BNZ Breakers Move Quickly To Secure King

The BNZ Breakers have secured Tall Black and former NBA draft pick Mojave King as an injury replacement for Josiah-Jordan James (subject to NBL approval), with the club moving quickly ahead of game one at Spark Arena this Sunday to get King on a plane to New Zealand.

BNZ Breakers President of Basketball Dillon Boucher says if there is a silver lining to losing James to a hamstring injury ahead of the season opener at Spark Arena, it is securing a player the quality of King as a replacement.

“Our priority was to move quickly and bring in a replacement for what is a busy opening stretch to the season. But speed alone in that decision is not enough, the challenge is to bring a high-quality player, someone who will complement and strengthen the group on and off the floor, and that is not easy so close to the start of the season.

“We are certainly ticking those boxes with Mo, he is a quality player and proven performer at NBL level, he is athletic, shoots the ball at a high clip and can guard multiple positions.”

Boucher said securing a player of King’s ability is rare so close to the season getting underway.

“This is something of a coup to secure Mo’s signature, he is a player in demand and had offers from around the world, including Europe. The bonus for us is he is a Kiwi, he has played for the club before, knows the culture, the environment, and is familiar with many of the guys on the roster, which is great, because he will need to hit the ground running.”

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24-year-old King has packed plenty into his career. He came through the NBA Global Academy in Canberra, at 17 years of age signed to the NBL with Cairns as part of the Next Star programme, moved to Adelaide for his final year as a Next Star, and was picked at 47 in the 2023 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, just the third New Zealand born male to be drafted.

King was traded to the Indiana Pacers and spent time in the G-League and NBA Summer League before a return to the NBL with the Breakers for the 2024/25 season and a second stint with Cairns last season.

As an injury replacement player, King covers Josiah-Jordan James while he recovers and is then available to the BNZ Breakers to cover any other injuries during NBL27.

King will be available for comment along with coaches and players at the BNZ Breakers media session this Friday at Atlas Place ahead of their season opener on Sunday at Spark Arena.

First home game:

September 20
Spark Arena
5pm Tip off, Doors Open 4pm
v Illawarra Hawks

Tickets on sale at www.ticketmaster.co.nz

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