Breakers Lock in Dan Shamir for a further Two Years

In a demonstration of continuity and stability following the most brutal season in the Breakers’ proud history, Head Coach Dan Shamir has had his contract extended a further two years.

The Israeli, who arrived in 2019, still had a year to run on his current contract, but this new deal extends his stay in New Zealand through to the end of 2024.

Assistant Mody Maor has also been elevated to an associate head coach role with his contract also extended to the end of 2024.

“Dan and Mody are the reason we have NBA Next Stars like RJ Hampton and Ousmane Dieng choosing the Breakers before heading to the draft,” says Breakers owner Matt Walsh.

“They are also the reason top kiwi players like Yanni Wetzell are turning their back on offers to stay in Melbourne and come to the Breakers. Talented players want to play here because they have seen what players like Finn Delany have been able to do this year.”

Delany, the NZ Tall Blacks international, who averaged 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds and was named in the NBL’s All-Star second team last season, believes Shamir is the most professional, hard-working coach he has ever encountered.

“Dan’s depth of knowledge is second to none that I’ve been around.  He’s very serious about the game and loves it.  He possesses the qualities you want in a coach,” says Delany.

Shamir says both he and Maor are determined to reward the faith shown in him by the Breakers.

“It’s hard to find words to what Mody means to me and to our organisation,” says Shamir.

“Securing him creates an unbelievable situation for the players, for myself and the Breakers.  Hopefully, all these great things that are happening can bring results.”

Maor says Shamir has been a meaningful part of his career for the last decade.  He is grateful to continue to be working alongside him.

But while the club has been busy during free agency, picking up standout kiwi Centre Yanni Wetzell and retaining highly rated Australian Point Guard Will McDowell-White, the focus now has to be on convincing Tai Webster to come back.

“Tai was with us the whole of last season, he knows what Dan and I are about, and I remain hopeful that he will see a future here too,” says Maor.

Webster has indicated he will decide his playing future by the end of the month.