Breakers to start NBL season without import
NZ Breakers will begin their 2026/27 Australian NBL campaign without the services of American guard Josiah-Jordan James.
The Auckland-based side will tip off the season against Illawarra Hawks at Spark Arena on Sunday, but James, 26, will miss the opener with a hamstring injury that will sideline him for the foreseeable future.
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The former Tennessee University star suffered the tear in the opening moments of the Breakers’ pre-season win over Melbourne United and will be re-assessed in 4-6 weeks.
In the meantime, the club will seek a short-term replacement to help it through a demanding early schedule that includes three games in the first six days of its itinerary.
“JJ has been fantastic for us in pre-season,” says president of basketball Dillon Boucher. “Since the day he landed, he has been nothing but positive and a credit to the Breakers, for who we stand for and where we want to go, on and off the floor.
“He is obviously tremendously disappointed with the result of the scan and that he will miss several weeks, but is already focused on his rehab, and working with our incredible medical and performance team with the goal of getting back on the floor.”
James’ absence will immediately test roster depth, but Boucher is confident the squad has enough firepower to cover.
“We showed in pre-season, when we had several players out, that the team does not dwell on who is missing, but sees opportunity for the next player in,” he says. “That is the key - players stepping up, and making the most of added minutes and the chance to take on more responsibility.”
