AUCKLAND (NBL) - Thomas Abercrombie is a high-flying act that has graced the stage of the FIBA Basketball World Cup in the last two editions of the event for New Zealand.

Whether it's been hitting three-pointers, dunking or swatting shots, the 27-year-old has performed with panache and electrified the crowds that watched the Tall Blacks.

The New Zealand Breakers have benefitted from Abercrombie's immense talent and heart at club level, too.

He was a leading figure on Sunday in helping the team capture its fourth NBL crown in the last five years.

After pouring in 13 points in the Breakers' 86-71 triumph at the Cairns' Taipans in Game 1 of the Grand Final, the Takapuna-born star led all scorers with 19 points at the North Shore Events Centre in an 83-81 Game 2 victory that sealed the title.

Another national team star, Ekene Ibekwe of Nigeria, jumped into the spotlight as well on Sunday.

A 29-year-old veteran who appeared for the African side at the 2006 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Japan and the 2012 Olympics in London, Ibekwe had 14 points in the contest.

He also drilled a game-winning jump shot with just 1.2 seconds remaining to seal the title.

There were also major contributions from New Zealand internationals Mika Vukona and Corey Webster, two of the standouts for the Tall Blacks at last year's FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Vukona, the Breakers captain, had nine points and eight rebounds on Sunday while Webster contributed 11 points.

How good have the Breakers been over the years?

After struggling under coach Dean Vickerman last season following Andrej Lemanis' departure as coach, the team rebounded in grand style.

The Breakers kept their faith in Vickerman, who had been an assistant under Lemanis, and he repaid it in a big way.

Breakers assistant and former New Zealand international Paul Henare showered praise on the head coach.

I think he's [Vickerman] done an amazing job in turning this thing around from one year to the next - Henare

"I couldn't be happier for him," Henare said.

The Breakers are now in elite company.

Perth (six), Melbourne and Adelaide (both four) and the only other teams to have captured four NBL titles.

FIBA