BIO: Sam Timmins was born in Dunedin, NZ and was following his father’s footsteps as a rugby union player before taking basketball seriously at Middleton Grange High School.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Sam Timmins made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 24 years of age. He scored seven points in his first game.

After a challenging season in NBL21, where the New Zealand Breakers played 29 of their 36 games in Australia, the team faced even greater adversity in NBL22. With strict COVID-19 protocols preventing them from playing any home games, the Breakers were forced to spend the entire season on the road. The hardships extended into the offseason as the team lost both Webster brothers, who had played pivotal roles in the previous campaign. Corey Webster exited his contract to play in Europe after being moved to the bench, and Tai Webster left to pursue opportunities overseas, unwilling to comply with the league’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate.

Despite these losses, the Breakers retooled their roster, signing standout Kiwi big man Yanni Wetzell (via South East Melbourne), as well as imports Peyton Siva, Hugo Besson, and Jeremiah Martin. French prospect Ousmane Dieng was added under the NBL Next Star Program, bolstering the team’s youth and potential.

The season began with significant setbacks. Injuries to Siva and Thomas Abercrombie, combined with a COVID-19 outbreak, left the Breakers severely depleted. Chasson Randle was signed as a replacement player for Siva, and the team stumbled out to a 0-6 start. When Siva returned, the team decided to release Martin, opting to retain Randle, who had impressed in his substitute role. Siva eventually averaged 11.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2 steals, but it wasn’t enough to rescue the season.

Wetzell emerged as the team’s most consistent performer, averaging 17.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.1 blocks. He left for Europe before the season ended but was still named the Breakers’ MVP. Besson (13.9 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) and Finn Delany (10 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2 assists) also stepped up during the final month. Despite these efforts, the Breakers finished with a 5-23 record, the worst in their 19-year history.

Sam Timmins, who began the season as a development player, was elevated to the main roster after Wetzell’s departure. Timmins contributed 3.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.2 assists per game, providing depth during a tumultuous season.

2022/23
With the departure of head coach Dan Shamir, assistant coach Mody Maor was promoted to lead the Breakers as they prepared for their first full season of home games in two years. The team underwent a massive overhaul, losing six of their top eight players, including Yanni Wetzell, Hugo Besson, Peyton Siva, Finn Delany, Ousmane Dieng, and Chasson Randle. Returning players included Thomas Abercrombie, Robert Loe, William McDowell-White, and Sam Timmins.

To fill the gaps, the Breakers added Tom Vodanovich (via Sydney), Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’Afa, and Cameron Gliddon (both via South East Melbourne), along with rookies Alex McNaught, Jayden Bezzant, and Daniel Fotu. They also signed import players Dererk Pardon, Jarrell Brantley, and Barry Brown Jr., and added French NBA prospect Rayan Rupert under the NBL Next Star Program.

The Breakers began the season with a loss to Melbourne United but quickly demonstrated their potential. By Round 4, they had already matched their total number of wins from the previous season. Two nights later, they posted their largest-ever victory at Spark Arena, defeating the Tasmania JackJumpers 94-62. The win propelled them to the top of the NBL ladder.

New Zealand’s revival as a contender was highlighted by a thrilling top-of-the-table clash against the Sydney Kings. Despite trailing for most of the game, the Breakers mounted a late surge, outscoring Sydney 31-17 in the final quarter behind Barry Brown Jr.’s 22 points. They ultimately fell short, losing 81-77, and suffered a significant blow with Rupert sidelined for two months due to a wrist injury.

The Breakers became the first team of the season to win five straight games after dismantling South East Melbourne (110-84). By December, they had an 11-2 record but stumbled with a loss to Perth (92-84). Key games during their run included a dramatic loss to Illawarra, where Tyler Harvey sank a half-court buzzer-beater (78-76), and a clutch win against Sydney (93-88), highlighted by Jarrell Brantley’s decisive three-pointer.

The Breakers battled Cairns for second place throughout the final month of the season. Victories over Brisbane and Illawarra secured their second-place finish with an 18-10 record, narrowly edging out Cairns on points percentage.

Sam Timmins played a supporting role throughout the season, contributing valuable minutes off the bench. While his statistical output was modest, his presence provided depth to the Breakers’ rejuvenated roster. The Breakers’ remarkable turnaround from last place to championship contention underscored the resilience of the team and the leadership of coach Mody Maor.

Sam Timmins played three seasons in the NBL, playing for both the New Zealand Breakers and the Sydney Kings. He averaged 2.2 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.2 assists in 29 NBL games.

Dan Boyce (817 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.