Pardon Me? The NZ star who could rival Dererk

Sunday, September 1, 2024

"I’ve been told on good authority that what he’s shown early on in the pre-season, he could win Defensive Player of the Year."

The New Zealand Breakers have had a complete overhaul of their roster and coaching staff ahead of NBL25, which leaves a lot of understandable questions ahead of round 1.

While Parker Jackson-Cartwright is returning to lead New Zealand and already a proven star in the league, his new running mate Freddie Gillespie could well hold the key to the Breakers' success.

“We know he (Gillespie) came in with a strong defensive reputation,” NBL Media's Pete Hooley said on The Roundtable.

“I’ve been told on good authority that what he’s shown early on in the pre-season, he could win Defensive Player of the Year.”

The 208-centimetre big man arrives in New Zealand off the back of a Euroleague stint with Crvena Zvezda and two seasons at Bayern Munich, bringing that reputation as an elite defender.

Gillespie's best season as a professional came in 2021 for the Memphis Hustle, where he put up 10 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. It's that kind of impact that has the Breakers excited for what he can achieve for this team.

“It’s that rim protection," Hooley explained, on what sets Gillespie apart.

“It’s the ability to get back off the ground quickly to block multiple shots in the same possession.”

Two seasons ago the Breakers made a run for the championship, but ultimately fell short, losing to the Sydney Kings in five games.

“The Breakers made that series on the back of a great point guard in Will McDowell-White and an elite defensive big man, who is also a lob threat, in Dererk Pardon,” Hooley added.

Pardon was a finalist for the NBL’s Best Defensive Player that year and an All-NBL Second Team member after his dominant season down low for New Zealand.

“They’ve got PJC, we know what he is going to do and now they have Freddie Gillespie. That combination, with the other pieces around them and I think they’re going to surprise a few people,” Hooley said.

The Breakers have seen significant change in the off-season, most prominently with the arrival of Petteri Koponen in the head-coaching role.

In all, they've retained just five players from their NBL24 roster, despite playing in the Finals under Mody Maor.