Breakers Influencer Excites Maor

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Mody Maor has high hopes for Mangok Mathiang.

“I think he’s influenced winning everywhere he’s been, when he was healthy.”

That’s the level of excitement ringing within New Zealand Breakers head coach, Mody Maor, on the club’s signing of Mangok Mathiang.

Mathiang joined the Breakers after a solid season with the Illawarra Hawks, and Maor’s optimism on having the 30-year-old on his roster is clear to see.

“He finished the season on a complete tear when he was playing in Israel, it was phenomenal,” Maor said.

The former Charlotte Hornet dominated in the Israeli League, as he played for Hapoel Eila and averaged 11.1 points and 13.9 rebounds per game.

“That being said, he’s got a big challenge ahead of him. He needs to be healthy for a full season, he needs to carry a real load, he needs to incorporate himself in our system,” Maor said.

“I’m looking forward to it, I believe in him.”

Maor gave an update on New Zealand’s final roster spots, which he is looking to fill at the Summer League.

“The two targets that are left are two perimeter players, different characteristics in between the two,” he said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's all happening on day three in Las Vegas ?<br><br>Luke Travers ? DJ Hogg<br>Rayan Rupert ? Victor Wembanyama<br><br>Watch the day three wrap ??<a href="https://t.co/YwOSGzTkzj">https://t.co/YwOSGzTkzj</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1678312710000488448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He also mentioned the importance of finding the perfect fit for powerhouse guard, Will McDowell-White.

“He’s incredibly equipped at making players better, so we’re looking for someone who can live off Will a little bit, and also do the things that Will doesn’t do so good,” Maor said.

The Breakers’ first game of NBL24 is on Saturday, September 30 against the Cairns Taipans.