We begin with news that Isaac Fotu and Tochiga Brex won the Japanese League Grand Final three game series against Ryukyu Golden Kings 2-1 after edging the deciding game 73-71 with Isaac contributing 7 points and 5 rebounds.

It was a highly emotional win for Brex with the victory dedicated to former coach Kevin Braswell who sadly passed away earlier in the season. Kevin was of course a former Breakers player and Head Coach while also remembered fondly as a highly influential Harbour Basketball Development Officer.

For Isaac it was a second championship with Brex after claiming the title in his first year with the club in 2022.

On a highly efficient 11 from 13 shooting Sam Waardenburg followed a 31 points haul in the previous game with 30 points as Indios de Mayaguez beat Guaynabo Mets 94-84 in the Puerto Rico League. Sam added 10 rebounds to record his fifth double-double in Mayaquez colours. 

Also in Puerto Rico Sam Mennenga scored 14 points as San German came up just short against Aguada losing 93-91.

Tai Webster and Bourg-en-Bresse are through to the French League semi-finals after overcoming Cholet two games to nil in their quarter finals series.

Fifth seed Bourg will now face second seed Paris Basketball in the semis.

In the Australian NBL1 North Conference, Emme Shearer made 5 from 9 threes despite Mackay Meteorettes (5-1) having their unbeaten run ended at five games as they were emphatically beaten 112-76 by Cairns Dolphins. Emme impressed in the loss adding a trio of rebounds, assists and blocks plus 2 steals.

Despite Launceston Tornadoes (2-11) going down 78-67 to Ringwood Hawks in the NBL1 South Conference Bailey Flavell came up big in the loss. Bailey scored a game high 28 points (12/18FG) to accompany 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

In the Eastern conference Penina Davidson posted a double-double of 15 points (7/11FG) and 12 rebounds in her first game of the season for second on the table Keilor Thunder (10-2), with the Thunder beating Casey Cavaliers 88-66.

National Teams

Christian Martin and the New Zealand U23 3x3 team were ousted at the quarter-finals stage of the FIBA 3x3 Nations League tournament in Doha, Qatar last week. New Zealand went down 20-12 against Spain having emerged from pool play with a 3-1 record.

College Players

Congratulations to Jess Moors who has secured an NCAA Division I scholarship a Florida Atlantic University. Having played her freshman year at Colorado State University Jess has spent the past two years playing NCAA Division II hoops at Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale where she started 38 of her 61 games averaging 6 points and 4 rebounds per outing for the Sharks.

The Sharks had a 27-7 record in 2024-25 finishing runners-up in the final of the Sunshine State Conference Tournament and progressing through two rounds of the NCAA Division II National Championship.

New Zealand NBL

Kruz Perrott-Hunt had 16 points, 5 rebounds and a couple of steals as Tauranga Whai won the contest against Franklin Bulls 87-82 to keep their top six play-off hopes alive. Sean Murphy secured 5 rebounds along with 5 points in the win.

Liam Judd scored 9 points and pulled down  5 rebounds as Nelson Giants secured a much needed win with a 117-81 blow-out against Hawkes Bay Hawks.

In the Auckland derby Rob Loe was close to yet another double-double - 16 points and 9 rebounds - as Auckland Tuatara snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to down Franklin Bulls 84-83. Playing his first game of the season Dan Fotu had 8 points and 8 rebounds.

Tuatara are next at home – at Eventfinda Stadium – on Sunday June 8 when they entertain Tauranga Whai, a game with a heap of current and former Harbour reps on show. Both teams have 6-7 records with 7 games remaining in the regular season.