Breakers: US import Josiah-Jordan James ruled out of start of NBL season, Mojave King joins squad
The New Zealand Breakers’ American import Josiah-Jordan James has been ruled out for the early part of the Australian National Basketball League season.
Scans have confirmed a torn left hamstring that will keep the guard off the floor in game one at Spark Arena this Sunday and out of action for the foreseeable future.
The Breakers have been quick to find a replacement however, securing Tall Black and former NBA draft pick Mojave King.
James pulled up with the injury in the opening moments of the pre-season win over Melbourne United last week.
“Unfortunately, the scan and reports confirm that J.J. will be out of action for some weeks. Our first thoughts are with him; no player wants to be injured but this is especially the case when you have travelled so far to a new club and playing in a new league,” Breakers president of basketball Dillon Boucher said.
“Our priority right now is looking after J.J., he is in great hands with our medical and performance staff, they will be doing all they can to have him on the road to recovery and full fitness.
“J.J. has been fantastic for us in pre-season, since the day he landed he has been nothing but positive and a credit to the BNZ Breakers for who we stand for and where we want to go on and off the floor.
“He is obviously tremendously disappointed with the result of the scan and that he will miss several weeks but is already focused on his rehab and working with our incredible medical and performance team with the goal of getting back on the floor.”
Boucher said if there is a silver lining to losing James, it is securing a player the quality of King as a replacement.
“This is something of a coup to secure Mo’s signature, he is a player in demand and had offers from around the world, including Europe. The bonus for us is he is a Kiwi, he has played for the club before, knows the culture, the environment, and is familiar with many of the guys on the roster, which is great, because he will need to hit the ground running,” said Boucher.
24-year-old King has packed plenty into his career. He came through the NBA Global Academy in Canberra, at 17 years of age signed to the NBL with Cairns as part of the Next Star programme, moved to Adelaide for his final year as a Next Star, and was picked at 47 in the 2023 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, just the third New Zealand born male to be drafted.
King was traded to the Indiana Pacers and spent time in the G-League and NBA Summer League before a return to the NBL with the Breakers for the 2024/25 season and a second stint with Cairns last season.
As an injury replacement player, King covers Josiah-Jordan James while he recovers and is then available to the BNZ Breakers to cover any other injuries during the season.
The Breakers are not putting a definite date on a likely return for James, other than to say he will be reassessed four to six weeks into his rehabilitation and an update will be provided at that time.
Boucher says while everyone is thinking of James, there is also a strong “next man up” mentality among the team.
“We showed in pre-season when we had several players out that the team does not dwell on who is missing, but sees opportunity for the next player in. That is the key, players stepping up and making the most of added minutes and the chance to take on more responsibility.
“That will be the approach on Sunday, we are going to need our fans more than ever, but we are looking to put on a great show on and off the floor for game one.”