Brantley's Deserved Club Recognition

Jarrell Brantley took out the New Zealand Breakers’ MVP award on Tuesday night, shocking on-lookers as he rode the challenges made by All-NBL Second Team selections Barry Brown Jr and Dererk Pardon.

Brantley averaged 16.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game across NBL23 and has personified the Breakers’ style of basketball under Mody Maor.

Brown Jr and Pardon didn’t leave the night empty handed though – they picked up the Member’s Choice and Defensive Player of the Year awards respectively.

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NBL analyst Liam Santamaria says he believes Brantley’s award is great recognition for the season he’s put together.

“I think a lot of people would have thought it would have been Barry Brown Jr for being part of the conversation there for MVP – two guys made all league teams and neither of them were Jarrell Brantley,” Santamaria said on NBL Today.

“I really love the recognition. From an internal perspective they well and truly appreciate how important Jarrell Brantley is at both ends of the floor.

“He’s a matchup nightmare, he’s a genuine stopper defensively – I’ve said it time and time again I thought he should have been Defensive Player of the Year – but he’s also just a great leader.

“I think that’s flown a little under the radar when we look at how successful New Zealand has been this season, the leadership he’s brought to the table has been huge.”

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Whether we see Brantley in Breakers colours – or in the NBL – after this Championship Series still remains to be seen.

Brantley played for two seasons with the Utah Jazz to start his career before heading on a globe-trotting journey around the world.

Prior to signing on with the Breakers for the NBL23 campaign the 26-year-old had also played in Russia, the NBA G-League and Puerto Rico.

Santamaria says seeing Brantley back at NBA level is a distinct possibility.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back there,” Santamaria said. “He’s been at that level before, he’s a that level kind of guy – but maybe he’s loved his time in New Zealand with Mody Maor.

“Sometimes guys get to a point in their career and say ‘you know what, I can tick it off – I was an NBA player. What I want now is satisfaction in my basketball career.’

“By being out on the floor for 30, 35 minutes a game in an environment like he’s at with the Breakers, maybe he would prioritise that instead.”

Brantley and the Breakers begin their Championship Series against the Kings on Friday, March 3 at 7:30pm AEDT – live on ESPN via Kayo Freebies.