Breakers Back Where We Belong: Abercrombie

Thursday, February 2, 2023

New Zealand veteran Tom Abercrombie has revealed his excitement for making the finals with the Breakers for the first time in five years.

The Breakers have reached the finals after two straight seasons anchored to the bottom of the ladder while dealing with several COVID disruptions.

Abercrombie has experienced both the high and low points with the team, including four championships, and is thrilled to be back amongst the NBL’s elite.

"It's awesome to be, I believe, back where the Breakers belong — in the playoffs," Abercrombie said via 1 News NZ.

"I don't know if I feel rewarded (for staying through the tough times), but there's definitely an element of satisfaction that I've been able to ride those lows and come out the other side.”

The New Zealand captain added he has discovered his love and happiness for basketball again.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LOCKED IN ?<br><br>After the <a href="https://twitter.com/NZBreakers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NZBreakers</a> win tonight, both they and the <a href="https://twitter.com/CairnsTaipans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CairnsTaipans</a> have clinched a spot in the NBL Finals ?<br><br>They join the <a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyKings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SydneyKings</a> as confirmed top six teams. Who will join them? ? <a href="https://t.co/wO1pUUOObg">pic.twitter.com/wO1pUUOObg</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1619266010326110208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"Coming into this season, a big personal goal for me was to find that joy and excitement in the game again, after the last couple of years," Abercrombie said via Newshub.

"I can safely say I've found that again. I've absolutely loved playing with these guys and playing the way we play.”

The Breakers have the chance to finish the regular season in the top-two as they head into the final round of the regular season.

Finishing in the top-two means New Zealand will skip the play-in tournament and jump straight to playoffs, where they’ll have home court advantage.

To secure the top two, the Breakers will have to win their two remaining games against the Illawarra Hawks and the Brisbane Bullets.

"As an athlete, this is you what you want — your destiny in your own hands. So now it's up to us to go out and perform and we welcome the challenge,” Abercrombie said.

New Zealand play the Hawks on Thursday night at 7:30pm AEDT.