BIO: Zylan Cheatham was born in Phoenix, Arizona (USA) where he attended South Mountain High School.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Zylan Cheatham made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 27 years of age. He scored 11 points in his first game.

Zylan Cheatham joined the New Zealand Breakers for NBL24 as part of the team’s restructured roster under coach Mody Maor. Cheatham, who arrived via Germany, was brought in to fill the void left by outgoing imports Jarrell Brantley, Barry Brown Jr., and Dererk Pardon. Despite the Breakers’ challenging season, Cheatham delivered consistently strong performances, becoming a key figure in their lineup.

Cheatham’s season started with promise, highlighted by a 30-point, 2-rebound, and 4-assist performance in a victory over Melbourne (98–87) on 22 October 2023. His athleticism and scoring ability added a dynamic edge to the Breakers’ offense, which was further evident in standout games such as his 25-point, 5-rebound effort against Perth (7 January 2024) and a 24-point, 8-rebound display against Perth on 4 February 2024. In the latter game, he also recorded a steal and shot an impressive 75% from the field (7 of 12).

However, Cheatham’s campaign was interrupted in late October by a fractured leg, sidelining him for two months. His absence was keenly felt as the Breakers struggled through a five-game losing streak, falling to the bottom of the ladder in January with an 8–12 record. Cheatham’s return in late December provided a much-needed boost to the team. His impact was immediate, as demonstrated in an 81–71 win over Brisbane, where he scored 11 points and helped the Breakers secure consecutive victories.

Over the course of the season, Cheatham averaged 15.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, cementing himself as one of the team’s most reliable contributors. His resilience and leadership on the court were integral as the Breakers worked to regain form late in the season. Alongside teammates such as Parker Jackson-Cartwright (20.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists), Anthony Lamb (19.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists), and William McDowell-White (9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists), Cheatham helped New Zealand finish with a 13–15 record, advancing to the play-in tournament through points percentage.

In the play-in tournament, Cheatham delivered a solid performance against Sydney, contributing 12 points and 9 rebounds in a crucial 83–76 victory. Despite his efforts and those of his teammates, inconsistency returned in the second play-in game against Illawarra. Cheatham’s 12-point, 9-rebound effort wasn’t enough to secure the win, as the Breakers fell 85–88, narrowly missing an NBL semi-final berth.

Cheatham’s inaugural season with the Breakers showcased his scoring versatility and ability to perform in high-stakes games. While the team faced challenges with injuries and inconsistency, Cheatham’s contributions were pivotal in keeping New Zealand competitive throughout the season.

Zylan Cheatham played one season in the NBL. He averaged 15.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 19 NBL games.

Dan Boyce (832 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.