Gliddon Eyes Return to Best

Written for nbl.com.au by Chris Pike

Cam Gliddon has plenty on his mind as he moves across the Tasman to join the New Zealand Breakers, aiming to remind everyone of what makes him such a valuable NBL asset. 

Gliddon is excited for a fresh start - moving to Auckland his wife, their two children and their two dogs.

It has been a bit of a frustrating ride over the last couple of years, having represented Australia at the FIBA World Cup in 2019.

He had a tough last season with the Brisbane Bullets and the last two seasons at the South East Melbourne Phoenix didn’t quite reach the heights he hoped.

A combination of health and injuries, COVID hiccups and a lack of game time meant he wasn't ever able to hit his straps in the NBL 2021/22 campaign, but a late-season game in which he knocked down six triples late in the piece showed he's still got plenty to offer. 

Now the 284-gamer is keen to make the most of his next opportunity. 

"The last two years for the Breakers has been really rough, being on the road the whole time pretty much, so being back at home you'd expect the fans would be pumped to have their team back, and the organisation being real excited to just be able to do some stuff on their homeland," Gliddon said.

"To be a part of it is going to be awesome and I'm looking forward to helping them climb up the ladder. Everyone knows it's been the toughest for them over the last two years and I think they want to get back to being that contender that they have been in the past. 

"I want to be part of that rise back to the top. Obviously with the Breakers being a great organisation and having the winning tradition that they have and not having it go their way the past few years, I know that they will be so dedicated to getting back to where they were. 

"I want to be part of that and when you have a hungry team that wants to do well, it only makes your game and play evolve as well."

Given Gliddon and his wife Sarah now have two young children to factor into any career decisions, for so many reasons he thought that joining the Breakers and to play under Mody Maor was the best thing for him.

"I guess when it gets to free agency time you talk to all your mates that you've grown up playing with and that you respect around the league to get their opinion on things," Gliddon said.

"Everyone that has been under Mody says how great he is at developing his players and his passion, and love for the game. He's a real family man as well so to me with a young family knowing that my coach has a young family as well means we'll be on the same page with a lot of things. 

"But also this is a fresh new start for me moving overseas. Him being an international as well, we've kind of got that in common as well. It's all of that in a combination that made it the right fit for me. I think it will be a great adventure for me as well. 

"I've played overseas a few times in my life but to have a whole season overseas is going to be a new experience, and New Zealand is a beautiful place as well. We really enjoyed our time in Christchurch when I played in the NZNBL. All of it was just pointing to it being a good opportunity so now I'm just looking forward to getting back over there."

While the last three seasons might have not quite gone to plan for Gliddon, the fact remains he's only 32 years of age, has plenty of good basketball in front of him and there's no reason he can't get back to being one of the standout two-way local guards in the league.

After all, only three years ago he was a deserved member of the Boomers team at the World Cup. With his ability to knockdown the three-point shot, create for himself and his teammate and to play outstanding defence, he has plenty to offer at the Breakers.

"I've got immense belief in myself and I know that I've still got a lot left to give, and I tried to still show that last season when I got the opportunity to show it," Gliddon said.

"I'm happy to get a two-year deal just because the situation of moving again is not pleasant, but I knew a team would have faith in me and New Zealand put the two-year deal out straight away to show they were committed to me.

"I wanted to show I was committed to them too, I didn’t want to go over there for one year either and then be looking elsewhere. It was a tough year where I had COVID once and then was in isolation after being a close contact, then I had gastro and was on minutes restriction at the start of the season. 

"It was a very frustrating year for me personally and one that I want to put behind me, and go forward."

While Gliddon is excited to be part of the Breakers' return home and all the excitement that will be generated when the Kiwi fans get to come out and fill Spark Arena again to cheer on their team, he's also got some mixed memories from playing across the ditch so far.

Gliddon's closest call to winning an NBL championship was ruined by that Ekene Ibekwe game-winner to clinch the Breakers the title against his Cairns Taipans.

That was a heartbreaking moment, but overall Gliddon has always enjoyed the experience of playing in Auckland whether Spark Arena or North Shore Events Centre, and now can't wait to be doing it in a Breakers uniform.

"Obviously losing the Grand Final to them when I was with Cairns was a heartbreaker, but I've actually played some really good games over there and felt like I always rose to the challenge against New Zealand during their years of winning those championships," Gliddon added.

"You knew if you didn’t bring your A-game you were going to be embarrassed over there so I ended up having some really good games. I'm looking forward to having 14 games over there for the home season and watching the fans get behind the team. 

"Kiwi fans are great supporters and every time I've been over there at Spark Arena or even back at North Shore they've always provided a great atmosphere."

While it's New Zealand where Gliddon's future lies, this off-season is providing him with a rare opportunity to get back to his hometown to embrace everything that goes with being home in Bunbury.

"It's so awesome and it's obviously a small town but it's changed so much since I last spent this much time here," Gliddon said.

"My parents' house is a lot different, they've done a lot of work to it and it's weird coming back to somewhere that's your home but isn't your home anymore. But it's so good having mum and dad around, and being with the kids and being able to spend some time here. 

"I was initially only going to come back for a couple of weeks but am extending it to six weeks and I'm so happy we're able to do that. Bunbury's obviously so much easier to get around in and do things in than Melbourne, and it's very family-friendly.

"I've got a couple of little staycations booked where we'll go see some nice parts of south-west WA. I'm very thankful to be back home for my time here and Bunbury's so small, but people show you a lot of love.

"I keep bumping into random mates who I haven’t seen since high school and we chew the fat for 20 minutes like no time's passed. It's really cool to be back."

Part of Gliddon's homecoming saw him host a 'Hoops with Glizzo' School Holiday Basketball Camp and while he's not quite sure what his long-term future holds in basketball beyond his playing days, helping out the youngsters like this while he is still playing is something he is ready to fully embrace.

"I really enjoy teaching kids stuff and watching them learn and have fun playing basketball, but we'll see what happens when I finish playing," he added. 

"I'm a real big family man and I want a job that provides the most time with my family and that's not too much of a grind. 

"Coaching can get that way especially in the professional ranks so we'll see, but I'm really enjoying doing this and while I'm still playing the game and people will listen to me I'm going to pass on as much knowledge as I can. 

"There's no better way than to start doing that in my hometown with this camp so I can give them some knowledge and new skills and drills, and make them have a good few days."