Breakers sign elite shooter, former Next Star

Justinian Jessup is returning to the NBL with New Zealand, signing a one-year deal with the Breakers.

Jessup initially joined the competition as a Next Star with the Illawarra Hawks prior to the NBL20 season, having been drafted by the Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors stashed Jessup at the Hawks following his selection with the 51^st pick at the 2020 NBA Draft, and after an opening season largely coming off the bench, he started every game of NBL22.

Jessup averaged 13.2 points per game across 68 games for Illawarra.

“Justinian has elite shooting skills, but I’ve always thought there was a lot more to him,” Breakers coach Mody Maor said. 

“We believe he can become a much more complete player at the Breakers; we believe he can take another step towards being a playmaker and creator and not just be pegged as a shooter. Justinian feels the same way.”

The 25-year-old spent his most recent season at Liga ACB in Spain’s top professional basketball league, averaging 11.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists, across 28 games.

“Stats can be interpreted in many different ways; the fact that his assist numbers are down is not because he is selfish or looks to score,” Maor said.

“In every team he’s been in, Justinian has been the finisher of plays, and it’s been a great way to use him in the past.

“But those assists stats are going to inflate playing for the Breakers this season.”

Jessup is the club's final signing, following the additions of Zylan Cheatham and Parker Jackson-Cartwright in reent weeks.