NBL EXPERIENCE

Alex McNaught made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 20 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.

Alex McNaught’s journey to the New Zealand Breakers is a story of dedication and dreams realized. A lifelong fan of the team, McNaught was a Sky Sport Breakers season ticket holder just two seasons prior to signing with the team. His transition from the stands to the court coincided with a transformative season for the Breakers under new head coach Mody Maor.

With Dan Shamir’s departure, Maor was elevated to head coach, overseeing a roster overhaul that saw the departure of six of the team’s top eight players, including Yanni Wetzell, Hugo Besson, Peyton Siva, Finn Delany, Ousmane Dieng, and Chasson Randle. Only Thomas Abercrombie, Robert Loe, and William McDowell-White returned from the previous season. The Breakers retooled their lineup with additions such as Tom Vodanovich, Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’Afa, Cameron Gliddon, and rookies Alex McNaught, Jayden Bezzant, and Daniel Fotu. The team also signed import players Dererk Pardon, Jarrell Brantley, and Barry Brown Jr., alongside French NBA prospect Rayan Rupert through the NBL Next Star Program.

The Breakers’ season began with a loss to Melbourne but quickly turned into one of revival. With Abercrombie sidelined for the first month due to a torn retina, the Breakers showcased their potential by equaling their total wins from the previous season within four rounds. A dominant 94-62 victory over the Tasmania JackJumpers at Spark Arena marked their biggest home win and propelled them to the top of the NBL ladder.

Despite setbacks such as Rupert’s broken wrist and a loss in a top-of-the-table clash with Sydney (81-77), the Breakers emerged as one of the league’s defensive powerhouses. They posted significant victories, including a 110-84 dismantling of the South East Melbourne Phoenix, and achieved an 11-2 start to the season before a loss to Perth snapped their momentum.

Alex McNaught’s contributions came during crucial moments. He appeared in 14 games, including two playoff encounters against the Tasmanian JackJumpers. His standout performance came in his third game for the Breakers, a 13-minute outing against South East Melbourne during which he played a key role in securing New Zealand’s first win in Melbourne in four years. With injuries to Tom Abercrombie and William McDowell-White, McNaught’s defensive intensity and smart play earned high praise from coach Mody Maor, who credited him as instrumental in the win. This victory was part of a historic season in which the Breakers went an impressive 11-3 on the road.

New Zealand’s resilience and depth saw them secure a playoff spot with key wins over the Sydney Kings (93-88) and Melbourne United (80-74). The Breakers battled with Cairns for second place in the final stretch of the season, ultimately securing the spot with victories over Brisbane and Illawarra. They finished the regular season second on the ladder and advanced to the Championship Series, where they narrowly lost to Sydney in five games.

Though McNaught did not see court time during the Breakers’ Championship Series run, his contributions throughout the season exemplified the team’s depth and determination. His transition from fan to player in a historic season highlighted his potential and marked the beginning of a promising NBL career.

2023/24
Prior to the 2023/24 season McNaught signed a three-year extension to his Development Player Contract.

“My goal with this new contract extension is to try and cement my place in the team and make consistent minutes,” says McNaught.

“With Mody showing his trust by offering me this extension, I know I will make leaps and bounds in the future.”

Alex McNaught currently plays for the New Zealand Breakers and has played 23 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 0.6 points, 0.3 rebounds, and 0.3 assists since entering the league in 2022.