From Canterbury Rams to NZ Breakers, Quinn Clinton continues rapid coaching rise

Friday, 5 June 2026

Quinn Clinton will take the step up from coaching the Canterbury Rams to a Breakers assistant role.

At just 27 and not long removed from a promising playing career, Canterbury Rams shot-caller Quinn Clinton is considered one of New Zealand’s most exciting young basketball coaching prospects.

Now that learning process is about to get fast-tracked, with the former Junior Tall Black and incumbent Rams coach in the New Zealand NBL being named as an assistant for the New Zealand Breakers in the 2026-27 Australian NBL season.

Clinton will take his place alongside fellow Kiwi Matt Lacey, the only survivor from the ‘25-26 Breakers setup, as an assistant under renowned World Cup-winning head coach Gordon Herbert after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Kiwi club.

'Quinn is an exceptional addition to our coaching staff,' said Breakers president of basketball operations Dillon Boucher. 'He possesses an elite basketball IQ, unbelievable work ethic and has proven himself as a natural leader and winner at every level of the game.”

In a remarkable twist of circumstances, Clinton succeeds current Tall Blacks head coach Judd Flavell in a second straight coaching appointment.

Quinn Clinton cut short a promising playing career to step into the coaching ranks early with the Canterbury Rams.

Clinton entered the coaching ranks early when he cut short a successful playing career to succeed Flavell in the top spot at the Rams late in 2024. He is now into his second season guiding the successful Canterbury outfit he used to play for.

Now he has once again filled a slot vacated by Flavell, with the New Zealand team boss quitting as a Breakers assistant following the ‘25-26 season to step into a head coaching role in Japan.

Clinton had been the leading scorer for the Junior Tall Blacks at the 2017 FIBA Under-19 World Cup (named national junior player of the year) and was a development player for the Breakers in 2017–18, prior to heading to play his US college basketball at Saint Mary's in California.

Clinton returned to New Zealand to play a key part in the Canterbury Rams' 2023 NBL championship victory, before announced his playing retirement to step in as an assistant coach for the 2024 title defence.

”Investing in New Zealand talent, both on the court and on the bench, remains a core pillar of our franchise,” said club owner Marc Mitchell. “Blending Quinn’s exceptional tactical acumen and deep understanding of the domestic game, with Gordon’s renowned international expertise strengthens our brains trust.”

Both Clinton and Lacey figure to have their coaching development significantly enhanced by working alongside the hugely experienced Herbert, who was head coach of the World Cup-winning Germany team of 2023 and will now guide Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Canadian national side in its upcoming World Cup and Olympic campaigns.

Lacey was this week named Basketball NZ’s male coach of the year after leading the Junior Tall Blacks to an historic fourth-place finish at the 2025 Under-19 World Cup – the country’s best result at the tournament.