Mennenga Races To 1000 Point Club Milestone

BNZ Breakers big man Sam Mennenga has wasted no time in NBL27 to reach a significant personal milestone, going past 1000 NBL points in Breakers colours during his 36-point haul against the Tasmania JackJumpers in Hobart on Sunday (he now has 1003 points for the club), the sixth quickest overall (64 games) and second quickest Kiwi behind Kirk Penney (41 games).

Mennenga has been in dominant form in NBL27, reaching evengreater heights in recent games as he steps up in the absence of point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright, helping his side to a 4-4 start to the season,with six of those opening eight games on the road.

Through the opening eight games of the season, the Breakers big man is averaging 23.3 points per game, shooting at 62 per cent from the floor and an elite 46 per cent from three-point range. Added to his scoring output, Mennenga is pulling down 9.1 boards per game and dishing out 3.1 assists.

In recent games those numbers are even more elevated, with consecutive scores of 40 (Perth), 27 (Sydney), 36 (Tasmania) on the Breakers most recent three game road trip in Australia – asserting himself as the dominant big man in the league.

Mennenga’s previous two seasons with the BNZ Breakers had him averaging 14.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists, highlighting his continued growth and presence in the league at just 24 years of age.

The 1000-point mark for the BNZ Breakers has been reached by 18 other players in the history of the club, with only Parker Jackson-Cartwright (1,732 points) amongst his current peers to have achieved the feat.

Mennenga was not getting carried away by the achievement, but suggested personal milestones are an indication he is on the right trajectory.

“It means you are on the right track, it is cool toa cknowledge it, but I think it also shows me what I am capable of, still early in my career.  I am excited to hopefully continue my development and performance.”

Mennenga is the 11th Kiwi to reach the mark, and in a testament to the basketball production line at Westlake Boys High School,he is the fifth from that school to achieve the mark (Tom Abercrombie, Kirk Penney, Corey Webster and Rob Loe the others).

“It is cool to represent the school and area; I am sure I won’t be the last one on that list coming out of Westlake,” said Mennenga.

Mennenga has been a huge advocate of the Breakers ‘next man up’ mentality as they have navigated their way through some injury concerns early this season, including the recent absence of his regular partner in crime and point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright.

“It is an obligation to go out there and step up in that regard. Parker brings a lot and I can’t replace Parker, but what I can do is hopefully help score the basketball and create advantages for us, just stepping into that role is exciting and an opportunity for sure. Hopefully I can keep leading and translate that into wins. I think I am just getting started.”

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