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The New Zealand Breakers have enjoyed a busy week, unveiling their bold new brand just before confirming the signing of import Charles Bediako<\/a> to complete their roster for the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Now, veteran guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright has opened up on his desire to one day represent the New Zealand Tall Blacks, while fellow import Josiah-Jordan James is eager to embrace the challenge of the NBL.<\/p>\n \u2018I AM GOING THROUGH WITH IT\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n As he prepares for his fourth consecutive season with the Breakers, a rarity in today\u2019s NBL, Parker Jackson-Cartwright has revealed he is in the process of becoming a New Zealand citizen, opening the door to a potential future with the Tall Blacks.<\/p>\n The trend of long-serving imports becoming locals has gathered momentum in recent years. Bryce Cotton became an Australian citizen before Tyler Harvey recently followed suit<\/a>, with the Illawarra Hawks star set to complete his citizenship ceremony before the start of the season.<\/p>\n Now, the Ignite Cup champion and All-NBL First Team (2024) and Second Team (2026) member is hoping to do the same in New Zealand.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t say too much, but I am definitely going through the process [of becoming a citizen],\u201d Jackson-Cartwright said at the Breakers media day.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure how far along it is, but I\u2019d definitely like that opportunity if it presented itself.\u201d<\/p>\n The 31-year-old enters his fourth season in Auckland after already playing 85 games for the Breakers. He is coming off another outstanding campaign, averaging 17.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and a career-high 7.5 assists while shooting 45.1% from the field.<\/p>\n Under New Zealand Government guidelines, applicants generally need to have lived in the country for at least five years, among other requirements, meaning it remains unclear whether Jackson-Cartwright would be eligible in time for the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar.<\/p>\n That uncertainty, however, has done little to dampen his desire to represent the country he now considers home.<\/p>\n \u201cSomebody asked me, what\u2019s it feel like being away from home and I said, you know, this is home to me, being in Auckland, being in New Zealand,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Reigning champs confirm long-anticipated split with three-time NBL champion<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n \u201cI feel like I came home from being in LA after all those months.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s bigger than basketball at this point. It\u2019s a special place to me. I love living here. My family loves it when they come to visit me, especially my mum.\u201d<\/p>\n After spending time playing professionally in Lithuania, France, T\u00fcrkiye and Germany, where he won the leagues MVP in 2022, Jackson-Cartwright said New Zealand and the Breakers have given him something different.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m around great people, and when a club wants you back like this and I love it already, it\u2019s just a perfect reunion during these times,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just highly blessed and filled with gratitude that the Breakers love me this much because I love them right back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018I CALLED ANTHONY AND HE WAS SO EXCITED\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n New import Josiah-Jordan James<\/a> also spoke exclusively to Fox Sports Australia<\/i>, explaining how conversations with a former Breakers import and ex-coach helped convince him to sign with the club.<\/p>\n The Charleston, South Carolina native is coming off a season with Hapoel Jerusalem in Israel, where he originally signed a two-year deal and competed in both the Israeli Premier League and EuroCup.<\/p>\n It was there that James became teammates with former Breakers forward Anthony Lamb, who earned All-NBL First Team honours during the 2023-24 season before suffering a season-ending injury against the Perth Wildcats.<\/p>\n James said Lamb was singing the praises of both the club and the league long before the opportunity arose.<\/p>\n \u201cBefore the opportunity even presented itself, just getting to know him [Lamb] and talking to him. New Zealand and the NBL was by far his favourite adventure professionally.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd so he spoke highly of it. And that was even before the opportunity. This was while we were in season,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Another key figure in James\u2019 move was former Breakers head coach Dan Shamir, who is now the general manager of Hapoel Jerusalem.<\/p>\n \u201cIt actually came about because my general manager with Hapoel Jerusalem, Dan Shamir, used to be a coach here. So he still has ties to the club,\u201d James said.<\/p>\n Despite signing a two-year deal in Israel, James and Hapoel agreed to part ways, with the ongoing conflict in the region playing a significant role.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the war and everything that happened over in Israel that\u2019s going on right now. We just decided to part ways, but he [Shamir] put in a good word for me and honestly when I was in talks about coming here, I called Anthony and he was so excited.<\/p>\n \u201cHe thought it\u2019d be a perfect fit for me. So yeah, that was really icing on the cake. That\u2019s how the whole thing came about through Dan Shamir,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Although James is new to Australia and New Zealand, he already knew plenty about the NBL through its growing reputation overseas.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew about it. It\u2019ll come up and I\u2019ll see highlights. Going back and forth. I know there\u2019s a lot of ex-NBA players who come over here and play, so I know the league,\u201d James said.<\/p>\n