NZ Breakers star import is not only an NBL25 potential MVP, he also leads a life of music and art

On the court New Zealand Breakers’ star import Parker Jackson Cartwright looks to be a potential NBL25 MVP, but off-court he leads a whole other life: one in the world of creative expression.

He’s arguably the best guard in the NBL, but there is more to Breakers leading man Parker Jackson Cartwright than his impressive weekly highlight reel.

The New Zealand star import boasts an accomplished stat line each week, can break down the best defence in the league and could very well take out the NBL25 MVP but off the court, PJC leads a life of fashion, music and visual art.

A singer/songwriter of the pop/punk nature, PJC goes by “blvckminoh” and while he says “basketball is definitely his life,” the creative side of him is something he has enjoyed exploring.

“As people dive into my story and who I am, they’ll divert to another life of mine, which is music,” Jackson Cartwright told Code Sports.

Parker Jackson-Cartwright is not only a star basketballer, but also a musician. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

“Over the past few years, I’ve started experimenting (with music) and decided to make my own.

“It’s a great form of expression. Fashion, music, basketball, it’s all some way connected for myself.

For PJC, the game of basketball has always been his life priority, and as so many athletes undertake studies or launch side businesses to prepare for a life after their playing career, his outlet and creative expression comes from a deep rooted family line, so naturally the life of rhythm and melody he says has been “ingrained in my blood.”

His musical sound echoes one of the noughties era, when the likes of Green Day, Blink182 and Good Charlotte were at the top of the charts and emo pop was the height of fashion.

“I’ve been involved in music, I feel like, all my life. My sister has been a singer/songwriter for 20 plus years. I come from a big musical family, I’m named after a jazz musician,” blvckminoh said.

“Basketball’s been my life for so long but as I learn about myself, as I got older, I figured hey I can do other things and I’m good at other things as well.

“It’s been fun to learn about myself through fashion, music etc.”

BEST IN THE LEAGUE

The majority of his fans would know him for his on court skills and in his second season in the NBL, PJC is highly regarded as one of the best in the league, alongside the likes of United’s Jack White, the Kings’ Xavier Cooks and Wildcats’ Bryce Cotton.

The Los Angeles native doesn’t shy away from the commentary, if anything he embraces it, yet is adamant to not let the noise impact his relationships within the four walls.

“It feels good. I’m a player who wants to be respected and wants to compete with the highest level of players and that brings the best out of myself as a competitor.

“I just try to stay even keel, and just remember that it’s a journey, you can’t listen to what everyone else is saying, you just have to be mindful of how you feel and how your teammates view you.”

Going about his business 😮‍💨

PJC 1st in MVP voting through 9️⃣ rounds 👀#UNBREAKABLEpic.twitter.com/m0s6o5jndO

— BNZ Breakers (@NZBreakers) November 20, 2024

Basketball fans were treated to a PJC special in round eight when the Breakers blew away the first placed United and PJC tore apart one of, if not the best defensive back-courts in the league in Matthew Dellavedova and Shea Ili.

His size, speed and athleticism, plus the powerful centre/guard dynamic with Sam Mennenga had PJC absolutely blitzing the court, leaving the United defence shell shocked.

“Melbourne is the standard in the league,” PJC said.

“(Shea) Ili, (Matthew) Dellevadova, Ian Clark, those guys are very talented. Shea Ili, a Defensive Player of the Year, he’s a tough competitor, but we’re very confident.

“Matt Mooney and myself in the back-court and whoever comes in as a guard, we can create pressure and we can present challenges too.

“As we respect other people, they have to respect us as well.

“NO ONE CAN BREAK US”

As the second half of the NBL25 season gets underway, the Breakers – whose travel schedule is unmatched in the league but never an excuse – sit second on the standings and PJC says the belief is there for the team to go all the way.

“It’s been a rollercoaster.”

“If anyone said we would be where we are in pre-season, we would’ve said ‘yeah we believe’ but maybe not this early because of everything that’s transpired, but we’ve really clicked at the right time and it feels good to be where we are.”

And clicking with the likes of Mooney, Sam Mennenga and 17-year-old Next Star Karim Lopez, PJC says that it’s time the rest of the league take note of what the Breakers are bringing to the league.

Yet, the group welcomes the underdog title.

“They put the work in, anybody who steps on the floor, the confidence that exudes from them and in our group is massive,” the Breakers captain said.

Karim Lopez (L) has been a stand out Next Star for the Breakers. Picture: Joe Allison/Getty Images

“Everyone is so content being together, being in the moment, being present and learning about one another. We have so much fun together off the court so when we step on the floor we go that extra mile for each other.

“We have really built a camaraderie that’s unbreakable. Breakers, that’s our MO, that’s who we want to be.

“We relish in that (underdog title), we’re hungry, we have a lot of guys with something to prove.

To the Breakers delight, Auckland he now calls home, and come the off-season, New Zealand locals could soon see PJC swap the court for the stage.

“New Zealand is my home now,” he said.

“It feels great to be in the community and learn about the city of Auckland and the country.

“I’ve performed two times now, very small. I have some music releasing soon, some projects on the horizon so hopefully some more performances too.”

Originally published as NZ Breakers star import is not only an NBL25 potential MVP, he also leads a life of music and art