BIO: Jayden Bezzant was born in Tauranga (New Zealand)

NBL EXPERIENCE

Jayden Bezzant made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 26 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

Bezzant joined the Breakers as part of a significant roster overhaul, with the team losing six of their top eight players from the previous season. Alongside fellow newcomers Tom Vodanovich, Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’Afa, Cameron Gliddon, Daniel Fotu, and Alex McNaught, Bezzant was brought in to provide depth, defense, and perimeter shooting off the bench.

Under first-year head coach Mody Maor, the Breakers overcame the challenges of two seasons spent away from home due to COVID-19 restrictions and emerged as a defensive juggernaut. The team began the season with a loss to Melbourne but quickly found their form, equaling their win total from the previous season within four rounds. Bezzant, however, played in just one game during the season, logging limited minutes.

While Bezzant’s on-court appearances were brief, he remained a part of the squad as the Breakers mounted an impressive campaign, finishing second on the ladder with a 17-11 record. The Breakers’ resurgence was powered by key performances from import players Barry Brown Jr., Jarrell Brantley, and Dererk Pardon, along with standout contributions from William McDowell-White and Rayan Rupert. Veteran leadership from Tom Abercrombie, who returned from injury early in the season, also played a crucial role in their success.

New Zealand’s season highlights included a dominant 94-62 win over Tasmania, their largest victory ever at Spark Arena, and a thrilling top-of-the-table clash with the Sydney Kings. Despite falling short in that game, the Breakers continued to solidify their standing as championship contenders, becoming the first team of the season to record five consecutive wins. They secured their playoff spot with victories over Melbourne and Sydney, and a strong finish to the regular season saw them leapfrog Cairns for second place.

Bezzant did not feature in the postseason but remained part of the team as the Breakers advanced to the Championship Series after defeating Tasmania in the semifinals. The season ended with a hard-fought five-game series loss to Sydney, marking a bittersweet conclusion to an otherwise successful campaign.

Although Bezzant’s individual contributions on the court were minimal, his inclusion in the roster represented the Breakers’ commitment to developing young talent and building depth.

Jayden Bezzant played in one NBL game during the 2022-23 season, scoring 0 points, 1 rebounds, and 0 assists.

Dan Boyce (832 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.