The Breakers star primed for breakout moment

Sam Mennenga comes into the Hungry Jack's NBL27 Season as the reigning Next Generation Award winner, following a huge 2025-26 campaign.

As impressive as that jump was, increasing his scoring average from 11.9 to 17.7 points per game, 2018 NBL champion Pete Hooley believes the New Zealand big man has an even higher level to get to.

"We're going to do award predictions at some point, and that fifth spot for me in the All-NBL First team [alongside Adelaide's Bryce Cotton, Sydney's Kendric Davis, Melbourne's Cole Anthony and Perth's Kristian Doolittle], there are a few names I've got there [in the mix]," Hooley said on NBL Now.

"PJC (Parker Jackson-Cartwright) and Sam Mennenga are right there in that mix, I think they're gonna be that good. We saw it last year.

"Sam Mennenga (before injury) was averaging ridiculous numbers for a little stretch there, [close to] 25 [points] and eight [rebounds], and dunk on everybody.

"He looks better now, as he's put in the work.

"He's a guy that is going to back up all the talk because he's in the gym non-stop. He's so hungry to make this leap.

"When I sat down with him to do Film Session, he said the best version of him is an MVP.

"You need to be wired that way, if you want to be the best when you step onto the court.

"He trains that way, he plays that way, and I think he's set for a breakout year."

A big factor in Mennenga potentially making that jump is incoming new coach Gordon Herbert, who enters the NBL with one of the top resumes in world basketball.

"You've got to take the Gordie Herbert factor into account [with the team]," Hooley said.

"What are we going to see from one of the greatest coaches the League has ever seen?

"Can he put his blueprint on this team? That's going to be a fascinating watch."

The Breakers open their NBL27 season against Illawarra at Spark Arena on Sunday, September 20.