Basketball: New Zealand Breakers sign sharpshooter Dejan Vasiljevic on one-year deal

The New Zealand Breakers have secured one of the NBL’s most in-demand free agents, with two-time champion guard Dejan Vasiljevic signing a one-year deal with the Auckland-based franchise.

Vasiljevic said he didn’t need much convincing to make the move across to New Zealand, a week after he mutually agreed to part ways with the Adelaide 36ers, where he served as the side’s co-captain last season and averaged 14.9 points per game.

The 29-year-old Australian will form a deadly backcourt with Parker Jackson-Cartwright, and give the Breakers a strong three-point option, having converted 38% from deep across his career. It is an area the Breakers struggled desperately in last season, where they ranked second-to-last across the league.

Speaking to Newstalk ZB, Vasiljevic said the Breakers’ “rich history of winning championships”, claiming four since 2011, played a key role in his decision.

“I felt the feeling of maybe I can go there and help try win one as well,” Vasiljevic said.

“They’ve got P.J.C. and [Sam] Mennenga and obviously, [Reuben] Te Rangi and once they get a head coach and sign other pieces, I think we’ll be a very talented team.

“What attracted me was just Dillon Boucher and the vision he had and when you’ve got Parker and Sam, who are two of the best players in the league, [it] makes life a lot easier and who wouldn’t want to play with a great group of guys.”

Vasiljevic said he wasn’t turned off by the fact the Breakers had yet to sign a new coach for the 2026-27 season.

The Breakers have been searching for the past month after agreeing to part ways with Petteri Koponen. Attempts to sign Judd Flavell and Mody Maor were unsuccessful.

“I think when you’ve got a great general manager in Dillon Boucher who’s played and been part of the Breakers’ history, I think it’s a no-brainer in all honesty,” Vasiljevic said.

“They’ve got a plan in place [for] when they get a head coach, so I’m just excited to get over and meet the team and hopefully try compete for a championship.”

Boucher, the Breakers’ president of basketball operations, said signing Vasiljevic shows they are serious in competing for the title.

“DJ is a proven winner and a player who thrives under pressure, in big moments.” Boucher said. “His ability to stretch the floor and his leadership perfectly align with the style of play we have established here in Auckland.”

Vasiljevic won back-to-back championships with the Sydney Kings in 2022 and 2023 – when they beat the Breakers – before joining the 36ers, who lost in the finals series last season.

Contracted Breakers players for the 2026-27 season: Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Sam Mennenga, Reuben Te Rangi, Izayah Le’afa, Dejan Vasiljevic.