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NZ Breakers snag ex NBA player Bolden

Jonah Bolden NZ Breakers basketball
Jonah Bolden will suit up for the NZ Breakers in the 2024-25 ANBL. PHOTO: NZ BREAKERS

Former NBA talent and Sydney Kings big Jonah Bolden will continue his Australian National Basketball League (ANBL) career with the NZ Breakers, after the announcement of a one-year contract.

Bolden, a 6-foot-10 small forward, returned to professional basketball with the Kings last season after almost three years away from the game, following the conclusion of three years in the NBA.



The 28-year-old forward is currently playing for Capitanes de Arecibo of the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional during the ANBL off-season, after averaging 8.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in his solitary season with the Kings.


Mody Maor said the Breakers' track record of ensuring players reach their full potential will be the key to unlocking Bolden next season.


"The Breakers is an organisation which appeals to players who want to achieve things or are chasing something in their career," Maor said.

"Regardless of whether that player is an import or local, everyone's got better, everyone's improved, and everybody has made steps forward, and it's something for which we are very proud.


"I'm looking forward to Jonah arriving in Auckland and unlocking everything he can do."


Jonah Boulden NZ Breakers basketball
Jonah Bolden will link up with the NZ Breakers on a one-year deal. PHOTO: ANBL

The Melburnian was drafted in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers after just one full NCAA season at UCLA and a pro season in Serbia.


After another European season in Israel, Bolden return to the Sixers, playing a total of 51 regular season games (and 10 playoffs games) with the 76ers and Phoenix Suns from 2018-2020, averaging 4.3 points and 3.4 rebounds a game.


Bolden is the sixth fully-rostered player confirmed for the 2024-25 season, joining import guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright, NZ-born former 'Next Star' Mojave King, Kiwi big Sam Mennenga, and Australians Mitch McCarron and Dane Pineau in the squad.


The Breakers still have Tall Blacks forward Finn Delany and Lithuanian 'Next Star' Mantas Rubstavicius under contract for next season, but neither is expected to return to Atlas Place.


Development players Alex McNaught, Carlin Davison and Max Darling will fill out the Breakers' wider training squad.

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