{"id":118263,"date":"2025-09-04T13:02:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T13:02:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/118263\/"},"modified":"2025-09-04T13:02:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T13:02:09","slug":"brockington-backed-to-take-league-by-storm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/118263\/","title":{"rendered":"Brockington backed to take league by storm"},"content":{"rendered":"

New Zealand star Parker Jackson-Cartwright has warned rivals they’ve only seen a glimpse of what boom recruit Izaiah Brockington will produce in the NBL this season.<\/p>\n

Brockington took the competition by storm at the Blitz pre-season tournament in Canberra, claiming the Ray Borner Medal as MVP.<\/p>\n

The former G League gun averaged 20 points, nine rebounds, three assists and 2.5 steals as the unbeaten Breakers claimed the Loggins-Bruton Cup for the first time.<\/p>\n

And Jackson-Cartwright insists it’s just the tip of the iceberg.<\/p>\n

“He won the MVP the other night and I’ll tell you he didn’t even shoot it well,” Jackson-Cartwright told AAP.<\/p>\n

“He’s a good shooter and when he starts making shots, along with his athleticism, he’s going to be \u2026 I don’t know man.<\/p>\n

“You see it. He’s a first-teamer (All-NBL).”<\/p>\n

Jackson-Cartwright will partner his fellow American guard in a revamped back-court as the Breakers seek drastic improvement under second-year coach Petteri Koponen, after finishing second-from-bottom last season with a 10-19 record.<\/p>\n

“I haven’t really played with a dynamic, strong, physical guard like Brock. It’s going to be interesting,” Jackson-Cartwright said.<\/p>\n

“In practice it’s different and it looked like he was getting better but finding his way, then in the Blitz he just unleashed everything that he’s about.<\/p>\n

“The guy’s a true gamer, a true professional and he loves to hoop. He has this bounce, like, every play he’s ready to go.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Jackson-Cartwright combined well with Brockington in New Zealand’s first-up win over South East Melbourne at the Blitz, but played less than four minutes against Sydney because of a rib injury.<\/p>\n

The setback took some of the shine off the Breakers’ victory, and came after Jackson-Cartwright missed the final eight games last season with significant rib cartilage damage.<\/p>\n

“It’s definitely not as strenuous. It’s the same area on the other side,” Jackson-Cartwright said.<\/p>\n

“Last season when I got hit I couldn’t even walk, so this is definitely different and I’m in much better spirits.”<\/p>\n

Despite his latest injury concern, Jackson-Cartwright is eyeing a role in the Breakers’ regular-season opener against the Brisbane Bullets on September 19.<\/p>\n

“I’m just trying to get through it,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Basketball is physical and for me, I’m taking hits every play.<\/p>\n

“I’m definitely getting better and it’s good that it happened now so hopefully I don’t have to deal with it throughout the season.”<\/p>\n

Jackson-Cartwright is bullish about New Zealand’s prospects this season after winning the Blitz while missing Next Star Karim Lopez, import forward Robert Baker II and returning veteran Rob Loe.<\/p>\n

“It doesn’t really mean anything the grand scheme but it means a lot to the team,” Jackson-Cartwright said of the pre-season success.<\/p>\n

“Two or three weeks together and we don’t really have our full squad, so it’s a good accomplishment.<\/p>\n

“We definitely have a good foundation set and I like the direction we’re headed.<\/p>\n

“Anybody can win it all.”<\/p>\n

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