Breakers' Assistant Coach Heads to Portland Trailblazers

The Sky Sport Breakers have once again proven their NBA credentials with Assistant Coach Jacob Mooallem heading to the Portland Trailblazers.

Remarkably, the Florida native is off to the most fantastic start, with the NBA club winning the Summer League Championship in Las Vegas to claim a second title in five years.

The 24-year-old says his experience over the last two seasons with the Breakers in Australia has been pivotal in him being offered the role, but there was also a bit of luck involved as well.

“Someone I’ve known for several years just so happened to be talking to Trailblazers Head Coach Chauncey Billups and dropped my name into a conversation when he mentioned they were looking for an Analytics Coach,” Mooallem said.

“The only reason I know this is because Chauncey called me up.  I was flattered just to take a call from a legend like him, but one thing led to another and here I am!”

Originally from West Palm Beach, Mooallem has been able to reconnect with key Breakers staff while at Summer League - including Head Coach Mody Maor and General Manager Simon Edwards.

He remains extremely grateful for his time with the Auckland-based club.

“I came over to the Breakers with the idea that I wanted to grow as a coach and as a basketball thinker,” he said.

“I wanted to gain a lot of different experiences in a lot of different areas, whether it was film, advanced scouting, player development or analytics.  I was able to do all those things at the Breakers because of the opportunities that presented themselves to me.”

There is no doubt that experience has impressed the Trailblazers.

“As the Trailblazers’ Analytics Coach, I will act as a conduit between the analytics staff and the coaching staff; someone who has familiarity with the coaching side of basketball but is also well versed in analytics.”

Despite heading to the NBA, Mooallem says a piece of his heart remains in Auckland.

“I consider myself part of the Sky Sport Breakers family for life, I’m so proud and excited for Mody.  He’s an amazing coach and an even better person and he has my full support,” he said.

“There’s an incredible amount of talent and heart on the roster he’s building that’s solid on both ends of the floor.

“I think all Breakers fans are in for an exciting season.”