Auckland Tuatara name Cam Gliddon head coach for 2025 NZNBL season

The Auckland Tuatara are looking to turn around their Grand Final fortunes with the signing of Cam Gliddon as their new head coach.

The 35-year-old most recently played two seasons with the NZ Breakers in the Australian NBL, along with stints at the South East Melbourne Phoenix, Brisbane Bullets, and Cairns Taipans.

During his time in New Zealand, Gliddon also played two NZNBL seasons for the Tuatara - now he's taking over from the man who coached him, Aaron Young.

Auckland have been finalists for the past three NZNBL seasons, losing to the Otago Nuggets in 2022, plus back-to-back defeats to the reigning champion Canterbury Rams in 2023 and 2024.

The former Australian Boomer star had only announced his retirement from professional basketball last week. The career shift is one that has Tuatara general manager Dale Budge looking forward to what's possible in the 2025 season.

“Cam is an outstanding individual, who perfectly sums up what it is to be a member of the Tuatara,” Budge said.

“The moment we knew Aaron wasn’t returning, we were very clear that Cam was the guy we wanted in charge of our franchise.

“He has been a phenomenal player for a long time, has built up an enormous amount of experience and connections and has long been seen as a future star coach.

“We are delighted he has agreed to continue his basketball journey with us.”

Gliddon's playing career highlights include a 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medal with the Boomers, a FIBA Asia Cup win for Australia in 2017, along with being recognised as the NZNBL's most-outstanding guard and named as part of the league's All-Star Five in the 2019 season.

But the Perth native knew it was time to move on with the next chapter in his basketball career.

“My body just wasn’t up for the rigours of what I would need to do to keep going," Gliddon said.

“I was keen to move into coaching so when the Tuatara offered me the role, it didn’t take long to commit fully to it.

“There are challenges stepping straight into a head coaching role but there are challenges in anything worth doing. I know I have the support of the franchise and the people within it so I feel confident I can make a success of this opportunity.”