Abercrombie retirement "known for a while"

One of the modern-day greats of NBL basketball is set to call time on his professional basketball career. After 16 years with the New Zealand Breakers, Tom Abercrombie will retire at the end of the NBL24 season.

Abercrombie has been a stalwart of the Breakers franchise since his debut in 2008, and he was a key pillar of the club’s golden era of the 2010s in which New Zealand contested six Championship Series’ – and won four of them.

The Breakers captain read from a prepared statement in front of the assembled media on Tuesday to announce his departure from the professional playing ranks.

“After 16 years at the BNZ Breakers I’ll be retiring from all professional basketball at the end of this season,” a visibly emotional Abercrombie said.

“Basketball has been a massive part of my life for as long as I can remember, it’s provided me with countless joys and experiences, but all good things must come to an end. I’m at peace with this decision and I’ve been so lucky to spend my entire career playing for the Breakers, my hometown team, in front of my friends and family. Sport has taken me around the globe but, in doing so, it’s only reinforced that it’s here in this place with this team where I’ve truly been able to find myself.

“There are countless people to thank, I want to start by thanking the club for giving me the platform to live out my dreams and play the sport I love for a living … it’s been a privilege to carry on the legacy of those who’ve come before me and add my own chapter to our history. I’ve been fortunate enough to play through many different eras of the club and I want to give special thanks to Paul, Liz and the Blackwell family for giving me my start and all the wonderful years playing under your leadership.

“To my teammates past, present, the connections and friends I have made in the locker room will last a lifetime. The camaraderie, banter and energy of the locker room I’ll perhaps miss the most.

“To the fans, thank you for your support and encouragement over the years. It’s been an absolute pleasure to play in front of you and feel your energy spur me on. The roar I hear as I hear my name called out as I come out the tunnel is not something I’ve ever taken from granted.

“Finally, I want to thank my family. My basketball journey started young with a seed planted by my amazing mum who coached me as a youngster. Mum, dad, Hayden, Nicola, thank you for being the most amazing and supportive family. To my children, thank you for letting your dad live out his dreams, it’s time for me to be there for you now.”

Rumours swirled of a potential retirement at the culmination of last season’s Championship Series, in which Abercrombie’s Breakers fell to the Sydney Kings in a five-game series.

The Breakers were just minutes from adding to their four titles of the 2010s, however Sydney stormed home in the final quarter behind Xavier Cooks and Derrick Walton Jr to claim its second straight title.

Abercrombie says he’s known this season would be his last for some time.

“I’ve known for a while, I think going into this season I knew it would be my last one,” he said.

“I’ve tried to not think about it as much as possible, probably halfway through the season is when I really made that decision in my head and talked to my family about it. It’s been a tough one knowing that it will be the last one but I’ve tried to remove it from my thoughts as much as I can. It’s snuck up on me and once you sit here and start talking about it, it becomes a bit more real and emotional and everything that comes along with that.

“16 years playing for this club now, it’s been a massive part of my life. All sorts of life events have happened while I’ve been here and I’ve grown up here, I’ve seen so many people come and go through and kids who got their photo with me when they were five years old at my first Breakers game are now coming up and they’re 20 and having a chat to me after the game reminiscing on those good times.

“It’s emotional for a number of reasons, putting a definite end on things and making it a bit more real, but all those thoughts and feelings and things that have come along with being here with the people I’ve been able to share those times with who have all shared such special times in my life, it all comes rushing back to you.”

Mody Maor will have the privilege of coaching Abercrombie’s final NBL game – whether that comes in Sunday’s Round 20 clash with Adelaide, or as part of this season’s NBL Finals.

Maor has worked with Abercrombie for five seasons, first as an assistant coach under Dan Shamir, and then as the club’s head coach since the start of last season.

“Tommy is one of the greatest players I’ve ever had the honour of coaching, but he’s really one of the greatest people I’ve ever had the honour of meeting,” Maor said.

“I’m extremely proud to call you a friend, I’m extremely proud of the time we’ve spent together – I’m extremely grateful for it – and I’m really looking forward to hitting the court soon for the next battles we have because the season’s not done yet, and Tommy’s not done yet.”

Friday’s clash with Brisbane could represent Abercrombie’s final home game in a Breakers uniform, such is how the ladder is currently poised.

The game will be broadcast live on ESPN via Kayo, and Sky Sport in NZ, from 5:30pm AEDT.