NICKNAME/S: Finn Diesel

BIO: Finn Delany was born in Nelson (New Zealand).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Finn Delany made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 20 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

The New Zealand Breakers entered the 2015/16 NBL season with much of their championship-winning core intact, retaining every player from their title-winning roster except for Rhys Carter, who signed with Sydney, and Ekene Ibekwe, who moved to Europe. To fill these vacancies, the Breakers signed Australian point guard Shane McDonald and rookie American big man Charles Jackson. Finn Delany joined the team as a development player, marking the beginning of his NBL career.

The Breakers faced significant preseason challenges, including Alex Pledger recovering from off-season foot surgery, Thomas Abercrombie sidelined with a hamstring strain, and Corey Webster trialing with the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA. In response, the team elevated development players Shea Ili and Tai Wynyard and signed Everard Bartlett as a short-term replacement for Webster.

Delany made four appearances during the season, gaining valuable experience while playing alongside the Breakers’ veteran core. New Zealand finished fourth on the ladder with a 16–12 record, securing the final playoff berth. In the semifinals, the Breakers swept ladder leaders Melbourne (2–0), advancing to their fifth Grand Final appearance in six years.

In the Grand Final series, the Breakers faced off against the Perth Wildcats for the second consecutive year. Despite strong performances from Nathan Jawai and Casey Prather, the Wildcats narrowly won Game 1 (82–76). New Zealand responded with a win in Game 2 (72–68) in Auckland, led by Cedric Jackson’s near triple-double (13 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists). The deciding Game 3, held in Perth in front of 13,090 fans, saw the Wildcats dominate with a blowout victory (75–52). Casey Prather and Jermaine Beal led the scoring for Perth, but it was Damian Martin’s defensive efforts that earned him the Grand Final MVP after holding Cedric Jackson scoreless. The loss marked the Breakers’ first Grand Final series defeat and their first playoff loss to the Wildcats.

2016/17
Following the 2016 Grand Final loss, the Breakers underwent significant changes. Chief executive Richard Clarke and coach Dean Vickerman departed, with Paul Henare taking over as head coach and Dillon Boucher stepping in as general manager. The team also saw key players Cedric Jackson and Tai Wesley join Melbourne United. However, the Breakers retained Thomas Abercrombie, Corey Webster, Alex Pledger, and Mika Vukona while adding club legend Kirk Penney and imports Ben Woodside and Akil Mitchell. Delany, alongside Shea Ili and Jordan Ngatai, was elevated from a development player to the full-time roster.

The Breakers’ preseason was marred by injuries to Shea Ili (back), Penney (calf), and Webster (hip and back), impacting their early-season performance. Webster returned mid-season but struggled with lingering injuries, seeing his scoring drop from 19.6 points per game to 11.7. Further injuries struck as Abercrombie (11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) and Woodside (8.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists) missed games. In January, Mitchell suffered a severe eye injury during a game against Cairns, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. Despite these challenges, Delany provided consistent contributions, finishing the season with averages of 3.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.5 assists.

The Breakers made several mid-season roster changes, adding Paul Carter (9.1 points, 4.5 rebounds) and replacing Woodside with David Stockton, who lasted just 10 games before being replaced by Kevin Dillard. Dillard (18.1 points, 4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists) and Penney (17.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists) fueled a late-season resurgence, leading the Breakers to a four-game winning streak. However, back-to-back losses in Round 17 ended their playoff hopes as they finished fifth with a 14–14 record.

2017/18
In Paul Henare’s second season as head coach, the Breakers aimed to rebuild after their injury-plagued 2016/17 campaign. Kevin Dillard was retained, but the team parted ways with Corey Webster after repeated disagreements. Webster briefly joined Perth before opting to pursue opportunities in Europe. The Breakers retained much of their roster and capitalized on the NBL’s new rule allowing three imports by signing DJ Newbill and Édgar Sosa.

The Breakers started the season strong, opening with a 6–1 record thanks to standout performances from Newbill (13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists) and Sosa (15.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists). Backup guard Shea Ili (9.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists) impressed, earning the NBL’s Most Improved Player award. Delany continued his upward trajectory, finishing the season with career-best averages of 5.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists.

A nine-game winning streak propelled the Breakers to a 9–1 record, tying the best start in franchise history. However, a post-FIBA break slump saw them lose four of their next five games, finishing the regular season in fourth place (15–13). In the semifinals, New Zealand faced Melbourne United and suffered back-to-back losses, including an overtime defeat in Game 2 (88–86). The series marked the final games for club legend Kirk Penney, who scored 17 points in his farewell performance.

2018/19
In 2018, a new regime was ushered in at the Breakers organization. Former NBA player Matt Walsh became the majority shareholder via a newly formed company, Breakers Basketball Ltd, bringing an end to the 13-year ownership of Liz and Paul Blackwell. The off-season saw the departure of long-serving figures, including Paul Henare (15 years as a player and coach), Kirk Penney (retirement), and franchise cornerstones Alex Pledger (to Melbourne), Mika Vukona (to Brisbane), and Robert Loe (to Cairns). These exits marked the end of an era for the Breakers.

Thomas Abercrombie stepped into the captaincy role following Vukona’s exit, and former player Kevin Braswell was appointed as the new head coach. Braswell was tasked with rebuilding the squad, which included adding Tai Wesley (via Melbourne) and Corey Webster (via Europe) on a three-year deal. The roster was further bolstered by the arrivals of Jarrad Weeks (via Cairns) and Majok Majok (via Melbourne), while Patrick Richard, Armani Moore, and Shawn Long filled the import spots.

The Breakers began their season with a NBLxNBA exhibition game against the Phoenix Suns. Despite being heavy underdogs, they pushed the Suns to the limit, losing 91–86. Corey Webster (27 points and 7 assists) and Tai Wesley (15 points and 7 rebounds) were standout performers for the Breakers, while Phoenix relied on Deandre Ayton (21 points and 15 rebounds) and Trevor Ariza (16 points and 6 assists).

New Zealand’s regular season was marked by inconsistency, injuries, and roster changes. The team endured a five-game losing streak in late November and early December and won only four of their first 12 games. The struggles were compounded by underwhelming performances from key players. Corey Webster (10.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists) had his worst statistical season in five years, while Thomas Abercrombie (8.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists) and Shea Ili (7.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists) also saw declines in production. Imports Patrick Richard (11.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) and Armani Moore (7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) failed to meet expectations.

Amid the challenges, Finn Delany (7.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 0.8 assists) delivered a breakout season. He stepped up after the departure of several veterans and emerged as a key contributor off the bench. Delany’s standout performances included a 27-point, 7-rebound game against Cairns on 25 January 2019, where he shot 9 of 12 from the field and 5 of 6 from three-point range. He followed this with a 22-point, 7-rebound, and 3-assist effort in a win over Illawarra on 17 February 2019, showcasing his scoring efficiency by making 9 of 15 shots. Another highlight was his 21-point, 4-rebound game against Sydney on 9 February 2019, where he hit 8 of 11 field goal attempts. These performances earned Delany the Breakers’ Most Improved Player award and set the stage for him to secure his first European contract with Serbian club FMP Belgrade after the season.

Jarrad Weeks (10.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists) also enjoyed a career-best season, finishing as a runner-up for both the Best Sixth Man and Most Improved Player awards. Tai Wesley (14.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists) continued his consistent play, while Shawn Long (18.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks) was a dominant force inside, ranking second in the league in rebounds and blocks. Long earned a spot on the All-NBL Second Team and was named the Breakers Club MVP.

Despite their efforts, the Breakers finished the season in sixth place with a 12-16 record, missing the playoffs. Delany’s growth during the season was a bright spot, and his performances solidified his reputation as one of New Zealand’s rising basketball talents.

2019/20
During the 2019/20 season, Delany averaged 12.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists and was a part of the Breakers squad which finished in sixth place with a record of 15-13.

The 2020/21 NBL season was marked by a series of challenges and adversity for the New Zealand Breakers, beginning with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the season’s start delayed until January 2021, the Breakers were forced to commit to being based in Australia for most of the season. They hosted several games in Tasmania as their ‘home’ location, but returned to New Zealand only for their final seven games in late May.

The Breakers made significant moves to bolster their roster, adding Brisbane Bullets star Lamar Patterson and Colton Iverson as imports, and welcoming back Tai Webster, who had left in 2013 to play college ball for Nebraska. However, the team suffered an early setback when leading scorer Corey Webster sliced a nerve in his hand while cutting an avocado, causing him to miss the first month of the season.

As expected for a team playing their first 29 games on the road, victories were scarce. After losing to Adelaide in overtime in their opener, the Breakers secured only one win in their first eight games. Lamar Patterson (10.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) was released after six games due to a knee injury and underwhelming performances, marking a disappointing stint for the former two-time NBL First Team member. With Patterson gone, New Zealand added Jeremy Kendle as a short-term replacement and showed a marked improvement, going 3-1 over the next four games. However, injuries and personal issues continued to plague the team. Robert Loe (20 games), Thomas Abercrombie (9 games), Corey Webster (8 games), and Tai Webster (7 games) all missed significant time, forcing the Breakers to sign William McDowell-White (7.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5 assists) as a replacement player for the injured Corey Webster. Levi Randolph (14.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.1 steals) was also added as Patterson’s replacement, which led to the release of Jeremy Kendle (7.0 points per game). Despite these adjustments, the Breakers sat at the bottom of the ladder with a 4–9 record after their first 13 games. Although Corey Webster returned in February, a knee injury in March ruled him out for another four weeks. The team’s challenges were exacerbated by constant relocations due to COVID-19 restrictions, limiting their ability to find stability. When the Breakers finally returned to New Zealand for their final seven games, they managed a 3-4 record, offering some solace in an otherwise turbulent season.

Tai Webster (17.2 points, 5 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.2 steals) led the team in scoring, while Finn Delany (16.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) delivered a breakout season, boosting his scoring from 12 points per game the previous year. Delany’s efforts earned him the club MVP award, highlighting his importance during a challenging campaign. The Breakers finished second last with a 12–24 record.

The 2021/22 NBL season marked another challenging chapter for the New Zealand Breakers, as the team faced continued disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unable to play any home games during the season, the Breakers were forced to base themselves in Tasmania for the majority of the campaign. This lack of stability, combined with roster changes and injuries, contributed to the team finishing last in the league standings.

Following a 2020/21 season in which the Breakers utilized a trio of Corey Webster, Tai Webster, and William McDowell-White at the point guard position, the team decided to shift its focus to a younger core. Corey Webster was moved to a bench role before being allowed to exit his contract and sign in Europe. Shortly after, Tai Webster chose to leave the team as well, opting to play overseas after the NBL introduced a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all players.

To rebuild their roster, the Breakers signed Yanni Wetzell (via South East Melbourne), Peyton Siva, Hugo Besson, and Jeremiah Martin as their import players. They also added French prospect Ousmane Dieng through the league’s Next Star program, hoping to infuse young talent into the squad.

The season started with adversity, as injuries sidelined Siva and Thomas Abercrombie early on, while a COVID-19 outbreak further disrupted the team on the eve of the season. The Breakers brought in Chasson Randle (7.8 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.9 assists) as a replacement for Siva, but the team struggled, beginning the season with an 0–6 record.

Siva returned to the lineup a few weeks later, which coincided with a mutual release of Jeremiah Martin (12.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals). The decision to part ways with Martin was influenced by the strong performances of Randle, whom the Breakers opted to retain alongside Siva (11.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2 steals).

Despite the team’s plans to play home games later in the season, ongoing COVID-19 restrictions prevented this from happening. The Breakers instead remained based in Tasmania, further limiting their ability to establish any sense of normalcy or momentum.

The season’s bright spot was Yanni Wetzell, who delivered an exceptional campaign, averaging 17.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.1 blocks. Even though Wetzell departed for Europe with a month remaining in the season, his outstanding contributions earned him the club’s MVP award. Hugo Besson (13.9 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) and Finn Delany (10 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2 assists) also raised their performances in the latter part of the season, but by mid-February, the Breakers had fallen to a 4–10 record, effectively ending their playoff hopes.

The Breakers ultimately finished the season with a 5–23 record, marking the worst campaign in the franchise’s 19-year history. Despite the challenges, the team looked to rebuild and refocus on returning to competitive form in the seasons to come.

2023/24
NBL24 saw the New Zealand Breakers focusing on continuity and strategic additions to build on their previous campaign. Central to their offseason was the re-signing of guard William McDowell-White, who was highly sought after in free agency but opted to stay with the Breakers on a two-year deal. Another key move was the return of Finn Delany, who rejoined the team on a two-year contract after spending the previous season playing in Germany. The Breakers retained core players Cameron Gliddon, Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’Afa, and captain Thomas Abercrombie, while adding Mangok Mathiang (via Illawarra), Dane Pineau (via South East Melbourne), and Lithuanian prospect Mantas Rubstavicius under the NBL Next Star Program.

To offset the departures of imports Barry Brown Jr. (to China), Jarrell Brantley (to France), and Dererk Pardon (to Italy), the Breakers signed Parker Jackson-Cartwright (via Turkey), Zylan Cheatham (via Germany), and Justinian Jessup, who returned to the NBL after a stint in the G-League. The roster was further bolstered by the midseason addition of former NBA forward Anthony Lamb, brought in to address injury setbacks.

New Zealand started their season with a win against Cairns (98–87) and a close loss to Brisbane (84–89) before traveling to the USA for the NBLxNBA exhibition game against the Phoenix Suns. Despite injuries to key players, the Breakers pushed the Suns to the limit, ultimately falling 91–86 in a tightly contested matchup. Corey Webster (27 points and 7 assists) and Tai Wesley (15 points and 7 rebounds) led New Zealand’s offense, while Deandre Ayton (21 points and 15 rebounds) and Trevor Ariza (16 points and 6 assists) stood out for Phoenix.

Upon their return, injuries and inconsistent performances led to a five-game losing streak before the Breakers regained momentum with a 91–81 victory over Cairns. Key players, including Delany (11 games), Cheatham (11 games), McDowell-White (6 games), and Rubstavicius (5 games), missed significant portions of the season, while Jessup was ultimately released due to a lingering pelvis injury. By January, the Breakers had dropped to the bottom of the ladder with an 8–12 record but mounted a late-season resurgence, winning five of their last seven games to finish 13–15. This record, equal to Sydney and Brisbane, secured New Zealand the sixth seed in the play-in tournament due to a superior points percentage.

Finn Delany (8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists) delivered a solid season despite injury challenges. His standout performances included a 21-point, 4-rebound, and 2-assist effort in a loss to South East Melbourne (28 Oct 2023), an 18-point, 1-rebound, and 2-steal outing in a win against Cairns (30 Sep 2023), and a 17-point, 3-rebound, and 3-block game in a victory over Adelaide (26 Oct 2023).

Alongside Delany, Parker Jackson-Cartwright (20.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists, 1.9 steals) led the Breakers offensively, with strong contributions from Anthony Lamb (19.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals), Zylan Cheatham (15.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, 0.9 steals), Mantas Rubstavicius (9.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists), and William McDowell-White (9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists).

In the play-in tournament, the Breakers defeated Sydney (83–76), propelled by Jackson-Cartwright’s stellar 34-point, 6-assist, and 4-rebound performance and Mathiang’s near double-double (10 points and 9 rebounds). However, in their second play-in game against Illawarra, Jackson-Cartwright (19 points and 9 assists) and Cheatham (12 points and 9 rebounds) delivered strong performances, but New Zealand’s season-long inconsistency resurfaced, leading to a narrow 85–88 loss that ended their hopes of advancing to the semifinals.

Delany currently sits eighth on the all-time list of appearances for the club, with 1669 points and shooting at 0.462 percent from the field.Finn Delany played eight seasons the New Zealand Breakers. He averaged 9.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 182 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.