Who is the favourite for the 2023/24 NBL Season
March 27, 2023
Sam Timmins
- Nationality: NZL
- Date of Birth: 23/05/97
- Place of Birth: Dunedin, NZ
- Position: CTR
- Height (CM): 211
- Weight (KG): 120
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: Washington
- NBL DEBUT: 19/12/21
- AGE AT DEBUT: 24
- LAST NBL GAME: 17/02/24
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 26
- NBL History: New Zealand 2022-23 | Sydney 2024
- Championships: 0
- None
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.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| 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 | 27 | Sydney | 13-15 (5) | 3 | 6.6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0 |
| 2022-23 | 25 | New Zealand | 18-10 (2) | 11 | 35.4 | 15 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 3 | 9 | 33% | 73% | 0% | 4 |
| 2021-22 | 25 | New Zealand | 5-23 (10) | 15 | 126.5 | 49 | 34 | 4 | 14 | 20 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 21 | 40 | 53% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 7 | 10 | 70% | 55% | 53% | 9 | Totals | 29 | 168 | 64 | 44 | 7 | 18 | 26 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 31 | 27 | 48 | 56.3% | 0 | 1 | 0.0% | 10 | 19 | 52.6% | 57% | 56% | 9 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| 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 | 27 | Sydney | 13-15 (5) | 3 | 2.2 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0 |
| 2022-23 | 25 | New Zealand | 18-10 (2) | 11 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 100% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.3 | 0.8 | 33% | 73% | 0% | 4 |
| 2021-22 | 25 | New Zealand | 5-23 (10) | 15 | 8.4 | 3.3 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 2.7 | 53% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 0.5 | 0.7 | 70% | 55% | 53% | 9 | Total | 29 | 5.8 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 56.3% | 0.0 | 0.0% | 0.0 | 52.6% | 57% | 56% | 9 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 9 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
|---|
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Timmins was a member of the New Zealand national team that finished in fourth place at the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon.
In 2022, Timmins played for New Zealand during the FIBA World Cup Qualifying window and with the bronze medal winning Tall-Blacks side that competed at the FIBA Asia Cup in Indonesia.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- New Zealand - Canterbury Rams (2015), Franklin Bulls (2020, 2024), Otago Nuggets (2021–2023), Southland Sharks (2025–2026) | Estonia - Tallinna Kalev/TLÜ (2020–2021) | Hong Kong - Chun Lung (2025–present) | Japan - Tryhoop Okayama (2024–2025)
Sam Timmins debuted in New Zealand’s National Basketball League with the Canterbury Rams in 2015, averaging 5.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.2 assists across 16 games, including a 20-point, nine-rebound performance in his first Rams appearance.
Timmins returned to the New Zealand league in 2020 with the Franklin Bulls during the shortened season, averaging 10.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 15 games, while also averaging 1.6 blocks per game.
In December 2020, Timmins signed in Estonia with Tallinna Kalev/TLÜ for the remainder of the season.
Timmins signed with the Otago Nuggets for the 2021 New Zealand season and produced 19.2 points, 13.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game across 17 games, highlighted by 29 points and 25 rebounds against the Manawatu Jets and an 18-point, 18-rebound, 10-assist triple-double against the Canterbury Rams.
His 2021 season was recognised with the league’s Most Improved Player award, the Commissioner’s Cup as Most Outstanding Forward/Centre, the Stan Hill Trophy as Most Outstanding New Zealand Forward/Centre, selection in the All Star Five, and the rebounds-per-game title at 13.9 per game.
In 2022, Timmins was part of Otago’s championship-winning team and averaged 16.8 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists across 17 games as the Nuggets won the title with an 81–73 grand final victory over the Auckland Tuatara.
Timmins remained with Otago in 2023 and averaged 15.6 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists across 16 games.
In 2024, he returned to the Franklin Bulls and averaged 15.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 blocks per game.
On June 24, 2024, Timmins signed in Japan with Tryhoop Okayama for the 2024–25 season.
On January 21, 2025, Timmins signed with the Southland Sharks for the 2025 New Zealand season, later joining Hong Kong side Chun Lung in October 2025, before re-signing with Southland for the 2026 campaign.
COLLEGE
Sam Timmins played four seasons for the Washington Huskies from 2016–17 to 2019–20, appearing in 132 games with 61 starts and finishing his career with 376 points, 398 rebounds, and 89 blocks while shooting 56.3% from the field across 1,681 minutes.
Timmins arrived in Seattle early, joining the program in December 2015 and practicing and travelling with the team through the remainder of the 2015–16 season before officially beginning his on-court career the next year.
As a freshman in 2016–17, he played 31 games with 18 starts and averaged 3.2 points and 3.8 rebounds while adding 20 blocks, with his best rebounding nights including 12 boards at No. 3 UCLA and another 12-rebound game against Western Kentucky, plus an 11-point, six-rebound outing at No. 7 Arizona in just his fifth game as a Husky.
He stepped into a full-time starting role as a sophomore in 2017–18, starting all 34 games and posting 4.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, highlighted by a career-high 13 points against Kennesaw State and a string of efficient scoring games that included 10 points on perfect shooting (5-of-5) at USC.
Timmins’ role shifted over his final two seasons, playing all 36 games as a junior in 2018–19 while shooting 62.0% from the field and recording a season-high nine points versus UCLA, then closing his Washington career in 2019–20 by appearing in 31 games and shooting 62.5% from the floor, with a season-high 11 points and six rebounds against Eastern Washington and a perfect-shooting nine-point night (3-of-3) against California.
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