Breakers add coach to revamped staff

Photo: John Davidson - Photosport.

The New Zealand Breakers have continued to build their coaching staff for the upcoming Hungry Jack's NBL27 Season, by naming current Canterbury Rams Head Coach Quinn Clinton as an Assistant Coach.

Clinton, who has signed a one-year deal, will join the Breakers' bench to work alongside newly appointed Head Coach Gordon Herbert, as the club finalises a powerhouse unit designed to bring NBL silverware back to New Zealand.

"Quinn is an exceptional addition to our coaching staff," Breakers President of Basketball Operations Dillon Boucher said.

"He possesses an elite basketball IQ, unbelievable work ethic and has proven himself as a natural leader and winner at every level of the game”.

Clinton was a strong athlete in his own right, as the leading scorer for the Junior Tall Blacks at the 2017 FIBA Under-19 World Cup and was crowned New Zealand’s Male Junior Player of the Year.

He was a Development Player for the Breakers during the 2017–18 NBL season, when he trained and travelled with the Breakers squad to gain professional experience.

He subsequently earned a prestigious NCAA Division I athletic scholarship to powerhouse Saint Mary's College of California.

Upon returning to New Zealand, Clinton helped anchor the Canterbury Rams' 2023 Sal's NZNBL championship victory on the court, before retiring from playing to immediately apply his tactical depth as an assistant coach during their 2024 title defence.

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He joins the Breakers' coaching team alongside Matt Lacey.

Lacey recently took home Basketball New Zealand’s 2025 Male Coach of the Year award.

He led the Junior Tall Blacks to a historic fourth-place finish at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup, New Zealand’s best-ever result at the tournament.

”Investing in local New Zealand talent, both on the court and on the bench, remains a core pillar of our franchise,” Breakers Club Owner and Chair Marc Mitchell said.

“Blending Quinn’s exceptional tactical acumen and deep understanding of the domestic game, with Gordon’s renowned international expertise, strengthens our brains trust for the upcoming campaign.”

The Breakers currently have Jackson-Cartwright, Mennenga, Kouat Noi, Dejan Vasiljevic, Reuben Te Rangi, Carlin Davison, Izayah Le’Afa and Preston Le Gassick under contract for NBL27.

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