Izayah Le'afa: It's Great Being a Breaker

Izayah Le’afa has been training with the Sky Sport Breakers for only a week, and already he feels at home.

“It’s a good feeling wearing the Breakers training jersey; they definitely were the club I supported growing up, and most weekends, I would watch their games on TV,” he says after finishing an intense session with Assistant Coach James Reid.

“I’ve been here for Tall Blacks and camps but was never here as a rostered NBL player. At the Phoenix, they did have a winning vibe, but they didn’t have any banners. I want to be part of a team that puts another banner up.”

Le’afa is the second new addition on the Breakers’ roster to mention the banners which hang proudly in the gym; ironically, the other player was his teammate at the Phoenix, Cam Gliddon.

“I know Cam (Gliddon) has talked about the banners at the gym, but it is a motivation for me too,” says Le’afa.

“I’m determined to be part of a new winning culture at the club with the group that we have.”

Head Coach Mody Maor likes what he sees after watching Le’afa train over the last week.

“Izayah is a foundational piece for the Breakers and has the potential to be one of the best starting point guards in the league,” says Maor.

“We also believe he has room to grow, and our style of play fits him better than where he’s played before.”

Le’afa has also spent the first week getting to know his new teammates. The 25-year-old is thrilled to be playing with the likes of Breakers icon Tom Abercrombie, but there is one player in particular who he is most keen to be suiting up alongside.

“The group we’ve got is pretty solid to play with, but the player I’m most looking forward to playing alongside is Will-McDowell-White,” he says.

“Will’s a great passer and looks out for everyone.  But I’m also looking forward to teaming up with Cam Gliddon again and transferring our connection from the Phoenix to the Breakers.”

With the entire team assembling next week, Le’afa does not doubt what needs to happen over the next month before the Breakers travel to Darwin for the pre-season Blitz.

“We must build chemistry before the Blitz; over the next couple of weeks, we will bond and build our team culture so we can approach the new season with confidence and pride.”