BIO: William McDowell-White was born in Brisbane (QLD) into a family of Indigenous Australian (Arrernte) descent.

His father, Darryl, played Australian rules football at the professional level, for the Brisbane Lions, over a 14-year career, which included three AFL premierships and 268 senior games.

William grew up playing Australian rules football for Coorparoo, and was placed in the Brisbane Lions talent academy, at the age of 13, as well as playing junior basketball for the Southern Districts basketball program. William also attended Ignatius Park College High School.

Despite seemingly heading down the same career path as his father, William surprised many, when he decided to focus on basketball, and gave up playing football at the age of 15.

One of Australia’s most promising ballplayers, McDowell-White first sprang into prominence at the 2014 adidas Global Nations event held in Long Beach, California, averaging 13 points and eight rebounds per game against some of the brightest high school prospects in the United States.

He impressed US coaches with his play in both the 2016 Basketball Without Borders Global Camp and the 2016 Nike Hoop Summit, resulting in him being heavily recruited by a number of NCAA Division One schools, including powerhouses like Michigan State, Louisville and USC. He would later be ineligble to play in the NCAA, prompting his decision to play in the NBL and later the G-League.

NBL EXPERIENCE

William McDowell-White made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 18 years of age. He scored eight points in his first game.

The Kings began the 2016/17 NBL season with ambitions to reclaim relevance both on the court and among Sydney’s basketball fanbase. The first major step was hiring Australian basketball icon Andrew Gaze on a three-year deal as head coach.

Shortly after, the Kings made a splash in free agency by convincing star import Kevin Lisch to reject a contract extension with the Illawarra Hawks and sign a lucrative three-year deal, making him the highest-paid player in the league.

Gaze, alongside Kings GM Jeff Van Groningen, focused on reshaping the roster following a dismal 6–22 record and last-place finish the previous season. Two significant additions came in the form of Australian Boomers swingman Brad Newley (via Spain) and Aleks Maric, a bruising center whose nickname “Truck” reflected his physical playing style. Lisch, Newley, and Maric joined returning locals Tom Garlepp, Jason Cadee, Jeromie Hill, and Julian Khazzouh.

A major boost came when Lisch became an Australian citizen in March, freeing up three import roster spots. The Kings opted not to re-sign former imports Josh Childress and Al Harrington, instead bringing in Michael Bryson, Greg Whittington, and Josh Powell. Powell’s signing proved fortuitous, as Khazzouh was ruled out for the entire season due to a quadriceps injury.

Heading into the season, Lisch was named team captain, and the Kings started their campaign with a narrow loss to Brisbane (73–77) despite Lisch scoring 20 points. Powell debuted in Sydney’s second game, contributing 14 points and six rebounds in an 88–84 victory over Illawarra. However, import Michael Bryson (1.8 points, 1 rebound, 0.8 assists) failed to make an impact and was quickly replaced by 13-year NBA veteran Steve Blake.

The Kings enjoyed a strong start, with Lisch (16.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.9 steals), Newley (17.6 points, 5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 steals), and Cadee (13 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists) leading the charge. By November 12, 2016, Sydney sat atop the ladder with a 3-1 record, and Lisch delivered a season-high 30 points in a commanding 87–71 win over Melbourne, cementing the team as title favorites.

However, cracks began to appear. The Kings’ front-heavy home schedule caught up with them, and Blake (5.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists) struggled to replicate his NBA form. Blake left the team indefinitely on compassionate grounds to be with a sick family member and did not return. Meanwhile, Lisch’s production dipped, Powell (9.4 points, 4.8 rebounds) shifted to a bench role, and Sydney lost five of their next eight games. By Christmas, the team had fallen to third place (11-8).

Instead of replacing Blake with another guard, the Kings signed forward Garrett Jackson, who had been a state league player and Kings training squad member. Injuries further hampered the roster, with Tony Tolovae suffering a season-ending ankle injury. In response, Sydney added 18-year-old William McDowell-White as a development player. McDowell-White, unable to gain NCAA clearance, appeared in seven games, averaging 2.1 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists.

“Will is still only 18 years old but has shown a really good feel for the game and has terrific size at the point guard spot,” said coach Andrew Gaze upon McDowell-White’s signing.

Despite trying numerous line-ups under Gaze, the Kings could not recapture their early-season form. After starting 8-3, Sydney finished the season 5-12, losing nine of their final 12 games. The Kings ended the year in seventh place, missing the playoffs and falling short of their lofty expectations.

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
2020/21
After finishing sixth with a 15-13 record and missing the playoffs in 2019/20, New Zealand entered Dan Shamir’s second season without Scotty Hopson (to Melbourne), RJ Hampton (to Denver), Sek Henry (to Turkey), Jordan Ngatai (to Cairns), Brandon Ashley and Ater Majok. Tai Webster (via Galatasaray), Lamar Patterson (via Brisbane), Colton Iverson (via Zenit Saint Petersburg), Dan Trist (via South East Melbourne) and Rasmus Bach (via Randers) were added alongside development players Kyrin Galloway, Taine Murray and Isaac Davidson, while Corey Webster, Finn Delany, Thomas Abercrombie, Robert Loe and Jarrad Weeks returned. COVID-19 delayed the season until January and forced the Breakers to relocate to Australia, where they played their first 29 games outside New Zealand before returning home for their final seven.

New Zealand won only one of its first eight games before injuries and player availability forced further roster changes. Corey Webster underwent surgery after severing a nerve in his hand while cutting an avocado before the season, missing the opening game before returning, but a knee injury in March was expected to sideline him for four weeks. Patterson suffered a knee injury against Illawarra on February 22, while Loe returned to New Zealand for personal reasons. With the Breakers sitting at 4-8, William McDowell-White (via Rio Grande Valley) signed as a nominated replacement player on March 13 to cover the injured Webster after completing his season in the G-League. McDowell-White, who had also received his first call-up to the Boomers’ senior squad as part of the 23-man Tokyo Olympic squad, was required to complete two weeks of quarantine before joining the team. Jeremy Kendle (via Adelaide) was added as temporary cover for Patterson before Patterson was mutually released (to Brisbane) on March 16 and Levi Randolph (via Canton Charge) replaced him. “It’ll be good showing people how much my game has improved and how much more mature it’s become,” said McDowell-White.

McDowell-White made his Breakers debut against South East Melbourne at John Cain Arena on April 4, coming off the bench for McDowell-White (4 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) as New Zealand fell 92-85. Iverson (26 points, 22 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Tai Webster (16 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led the Breakers, while Mitchell Creek (24 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 steal) was South East Melbourne’s best.

McDowell-White (7.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists across 20 games) started each of New Zealand’s remaining 19 games after his debut and appeared in all 20 games left on the schedule. His 20-game total was entirely the result of joining the Breakers midseason and completing quarantine rather than injury, with New Zealand having already played 16 games before his debut and McDowell-White not missing another game once he entered the lineup.

His best game came against Brisbane at the Silverdome on April 16, where McDowell-White (13 points, 10 rebounds, 14 assists, and 2 steals) recorded a triple-double as New Zealand defeated the Bullets 91-71 and collected its first win in Tasmania. Randolph (20 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Delany (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the scoring, while Matt Hodgson (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) was Brisbane’s best. The performance made McDowell-White only the second Breakers player after Cedric Jackson to record a triple-double in the NBL. “He has a feel for the game and the right mentality,” said Shamir.

Tai Webster (17.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.2 steals across 29 games) led New Zealand in scoring despite missing seven games, while Delany (16.2 points and 6.8 rebounds across 36 games) was the only Breaker to play every game, was named the club’s MVP and earned All-NBL Second Team honours. Randolph (14.8 points and 3.4 rebounds across 15 games) provided another scoring option after arriving midseason, while Corey Webster (13.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3 assists across 28 games), Abercrombie (10.6 points and 3.4 rebounds across 27 games), Iverson (8.8 points and 8.6 rebounds across 36 games) and Loe (6.2 points and 3.9 rebounds across 17 games) were the other major contributors. Patterson (10.8 points and 3.7 rebounds across 6 Breakers games) never returned following his knee injury. Abercrombie was named the Breakers’ Best Defensive Player and finished runner-up for the Damian Martin Trophy, while also passing Kirk Penney as the club’s all-time leader in three-pointers and Mika Vukona as New Zealand’s games record holder.

Following the season, New Zealand re-signed McDowell-White to a one-year extension on June 26 for the 2021/22 season.

After playing their first 29 games outside New Zealand, the Breakers returned home for their final seven games and went 3-4. New Zealand closed the season against South East Melbourne at Trusts Arena on June 5, where McDowell-White (8 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists), Tai Webster (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Delany (18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Breakers, while Keifer Sykes (29 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) carried the Phoenix to an 83-78 win as New Zealand finished eighth with a 12-24 record.

2021/22
After playing 29 of their 36 games in Australia and finishing eighth with a 12-24 record the previous season, the New Zealand Breakers were again forced to play their entire NBL22 campaign away from home. Corey Webster (to Egypt) was released to continue his career overseas, while Tai Webster (to Lithuania) departed after choosing not to meet the NBL’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements, leaving William McDowell-White as the only returning member of the previous season’s point guard rotation.

Coach Dan Shamir added Yanni Wetzell (via South East Melbourne), Peyton Siva (via Germany), Hugo Besson (via France) and Jeremiah Martin (via Cleveland), while French prospect Ousmane Dieng (via France) joined through the Next Star program.

McDowell-White re-signed with New Zealand on a one-year deal in June 2021, returning after averaging 7.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists during his first season with the club. He entered NBL22 determined to become more aggressive after feeling he had deferred too often during the previous campaign.

“Dan was the No. 1 reason why I did come back. I really wasn’t looking anywhere else to go play,” said McDowell-White.

New Zealand entered the season following a team-wide COVID-19 outbreak, with Shamir unavailable and captain Thomas Abercrombie sidelined through injury. The Breakers opened against South East Melbourne at John Cain Arena on December 4, where McDowell-White (0 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) started at point guard. Delany (18 points and 9 rebounds) and Siva (11 points and 3 assists) led New Zealand, while Xavier Munford (27 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) starred as the Phoenix won 89-65.

McDowell-White (6.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists across 24 games) started his first 12 appearances before moving to the bench during the second half of the season. Siva’s early hamstring injury gave him greater responsibility in the backcourt as New Zealand began the season with six consecutive losses.

McDowell-White produced 11 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal against South East Melbourne on December 10, including a one-handed dunk over Zhou Qi which became one of the leading Dunk of the Year contenders. Besson (26 points and 8 rebounds) and Delany (23 points) kept New Zealand within reach after Siva left with a hamstring injury, but Mitch Creek (36 points) led the Phoenix to a 95-88 victory.

WILL McDowell-White CAUGHT A BODY 💀#NBL22 | @ESPNAusNZ + @kayosports 📺 pic.twitter.com/zGG58ENz75— The NBL (@NBL) December 10, 2021

McDowell-White’s best scoring game came against Adelaide at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on December 12, where he made seven three-pointers and finished with 27 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal. He scored 22 points before halftime without missing a shot as the Breakers established a 19-point lead, with Besson (25 points and 5 rebounds) and Wetzell (20 points and 4 rebounds) also contributing, but Dusty Hannahs (25 points and 4 assists) led Adelaide’s comeback as the 36ers won 98-85.

Five days later against Illawarra at the WIN Entertainment Centre, McDowell-White (17 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) drove to the basket to tie the scores late in regulation and help force overtime. Wetzell (25 points, 17 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Besson (20 points and 8 rebounds) led New Zealand alongside him, while Tyler Harvey (26 points and 7 rebounds) led the Hawks. McDowell-White was forced from the game late with a leg problem before Illawarra won 97-96 in double overtime, although he returned two days later and did not miss a game because of the injury.

McDowell-White did not play against Cairns on February 14, although no injury or selection reason was publicly disclosed. He later missed three consecutive games against Illawarra on March 1, Tasmania on March 5 and Brisbane on March 7 while completing the NBL’s concussion protocols, before returning against Adelaide on March 12 and playing New Zealand’s final 11 games.

Siva (11.8 points, 4.9 assists, and 2 steals across 23 games) returned from his hamstring injury in January, leading the Breakers to mutually release Martin (12.3 points and 3.6 assists across 10 games) while retaining injury replacement player Chasson Randle (7.8 points across 17 games). New Zealand remained based primarily in Tasmania after its planned return to Auckland became impossible because of ongoing border restrictions.

Wetzell (17.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 22 games) led New Zealand in scoring and rebounding and was named the club’s MVP, despite being released to join Baskonia in Spain before the final two games. Besson (13.9 points and 3.9 rebounds across 25 games), Delany (10 points and 5.6 rebounds across 26 games) and Dieng (8.9 points and 3.2 rebounds across 23 games) were the team’s other major contributors.

New Zealand retained McDowell-White on another one-year deal following the season. With Wetzell (to Spain), Besson (to France) and Dieng (to France) unavailable, his NBL22 campaign ended against Adelaide at MyState Bank Arena on April 24, where McDowell-White (5 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal), Randle (14 points) and Rasmus Bach (14 points) led New Zealand, while Sunday Dech (19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals) led Adelaide to a 93-60 victory. It was the Breakers’ tenth consecutive loss and completed the worst season in the club’s 19-year history, with New Zealand finishing tenth with a 5-23 record.

2022/23
New Zealand entered its first season with regular home games in two years after finishing the previous campaign at the bottom of the ladder with a 5-23 record. Assistant Mody Maor replaced departing head coach Dan Shamir, while Yanni Wetzell (to Spain), Hugo Besson (to France), Peyton Siva (to Illawarra), Finn Delany (to Germany), Ousmane Dieng (to Oklahoma City) and Chasson Randle (to Denver) exited the team.

Thomas Abercrombie, Robert Loe and William McDowell-White returned from the previous season, with Tom Vodanovich (via Sydney), Izayah Le’Afa (via South East Melbourne) and Cameron Gliddon (via South East Melbourne) added to the local roster. Imports Dererk Pardon (via Israel), Jarrell Brantley and Barry Brown Jr (via Beijing) were signed alongside French Next Star Rayan Rupert, although Abercrombie suffered a torn retina during the preseason and missed the opening month.

McDowell-White re-signed with New Zealand on a one-year deal on May 25 after attracting interest from other NBL teams, returning to anchor Maor’s rebuilt backcourt.

New Zealand opened the season against Melbourne at John Cain Arena on October 2, where McDowell-White (9 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 block) directed the offence as Pardon (23 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Brown Jr (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the scoring, but Xavier Rathan-Mayes (33 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) carried United to a 101-97 overtime victory.

McDowell-White (10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.8 assists across 33 games) developed into one of the NBL’s leading playmakers, controlling the offence, rebounding strongly from the guard position and providing the leadership which helped transform New Zealand from the league’s bottom team into a championship contender.

One of his strongest all-round games came against Illawarra at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 17, where McDowell-White (17 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) blocked a Mangok Mathiang shot, collected the rebound and made a step-back three-pointer at the other end during a decisive second-quarter run. Gliddon (12 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Rupert (11 points and 4 rebounds) provided support as New Zealand defeated the Hawks 88-62, while Tyler Harvey (12 points and 2 steals) led Illawarra.

The Breakers improved to 11-3 after collecting their fifth consecutive victory against South East Melbourne at Christchurch Arena on December 1, where McDowell-White (14 points, 5 rebounds, 11 assists, and 1 steal) controlled the offence as Brown Jr (31 points) and Brantley (18 points and 4 rebounds) led New Zealand to a 110-84 win, while Alan Williams (29 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 steals) was the Phoenix’s best.

McDowell-White broke his right index finger during practice before Christmas and missed games against Tasmania and Perth.

“I’m not trying to rush it back…I want to get back as soon as I can,” McDowell-White said.

He returned against Adelaide at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on January 8, finishing with 10 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal in 21:55 as Brown Jr (16 points) and Brantley (15 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals) helped New Zealand win 85-83, while Robert Franks (20 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 steals) led the 36ers. His return gave Maor his complete 12-player roster for the first time that season.

McDowell-White’s best regular-season scoring game came against Cairns at the Cairns Convention Centre on January 15, where he made seven of 10 three-pointers and finished with 29 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Brantley (25 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 steals) provided most of New Zealand’s remaining offence, while DJ Hogg (18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) led Cairns to an 85-83 victory after Abercrombie missed a potential game-winning three-pointer.

New Zealand entered its next game having lost four consecutive games and seven of its previous nine before facing Sydney in front of 14,232 fans at Qudos Bank Arena on January 22. With Le’Afa and Brown Jr unavailable, McDowell-White (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists) assumed greater control of the backcourt as Brantley (30 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks) and Loe (15 points and 5 rebounds) helped the Breakers defeat the Kings 93-88, while Derrick Walton Jr (17 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Sydney.

New Zealand completed the regular season against Brisbane at Nissan Arena on February 4, where McDowell-White (15 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals), Brantley (19 points and 5 rebounds) and Abercrombie (14 points and 4 steals) led the Breakers to an 80-75 victory, while Aron Baynes (17 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) was Brisbane’s best. The win secured second place for New Zealand with an 18-10 record and completed its return to the playoffs for the first time in five years.

Brown Jr (19.6 points and 1.2 steals across 27 games) and Brantley (16.3 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 35 games) led New Zealand’s scoring, while Pardon (11.8 points and 8.2 rebounds across 35 games) anchored the interior. Le’Afa (10.1 points across 34 games), Rupert (5.9 points across 28 games), Loe (5.8 points and 3.9 rebounds across 30 games) and Abercrombie (5.6 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 27 games) completed Maor’s main rotation.

McDowell-White finished runner-up to Keanu Pinder for the NBL Most Improved Player award, receiving 46 votes to Pinder’s 48. Brown Jr and Pardon were named to the All-NBL Second Team, with Brown Jr also winning the NBL Best Sixth Man award. Brantley was named the Breakers’ club MVP, Pardon received the club’s Defensive Player of the Year award and Brown Jr won the Members’ Choice award.

Tasmania defeated Cairns 87-79 in the play-in tournament to set up a best-of-three semifinal series against New Zealand.

New Zealand opened the semifinals at Spark Arena with an 88-68 victory, where McDowell-White (13 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal) directed the offence as Pardon (15 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) and Brown Jr (11 points) helped the Breakers take control with a 49-31 second half. Rashard Kelly (12 points and 4 rebounds) and Milton Doyle (10 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals) were Tasmania’s leading contributors.

Game two moved to MyState Bank Arena, where McDowell-White (8 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block), Brown Jr (19 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals), Brantley (17 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) and Pardon (15 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 steals) led New Zealand, but Doyle (23 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) and Jack McVeigh (16 points) carried Tasmania to an 89-78 victory and levelled the series.

The deciding game returned to Spark Arena, where McDowell-White (4 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) contributed as Brown Jr (32 points and 3 steals), Pardon (15 points, 14 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Brantley (14 points and 7 rebounds) led New Zealand to a 92-77 victory. McVeigh (22 points and 7 rebounds) and Kelly (16 points and 4 rebounds) were Tasmania’s best as the Breakers reached their first Championship Series since 2016.

McDowell-White’s best game of the season came in the opening Championship Series game at Qudos Bank Arena, where he committed no turnovers and finished with 19 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals. Brown Jr (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Brantley (16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) provided support as New Zealand defeated Sydney 95-87 in front of 13,145 fans, while Justin Simon (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Jordan Hunter (15 points and 4 rebounds) led the Kings. Walton Jr and Xavier Cooks both suffered leg injuries as New Zealand took a 1-0 series lead.

Game two moved to Spark Arena, where McDowell-White (7 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals), Brown Jr (21 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Brantley (20 points and 6 rebounds) led New Zealand. Kouat Noi (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals), Dejan Vasiljevic (16 points and 4 rebounds) and Simon (12 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 steals) carried Sydney to an 81-74 victory despite Walton Jr lasting only 4:50 because of his leg injury and Cooks sitting out the second half.

Sydney regained the series lead with a 91-68 victory at Qudos Bank Arena in front of an NBL record crowd of 18,049, where McDowell-White (11 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block), Brantley (10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block) and Brown Jr (10 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led New Zealand. Vasiljevic (15 points and 4 rebounds), Tim Soares (14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks), Simon (13 points, 6 assists, and 2 blocks) and Walton Jr (12 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists) led Sydney.

New Zealand forced a deciding game with an 80-70 victory at Spark Arena, where McDowell-White (19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) made two three-pointers early in the fourth quarter as Brantley (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block), Brown Jr (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Abercrombie (6 steals) helped the Breakers level the series. Walton Jr (18 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Angus Glover (12 points and 2 steals) led Sydney in front of a New Zealand basketball record crowd of 9,742.

The deciding game returned to Qudos Bank Arena, where New Zealand led by 11 points during the opening quarter and again held the advantage late before Sydney produced a 14-0 fourth-quarter run and won 77-69 in front of another NBL record crowd of 18,124. Brown Jr (22 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) and Brantley (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) led the Breakers, while Walton Jr (21 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists), Cooks (19 points and 11 rebounds) and Glover (12 points and 9 rebounds) delivered Sydney its second consecutive championship. Walton Jr was named Grand Final MVP, the five-game series drew 67,811 fans, and McDowell-White (12 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) played 37:16.

2023/24
After finishing one victory short of the NBL championship, New Zealand retained William McDowell-White, Cameron Gliddon, Izayah Le’Afa and captain Thomas Abercrombie under head coach Mody Maor. Barry Brown Jr. (to Metropolitans 92), Jarrell Brantley (to Utah), Dererk Pardon (to Chiba), Tom Vodanovich (to Wellington), Sam Timmins (to Sydney) and Rayan Rupert (to Portland) departed, while Robert Loe retired from the NBL. Finn Delany (via Bonn) returned, with Mangok Mathiang (via Hapoel Eilat), Dane Pineau (via South East Melbourne), Mantas Rubstavicius (via Lietkabelis), Parker Jackson-Cartwright (via Besiktas), Zylan Cheatham (via Bayern Munich) and Justinian Jessup (via Zaragoza) joining the roster.

Following his breakout NBL23 campaign, McDowell-White rejected interest from Australian clubs and re-signed with New Zealand on a two-year agreement containing a player option for the second season. “Honestly, the biggest factor was Mody,” he said after remaining with the coach who had helped him develop into one of the NBL’s leading local playmakers.

A hand injury kept McDowell-White out of the season-opening victory over Cairns before he returned against Brisbane at Spark Arena on October 5. McDowell-White (19 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, and 2 steals) made three of four three-pointers, while Jackson-Cartwright (20 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) and Cheatham (17 points and 6 rebounds) provided support, but Nathan Sobey (24 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) led Brisbane to an 89-84 victory.

McDowell-White (9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists across 24 games) shared the ball-handling responsibilities with Jackson-Cartwright and moved between the starting lineup and bench during an injury-disrupted campaign. He suffered a fractured fibula during New Zealand’s November victory over Tasmania and missed more than a month before returning against Sydney on December 22.

McDowell-White produced one of his most important performances against Illawarra at Spark Arena on February 9, making four three-pointers and finishing with 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. Jackson-Cartwright (31 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) and Rubstavicius (13 points and 3 steals) helped New Zealand recover after conceding the first 13 points of the fourth quarter, while Tyler Harvey (22 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) led Illawarra. The Breakers held on 88-85 to move above the Hawks on points percentage and into the top six, although McDowell-White twisted his ankle late in the win.

Two days later, McDowell-White matched his season-high against Melbourne at John Cain Arena, making 8-of-12 from the field and three three-pointers to finish with 19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. Jackson-Cartwright (24 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) and Mathiang (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals) supported him, while Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. (19 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 block) led Melbourne. McDowell-White’s third foul forced him to the bench during United’s decisive second-quarter run before the ladder leaders won 94-81.

Jessup (9.5 points across 2 games) suffered a pelvis injury during the opening weeks, leading Anthony Lamb (via Golden State; 19.5 points and 6 rebounds across 22 games) to join as his replacement before later rupturing his Achilles. Jackson-Cartwright (20.6 points, 5.8 assists, and 1.9 steals across 30 games) led New Zealand’s offence, while Cheatham (15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds across 19 games), Rubstavicius (9.4 points across 25 games), Delany (8.8 points and 3.5 rebounds across 19 games), Le’Afa (7.5 points and 1.2 steals across 30 games) and Mathiang (6.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks across 30 games) formed the other main contributors. Jackson-Cartwright and Lamb were selected to the All-NBL First Team, with Jackson-Cartwright also receiving New Zealand’s club MVP award.

The Breakers recovered from an 8-12 record to finish the regular season sixth at 13-15. Sydney, New Zealand and Brisbane completed the season with identical records, with points percentage placing the Kings fifth, the Breakers sixth and the Bullets seventh.

New Zealand travelled to Qudos Bank Arena for the Play-In Qualifier, where McDowell-White (11 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) helped the Breakers eliminate the two-time defending champions. Jackson-Cartwright (34 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) and Cheatham (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) led New Zealand, while Jaylen Adams (18 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) and DJ Hogg (17 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) were Sydney’s best as the Breakers won 83-76.

The second Play-In game moved to the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Jackson-Cartwright (19 points, 9 assists, and 2 steals) and Cheatham (14 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 steal) led New Zealand, while Justin Robinson (26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Sam Froling (21 points and 9 rebounds) carried Illawarra to an 88-85 victory. McDowell-White suffered another ankle injury and was assisted from the court, ending New Zealand’s hopes of reaching the semifinals. McDowell-White (4 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) played 14:58 in the loss.

William McDowell-White played five seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Sydney Kings and the New Zealand Breakers. He averaged 8.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 108 NBL games.