Breakers Sign NBL’s “Most Underrated Player”

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

"Mangok has impacted winning in every contract of his professional career."

The New Zealand Breakers have confirmed the signing of Mangok Mathiang for the NBL24 season.

Breakers coach Mody Maor labelled Mathiang “the most underrated player coming into the NBL”, with the 30-year-old fighting fit heading into a new campaign.

The former Charlotte Hornet showed he can make an impact in the League during a 25-game stint at Illawarra across NBL23, averaging 7.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and one block.

“In my opinion, Mangok will be the most underrated player coming into the NBL this season,” Maor told New Zealand’s website.

“Mangok has completely healed from the leg injury that hampered him for two seasons.

“It was clear that playing last season for Illawarra, he was rounding into form before heading to the Middle East. In the last couple of months, Mangok has dominated the Israeli League.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">??????<br><br>The next piece of the puzzle for NBL24 is big man Mangok Mathiang who has signed on a one-year deal ?<br><br>The South Sudanese-Australian is currently playing in Israel averaging 11.1 ppg and 13.9 rpg, and played for the Illawarra Hawks in NBL23.<br><br>More at our website ? <a href="https://t.co/0v3gTUp3KX">pic.twitter.com/0v3gTUp3KX</a></p>— Sky Sport New Zealand Breakers (@NZBreakers) <a href="https://twitter.com/NZBreakers/status/1668347439256854566?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Playing for Hapoel Eilat, Mathiang has racked up impressive numbers; 11.1 points and 13.9 rebounds a game as a commanding presence under the rim.

The Breakers coach has high hopes for his newest signing.

“If he produces the type of numbers for us that he’s been posting in Israel, then we are talking about a strong candidate for NBL Defensive Player of the Year,” Maor added.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mangok Mathiang once again turning into Man????? Mathiang ?<br><br>Catch the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> action live on ESPN via Kayo Sports and Foxtel <a href="https://t.co/0HiqaXAvGx">pic.twitter.com/0HiqaXAvGx</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1585565735274696704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

New Zealand also confirmed the departure of Derek Pardon, who played a big role in the team’s run to the Championship Series.

Pardon claimed All-NBL Second Team honours in NBL23, but according to Maor, Mathiang could have an even bigger impact.

“Mangok has impacted winning in every contract of his professional career,” he said.

“In his first year overseas, he led Cremona to second place in the Italian league and its first Italian Cup. After some roster instability in Turkey, Mangok’s presence turned the team’s season around.

“In Israel, Mangok’s dominance completely changed his team’s defence, which was the critical factor in them avoiding relegation.

“This and Mangok’s competitive fire are what led me to expect him to produce a ‘Defensive Player of the Year Season’ for the Breakers.”

Mathiang is the seventh player confirmed on the Breakers’ roster for NBL24, joining Tom Abercrombie, Will McDowell-White, Izayah Le’afa, Cam Gliddon, Dan Fotu, and Tom Vodanovich.