Rumors

Olgun Uluc: Sam Mennenga will play for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2025 NBA Summer League, sources told ESPN. The 6’9 stretch F/C out of New Zealand - who’s still just 23 - averaged 11.9 ppg and 5.4 rpg for the NZ Breakers in the NBL last season.

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Brice Johnson, a former Clippers player, joined New Zealander team Nelson Giants for the 2025 season.

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Gupta flew back to New Zealand on Jan. 13, completing a trip of about two weeks. It was a journey that took plenty of time, preparation and money. And examples like that aren't lost on OKC's players, who appreciate the lengths their fans go to. "It's amazing to see," Jaylin Williams told The Oklahoman when asked about fan support. "It's another thing that makes us want to go out there and play basketball every single night, just knowing that we have people who love watching us play."

oklahoman.com

Gupta attended four straight Thunder home games from Dec. 31-Jan. 5. He then traveled to the team's road game against New York on Jan. 10. OKC won all five games that Gupta attended. But for the longtime Thunder fan, the experiences were far more meaningful than the final scores. "When I came to Oklahoma City, they gave a whole family vibe," Gupta said. "From all the staff to seeing (Sam) Presti just walking around and talking to fans. Even the fans were so nice. ... Generally, in a long time in the world, I haven't met such nice people like that, like they were in Oklahoma."

oklahoman.com

Ex-Celtics player Tacko Fall has signed with Australia NBL team New Zealand Breakers until the 2025-26 season.

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Justin Tatum said there are “High-level talented guys” in the NBL. Former NBA players in the NBL include Montrezl Harrell, Ian Clark, Matthew Dellavedova, Matthew Hurt, Rob Edwards, Bryce Cotton and Derrick Walton Jr. NBL alumni in the NBA include Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Ousmane Dieng and Washington Wizards forward Alexandre Sarr. Moreover, New Zealand Breakers forward Karim Lopez, 17, is a heralded prospect for the 2026 NBA draft.

“And I’m not just talking about the former, current or want to be NBA players that are over here,” Justin Tatum said. “The Australian players are unbelievably good. It’s very physical. A lot of things you can’t get away with in the States, they let you play through here.”

Andscape

Tacko Fall is so convinced that the pathway with the Auckland club is the right one, he has moved his wife and children to New Zealand to be part of the experience. “So far I’m just rehabbing – making sure I’m 100%,” Fall told a group of media at Breakers HQ this week. “They’ve been really good. The doctors have a plan for me, so these next few weeks are about training and getting back up to speed.”

thepost.co.nz

The giant centre with a 2.50-metre (8ft 2in) wingspan, who played last season in China and Puerto Rico, is adamant he can get back into the NBA. “I’m a much better player now than I was a couple of years ago when I left the NBA,” he said. “It’s using this opportunity to get back in shape because you never know what can happen.”

thepost.co.nz

And as far as the NBA goes, the former Celtic has no qualms in declaring the defending champs the team to beat again in ‘24-25. “It’s not because I played for Boston ... OK, I’m a little biased ... but I do think they have the best team in the league right now.”

thepost.co.nz

Andre Roberson: Steve always got f***ing one-liners. That’s just him in a nutshell. When I went over to New Zealand for one of his camps and I found out he was not the biggest in his family [laughs] that was like the biggest shock to me. He had like 17 siblings but the funny part about it is they were all funnier than him. He’s like the least funny.

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Tacko Fall will join the New Zealand Breakers for their three NBA preseason games in early October, sources told ESPN. The former NBA big-man - who stands at 7'6 - will be a guest player for the Breakers, suiting up for the NBL team for their preseason games against the Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Philadelphia 76ers.

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The Breakers have no plans to sign Fall beyond those preseason games, sources said.

ESPN

A third game has been added to the 2024 NBLxNBA calendar, with the New Zealand Breakers and Philadelphia 76ers to clash on Tuesday, October 8. The Breakers are now slated to battle the Utah Jazz on October 5, 76ers on October 8 and Oklahoma City Thunder on October 11 as part of the NBA pre-season.

NBL.com.au

Lauren Rosen: Official @sixers news: The team has announced their preseason opener versus the New Zealand Breakers on Oct. 7 in Philadelphia. The preseason slate continues with Minnesota, Boston, Atlanta, Brooklyn, and Orlando ahead of the season opener on Oct. 23 versus Milwaukee.

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