NZ Breakers have begun their roster rebuild for the next Australian NBL season, reportedly signing NBA draftees Jonah Bolden and Mojave King, along with former Boomers guard Mitch McCarron.
Coach Mody Maor has already secured the return of American guard Jackson Parker-Cartwright from last year's playoff roster, but faces the departure of captain Tom Abercrombie to retirement, and most of his previous squad to free agency.
ESPN reports he's landed three big names in Bolden, King and McCarron.
Bolden is the son of ANBL royalty Bruce Bolden, who was 1992 Grand Final MVP with South East Melbourne Magic and had his jersey retired by West Sydney Razorbacks, after his 2003 retirement.
Jonah Bolden, 28, attended University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) and was selected by Philadelphia 76ers in the 2017NBA draft. He won an Israeli League title with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2018, before an NBA career that spanned two seasons with the Sixers and Phoenix Suns.
He played for Australia in 2019, but retired at the age of 25 to pursue a career in cryptocurrency, but made a comeback last ANBL season with Sydney Kings, averaging 8.5 points and 6.4 rebounds over 28 games.
King, 21, was born in Dunedin and is eligible to play for New Zealand, although he has previously declared his loyalty to Australia, where he grew up. Mother Tracey Paul is a former Tall Fern, father Leonard King is a former NZ NBL import and Basketball NZ high performance manager.
King Jr has previously played with Cairns Taipans and Adelaide 36ers, and was chosen by Los Angeles Lakers in the 2023 NBA draft, becoming just the third Kiwi selected, after Sean Marks and Steven Adams.
He was traded to Indian Pacers and played for the Indiana Mad Ants in the G League.
McCarron, 31, is an ANBL veteran, winning a title with Melbourne United in 2021, when he was also named to the All-NBL Second Team, but has spent three unhappy seasons with Adelaide 36ers.
He helped Australia in victory at the 2017 and 2022 Asian Cups tournaments, and also contested the FIBA 3x3 World Cup last year.
McCarron is currently playing in the New Zealand national league with Taranaki Mountain Airs, averaging seven points, seven assists and five rebounds a game.
