Breakers Secure First Import for NBL24

The New Zealand Breakers are one step closer to completing their NBL24 roster, confirming the signing of American Zylan Cheatham on a one-year deal.

Cheatham boasts an impressive resume, having most recently played with Bayern Munich in Germany where he averaged 9.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 13 games.

Prior to that, he played in the NBA’s G-League and spent time with both the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans, among five NBA caps and more than 100 G-League appearances. 

Cheatham looks set to fill the void left by Jarrell Brantley, who won New Zealand’s MVP honours in NBL23.

A 6’8 forward, Cheatham joins Finn Delany as key signings across the last week for the Breakers. 

"It is very fitting that Zylan is our first import signed for the upcoming season because he plays with a special level of intensity and effort,” head coach Mody Maor said.

"What makes Zylan special is that those traits come together with elite athleticism, high-level court vision and the ability to play both on the perimeter and in the paint. 

"I’m sure we have signed another fan favourite in Zylan, and I’m looking forward to working alongside him as we both share the same collective goal in our desire to win.

Maor and his team have secured the signatures of Dane Pineau and Mangok Mathiang from opposing clubs, locked in star Will McDowell-White for a further two seasons and welcomed another exciting Next Star, Lithuanian Mantas Rubštavicius, for the NBL24 campaign.