BIO: Zylan Cheatham was born in Phoenix, Arizona (USA) where he attended South Mountain High School.
Zylan Cheatham made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 27 years of age. He scored 11 points in his first game.
Zylan Cheatham joined the New Zealand Breakers for NBL24 as part of the team’s restructured roster under coach Mody Maor. Cheatham, who arrived via Germany, was brought in to fill the void left by outgoing imports Jarrell Brantley, Barry Brown Jr., and Dererk Pardon. Despite the Breakers’ challenging season, Cheatham delivered consistently strong performances, becoming a key figure in their lineup.
Cheatham’s season started with promise, highlighted by a 30-point, 2-rebound, and 4-assist performance in a victory over Melbourne (98–87) on 22 October 2023. His athleticism and scoring ability added a dynamic edge to the Breakers’ offense, which was further evident in standout games such as his 25-point, 5-rebound effort against Perth (7 January 2024) and a 24-point, 8-rebound display against Perth on 4 February 2024. In the latter game, he also recorded a steal and shot an impressive 75% from the field (7 of 12).
However, Cheatham’s campaign was interrupted in late October by a fractured leg, sidelining him for two months. His absence was keenly felt as the Breakers struggled through a five-game losing streak, falling to the bottom of the ladder in January with an 8–12 record. Cheatham’s return in late December provided a much-needed boost to the team. His impact was immediate, as demonstrated in an 81–71 win over Brisbane, where he scored 11 points and helped the Breakers secure consecutive victories.
Over the course of the season, Cheatham averaged 15.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, cementing himself as one of the team’s most reliable contributors. His resilience and leadership on the court were integral as the Breakers worked to regain form late in the season. Alongside teammates such as Parker Jackson-Cartwright (20.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists), Anthony Lamb (19.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists), and William McDowell-White (9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists), Cheatham helped New Zealand finish with a 13–15 record, advancing to the play-in tournament through points percentage.
In the play-in tournament, Cheatham delivered a solid performance against Sydney, contributing 12 points and 9 rebounds in a crucial 83–76 victory. Despite his efforts and those of his teammates, inconsistency returned in the second play-in game against Illawarra. Cheatham’s 12-point, 9-rebound effort wasn’t enough to secure the win, as the Breakers fell 85–88, narrowly missing an NBL semi-final berth.
Cheatham’s inaugural season with the Breakers showcased his scoring versatility and ability to perform in high-stakes games. While the team faced challenges with injuries and inconsistency, Cheatham’s contributions were pivotal in keeping New Zealand competitive throughout the season.
Zylan Cheatham played one season in the NBL. He averaged 15.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 19 NBL games.
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.
SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023-24 | 28 | New Zealand | 13-15 (6) | 19 | 544.0 | 290 | 129 | 22 | 31 | 98 | 17 | 3 | 36 | 47 | 98 | 187 | 52% | 16 | 40 | 40% | 78 | 102 | 76% | 62% | 57% | 30 | Totals | 19 | 544 | 290 | 129 | 22 | 31 | 98 | 17 | 3 | 36 | 47 | 98 | 187 | 52.4% | 16 | 40 | 40.0% | 78 | 102 | 76.5% | 63% | 57% | 30 |
SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023-24 | 28 | New Zealand | 13-15 (6) | 19 | 28.6 | 15.3 | 6.8 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 5.2 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 5.2 | 9.8 | 52% | 0.8 | 2.1 | 40% | 4.1 | 5.4 | 76% | 62% | 57% | 30 | Total | 19 | 28.6 | 15.3 | 6.8 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 5.2 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 5.2 | 9.8 | 52.4% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 40.0% | 0.8 | 2.1 | 76.5% | 63% | 57% | 30 |
POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 30 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
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Over the 2022-23 season with the Birmingham Squadron -- the Pelicans G-League affiliate -- Cheatham averaged 13.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, while shooting 56.5% from the field and 31.1% from downtown.
Cheatham played 4 games in the NBA. He averaged 3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- July 24, 2019: Signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.
- November 23, 2020: Signed a multi-year contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.
- November 23, 2020: As part of a 4-team trade, traded by the New Orleans Pelicans with Joshia Gray, Darius Miller, Kenrich Williams, a 2023 2nd round draft pick (Hunter Tyson was later selected) and a 2024 2nd round draft pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder; the Denver Nuggets traded a 2023 1st round draft pick (Nick Smith Jr. was later selected) to the Oklahoma City Thunder; the Milwaukee Bucks traded R.J. Hampton to the Denver Nuggets; the Milwaukee Bucks traded Eric Bledsoe, a 2024 1st round draft pick, a 2025 1st round draft pick, a 2026 1st round draft pick and a 2027 1st round draft pick to the New Orleans Pelicans; the Milwaukee Bucks traded George Hill to the Oklahoma City Thunder; the New Orleans Pelicans traded Jrue Holiday and Sam Merrill to the Milwaukee Bucks; and the Oklahoma City Thunder traded Steven Adams to the New Orleans Pelicans. New Orleans acquires right to swap 2024 1st-rd pick with Milwaukee 2025 1st-rd pick is MIL own New Orleans acquires right to swap 2026 1st-rd pick with Milwaukee 2027 1st-rd pick is MIL own 2023 top-14 protected 1st-rd pick was DEN own 2023 2nd-rd pick was own 2024 2nd-rd pick is CHO own.
- December 2, 2020: Waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
- December 22, 2021: Signed a 10-day contract with the Miami Heat.
- January 12, 2022: Signed a 10-day contract with the Utah Jazz.
Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 0 | 83% | 62% | 78% | 58% | ||||||
2 | 0 | 30 | 4 | 3 | 1 | ||||||
Total | 98 | 187 | 52.4% | 16 | 40 | 40.0% |
YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019-20 | 24 | New Orleans | PF | 4 | 0 | 51 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 67% | 67% | |||
2019-20 | 24 | New Orleans | PF | 4 | 0 | 51 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 67% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 67% | 67% |
2019-20 | 24 | New Orleans | PF | 4 | 0 | 51 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 67% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 67% | 67% |
2023-24 | 28 | New Zealand | 13-15 (6) | 19 | 544.0 | 290 | 129 | 22 | 31 | 98 | 17 | 3 | 36 | 47 | 98 | 187 | 52% | 16 | 40 | 40% | 78 | 102 | 76% | 62% | 57% | 30 | Total | 4 | 0 | 51 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 67% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 |
YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019-20 | 24 | New Orleans | PF | 4 | 0 | 12.8 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 67% | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 67% | 67% | Total | 4 | 0 | 12.8 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 67% | 0.3 | 0% |
After a spending the 2022-23 season in the G-League, Cheatham joined Bayern Munich to help bolster the German teams EuroLeague campaign for the remainder of 203. This included a 20-point, 8-rebound performance against Real Madrid in April.
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POS | TEAM | W | D | L | PTS |
1 | Top Club FC | 21 | 3 | 3 | 66 |
2 | The Reapers | 20 | 4 | 3 | 64 |
3 | Crimson Kings | 19 | 4 | 4 | 61 |
4 | Wind Slayers | 18 | 2 | 6 | 56 |
5 | Deadly Predators | 18 | 2 | 4 | 56 |
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