Dane Pineau have retired.

With so many key exits and uncertainty still surrounding Tacko Fall’s return, Damon Lowery has concerns.

“It’s only June. I don’t want to panic yet, but they need to start making some moves,” Lowery said.

“I think they’re just holding steady at the moment,” Rucker continued.

“It was tough last year for New Zealand… they showed a lot of promise.

“But when you have a player of PJC’s magnitude, I’m never going to rule the team out and what they’re capable of doing.

“If a player on his own can get you four or five wins, you only need to come together as a team to get another 10 to 12 victories and you’re right there in the Play-In situation.

“They’re going to go over to Summer League and will try to find a couple of imports to pair with Parker Jackson-Cartwright, who we hope and hear is going to return.”

Petteri Koponen will coach the Breakers for a second season in NBL26, while Alex McNaught, Carlin Davison, Kaia Isaac, Karim Lopez, Max Darling, Sam Mennenga, Sean Bairstow and Fall are all contracted, alongside new signing Taylor Britt, Le'Afa, Te Rangi and Loe.

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