From CJ to DJ: Breakers chase another 'game-changer'

He may have only just signed his deal with the club, but the club believes Dejan Vasiljevic is going to have a massive impact on the New Zealand Breakers.

Breakers' President of Basketball Operations Dillon Boucher has compared the two-time NBL champion to one of the club’s all-time greats, CJ Bruton.

The guard, whose jersey is now hung in the rafters at Spark Arena, helped launch the rebuilding Breakers on a path that eventually netted three straight NBL titles between 2010-13.

Boucher, who was also part of that Breakers’ ‘golden period’ alongside Bruton, is confident that Australian Boomer Vasiljevic can be the same 'game-changer' for the Breakers.

“I can 100% see similarities between the two. Both have won championships with the Sydney Kings, both have that leadership tendency, both can really shoot the ball, and they both also compete day-in, day-out,” Boucher said to Stuff.

“One of the things I loved about being CJ’s teammate, he was a competitor who never wanted to lose anything. DJ is oozing that: he’s a fierce competitor, and that’s why you hate him when he’s playing against you and love him when he’s on your team. He will do everything to help his team win, and you want those guys on your team.”

Boucher also believes that the former Adelaide 36er addresses two areas the Breakers wanted to improve during the off-season: ‘shooting and leadership’.

“We wanted to bring in guys who could lead, who had championship experience, and who would hold guys accountable. We want to create a high-performing environment where everyone is being pushed to the best of their abilities,” he said.

“Doing our homework on DJ, we all know he’s one of the best sharpshooters in the league. We’re excited to see that. And the conversations I had with people around his leadership were telling. We needed help there, and he ticked a lot of those boxes.”

Boucher also confirmed ESPN’s Olgun Uluc report that the club are “very close” to appointing a head coach to replace Petteri Koponen.

As it stands, the Breakers have Vasiljevic, Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Sam Mennenga, Reuben Te Rangi and Izayah Le’Afa on their Hungry Jack’s NBL27 roster.

Read the full story here >> The story behind the Breakers signing of DJ Vasiljevic