Maor Rebuilds Breakers NZ Connection

New Zealand Breakers head coach Mody Maor has made reconnecting the club to its homeland a priority this season.

The Breakers have spent majority of the two last seasons on the road due to COVID-19, while the number of New Zealand players on their roster has declined compared to their glory years in the 2010’s.

It led to New Zealand finishing last this past season and second-last the campaign prior.

With a refreshed roster oozing with Kiwi talent, new coach Maor in charge, and a full slate of home games in New Zealand expected, the Breakers are hoping for a change of fortunes this season.

Not one to shy away from critics, Maor admits he has heard the noise around the club, and he is ready to change the narrative. Speaking to Stuff basketball reporter Marc Hinton, Maor explained how a piece of criticism in his article has helped him realise a culture shift is needed.

“You (Hinton) were 100% right, and the last sentence resonated with things I’ve been feeling for a while. You wrote (former coach) Andrej Lemanis said he’d come to realise the Kiwiness of the Breakers was a strength, and not a weakness,” Maor told Stuff.

“That’s something I’ve felt strongly over the past two and a-half years … not being in New Zealand, not being part of the community, not being around Kiwis was a big part of … soulless is a harsh word, but at times us not displaying the spirit you want from a competitive team.

“I definitely felt bringing people back who feel a connection to the Breakers, who see the Breakers as something that’s important to them, as something they hold dear … it’s a magnifier of intensity, of how much someone cares, of how much you can mould a team into something that’s meaningful.”

Izayah Le’afa, Tom Abercrombie, Tom Vodanovich, Dan Fotu, Rob Loe and Sam Timmins are the Kiwis on the Breakers’ roster, while Will McDowell-White, Cam Gliddon, Dererk Pardon and Next Star Rayan Rupert round out the squad, with two import spots to fill.

The coach believes the group will bring the right energy and attitude to the court.

“From a character standpoint we upgraded in everything that has to do with the intangibles,” Maor said.

“We’ve brought in people that are more competitive and a little more physical, and it’s not a surprise these are also Kiwis.

“We don't have a superstar, a best player in the NBL in his position, but what we have is players who set the floor for us to be a very good defensive team, with a level of intensity, commitment, competitiveness and physicality we want, and the foundation to play in space and hopefully with a little pace.”