Special game for Breakers leader Te Rangi
Breakers have added firepower for their road clash with the Taipans in Cairns with the earlier than anticipated return of point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright in a game that celebrates 400 NBL games for Reuben Te Rangi.
Despite the likelihood of a minutes restriction as Jackson-Cartwright returns from a lower leg injury,
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The respected import was in NBL27 MVP conversations prior to the injury, averaging a league leading 26.6 points per game and 9.4 assists per game (second in the league), while shooting the three-ball at a career high 42 percent..
Carlin Davison has been a revelation in Jackson-Cartwright’s absence, posting a league leading 36 assists in three games running the point. The pair are likely to dominate the ball handling for the New Zealand team and present very different challenges for the Taipans to shut down.
Sebastian Gleim assumes head coaching duties in the illness enforced absence of Gordie Herbert this weekend and says the focus has been on the Breakers continuing to improve – as well as the usual scout on Cairns, who the Breakers defeated 98-75 on September 30 at Spark Arena.
“Nothing changes, we focus on us and what we can do better every day. We know a little about Cairns having played them already, but it really has been all about us, what can we do better and how do we enforce our game on Cairns.”
Herbert is already on the improve and was keen to make the trip but was advised not to travel and recover at home for a couple of days. He will be in constant contact with the team and coaches this weekend and will be back at the helm when the team returns from Cairns to prepare for the October 30 game against Adelaide at Spark Arena.
It will be a big day for co-captain Reuben Te Rangi too, the 32-year-old brings up 400 NBL games on Sunday. Gleim knows Te Rangi well and has nothing but respect for what he brings to the club and to every game he plays.
“I know Reuben for a long time, since youth national teams and I have coached him on my own in New Zealand,” said Gleim. “Now to be here and follow his career, it is an amazing stat, he is one of these players that is super consistent in what he does. That speaks for him, he can be really proud, but I am pretty sure he looks forward to the next games and steps in his career.”
Te Rangi is indeed playing down the achievement and his status in the team. In a clear reflection of his elder statesman role however, his peers have taken to respectfully calling Te Rangi ‘Koro’ (grandfather in Maori). Te Rangi knows there is a bit of mischief in there from his teammates and suggests they might have jumped a generation gap or two.
“I think they just think I am old, but hopefully they think I am wise. I think they might have skipped a couple of names which I think I should be in ‘big bro’ or ‘uncle’ bracket. I think I should be anyway, but they have just upgraded me to Koro.”
Te Rangi is a humble if not reluctant participant in the celebrations but is looking forward to enjoying reflections on 400 games at home in front of family and friends at Spark Arena on October 30. He admits such a milestone is not something he visualised as a young kid growing up in Manurewa.
“100%, I feel like as a kid I was just playing basketball and a lot of other sport as well. To be able to play 400 games over 15 years is crazy. I think it is a celebration not just of me getting 400 games but everyone that has got me to this position, my partner, my kids, my parents as well. And for everyone I have played with and for throughout my career, I feel like it is a celebration of them as well.
“The game we play at home on the 30th I hope to have a few of them there and celebrate with them.”
Game 400 for Te Rangi tips off at 5pm NZT on Sunday October 25 in Cairns, in what is the 7th road game already for the BNZ Breakers this season.
The Breakers sit 4th on the NBL ladder with a 4 and 4 record, looking to bring home a win for the fans ahead of a rare sighting at home on October 30, when they host Adelaide 36ers at Spark Arena.
Breakers roster to play Cairns:
Carlin Davison, Izayah Le’afa, Sam Mennenga, Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Reuben Te Rangi, Charles Bediako, Mojave King, Nelson Weidemann, Kouat Noi, Anzac Rissetto, Dejan Vasiljevic
