Judd Flavell is returning to the Breakers after six years away. Photo: Andrew Skinner/www.photosport.nz
Tall Blacks coach Judd Flavell is another link the new owners of the New Zealand Breakers are making to reconnect the club to homegrown talent.
Flavell has joined head coach Petteri Koponen's coaching staff on a two year deal, bringing the New Zealander back to the Australian NBL club after six years away.
Flavell spent more than a decade as an assistant coach with Breakers as part of four championship winning seasons. He took on the Tall Blacks head coaching job in October last year.
The Breakers front office have made no secret of their desire to boost the locals involved with the basketball club following a big shake-up ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Former Breakers player Dillon Boucher left his role as Basketball New Zealand chief executive to return to the Breakers as president of basketball operations and he has been tasked with signing more New Zealand players to the roster.
Rob Loe in action for the Breakers. Photo: photosport
So far the Breakers have brought back centre Rob Loe who "retired" from the Breakers in 2023 but had been playing for NBL grand finalists Melbourne United since 2024. It will be Loe's third stint with his hometown club.
Tall Blacks captain Reuben Te Rangi has a two year deal at the club he last represented 10 years ago, fellow Tall Black Izayah Le'afa has left the Sydney Kings to come back to his first NBL club also on a two year contract and Canterbury Rams captain Taylor Britt gets his first go with the Breakers after playing as a development player with the Perth Wildcats.
The other locals already on contract for the Breakers are Sam Mennenga, Max Darling, Carlin Davison, Kaia Isaac and Alex McNaught.
Boucher has told NBL Now that when it comes to import players the club is clear about their first priority.
"For us, there's no secret that Parker Jackson-Cartwright is the first guy that we want to secure," Boucher said.
"We are in constant communication with his agent and himself, he knows we want him.
"We're not unrealistic - we know these guys have a short period to earn really good money playing.
"We don't begrudge anyone who would end up taking another job because they are able to put food in their kids' mouths or put a roof over their head."
With Flavell's appointment assistant coaches Daniel Sokolovsky and Laimonas Eglinskas leave the club.
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