Breakers add promising Kiwi to coaching staff

Fresh off an assistant coaching stint with the San Antonio Spurs at the 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, rising Kiwi coach Josiah Maama has officially joined the New Zealand Breakers as an assistant coach for the Hungry Jack's NBL27 Season.

A proud Glen Innes resident of Tongan heritage, Maama was part of the coaching team with the Junior Tall Blacks who orchestrated a historic fourth-place finish at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland.

Working with fellow assistant Breakers coach Matt Lacey, this was the highest World Cup placement ever achieved by a New Zealand basketball team at any junior level.

"I've been a lifelong fan of the club - so it means a lot to represent the Breakers," Maama said.

"I used to watch games on TV and dream of being involved.

"Coaching is a vocation for me, and to be able to serve and be part of the legacy of this organisation is special to me, my family and Glen Innes."

Maama's rapid ascent through the coaching ranks is anchored by a proven track record of player development across Auckland, which includes co-founding East Auckland's GI Rise Basketball grassroots initiative, leading Dilworth School to its first Auckland Premiership title in 2025 and serving as an Auckland Tuatara assistant coach.

"Josiah is widely recognised as one of the sharpest young basketball minds in Australasia," said Breakers President of Basketball Operations Dillon Boucher.

"Adding Josiah to our coaching staff under Gordon Herbert is a huge coup for our club and for his own development as a Kiwi coach."

Incoming Head Coach Gordon Herbert is delighted with the appointment.

"We have assembled a team of great Kiwi coaches which will help me connect with the local basketball culture," Herbert said.

"Josiah has recent experience inside an elite NBA organisation at the San Antonio Spurs and has shown great basketball acumen which will help us get the best from the roster."

Maama is excited about the direction the club is taking under the guidance of Chairman and majority owner Marc Mitchell.

"As someone who has worked in basketball from the ground up, I have seen how vital it is to have pathways for aspiring athletes/coaches/staff to become the best versions of themselves and for the club's future success," he said.

"The Breakers have a rich history in this through their academy, and I am excited to help coach, mentor and grow the next Reuben Te Rangi, Tom Abercrombie, or Sam Mennenga.

"It's also important for the club to give back to the grassroots and pay homage to the community who make this club what it is today."

Mamma joins Lacey, Sebastian Gleim and Quinn Clinton on Herbert's staff, which will look after the exciting roster of Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Reuben Te Rangi, Sam Mennenga, Dejan Vasiljevic, Kouat Noi, Carlin Davison, Izayah Le'afa, Preston Le Gassick, Anzac Rissetto, and Josiah-Jordan James.

New Zealand opens their NBL27 season at Spark Arena on Sunday, September 20 against Illawarra.