How Maor attracted culture King to Breakers

New Breakers signing Jonah Bolden has revealed the culture and mindset of Mody Maor-built playing groups is what appealed to him most when eyeing off a team for NBL25.

Bolden made his return to professional basketball with the Sydney Kings last season after over three years away from the game. Following the conclusion of NBL24 there was a belief most NBL clubs could be priced out of a move for the former Philadelphia 76er, but he has since signed a one-year deal with New Zealand.

He’s joined a rapidly rebuilding roster that currently only has Dane Pineau and Parker Jackson-Cartwright as confirmed players from last season. Mojave King, Mitch McCarron and Sam Mennenga have also all signed on.

“What caused me to want to sign with the Breakers was seeing the culture that had been built over the past few years,” Bolden said.

“Now my first time going against them in person and really seeing the passion from that first pre-season game to the last game, seeing coach, seeing the players how they bond together, play together and work hard as a collective.

“It was similar to the conversations I had with Mody about how you have to come in with that ‘in the trenches’ mindset, and that’s following my last season where I really went into the trenches was post-draft, but pre-going into the NBA with Serbia and Maccabi.

“The way I’m looking at it going into the season where I’ve played a little bit and got my feet wet again, but now it’s time to get back into the gym working with the team, buying into the dog mentality collectively, and going through adversity and coming out stronger.”

Bolden is currently playing for Puerto Rican Arecibo, where he has averaged 10 points and 8.3 rebounds per game across 10 appearances for the side.

The Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional has become a popular destination league in recent years. NBL23 trio Mitch Creek, Gary Browne and Tim Soares all played there last off-season, and Milton Doyle is currently representing Mayaguez in the same division.

Bolden believes an off-season playing in a high-level competition like Puerto Rico, coupled with an NBL season under his belt with the Sydney Kings, means his best basketball is not far away.

“Honestly, I think it’s coming soon. If not the beginning of the season, some point this coming season,” he said.

“I’m playing now currently and I’m back at my best shooting percentage with my body feeling that way as well. There are going to be a few different things I’m adding to it going into this NBL season.

“I think this season here is going to be another step up, that’s how I’m looking at it. My work ethic is getting back up, re-realising what it takes to build the team after going through a tough season. It is what it is, but we got a lot of lessons individually and learned a lot to relate back to this NBL season.”