Koponen demands winning edge from Breakers

New Zealand Breakers coach Petteri Koponen has called for all his players to find ways to win basketball games during the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 season.

After a strong start (7-3) last season, the Breakers fell away to finish the campaign in ninth spot, with a 10-19 record.

But with a revamped roster, and their first-ever CODE Sports NBL Blitz trophy now in the cabinet, Koponen is confident his squad can rebound during the 2025-26 season.

"We need to find a way [to wins games]," Koponen said to Radio New Zealand.

"And that's what we also try to teach our guys, how we face adversity, how we can [deal with] these small problems, it's not going to define who we are.

"We've got enough talent in this group, we've got enough personnel and we try to start the season right way."

A big part of that revamped roster is electric guard and the Blitz's Ray Borner Medal winner, Izaiah Brockington, who is keen to experience that Spark Arena atmosphere for the first time, when the Breakers host Brisbane on Friday night.

“Bringing the new jerseys and the new energy into that arena I'm excited,” Brockington said, who NBL expert Damon Lowery believes can average 25 points a game this season.

“We're doing this for them, we're doing this for the country of New Zealand so really excited to have their support and to show them what we're bringing this year."

Friday’s season-opener tips off at 5.30pm AEST and will be broadcast via ESPN.

Read the full story here >> No room for 'weak links' for champ-chasing Breakers