NBLxNBA 2023: New Zealand Breakers set to face Portland Trailblazers and Utah Jazz as Cairns also in line for NBA games

An NBA team featuring a newly-drafted Next Star and a bronzed Boomer is set to host an NBL club as two teams visit the US in the latest NBLxNBA incarnation.

There will be some familiar faces at the next edition of NBLxNBA.

New Zealand Breakers are set to take on Portland and their Next Star-turned-Blazer Rayan Rupert when they head to the US for NBLxNBA clashes, while Cairns Taipans will make their debut against NBA teams.

Code Sports understands the Breakers will be slated to face off with the Trailblazers and Utah Jazz in October, while NBA powerhouse Golden State had been floated as a potential opponent for the Taipans, but it’s unclear which teams they will face.

To pave the way for the trip to the US, the Breakers aren’t scheduled for games in round 3 of NBL24, while the Taipans don’t play in rounds 3 or 4.

Boomers Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Matisse Thybulle is likely to face the Breakers with Portland already expressing interest in re-signing the defensive dynamo when free agency opens.

Rayan Rupert honed his game in New Zealand last season. Picture: Getty Images

Rupert as a newly-minted Trailblazer. Picture: NBAE/Getty Images

French sensation Rupert attracted NBA interest as he helped lead the Breakers all the way to last season’s grand final where they just fell short against the Sydney Kings.

The 19-year-old, at 199cm with a 221cm wingspan, has all the makings of an elite NBA defender and, at one stage, was tipped to go in the top 20 at this year’s draft.

But Portland may have themselves a steal after they snapped him up at No.43.

Former New Zealand import Jarrell Brantley franked his Breakers form into an NBA return with the Jazz last season.

Boomers bronze medallist Matisse Thybulle could suit up against the Breakers. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

Jarrell Brantley made the step from the Breakers back to the NBA last season. Picture: Getty Images

The Breakers, in 2018, in their first game against an NBA team, pushing the Phoenix Suns to a close 86-91 loss. Kiwi Corey Webster, now at Perth, poured in 27 points, while Suns big man Deandre Ayton had 21 points and 16 rebounds.

The year after, they were competitive again when they fell to Memphis 94-108, Webster leading the way again with 19.

This will be the Breakers’ first US visit since 2019.

The Adelaide 36ers created history last season when they became the first NBL club to defeat an NBA team, reigning down 134 points on the Suns.

The Blazers are one of the most intriguing NBA teams right now, with plenty of noise around the future of Damien Lillard, one of the franchise’s greatest players.

Lillard has agitated for veteran support to help the Blazers become a contender but the decision to draft fellow point guard Scoot Henderson in the draft has left big questions over whether the veteran star will remain in Portland or seek a trade to a contender.

Originally published as NBLxNBA 2023: New Zealand Breakers set to face Portland Trailblazers and Utah Jazz as Cairns also in line for NBA games