NICKNAME/S: Reubs

BIO: Reuben Te Rangi was born in Ōtāhuhu, Auckland (NZ), and grew up in the South Auckland suburb of Manurewa.

Te Rangi attended Auckland Grammar School and began his junior basketball career with the Counties Manukau Basketball Association.

During his junior development, Te Rangi represented Counties Manukau and earned selection for New Zealand’s age-group representative basketball programs.

In 2010, Te Rangi represented New Zealand in 3×3 basketball at the inaugural Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.

The following year, Te Rangi was selected for the inaugural FIBA 3×3 Under-18 World Championship in Rimini, Italy.

Playing alongside Isaac Fotu, Tai Webster and James Ashby, Te Rangi helped New Zealand win the world championship after defeating Bulgaria 19–18 in the final.

In 2012, Te Rangi represented the New Zealand Junior Tall Blacks at the FIBA Under-18 Oceania Championship against Australia.

Te Rangi also played at the 2010 and 2012 Albert Schweitzer junior basketball tournaments in Germany during his development.

In 2012, Te Rangi began his senior basketball career with the Harbour Heat in the New Zealand National Basketball League at 17 years of age.

Later that year, he joined the New Zealand Breakers as a development player, becoming part of the club’s Australian NBL program.

FAMILY: Te Rangi’s partner is Kaitlin and their children are Quinn and Mason. He acknowledged his partner, children and parents when reflecting on his 400-game NBL milestone in October 2026. Source: BNZ Breakers milestone story (24 October 2026).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Reuben Te Rangi made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 18 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

In 2012, Reuben Te Rangi joined a New Zealand Breakers squad aiming to become the second team in NBL history to secure a three-peat. The team retained key players like Cedric Jackson, Leon Henry, Thomas Abercrombie, Dillon Boucher, Mika Vukona, CJ Bruton, and Daryl Corletto. A significant off-season decision was to not re-sign leading scorer Gary Wilkinson (who moved to Europe), opting instead to promote promising Kiwi center Alex Pledger to the starting lineup. Import forward Will Hudson (from Gold Coast) was signed as Wilkinson’s replacement, and Corey Webster returned to the team after serving a 12-month suspension for the use of banned substances.

The Breakers achieved several historic milestones this season. On November 30, 2012, Cedric Jackson recorded his first career triple-double with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Melbourne Tigers. It was only the second triple-double recorded since the NBL transitioned to 40-minute games at the start of the 2009/10 season.

By February, the Breakers extended their longest winning streak to 11 games, which grew to 15 consecutive wins by mid-March. New Zealand finished the regular season atop the ladder for the second consecutive year with a 24-4 record. Jackson (14.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 2.8 steals) led the league in assists and steals for the second straight season, earning the league’s Most Valuable Player award and a spot on the All-NBL First Team for the second consecutive year. Mika Vukona and Thomas Abercrombie were selected to the All-NBL Second and Third Teams, respectively, and Andrej Lemanis was voted Coach of the Year.

In the semifinals, New Zealand faced Sydney and swiftly eliminated them in two games. Abercrombie (15 points and 3 rebounds) and Jackson (11 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) led the Breakers in Game One (81-64), while Bruton (21 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Pledger (18 points and 12 rebounds) took charge in Game Two (99-88).

Advancing to the Grand Final series, the Breakers faced Perth in a rematch of the previous year’s finals. The Wildcats entered the series shorthanded, having lost starting guard Damian Martin to an Achilles injury prior to the playoffs. Brad Robbins came out of retirement to fill the void, but without Martin, the Breakers defeated Perth in two straight games. In Game One (79-67), Daryl Corletto (19 points on 7-10 shooting) was instrumental, and in Game Two (70-66), the team was led by CJ Bruton (16 points) and Cedric Jackson (14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals). Jackson was subsequently named Grand Final MVP as the team secured a historic three-peat victory.

In his first season, Reuben Te Rangi saw limited playing time, appearing in only 11 games and averaging 1.8 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 0.1 assists.

2013/14
After winning three consecutive championships, head coach Andrej Lemanis was appointed head coach of the Australian men’s national basketball team. His departure led to assistant coach Dean Vickerman being promoted to head coach, tasked with extending the Breakers’ championship streak.

Vickerman inherited a team that had lost star import Cedric Jackson (to Europe) and veteran Dillon Boucher (retired). The Breakers started the season poorly, losing three of their first four games. In response, Vickerman brought back former Breakers favorite and two-time champion Gary Wilkinson (15.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists) in late October. In December, veteran CJ Bruton (6.1 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists) announced he would retire at the end of the season, just before playing the 500th game of his career. By January, the Breakers added Casey Frank (5.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) to replace the injured Alex Pledger (10.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks), who managed to appear in only 13 games due to multiple injuries.

American guard Kerron Johnson (12.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.1 steals), signed as a replacement for Jackson, struggled to fill the void at point guard. Thomas Abercrombie (15.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) shouldered much of the offensive load but faced tight defenses due to Johnson’s lack of perimeter shooting. Unable to secure more than two consecutive wins all season, the Breakers finished in seventh place with an 11–17 record.

A bright spot for the season was the emergence of the young guard duo of Corey Webster (8.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) and Reuben Te Rangi (5.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.6 assists), whose improving play showed promise for the Breakers’ future.

2014/15
After winning three consecutive NBL championships between 2011 and 2013, New Zealand finished seventh with an 11-17 record in 2013/14, missing the playoffs for the first time in four years. Dean Vickerman returned for his second season as head coach, with imports Kerron Johnson and Gary Wilkinson departing alongside CJ Bruton (retired) and Daryl Corletto (to Melbourne). The Breakers retained captain Mika Vukona, Thomas Abercrombie, Corey Webster, Alex Pledger and Reuben Te Rangi, while adding two-time championship winner Cedric Jackson (via Slovenia), Ekene Ibekwe (via Puerto Rico), Rhys Carter (via Adelaide) and Tai Wesley (via Southland Sharks), who qualified as a local player under the NBL’s Asian player rule due to being born in Guam.

New Zealand opened the season against defending champions Perth at Perth Arena on October 10, where Te Rangi (10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) started and played 31 minutes, making two three-pointers in one of his strongest performances of the season. With Abercrombie unavailable following hernia surgery and Webster leaving the game early with a back complaint, Te Rangi was required to play additional minutes on the wing. Jackson (22 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists) led New Zealand’s scoring, while Carter (14 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists) provided important backcourt support. Shawn Redhage (20 points) and DeAndre Daniels (19 points and 6 rebounds) led Perth, but the Breakers established a 49-26 halftime advantage before holding off a Wildcats comeback to win 80-70 in front of 12,903 fans.

Te Rangi (2.5 points across 31 games) saw his scoring average decline from 5.4 points the previous season as New Zealand’s strengthened roster and Webster’s emergence reduced his offensive responsibilities. He remained part of the wing rotation, providing defensive pressure, rebounding and occasional outside shooting, while making five starts during the regular season. Although his minutes varied considerably, he appeared in 27 of the Breakers’ 28 regular-season games and all four postseason contests, with the January 8 victory over Wollongong his only absence.

Te Rangi’s second appearance came against Adelaide at Vector Arena on October 17, where he finished with 0 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in 16 minutes as New Zealand celebrated its home opener. Earlier that day, he had appeared in the New Plymouth District Court and was sentenced to 160 hours of community work and six months’ supervision after pleading guilty to assault following an incident earlier in the year. He was also ordered to pay NZ$1,000 in reparation to the victim. Before tip-off, the Breakers retired CJ Bruton’s number 23 jersey in recognition of his contribution to the club’s three championships. Webster (23 points) led New Zealand’s scoring, while Wesley (15 points and 10 rebounds) recorded a double-double. Adam Gibson (12 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) was Adelaide’s best all-around performer, while Jamar Wilson (15 points) led the 36ers in scoring. New Zealand recovered from an early 8-0 deficit with a 20-3 run during the opening quarter before cruising to a 101-80 victory.

After opening the season with consecutive victories, the Breakers suffered back-to-back losses to Melbourne and Cairns before recovering to establish themselves among the competition’s leading teams. Te Rangi continued receiving opportunities in the starting lineup when New Zealand’s wing rotation was affected by injuries, playing more than 34 minutes against Melbourne on November 21. However, with Webster becoming increasingly important offensively and Abercrombie working his way back into the lineup, Te Rangi’s main responsibility remained providing energy and defence rather than scoring.

Te Rangi’s best overall performance and highest-scoring game came against Sydney at Vector Arena on November 28, where he finished with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal in 26 minutes. Making three of his five three-point attempts, he provided important outside shooting as New Zealand produced one of its highest-scoring performances of the season. Jackson (21 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals) controlled the backcourt, while Carter (14 points and 2 rebounds) added four three-pointers from the bench. Ben Madgen (22 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Sydney, but the Breakers’ balanced offence proved too strong as New Zealand won 107-96, continuing its climb towards the top of the ladder.

New Zealand maintained its strong form through December and January, putting together multiple five-game winning streaks as it battled Perth and Cairns for first place. One of the team’s most significant victories came against Melbourne at Vector Arena on January 18, where Te Rangi (2 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists) played eight minutes from the bench as Jackson (16 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists) recorded his second career NBL triple-double. Webster (17 points) led New Zealand’s scoring, while Stephen Dennis (18 points) was Melbourne’s leading scorer. The Breakers held Jordan McRae, who entered the game as the league’s leading scorer, to just two points on 1-of-14 shooting and went on to win 88-75, strengthening their position near the top of the standings. Jackson’s performance highlighted the impact of his return after spending the previous season in Europe, with the former league MVP again establishing himself as one of the competition’s leading playmakers.

Jackson recorded his third career triple-double against Adelaide on February 12, finishing with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, although the Breakers suffered a 93-88 defeat. Te Rangi (0 points, 1 rebound, and 1 block) played nine minutes from the bench, while Webster (26 points) led New Zealand’s scoring. Wilson (28 points) was Adelaide’s leading scorer as the 36ers continued their late-season winning streak and increased the pressure on the Breakers in the race for a top-two finish.

Three days later, New Zealand produced one of the most remarkable victories in NBL history against Perth at Perth Arena. Te Rangi (0 points and 2 rebounds) played 14 minutes as Webster (27 points) and Jackson (22 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists) led the Breakers, while Daniels (24 points and 10 rebounds) and Jermaine Beal (24 points) carried Perth’s offence. The teams were tied at 68-68 at the end of regulation and 80-80 after the first overtime before Beal made two free throws to give Perth an 87-86 lead with two seconds remaining in double overtime. With no timeouts left, Jackson received the inbound pass, took three dribbles and launched a desperate shot from just outside his own three-point line. The ball banked off the backboard and dropped through the basket as time expired, giving New Zealand an extraordinary 89-87 victory. Jackson was subsequently named NBL Player of the Week for Round 19, adding to the award he had received earlier in the season for Round 10.

Webster (15.3 points across 32 games) emerged as New Zealand’s leading scorer after moving into the starting lineup, producing the highest-scoring season of his career to that point and developing into one of the league’s premier offensive guards. Jackson (14.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2.2 steals across 32 games) led the NBL in assists and earned All-NBL First Team honours, while Ibekwe (11.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks across 32 games) provided athleticism and rim protection, finishing with a Breakers single-season record of 62 blocked shots and earning All-NBL Second Team selection. Abercrombie (11.2 points and 4.3 rebounds across 29 games) remained an important perimeter contributor despite battling injuries, while Vukona (8.3 points and 6.7 rebounds across 32 games) provided leadership, rebounding and physical defence. Wesley (8 points and 4.8 rebounds across 32 games), Carter (6.6 points across 32 games) and Pledger (5.5 points and 3.7 rebounds across 30 games) provided the other main contributions as New Zealand completed the regular season in second place with a 19-9 record, securing home-court advantage for the semifinals.

New Zealand faced third-placed Adelaide in the semifinals, with the 36ers entering the playoffs on a 10-game winning streak. Game one was played at Vector Arena on February 26, where Te Rangi (10 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist) made two three-pointers in 21 minutes, producing his highest-scoring performance since November. Webster (24 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) led New Zealand’s scoring, while Jackson (13 points, 3 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals) controlled the backcourt. Wilson (21 points) and Daniel Johnson (14 points and 8 rebounds) led Adelaide, but the Breakers dominated the third quarter 33-15 and went on to win 111-82, ending the 36ers’ winning streak and taking a 1-0 series lead.

Game two moved to the Adelaide Arena on February 28, where Te Rangi (3 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal) made a three-pointer in 15 minutes from the bench as New Zealand maintained control of the contest. Jackson (18 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals) produced another outstanding all-around performance, while Ibekwe (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks) provided the main scoring support inside. Wilson (23 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals) and Johnson (16 points and 7 rebounds) led Adelaide, but the Breakers shot 53 percent from the field and won 94-83, completing the semifinal sweep and advancing to their fourth Grand Final in five seasons.

New Zealand faced minor premiers Cairns in the Grand Final, with the Taipans becoming the first regional team to finish on top of the NBL ladder since the Geelong Cats in 1984. Game one was played at the Cairns Convention Centre on March 6, where Te Rangi (0 points, 1 steal, and 1 block) played 10 minutes from the bench as the Breakers established an early advantage. Jackson (22 points and 7 rebounds) led New Zealand’s scoring, while Ibekwe (19 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks) dominated inside. Scottie Wilbekin (16 points) and Cameron Gliddon (13 points and 9 rebounds) led Cairns, which recovered from a 16-point halftime deficit to cut the margin to one point at the final break. New Zealand responded during the fourth quarter, with Carter making two crucial three-pointers as the Breakers pulled away to win 86-71 and move within one victory of the championship.

Game two returned to Auckland’s North Shore Events Centre on March 8, where Te Rangi (0 points) played six minutes from the bench as the Breakers attempted to close out the series. Abercrombie (19 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals) led New Zealand’s scoring, while Jackson (15 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals) controlled the backcourt. Cameron Tragardh (17 points and 5 rebounds), Gliddon (16 points and 4 rebounds) and Torrey Craig (16 points and 5 rebounds) led Cairns, which overcame a five-point halftime deficit and moved six points ahead during the final three minutes. With New Zealand trailing late, Vukona scored a put-back to tie the scores at 78-78 before both teams exchanged free throws in the closing seconds. Jackson gave the Breakers an 81-79 lead, but Wilbekin made two free throws with 1.2 seconds remaining to level the scores and seemingly force overtime. Coming out of a timeout, Jackson inbounded the ball to Ibekwe (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks), who caught the pass near the free-throw line, turned and made a fadeaway jumper as the buzzer sounded. New Zealand defeated Cairns 83-81 to complete a 2-0 Grand Final sweep and claim its fourth NBL championship in five seasons, giving Te Rangi his second NBL title. Jackson was awarded the Larry Sengstock Medal as Grand Final MVP for the second time, becoming the first player in NBL history to win three championships during his first three seasons.

2015/16
After finishing second with a 19-9 record and winning the 2015 NBL Championship, the New Zealand Breakers retained Dean Vickerman as coach and most of their championship-winning core, with Rhys Carter (to Sydney) and Ekene Ibekwe (to Europe) the major departures. Australian point guard Shane McDonald (via Nunawading – SEABL) and rookie American big man Charles Jackson (via Tennessee Tech) were added, while Shea Ili, Jordan Ngatai and Tai Wynyard remained in the development group and Finn Delany joined them. New Zealand’s preseason was disrupted by Alex Pledger recovering from off-season foot surgery, Thomas Abercrombie suffering a nagging hamstring injury and Corey Webster leaving for the United States to trial with the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans.

New Zealand opened the season in Adelaide on October 7, where Te Rangi (6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) started and played more than 33 minutes. Cedric Jackson (14 points and 6 assists) and Everard Bartlett (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) led the Breakers, while Matthew Hodgson (18 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks) led Adelaide to a 90-71 victory. New Zealand trailed 51-26 at halftime, giving the club its second-lowest first-half score and second-largest halftime deficit at the time.

Te Rangi (2.6 points across 33 games) appeared in every game, playing all 28 regular-season games and all five playoff games while making two starts. After starting the season opener, he spent almost the entire season coming from the bench as part of New Zealand’s forward rotation before making his only other start on New Year’s Eve against Cairns.

Te Rangi’s best game came against Townsville on October 11, where Te Rangi (12 points, 1 assist, and 1 steal) made 4-of-7 field goals and all three of his three-point attempts in 18 minutes. Bartlett (19 points and 2 steals) led New Zealand in scoring and Cedric Jackson (14 points, 10 rebounds, 14 assists, and 2 steals) recorded a triple-double, while Jordair Jett (17 points and 4 rebounds) led Townsville as the Breakers recorded their first win of the season, 89-81.

After New Zealand fell to 1-3, Webster (19.8 points across 28 games) returned after narrowly missing a roster spot with New Orleans. Duane Bailey (to Plymouth) was removed from the full-time roster after three appearances to create room for Webster and was offered the opportunity to remain as a training player and provide injury cover before later signing with the Plymouth Raiders. Bartlett (4.7 points across 32 games), who had initially joined (via Hawke’s Bay) as Webster’s temporary replacement, was instead retained for the remainder of the season, with Vickerman saying, “the group has decided that Everard deserves a full-time spot on the roster.” New Zealand won nine of its next eleven games to improve to 10-5 before losing five of the following six, with a New Year’s Eve loss in Cairns beginning a six-game losing streak that included five consecutive defeats during January.

Webster returned to become New Zealand’s leading scorer and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Abercrombie (14 points and 6.3 rebounds across 31 games), Cedric Jackson (12.8 points, 6 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.3 steals across 33 games), Tai Wesley (11.7 points and 4.9 rebounds across 26 games), Charles Jackson (10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds across 33 games), Pledger (6.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across 31 games) and Mika Vukona (6.2 points and 7.4 rebounds across 29 games) formed the remainder of the main rotation. Cedric Jackson led the NBL in assists for the fourth time in his four seasons in the league.

New Zealand recovered to win its final five regular-season games, completing the run against minor premiers Melbourne at Hisense Arena on February 14, where Te Rangi (0 points and 3 rebounds) played 14 minutes. Wesley (23 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) scored the go-ahead basket with 5.4 seconds remaining and Vukona (10 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists) recorded a double-double, while Chris Goulding (22 points and 3 assists) led Melbourne. New Zealand won 70-68 to finish fourth with a 16-12 record and edge Adelaide for the final playoff position.

New Zealand opened its semifinal series against first-placed Melbourne at Hisense Arena, where Te Rangi (3 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal) provided nine minutes from the bench as Cedric Jackson (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals), Abercrombie (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block), Vukona (11 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals) and Pledger (8 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks) led the Breakers. Hakim Warrick (24 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks) and Goulding (23 points and 5 rebounds) led Melbourne, but New Zealand recovered from a seven-point second-half deficit to win 91-82.

Game two moved to Vector Arena, where Te Rangi (3 points and 2 rebounds) played 11 minutes as Abercrombie (23 points and 4 rebounds), Cedric Jackson (19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Wesley (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led New Zealand. Goulding (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Warrick (17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Melbourne, but the Breakers pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 91-78 victory, completing the 2-0 sweep and reaching their fifth Grand Final in six seasons.

Perth hosted game one of the Grand Final at Perth Arena, where Te Rangi (0 points) played five minutes as Webster (19 points and 2 steals) and Cedric Jackson (14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led New Zealand. Nathan Jawai (15 points), Matthew Knight (14 points and 5 rebounds), Casey Prather (11 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Damian Martin (9 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Perth, with the Breakers recovering from a 13-point deficit and briefly taking the lead late in the third quarter before the Wildcats regained control and won 82-76.

Game two returned to Auckland, where Te Rangi (1 point, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) played 10 minutes as Cedric Jackson (13 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals), Abercrombie (12 points and 5 rebounds), Pledger (11 points and 4 rebounds) and Wesley (11 points and 2 steals) led New Zealand. Jermaine Beal (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Jesse Wagstaff (13 points) led Perth, but Webster (10 points) made a three-pointer with 18 seconds remaining to give New Zealand a four-point advantage before the Breakers held on for a 72-68 victory and tied the series 1-1.

The deciding game returned to Perth Arena in front of 13,090 fans, where Te Rangi (3 points and 1 rebound) played nine minutes as Abercrombie (21 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals) was New Zealand’s only player to reach double figures and Charles Jackson (7 points, 12 rebounds, and 1 block) battled inside. Prather (19 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block), Beal (14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Martin (10 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 block) led Perth, with Martin holding Cedric Jackson (0 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists) scoreless on five field-goal attempts before he fouled out early in the fourth quarter. Martin was named Grand Final MVP as Perth claimed its seventh NBL championship and handed New Zealand its first playoff series loss to the Wildcats and first Grand Final series defeat with a 75-52 win.

BRISBANE BULLETS
2016/17
Returning to the NBL after an eight-season absence, Brisbane began 2016/17 with Australian Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis as head coach and Adam Gibson (via Adelaide) named captain. With no returning playing group, the Bullets built a new roster that included Daniel Kickert (via Melbourne), Tom Jervis (via Perth), Anthony Petrie (via Adelaide), Shaun Bruce (via Cairns), Mitchell Young (via Townsville), Reuben Te Rangi (via New Zealand), Torrey Craig (via Cairns), Cameron Bairstow (via Chicago), Jermaine Beal (via Perth) and development player Matt Kenyon. Te Rangi joined Brisbane on April 29 after four seasons with New Zealand, where he had played 103 NBL games and won championships in 2013 and 2015. “Reuben, Mitch and Shaun all have proven NBL experience, but they still have the prime time of their basketball careers ahead and joining the Brisbane Bullets is an exciting opportunity for them,” Lemanis said.

Te Rangi did not play in Brisbane’s opening three games, with no injury or other reason publicly reported for the absences. He entered the rotation against Melbourne on October 20, where Te Rangi (1 point and 1 assist) played 8:10 off the bench as Kickert (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Bairstow (15 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 steal) led Brisbane, but David Andersen (15 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) helped Melbourne win 78-70.

Te Rangi (2.6 points across 25 games) came off the bench in every appearance and played each of Brisbane’s final 25 games following his first appearance for the club.

Te Rangi’s best game came against his former team New Zealand in Auckland on November 6, where Te Rangi (7 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) made two of four shots and all three free throws. Beal (16 points and 1 steal) and Young (14 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists) led Brisbane, but Kirk Penney (30 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) carried the Breakers to an 86-70 win.

Four days later Te Rangi (2 points and 1 rebound) was involved in a heated clash against Sydney after Josh Powell pulled Kickert to the floor during the third quarter. Te Rangi reacted with a heavy shove and both players received technical fouls, but Craig (18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) and Beal (16 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) helped Brisbane defeat the league-leading Kings 86-73, while Brad Newley (27 points) led Sydney.

Against Melbourne on December 17, Te Rangi (7 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) made two of four shots after Lemanis gave him early minutes, scoring five quick points and grabbing a rebound as Brisbane settled into the game. Beal (20 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal) and Bairstow (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 steal) led the Bullets, while Chris Goulding (24 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals) led Melbourne as Brisbane won 100-90 and snapped a three-game home losing streak.

Te Rangi (6 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 1 steal) made both of his field-goal attempts against Cairns on December 31, including a three-pointer midway through the fourth quarter which pushed Brisbane’s lead to 14. Kickert (19 points, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) and Gibson (15 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 steals) led the Bullets, while Travis Trice (20 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) was Cairns’ best as Brisbane pulled away for a 93-76 win.

Brisbane’s rotation was hit heavily by injuries during the middle of the season. Bairstow (12.8 points and 6.5 rebounds across 13 games) had missed the opening two games with the shoulder injury suffered playing for Australia at the Rio Olympics before tearing the ACL in his left knee against Illawarra on December 19 and being ruled out for the season. Petrie (7.1 points and 3.1 rebounds across 18 games) was then ruled out after cartilage damage in his left knee required surgery. Isaih Tueta (via New Zealand) was brought in as injury cover after completing a short injury-replacement stint with the Breakers, with Tueta (3.3 points across 8 games) joining Brisbane’s rotation. Wang Tong (via Shanghai) and Yan Pengfei (via Shanghai) were also added as development players during the season as part of Brisbane’s relationship with the Shanghai Sharks.

Jeremy Kendle (via Bendigo) joined Brisbane’s training group in late December as additional guard cover, but a low-grade calf strain initially delayed his addition before he officially signed as an injury replacement on January 11, with Kendle (11 points across 7 games) playing every remaining game. Gibson (9.8 points and 3.8 assists across 21 games) then suffered a calf injury in January and missed Brisbane’s final seven games. Beal (11.2 points across 23 games) was released on January 21 after his form declined during the second half of the season, allowing Kendle to become part of Brisbane’s permanent roster and move into the starting lineup. “We have not been able to get the best out of Jermaine, and he has not been contributing to the level that he wants to,” Lemanis said.

Craig (15.2 points and 8 rebounds across 28 games) led Brisbane in scoring and rebounding, won the NBL Best Defensive Player award, earned All-NBL Second Team honours and was named the Bullets’ club MVP. Kickert (12.8 points and 4 rebounds across 28 games) joined him on the All-NBL Second Team and became the first player in NBL history to qualify for a 50-40-90 season, shooting 54.4 percent from the field, 45.9 percent from three and 95.0 percent from the free-throw line. Jervis (7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds across 28 games), Bruce (5.9 points across 28 games) and Young (5.5 points across 28 games) provided the other main contributions.

Brisbane’s season ended against Illawarra at WIN Entertainment Centre on February 11, where Te Rangi (4 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists) played 20:59 off the bench. Craig (30 points, 18 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) and Jervis (14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) led Brisbane, while Oscar Forman (26 points and 1 block) made eight three-pointers and Rotnei Clarke (24 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists) led the Hawks to a 106-79 victory, leaving Brisbane eighth with a 10-18 record.

2017/18
After finishing eighth with a 10-18 record in their first season back in the NBL, Brisbane entered 2017/18 under head coach Andrej Lemanis with Adam Gibson remaining captain. Torrey Craig (to Denver), Jermaine Beal (to Israel) and Jeremy Kendle (to South West Metro) departed, while Travis Trice (via Cairns), Stephen Holt (via CEZ Nymburk) and Perrin Buford (via Italy) were added. Cameron Bairstow remained sidelined while recovering from the ACL injury suffered the previous season, while development player Will Magnay (via Tulsa) returned to Brisbane in October on a three-year deal.

Brisbane was also selected to take part in the first NBLxNBA series, travelling to Phoenix to face the Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 13. Trice (20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) led Brisbane, while Jervis (13 points and 6 rebounds), Buford (11 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Kickert (10 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) also contributed, but Devin Booker (31 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Phoenix to a 114-93 win.
Watch Brisbane Bullets vs Phoenix Suns replay

Brisbane opened the season against defending champions Perth at Perth Arena on October 7, where Te Rangi (4 points and 1 assist) started, but the Wildcats defeated the Bullets 96-86. Trice (27 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Daniel Kickert (18 points) led Brisbane, while Bryce Cotton (24 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Perth.

Te Rangi (7.3 points across 26 games) saw increased playing time and responsibility during his second season with Brisbane, more than doubling his scoring from the previous year while shooting 45 percent from the field, 37 percent from three and 70 percent from the free throw line. A hip injury kept him out of Brisbane’s games against Cairns on October 20 and Illawarra on October 22, his only two absences of the season, before returning to the lineup later that month.

Te Rangi’s season-high came against Perth on November 17, where Te Rangi (16 points and 2 rebounds) made both of his three-point attempts and all six free throws in only 15 minutes, but the Wildcats defeated Brisbane 90-85. Buford (18 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals) and Trice (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Bullets, while Cotton (24 points and 5 assists) was Perth’s leading scorer.

Against his former team New Zealand on December 3, Te Rangi (11 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists) made three three-pointers as Brisbane defeated the league-leading Breakers 81-76 and snapped a three-game losing streak. Buford (18 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Trice (17 points) led the Bullets, while DJ Newbill (21 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals) was New Zealand’s leading scorer.

Te Rangi (12 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist) made four of five three-pointers against Cairns on December 14 before combining with Buford on a last-second block of Scoochie Smith’s potential game-winning shot as Brisbane escaped with a 75-74 win. Buford (17 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Trice (14 points and 3 assists) provided support, while Jerry Evans (18 points and 9 rebounds) led Cairns as Brisbane improved to 6-8 and delivered Lemanis a victory in his 300th game as an NBL head coach.

Te Rangi’s best game of the season came against Adelaide on January 27, where Te Rangi (12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) shot 5-of-9 from the field, made both of his three-point attempts and committed no turnovers as Brisbane defeated the 36ers 95-90. Buford (24 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Trice (15 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals) led the Bullets, while Daniel Johnson (25 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) was Adelaide’s leading scorer.

Buford (15.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks across 22 games) led Brisbane in scoring and rebounding before requesting his release in February to pursue opportunities in Europe (to Europe). Trice (15.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.3 steals across 27 games) was named Brisbane’s club MVP, while Kickert (13.8 points and 4.7 rebounds across 26 games) completed a 50-40-90 season for the second consecutive year. Tom Jervis (10.2 points and 4.6 rebounds across 24 games), Holt (9.7 points and 3.1 rebounds across 28 games) and Gibson (7.3 points and 3.5 assists across 24 games) were the other main contributors.

Brisbane closed the season in Adelaide on February 17, where Te Rangi (4 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) started but the 36ers defeated the Bullets 105-82. Trice (20 points) and Holt (12 points and 3 rebounds) led Brisbane, while Majok Deng (20 points and 3 steals) led Adelaide, leaving the Bullets in eighth place with a 9-19 record.

2018/19
After finishing last in 2017/18 with a 9-19 record and collecting a second consecutive wooden spoon, Brisbane reshaped its roster under coach Andrej Lemanis. Daniel Kickert (to Sydney), Tom Jervis (to Perth), Mitch Young (to Cairns), Anthony Petrie (retired), Shaun Bruce, Perrin Buford and Travis Trice departed, while captain Adam Gibson, Stephen Holt, Reuben Te Rangi and Will Magnay remained. Cameron Gliddon (via Cairns), Jason Cadee (via Sydney), Matt Hodgson (via Adelaide), Mika Vukona (via New Zealand), Makoto Hiejima (via Japan) and Alonzo Gee (via Puerto Rico) were added, while Cam Bairstow returned after missing the previous season following a knee reconstruction. Hiejima joined as a local under the NBL’s Asian Player rule, becoming the first Japanese player to sign with an NBL team. With Hodgson recovering from a calf injury and Magnay from an ankle injury, Nnanna Egwu was also added as a short-term injury replacement. Brisbane faced a difficult early draw, with 12 of its first 15 games coming against teams which had reached the previous season’s top four.

Te Rangi entered the season after helping New Zealand win bronze at the 2018 Commonwealth Games before captaining the Southland Sharks to the New Zealand NBL championship. He scored 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists in Southland’s 98-96 Grand Final win over Wellington and was named Finals MVP. “To come down here and win this is awesome. Ever since we won in my first year with the Sharks I’ve been wanting this,” Te Rangi said.

Brisbane opened the season in Auckland on October 11, where Te Rangi (4 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal) played 17 minutes off the bench as the Bullets defeated New Zealand 86-73 for their first win in Auckland since 2005. Gliddon (29 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) and Bairstow (14 points and 5 rebounds) led Brisbane, while Corey Webster (23 points) was New Zealand’s leading scorer.

Te Rangi (9.9 points and 3.1 rebounds across 30 games) delivered the best season of his career to that point, appearing in all 30 of Brisbane’s games and not missing a game through injury. He came off the bench in 24 games and started six, making 57 three-pointers from 126 attempts at 45.2 percent after making 23 three-pointers at 36.5 percent the previous season.

Te Rangi’s first major performance came against Cairns on October 13, where he came off the bench to score 18 points and grab 3 rebounds, making three three-pointers, but the Taipans defeated Brisbane 88-70. Gliddon (11 points) and Cadee (10 points and 7 assists) were Brisbane’s other leading scorers, while Melo Trimble (32 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Cairns.

Te Rangi’s best game came against Adelaide on November 1, where he made six three-pointers and finished with a career-high 29 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals as Brisbane defeated the 36ers 108-98. Gibson (16 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Vukona (16 points, 4 assists, and 1 block) provided support, while Daniel Johnson (23 points and 6 rebounds) led Adelaide.

Against Sydney on January 25, Te Rangi (15 points) made five of seven three-pointers off the bench, with Bairstow (23 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Patterson (21 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) leading Brisbane, but Andrew Bogut (20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks) helped the Kings defeat the Bullets 87-81.

Brisbane’s roster continued to change throughout the season. Gee (7.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 4 games) requested to return to the US for personal reasons and was released, with Patterson (17.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 steals across 24 games, via China) signed on October 31. Egwu (0 points across 3 games) completed his short injury-replacement stint after Hodgson returned and accepted an opportunity in Malaysia. Holt (7.1 points across 11 games) was later granted a mutual release to pursue an opportunity in Europe, with Kendle (6 points across 18 games), who had been training with Brisbane, initially signed as his replacement before being retained for the remainder of the season. Hiejima (0 points across 3 games) was also replaced on the roster by A.J. Davis (4.1 points across 11 games, via Prishtina).

Patterson developed into Brisbane’s leading scorer and was named to the All-NBL First Team as well as winning the Bullets’ club MVP award. Gliddon (13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 29 games), Bairstow (11.6 points and 5.8 rebounds across 29 games), Hodgson (9.6 points and 6.1 rebounds across 29 games), Cadee (8.3 points and 4.1 assists across 30 games), Vukona (6.7 points and 4.4 rebounds across 28 games) and Gibson (6.2 points across 30 games) provided Brisbane’s other major contributions. Te Rangi capped his breakout season by winning both the NBL’s Best Sixth Man award with 41 votes and Most Improved Player award with 40 votes, beating Jarrad Weeks for both honours.

Brisbane’s playoff hopes came down to its final regular-season game against New Zealand on February 16, where Te Rangi (5 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) helped the Bullets defeat the Breakers 84-78. Patterson (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Cadee (18 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Brisbane, while Shawn Long (23 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks) was New Zealand’s best. The victory left Brisbane tied with Adelaide at 14-14, with the Bullets claiming fourth place on points percentage and qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Perth opened the semifinals at RAC Arena on February 28 with an 89-59 win over Brisbane behind Bryce Cotton (22 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block), Terrico White (19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Nick Kay (18 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks). Gliddon (18 points and 4 rebounds), Hodgson (10 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Patterson (9 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Brisbane, while Te Rangi (4 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) played 20 minutes off the bench.

Game two moved to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, where the Bullets were without Vukona after a partial Achilles tear ruled him out. Te Rangi (1 point) played 19 minutes, while Patterson (19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals), Hodgson (15 points and 2 blocks) and Bairstow (12 points and 7 rebounds) led Brisbane. White (24 points), Cotton (19 points and 10 assists) and Kay (16 points and 15 rebounds) led Perth to an 84-79 victory to complete the 2-0 sweep.

2019/20
After returning to the playoffs with a 14-14 record before losing to Perth in the semifinals, Brisbane entered 2019/20 without Adam Gibson (to South East Melbourne), Cameron Bairstow (to Rytas Vilnius), Makoto Hiejima (to Link Tochigi Brex), Nnanna Egwu (to Earth Friends Tokyo Z) and Stephen Holt (to Sixt Primorska). Head coach Andrej Lemanis added Nathan Sobey (via Adelaide), Taylor Braun (via Hapoel Be’er Sheva), EJ Singler (via Panionios) and Callum Dalton (via Gold Coast), while Lamar Patterson re-signed with the club.

Brisbane opened the season against Illawarra at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 6, where Te Rangi (3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal) came off the bench as the Bullets defeated the Hawks 90-81. Patterson (25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Sobey (17 points and 5 rebounds) led Brisbane, while Aaron Brooks (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) was Illawarra’s leading scorer.

Te Rangi (2.6 points) appeared in 25 games, all from the bench, after averaging 9.9 points and winning both the NBL Best Sixth Man and Most Improved Player awards the previous season. His playing time fell to 8.7 minutes per game as his role was significantly reduced during his second season with Brisbane. Te Rangi missed games against New Zealand on January 12 and February 7 and South East Melbourne on January 23, with no injury or other reason publicly reported for any of the three absences.

Te Rangi’s best game of the season came against South East Melbourne at Nissan Arena on November 30, where he finished with 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist as Brisbane lost 110-95. Cadee (15 points and 3 assists) and Hodgson (12 points) led Brisbane, while Ben Madgen (23 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Mitch Creek (19 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Phoenix.

Against league-leading Sydney at Nissan Arena on December 21, Te Rangi (5 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) provided one of his better performances of the season as Brisbane defeated the Kings 87-80. Magnay (23 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 blocks) produced his breakout performance while Gliddon (13 points and 5 rebounds) provided support, with Casper Ware (26 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) leading Sydney.

Te Rangi (2 points and 1 rebound) made his 100th appearance for Brisbane against Cairns at the Cairns Convention Centre on January 3. The Bullets trailed by 18 points entering the fourth quarter before mounting a late comeback, but Cairns held on for a 91-89 win. Singler (20 points and 6 rebounds) and Braun (8 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) helped Brisbane close the gap, while DJ Newbill (28 points) and Cameron Oliver (21 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Cairns.

Te Rangi’s season-high scoring game came against Adelaide at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on January 25, where he finished with 9 points and 2 rebounds as Brisbane defeated the 36ers 108-99 for its fifth consecutive victory. Eric Griffin (21 points and 5 rebounds) and Jerome Randle (21 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals) led Adelaide as Brisbane continued its late-season push into the top four.

Patterson (21 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.2 steals) remained Brisbane’s leading offensive player and was named to the All-NBL First Team while finishing third in MVP voting, while Sobey (16 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists) was the team’s second-leading scorer. Cadee (11 points) won the NBL Sixth Man award, while Hodgson (10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds), Magnay (8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks), Singler (7.8 points and 4.1 rebounds), Gliddon (6.9 points) and Braun (6.7 points) were the other major contributors. Magnay’s move into the starting lineup helped spark Brisbane’s second-half improvement and he was named the NBL Most Improved Player.

After sitting 5-6 through 11 games, Brisbane recovered to win six consecutive games late in the season and move into the top four, before losses to New Zealand and Perth left the Bullets needing to defeat Cairns by at least 33 points in their final game to remain alive in the playoff race.

Te Rangi (0 points and 1 rebound) played six minutes as Brisbane defeated Cairns 124-88 at Nissan Arena on February 15, with Sobey (30 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals), Gliddon (25 points, 3 assists, and 4 steals) and Singler (21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) leading the Bullets, while Majok Deng (20 points and 7 rebounds) led Cairns. The 36-point victory kept Brisbane alive overnight, but Melbourne defeated South East Melbourne 109-90 the following day, leaving the Bullets outside the playoffs in fifth place with a 15-13 record.

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
2020/21
South East Melbourne looked to improve on their debut season after finishing second last with a 9-19 record, with coach Simon Mitchell adding Cam Gliddon and Reuben Te Rangi (both via Brisbane) to help spread the floor and provide more room for franchise player Mitch Creek to operate inside. Imports Ben Moore and Keifer Sykes were added, while Yanni Wetzell initially signed before exercising his European out clause (to Riesen Ludwigsburg), only for passport complications caused by COVID-19 to result in him returning to the Phoenix. Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’Afa and Tristan Forsyth joined as development players, while Mike Karena (via Nelson) was signed as an injury replacement for Dane Pineau. COVID-19 delayed the NBL season until January 2021, with the majority of players also asked to accept salary reductions due to the financial pressure caused by the pandemic.

After four seasons with Brisbane, the two-time NBL champion signed a two-year deal with South East Melbourne, having previously won the NBL’s Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year awards in 2019. “I’m really excited. I can’t wait to get there and get underway with the team. It’s an awesome opportunity,” he said.

South East Melbourne opened the season against Adelaide at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on January 17, where Te Rangi (3 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal) started and played 35 minutes as the Phoenix lost 116-108 in double overtime. Creek (30 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Wetzell (24 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) led South East Melbourne, while Daniel Johnson (33 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) led Adelaide.

Te Rangi (6.9 points and 3.4 rebounds) became a regular part of the Phoenix starting five, appearing in all 39 games and starting 35. He did not miss a game through injury during NBL21.

One of his strongest early performances came against Perth on February 14, where Te Rangi (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 steal) helped South East Melbourne reverse a 31-point loss to the Wildcats three days earlier with a 96-71 victory at the State Basketball Centre. Sykes (24 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Creek (18 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) led the Phoenix, while John Mooney (19 points, 10 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Bryce Cotton (15 points, 9 assists, and 3 steals) led Perth.

Against Melbourne on March 10, an injury-hit Phoenix roster had only six contracted players available but Te Rangi (12 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists) played almost 36 minutes and scored two important lay-ups in overtime as South East Melbourne won 97-92. Creek (31 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) and Adnam (18 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal) led the Phoenix, while Jock Landale (22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 5 blocks) and Chris Goulding (22 points and 2 steals) led Melbourne. “I thought that Mitch and Reubs were exceptional, it was possibly their best games in the NBL,” Mitchell said.

Mid-season, South East Melbourne added Australian Boomers forward Ryan Broekhoff (7 points and 3.8 rebounds), who had spent much of the previous year recovering from a fractured leg while hoping to return to the NBA. Broekhoff joined as a nominated replacement player and was expected to take Karena’s position on the active roster.

Creek (18.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists) led South East Melbourne in scoring and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Sykes (14.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists), Adnam (12 points and 3.6 assists), Wetzell (11.2 points and 6 rebounds), Gliddon (10.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals), Moore (10.4 points and 6.5 rebounds) and Mauriohooho-Le’Afa (6.1 points) provided the other main contributions. The Phoenix developed into the highest-scoring team in the NBL but remained second last in the league for rebounding, while Adnam was nominated for Sixth Man of the Year and won the Gametime by Kmart Community Award.

South East Melbourne ended the regular season against Brisbane at Nissan Arena on June 8, where Te Rangi (10 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists) made two three-pointers as the Bullets won 94-84. Creek (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Broekhoff (14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led the Phoenix, while Lamar Patterson (19 points, 3 assists, and 1 steal) was Brisbane’s leading scorer. South East Melbourne finished fourth with a 19-17 record and reached the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

The Phoenix faced minor premiers Melbourne (28-8) in the semifinals, with all three games played without crowds at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena due to COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria. Melbourne opened the series with a 96-78 victory, with Te Rangi (6 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist), Moore (17 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Creek (15 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) leading South East Melbourne, while Landale (26 points and 1 block) and Scotty Hopson (22 points, 3 assists, and 1 steal) led United.

Facing elimination in game two, Te Rangi (4 rebounds and 1 block) was held scoreless, but Sykes (26 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals), Creek (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Wetzell (20 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 steal) led South East Melbourne to a 90-79 victory. Hopson (19 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) and Goulding (14 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) led Melbourne as the Phoenix forced a deciding third game.

Te Rangi’s best game of the season came in the deciding game three, where South East Melbourne jumped out to a 32-15 lead during the second quarter before Melbourne took control. Te Rangi (22 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) made six three-pointers, while Creek (19 points and 9 rebounds) and Sykes (15 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) provided support. Landale (27 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) made 11-of-13 shots from the field and all three of his three-point attempts, with Goulding (14 points and 2 steals) and Mitch McCarron (11 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) helping Melbourne win 84-74.

2021/22
After making their maiden Finals appearance the previous season, South East Melbourne looked to go one step further, re-signing coach Simon Mitchell to a one-year deal and retaining Kyle Adnam, Ryan Broekhoff, Izayah Le’Afa and Mitch Creek. Keifer Sykes (to NBA) and Yanni Wetzell (to New Zealand) exited, with Tohi Smith-Milner (via Wellington), Zhou Qi (via Xinjiang), Xavier Munford (via Bursaspor) and Devin Thomas (via Kalev) added to the roster. Zach Hankins (via Maccabi Rishon LeZion) was also signed during the off-season, but a knee injury suffered during NBA Summer League ruled him out for NBL22 and led to South East Melbourne releasing him before the season began.

Te Rangi entered the second and final season of the two-year deal he signed when joining South East Melbourne from Brisbane in 2020.

South East Melbourne opened the season against New Zealand at John Cain Arena on December 4, where Te Rangi (0 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) played 19 minutes off the bench as the Phoenix won 89-65, with Munford (27 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) and Creek (19 points) leading South East Melbourne, while Finn Delany (18 points and 9 rebounds) was New Zealand’s best.

Te Rangi (3.8 points across 26 games) made 13 starts and averaged 18.2 minutes per game, with his scoring falling from 6.9 points the previous season while continuing to provide defence and versatility across multiple positions.

Te Rangi played his 250th NBL game against his former team New Zealand on December 10, where Te Rangi (0 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists) played 15 minutes as South East Melbourne defeated the Breakers 95-88 behind Creek (36 points and 4 rebounds) and Munford (17 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals), while Hugo Besson (26 points and 8 rebounds) was New Zealand’s best. “It’s just another game for me, it’s been a long journey, but it seems to go by really quickly,” Te Rangi said. VNR DOWNLOAD

South East Melbourne won three of its first four games before COVID-related postponements left the Phoenix without a game for 28 days. They returned against Brisbane on January 15, where Te Rangi (5 points, 1 rebound, and 1 block) made his first start of the season, but the Bullets won 100-84, with Creek (19 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Munford (17 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 block) leading South East Melbourne, while Nathan Sobey (18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) was Brisbane’s best. South East Melbourne recovered to win eight of its next 11 games and climb to second place with an 11-5 record.

Te Rangi missed the February 5 game against Perth and February 7 game against Illawarra while in COVID protocols. These were his only two absences during NBL22, with no basketball injury keeping him out of the lineup.

Te Rangi’s best scoring game came on his return from COVID protocols against Sydney at John Cain Arena on February 10, with Te Rangi (11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) making three three-pointers and scoring five late points in the third quarter, but the Kings defeated South East Melbourne 92-87. Broekhoff (25 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) and Creek (23 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) led the Phoenix, while Xavier Cooks (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks) was Sydney’s best.

On March 24, Te Rangi re-signed with South East Melbourne on a two-year extension with no player option, keeping him with the Phoenix through the end of NBL24. “I’m pretty stoked, and I cannot wait to be around here a little longer and improve my game and try to win a few championships,” Te Rangi said.

Thomas was released during the season following multiple breaches of his contract and the club’s code of conduct without playing a game, with Ashley (8.9 points and 5.2 rebounds across 23 games) (via Fortitudo Bologna) signed to fill the vacant second import position. Creek (20.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 28 games) led South East Melbourne in scoring, won the Phoenix MVP and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Munford (16.6 points, 4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.2 steals across 26 games), Qi (11.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2 blocks across 24 games), Broekhoff (11.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 18 games), Le’Afa (8.8 points across 26 games) and Adnam (8.8 points across 25 games) were the other major contributors. South East Melbourne finished among the league’s top three scoring teams at 87.7 points per game.

South East Melbourne’s season backflipped after reaching 11-5, losing four consecutive games against Illawarra twice, Sydney and Melbourne. The downturn coincided with Broekhoff suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, and despite a favourable schedule across the final month, losses to Adelaide, Cairns and Melbourne ended the Phoenix’s playoff hopes as they managed only six wins from their final 14 games.

South East Melbourne closed the season at RAC Arena on April 24, where Te Rangi (4 points and 4 rebounds) started as Munford (24 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals) and Ashley (17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists) led the Phoenix to a 102-100 overtime win over Perth, while Bryce Cotton (28 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal) was the Wildcats’ best, ending Perth’s 35-year playoff streak and leaving South East Melbourne sixth with a 15-13 record.

2022/23
Te Rangi returned for his third season with South East Melbourne after the Phoenix had missed the NBL22 finals despite finishing with a 15-13 record. Mitch Creek, Ryan Broekhoff, Kyle Adnam, Dane Pineau and Owen Foxwell were also retained, while imports Alan Williams, Gary Browne and Trey Kell III joined alongside Junior Madut and Grant Anticevich, and Zhou Qi later returned. The rebuilt roster entered the season with championship expectations, with Creek describing it as the strongest group South East Melbourne had assembled.

South East Melbourne began the season severely undermanned against Tasmania at John Cain Arena, with Browne, Kell, Broekhoff and Zhou unavailable. Te Rangi started and contributed 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block, while Adnam recorded a career-high 30 points, Creek added 23 points and Williams finished with 12 points and 7 rebounds as the Phoenix opened the season with an 84-79 victory. Jack McVeigh (20 points), Rashard Kelly (18 points and 6 rebounds) and Milton Doyle (13 points and 6 assists) led Tasmania.

Te Rangi (5.1 points and 3 rebounds across 29 games) appeared in all 28 regular-season games and the Play-In Qualifier, making four starts and spending most of the season as an experienced reserve forward. He did not miss a game through injury or illness. His availability became especially valuable as Broekhoff and Browne each missed nine regular-season games, Kell missed five, Williams missed one and Zhou appeared nine times before returning to China for family reasons. Te Rangi defended multiple positions, provided physicality and was occasionally used at centre when South East Melbourne’s rotation was depleted.

His strongest regular-season statistical performance came against Perth at RAC Arena on November 17, where Te Rangi (12 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) made 5-of-7 field goals and grabbed four offensive rebounds in 23 minutes. Creek (32 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals), Williams (16 points and 8 rebounds) and Browne (12 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists) helped South East Melbourne score 37 points in the fourth quarter, but Bryce Cotton (32 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) and Brady Manek (21 points and 5 rebounds) carried Perth to a 103-96 victory.

Te Rangi delivered one of his most important performances against Cairns at the State Basketball Centre on January 25. He finished with 10 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block in 27 minutes as South East Melbourne defeated the Taipans 85-80. During the decisive stretch, his offensive rebound created a three-pointer for Kell, another effort on the offensive glass sent him to the free-throw line and he then stole an outlet pass before finding Creek for a crucial three. Creek (21 points and 7 rebounds), Williams (17 points and 13 rebounds), Kell (17 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Browne (15 points and 5 assists) led the Phoenix, while DJ Hogg (24 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) was Cairns’ leading scorer.

“He’s shooting the ball with confidence, he’s getting offensive boards, getting us extra shots and making good decisions,” Mitchell said.

South East Melbourne completed its regular season against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on January 29, where Te Rangi (11 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal) made three three-pointers in 20 minutes. Creek (29 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals), Kell (18 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists), Browne (14 points and 8 assists) and Foxwell (13 points) kept the Phoenix within striking distance, but Derrick Walton Jr. (22 points and 5 assists), Dejan Vasiljevic (21 points) and Xavier Cooks (16 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists) led Sydney to a 111-106 victory. The loss left South East Melbourne fifth with a 15-13 record and set up a home Play-In Qualifier against sixth-placed Perth.

The Phoenix entered the Play-In as favourites despite Broekhoff remaining well below full fitness and led Perth 76-65 entering the fourth quarter. Te Rangi produced his best performance of the season, recording 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 assist while making 5-of-7 field goals and 3-of-4 three-pointers in 26 minutes. Creek (24 points), Browne (20 points and 5 assists), Williams (16 points, 17 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Kell (14 points) also contributed, but Perth outscored South East Melbourne 41-23 in the final quarter. Cotton (26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals), Manek (24 points) and TaShawn Thomas (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists) led the Wildcats to a 106-99 victory, eliminating the Phoenix.

Following the Play-In defeat, inaugural head coach Simon Mitchell stepped down after leading South East Melbourne to two postseason appearances across the franchise’s first four seasons. Mike Kelly was appointed as his replacement, with Te Rangi joining Creek, Williams and Foxwell as the four players already contracted to return for the 2023/24 season.

2023/24
After finishing fifth with a 15-13 record and losing the Play-In Qualifier to Perth the previous season, South East Melbourne replaced Simon Mitchell with Mike Kelly as head coach. Kyle Adnam (to Sibiu), Trey Kell III (to Adelaide), Ryan Broekhoff (retired) and Dane Pineau (to New Zealand) exited, while Mitch Creek, Gary Browne, Alan Williams, Owen Foxwell and Reuben Te Rangi returned. Kelly added Gorjok Gak (via Brisbane), Matt Kenyon (via Tasmania), Ben Ayre (via Cairns), Rhys Vague (via Japan), Craig Moller (via Germany) and import Will Cummings (via China).

Te Rangi entered the final season of the two-year extension he had signed in March 2022, which contained no player option and tied him to the Phoenix through NBL24. He returned to South East Melbourne after captaining New Zealand at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where he averaged 16.4 points and produced a 32-point performance against Mexico. “I’m pretty stoked, and I cannot wait to be around here a little longer and improve my game and try to win a few championships,” Te Rangi said after signing his extension.

South East Melbourne opened NBL24 against Melbourne United at John Cain Arena on September 28, where Te Rangi (4 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) played 24 minutes off the bench in an 82-67 loss. Ayre (17 points) and Cummings (14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) led the Phoenix, while Travers (20 points and 8 rebounds) was Melbourne’s best.

Te Rangi (5.8 points across 26 games) remained a regular part of the Phoenix rotation, averaging just over 20 minutes and making seven starts. He missed the December 10 game against Sydney while on paternity leave before suffering a lower-leg injury on Christmas Day, with a hip complaint keeping him out against Brisbane on December 30.

Te Rangi’s best game came against Cairns at John Cain Arena on November 5, where Te Rangi (10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) helped South East Melbourne defeat the Taipans 91-78 and remain unbeaten at home. Creek (21 points and 11 rebounds) and Williams (18 points and 15 rebounds) led the Phoenix, while Mayen (12 points and 6 rebounds) was Cairns’ best.

Te Rangi produced his best scoring game of the season in Cairns on December 22, where Te Rangi (14 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) moved into the starting five with Creek sidelined by a knee injury. Williams (29 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Nader (12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) provided support, but Miller (17 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists) helped Cairns defeat South East Melbourne 94-75.

Injuries and roster changes continued to disrupt the Phoenix. Moller (6.2 points and 5.3 rebounds across 12 games) suffered a season-ending patellar tendon rupture, while Cummings (14.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals across 12 games) was released in December. Kody Stattmann (3.6 points across 16 games) was elevated from development player to the main roster and Nader (14.4 points and 3.9 rebounds across 8 games) was added soon after. Gak (5.4 points and 4.9 rebounds across 17 games) also missed time with a calf injury, leading to Daniel Johnson (3.7 points across 3 games) joining temporarily as a nominated replacement player.

Creek (20.8 points and 6.7 rebounds across 23 games) remained South East Melbourne’s leading scorer and won his fifth consecutive club MVP award, while Williams (16.7 points and 10.9 rebounds across 15 games) led the NBL in rebounding despite missing 13 games. Browne (13.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals across 20 games) remained the team’s primary playmaker when available, while Ayre (10.7 points across 27 games) delivered a breakout season. Kenyon (5.9 points and 5.1 rebounds across 25 games) also provided support as injuries prevented South East Melbourne from maintaining a settled rotation.

South East Melbourne lost 10 of its final 12 games and closed the season against Sydney at John Cain Arena on February 17, where Te Rangi (2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal) played 13 minutes as the Kings handed the Phoenix a club-record 122-67 defeat. Foxwell (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Creek (13 points and 3 rebounds) led South East Melbourne, while Hogg (25 points and 7 rebounds) was Sydney’s best as the Phoenix finished last with a 10-18 record.

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS
2024/25
After defeating Melbourne United 3-2 to win the first championship in club history, Tasmania began its title defence under head coach Scott Roth and captain Clint Steindl without Grand Final MVP Jack McVeigh (to Houston), Marcus Lee (to Melbourne), Majok Majok (to South East Melbourne), Tom Vodanovich (to South East Melbourne), and Jarred Bairstow (to Brisbane). Roth retained Milton Doyle, Jordon Crawford, Will Magnay, Majok Deng, Anthony Drmic, Sean MacDonald, and Fabijan Krslovic, while adding Gorjok Gak (via South East Melbourne) and Craig Sword (via Indiana Mad Ants).

Following McVeigh’s late departure, Tasmania announced Te Rangi (via South East Melbourne) on July 24 on a one-year contract as his replacement. Roth said, “Reuben is an incredible addition to our team. His experience and skills on both ends of the court will be invaluable to us as we aim for success in the NBL25 season. We’re keen to see him bring his leadership and talent to Tasmania.”

Tasmania opened its title defence against Melbourne at HoopsFest in Perth on September 19, where Te Rangi (3 points and 8 rebounds) started in his JackJumpers debut, but United won 88-79, with Doyle (23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals) and Magnay (14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) leading Tasmania while Matthew Dellavedova (21 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists) was Melbourne’s best.

Te Rangi (5.1 points and 3.1 rebounds across 29 games) appeared in every game, started 22 times and provided experience, defensive size and perimeter shooting across the forward positions. He reached 350 NBL games in January, with Roth describing him as “a veteran leader who has fed perfectly into our culture.” Reflecting on his career, Te Rangi said, “My favourite moment of my career was signing my first NBL contract and walking into the locker room. I was surrounded by players I idolized—C.J. Bruton, Mika Vukona, Cedric Jackson, and others. Being in the same room as them was surreal and inspiring.”

His best scoring game came at John Cain Arena on December 23, where Te Rangi (15 points and 5 rebounds) made 5-of-7 field goals and 3-of-5 three-pointers as Tasmania defeated Melbourne 97-91 for its sixth consecutive victory, with Crawford (16 points and 6 assists) and Steindl (12 points) providing support while Chris Goulding (18 points) led United.

Two days later, Te Rangi (12 points and 3 rebounds) helped Tasmania defeat New Zealand 97-82 on Christmas Day for its seventh consecutive win, with Crawford (26 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Deng (20 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) leading the JackJumpers while Parker Jackson-Cartwright (23 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) was the Breakers’ best. Te Rangi received an unsportsmanlike foul after pushing Jackson-Cartwright during a fourth-quarter scuffle and was later charged with unduly rough play, receiving a one-game suspension or a $1,550 fine with an early plea. .

Sword (6.3 points across 15 games; to Kaohsiung) was released in December after Tasmania reassessed the balance of its roster, with Ian Hummer (4.6 points and 3.7 rebounds across 12 games; via Osaka) signed for the remainder of the season.

Crawford (16 points and 4.4 assists across 28 games) led Tasmania in scoring and won club MVP with 174 votes, while Doyle (14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 steals across 29 games) remained one of its main creators. Magnay (13.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.6 blocks across 13 games), Deng (11.5 points and 5 rebounds across 26 games), MacDonald (11.2 points and 3.8 assists across 9 games), Drmic (8.1 points and 4 rebounds across 28 games), and Steindl (5.4 points across 29 games) were the other primary contributors. Magnay won Defensive Player of the Year, Deng received the Coaches’ Award and Fan Favourite Award, Krslovic (4.1 points and 4.7 rebounds across 28 games) earned the Players’ Award, and Steindl received the Spirit of the JackJumpers Award.

After falling to 3-8, Tasmania won eight consecutive games to improve to 11-8 but managed only two victories from its final 10 games and missed the postseason for the first time in club history.

Tasmania closed the season with the annual Teal Game at MyState Bank Arena on February 8, where Te Rangi (8 points and 2 rebounds) helped the JackJumpers defeat Cairns 90-83, with Deng (21 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Crawford (19 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) leading Tasmania while Tanner Groves (17 points and 8 rebounds) was Cairns’ best as the JackJumpers finished seventh with a 13-16 record and missed the top six on percentage.

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
2025/26
Following a 10-19 season that left New Zealand ninth and outside the playoffs, the Breakers entered 2025/26 without Matt Mooney, Jonah Bolden (to Illawarra), Mojave King (to Cairns), Grant Anticevich (to Belgium), Freddie Gillespie (to Turkey), Tacko Fall (to China), Tai Wynyard, Dane Pineau (retired) and Mitch McCarron (retired), while Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Sam Mennenga, Karim Lopez, Max Darling and Sean Bairstow remained from the previous season’s main rotation.

After returning as President of Basketball Operations in March 2025, Dillon Boucher worked with second-year head coach Petteri Koponen to rebuild around a stronger New Zealand playing core. In April, Boucher said the Breakers had contacted virtually every New Zealander playing outside New Zealand or Australia, directly or through their agents, with Finn Delany and Yanni Wetzell among the overseas players publicly discussed as potential recruits.

Coach Petteri Koponen returned for a second season and added Reuben Te Rangi (via Tasmania), Izayah Le’Afa (via Sydney), Rob Loe (via Melbourne), Taylor Britt (via Canterbury), imports Izaiah Brockington (via Vancouver) and Rob Baker II (via Germany), with Jack Andrew and Liam Judd joining as development players.

The two-year agreement returned the veteran to the Breakers for the first time since 2015/16 after he won championships with New Zealand in 2013 and 2015.

New Zealand opened the season at Spark Arena on 19 September, where Te Rangi (12 points and 4 rebounds) started in a 104-95 loss to Brisbane, with Brockington (16 points) and Jackson-Cartwright (16 points, 5 rebounds, 12 assists, and 3 steals) leading the Breakers while Casey Prather (27 points) starred for the Bullets.

Te Rangi (6.8 points and 2.5 rebounds across 34 games) appeared in every game and provided defensive size and perimeter shooting across the forward positions, starting 12 times.

His best regular-season scoring game came against defending champion Illawarra on 8 October, where Te Rangi (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) made four three-pointers as New Zealand collected its first win with a 117-88 victory, with Jackson-Cartwright (20 points and 17 assists) and Mennenga (20 points) leading the Breakers while Tyler Harvey (22 points) was Illawarra’s leading scorer.

Le’Afa (3.5 points across 15 games) suffered a fractured foot in December and was replaced by Tai Webster (via Perth), while Baker (10 points and 4.8 rebounds across 25 games) suffered a season-ending knee injury in January, opening a place in the starting five for Te Rangi during New Zealand’s final eight regular-season games.

Jackson-Cartwright (17.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.8 steals across 34 games) and Mennenga (17.8 points and 6.8 rebounds across 28 games) led New Zealand, with Brockington (16.1 points and 3.8 rebounds across 33 games), Lopez (11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 31 games), Webster (7.1 points and 3.1 rebounds across 16 games) and Carlin Davison (5.2 points and 3.3 rebounds across 34 games) providing further support.

Mennenga won the NBL’s Next Generation Award, while Jackson-Cartwright received the club MVP and Members’ Choice awards and Brockington was named the Breakers’ Defensive Player of the Year. New Zealand finished seventh with a 13-20 record and missed the NBL postseason, but its 3-1 Ignite Cup record earned the Breakers a place in the inaugural final against Adelaide on the Gold Coast.

The Ignite Cup Final was played at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on 22 February, where Te Rangi (17 points and 8 rebounds), Jackson-Cartwright (29 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals), Mennenga (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists), Brockington (21 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Lopez (12 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) led New Zealand, while Bryce Cotton (34 points and 9 assists), Zylan Cheatham (21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals) and Nick Rakocevic (21 points and 11 rebounds) were Adelaide’s best, with Jackson-Cartwright named Ignite Cup MVP as the Breakers won 111-107 to claim the inaugural Ignite Cup and $300,000.

2026/27
Te Rangi remained with the New Zealand Breakers for the second season of the two-year agreement that brought him back to the club in 2025, following their inaugural Ignite Cup victory in NBL26.

Ahead of New Zealand’s Round 6 road meeting with Cairns at Cairns Convention Centre on 25 October 2026, the NBL and Breakers announced that Te Rangi was due to make his 400th NBL appearance. As at the pregame announcement, he had appeared in 399 games: 144 for the New Zealand Breakers across his two stints, 106 for Brisbane, 120 for South East Melbourne and 29 for Tasmania. Taking the court against Cairns would bring the New Zealand total to 145 and his NBL career to 400 games. The club planned to celebrate the milestone again at Spark Arena before its 30 October home game against Adelaide.

Reflecting on the occasion, Te Rangi credited his family, teammates, coaches and other supporters for helping him reach the milestone, which followed NBL championships with New Zealand in 2012/13 and 2014/15 and both the Most Improved Player and Best Sixth Man awards with Brisbane in 2018/19.

Sources: NBL milestone announcement, 25 October 2026; Breakers milestone announcement, 24 October 2026.

Reuben Te Rangi currently plays for the New Zealand Breakers and has played 401 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 5.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.7 assists since entering the league in 2012.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

New Zealand Breakers – 2 Year Deal (2025-27)

HIGHLIGHTS:

🌪 Spin cycle Reuben Te Rangi

📺 Tune in on @ESPNAusNZ via @kayosports or @Foxtel pic.twitter.com/oeTXxOGMve

— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) March 17, 2022

Reuben Te Rangi — 400 NBL Games: Official Career Highlights (25 October 2026)

Watch the NBL’s 400-game career tribute