New Zealand Breakers sign Josiah-Jordan James for 2026-27 NBL season
The New Zealand Breakers have brought in Josiah-Jordan James as one of their two remaining imports for the 2026-27 NBL season.
The 1.98-metre versatile wing will arrive in Auckland after an impactful time with Israeli Premier League powerhouse Hapoel Jerusalem, where he competed in both domestic play and the high-level EuroCup.
A former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American coming out of high school, James had a five-year career at the University of Tennessee under head coach Rick Barnes.
At Tennessee, he established himself as a fierce perimeter defender and intelligent playmaker, becoming one of only two players in the programme’s history to accumulate over 1250 points, 800 rebounds, 250 assists, 150 steals and 100 blocks.
He made his professional debut in the NBA G League with the Indiana Mad Ants before moving to Hapoel Jerusalem.
His rare combination of multi-positional defence, rebounding strength and perimeter shooting makes him a seamless fit for new Breakers head coach Gordon Herbert’s high-intensity system.
“Josiah-Jordan James is the exact type of import we wanted to bring into our system for NBL27,” BNZ Breakers president of basketball operations Dillon Boucher said.
“He plays with immense physical toughness, defends multiple positions at an elite level, has a sweet shooting touch and brings high-level European and collegiate experience.”
The Breakers have one remaining import slot.
Breakers squad: Parker Jackson-Cartwright, DJ Vasiljevic, Izayah Le’afa, Preston Le Gassick, Kouat Noi, Sam Mennenga, Carlin Davison, Reuben Te Rangi, Anzac Rissetto, Josiah-Jordan James.