BIO: Daniel Fotu was born in Auckland (NZ) and attended Rangitoto College on Auckland’s North Shore. He was also a former floor wiper for the NZ Breakers before signing as a development player.

FAMILY: Daniel’s brother, Isaac Fotu also played 1 games in the NBL.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Daniel Fotu made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 23 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

With the departure of head coach Dan Shamir, Mody Maor was promoted to lead the New Zealand Breakers in NBL23, marking a significant transitional season for the team. Having been forced to play away from home for two seasons due to COVID-19, the Breakers were finally able to return to hosting regular home games, providing a critical boost to the club’s morale.

The off-season saw significant roster turnover, with six of the team’s top eight players from the previous season departing. Yanni Wetzell, Hugo Besson, Peyton Siva, Finn Delany, Ousmane Dieng, and Chasson Randle left the Breakers, leaving only Thomas Abercrombie, Robert Loe, and William McDowell-White as returning members of the squad.

The Breakers brought in several new players to fill these gaps, including Daniel Fotu, who joined as a rookie. Fotu was part of a trio of young local talent added for defensive depth and perimeter shooting off the bench, alongside Alex McNaught and Jayden Bezzant. Veterans Tom Vodanovich (via Sydney), Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’Afa, and Cameron Gliddon (both via South East Melbourne) also bolstered the team’s depth. On the import front, the Breakers added Dererk Pardon, Jarrell Brantley, and Barry Brown Jr. Additionally, the team leveraged the NBL’s Next Star Program to bring in French NBA prospect Rayan Rupert.

Fotu made his NBL debut in the Breakers’ season opener against Melbourne, a game in which New Zealand suffered a narrow loss. While Fotu’s contributions were limited early in the season, the team began to show glimpses of their defensive potential as they established themselves as a formidable force. Four rounds into the season, the Breakers had already equaled their win total from the previous campaign and celebrated their largest-ever victory at Spark Arena with a commanding 94-62 win over the Tasmania JackJumpers.

By November, New Zealand emerged as a serious contender, battling Sydney in a top-of-the-table clash. Despite a late-game surge led by Barry Brown Jr. (22 points), the Breakers fell short (81-77), losing Rupert to a broken wrist in the process. Fotu’s development continued steadily, with the rookie providing energy and effort in limited minutes, particularly in key matchups such as the Breakers’ dominant 110-84 win over South East Melbourne in late November.

New Zealand entered December in top form, winning 11 of their first 13 games before suffering a setback against Perth (92-84). Corey Webster’s 26-point explosion for Perth highlighted the Breakers’ defensive challenges, but Fotu remained a steady contributor off the bench, providing hustle and versatility when called upon. As the season progressed, Fotu gained valuable experience, appearing in crucial games during the team’s run to the playoffs.

A mid-season slump saw the Breakers drop four consecutive games, including a heartbreaking 78-76 loss to Illawarra, courtesy of a dramatic Tyler Harvey half-court buzzer-beater. The defeat reignited the team’s resolve, as they snapped the losing streak with a 93-88 win over Sydney, driven by Jarrell Brantley’s clutch three-pointer, and a gritty 80-74 victory over Melbourne to clinch a playoff spot.

During the final stretch of the season, Fotu played a supporting role as New Zealand battled Cairns for second place on the ladder. Wins over Brisbane and Illawarra secured the Breakers’ hold on second place, capping a remarkable turnaround season. New Zealand finished the regular season as the second seed, marking a significant achievement under first-year head coach Maor.

Fotu’s rookie campaign showcased his potential as a reliable role player, with his defensive tenacity and work ethic earning him valuable minutes in a competitive Breakers lineup. As the team looks to build on their success in NBL24, Fotu’s development will be crucial in solidifying New Zealand’s depth and sustaining their resurgence as a league contender.

Fotu appeared in 14 games for the season and averaged 1.1 points and 0.9 rebounds. He did not play in any postseason games. He remained a part of the team as they defeated Tasmania in the semifinals before losing the Championship Series to Sydney in five games.

2023/24
Daniel Fotu served as a development player for the New Zealand Breakers during the 2023-24 season. He participated in three games, with his best performance coming against the Sydney Kings on December 22, where he scored 8 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 24 minutes. Fotu also had solid contributions in limited minutes against the Adelaide 36ers and South East Melbourne Phoenix, showing potential as he gains more experience. His role as a development player highlights the team’s focus on nurturing young talent for the future.

Daniel Fotu played two seasons the New Zealand Breakers. He averaged 1.6 points, 1 rebounds, and 0 assists in 22 NBL games.

Dan Boyce (827 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.