Sky Sport Breakers to Open NBL Season against Adelaide 36ers Next Friday

Circle the date, January 22, 2021.

That is the day the Sky Sport Breakers will take the court for their opening game in the NBL21 season against the 36ers in Adelaide.

By the time the date rolls around next Friday, it will be an incredible 343 days since the Breakers last played an NBL game.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding date changes to the Breakers's season opening game, Head Coach Dan Shamir says January 22 suits his roster.

“In all honesty we’re happy with the change,” he said from the Breakers training base in Hobart.

“We can use a few more days for preparation, our system is more or less in place and now it’s all about getting better, improving the chemistry to play alongside each other.”

The extra time will be particularly beneficial for imports Lamar Patterson and Colton Iverson who spent long periods of 2020 inactive due to being locked down because of COVID 19.

“A lot of important players came from a long time without NBL intensity and not a full six or seven week pre-season but it gets us closer to that target and we will get in better shape,” said Shamir.

Iverson, who will be just the third seven-footer to suit up for the Breakers behind Alex Pledger and Ben Pepper, says the extra time to prepare will be used wisely.

“The biggest learning curve joining the Breakers is fitting in with the chemistry here,” said Iverson.

“Obviously, the solid core guys built a lot of chemistry last year so I’m just trying to find my role in the team and make that adjustment.

“I like to impact the game with my physical presence, it’s always been my style, get the rebounds, set the screens, the hard screens that affect the way teams play defence.”

Breakers captain Tom Abercrombie has given a hint of what to expect when the giant Iverson, who also weighs a hulking 116kgs, makes his NBL debut against Adelaide next week.

“Colton is a big big unit, a legitimate seven footer and decent weight behind him too.

“He’s had such a successful career, he knows how to use that size and that weight, he knows his game really well, that’s why he’s fitted so well into a lot of EuroLeague teams because he’s a great screener, a great roller, a great rebounder,” he said.

Both Abercrombie and Iverson already have chemistry having previously played alongside each other for Kar??yaka Basket in Turkey five years ago.

“I’ve always thought he would be a great fit in the Australian league and a great fit for the Breakers and the stars aligned and he’s with us now,” said Abercrombie. 

“I honestly never thought I would play with Colt again but I’m absolutely stoked he’s part of the team now and we get to play together one more time.”