With 12 different teams on the court in the Coles Express NBL1 National Finals, here are the players you need to lock in and watch from each team during the tournament next weekend!
Devondrick Walker (Rockingham Flames)
The back-to-back NBL1 West MVP is a must-watch in the National Finals. After being unable to play in last year’s National Final, and with the Flames still going onto win the tournament, Walker will have a massive chip on his shoulder to perform at the highest-level.
Stacey Barr (Warwick Senators)
After claiming last year’s title against a hostile Ringwood crowd, Barr and the Senators will be hungry to hoist the trophy for a second time, now in front of their friends, family and fans in Joondalup, WA.
AJ Johnson (Northside Wizards)
Making the move to the Northside Wizards, the defensive stalwart will be an x-factor in the Wizards making it through the tournament. The sharpshooting forward averaged 19.5 points across the NBL1 North Grand Final Series and will have to bring even more to bring the National title home.
Deng Deng (Ipswich Force)
The NBL veteran had an explosive 41-point game to end the NBL1 North Grand Final Series. The athletic two-way wing will be the centrepiece of Ipswich Force’s attack to win in the NBL1 National Finals this weekend.
Megan McKay (Bendigo Braves)
Born and raised in Katanning, a regional town in Western Australia, Megan McKay will be representing the NBL1 South with the Bendigo Braves in front of friends and family at the National Finals.
Related: Making Bendigo Home: Megan McKay
The 2023 NBL1 South MVP was outstanding all season, leading to Bendigo's undefeated 25-0 streak with an average of 24 points and 12.4 rebounds.
She’ll be ready to perform against all the NBL1 West teams and show off her MVP credentials in her home state.
Ke'Jhan Feagin (Knox Raiders)
The Californian point guard has been one of the stars of the NBL1 South this season. The athletic 6’1” is the centrepiece of the Raider’s offence and was one of the key factors in Knox edging out the Sabres in the Grand Final – scoring 26 points with five assists, four rebounds and three steals to close the season.
Jolene Anderson (Norths Bears)
The NBL1 East Finals MVP dominated the Grand Final, scoring 20 points with three triples to give the Bears their rings.
The veteran import has been a sharpshooter since joining the team in May, Anderson’s addition has transformed the Bears into a contender and fulfilled that promise against Manly Warringah in last weekend’s Grand Final.
The former WNBA draft pick will not be afraid of the big lights and intensity of the National Finals, having played all over the world – so we should expect big things from Anderson come Friday night.
Marquel Beasley (Sutherland Sharks)
The Sharks have been a must-watch team because Beasley seemingly has springs in his shoes. The athletic import averaged 15 points with 7.1 rebounds – matching his season average in the Grand Final against Maitland.
He’s not scared of any rim protector and the baskets may have to be tested and reinforced before the Sharks take on the Geraldton Buccaneers on Friday night.
Sarah Mortensen (Cockburn Cougars)
The Danish National team player made quite the impact on the Cougars this season. She made the NBL1 West First Team and took Cockburn to its first women’s Grand Final in history.
The MVP contender led the team to an 18-2 record, she was the focal point of their offence and unlocked the championship potential of the team. Averaging 24.7 points and 11 rebounds this season, she will be an absolute must-watch player during the National Finals.
Malik Meunier (Geraldton Buccaneers)
The 22-year-old guard has broken through into stardom this past NBL1 West season.
Making the Grand Final last season, Meunier took his game to a new level. Awarded an NBL1 West First Team spot, he averaged 18 points, six assists and 4.3 rebounds per game. The young star will be ready to make a statement with a National audience watching this weekend.
Ally Wilson (Norwood Flames)
The WNBL star and 3x3 medallist went nuclear this NBL1 Central season, making the All-Star Five and dominating in the Finals to bring Norwood a championship.
In the Preliminary Final Wilson had an outrageous 34 points and 17 rebounds to advance past the Southern Tigers – only to back that up with 23 points, 16 rebounds and six assists to claim the NBL1 Central title.
After knocking off the undefeated Sturt Sabres, Wilson’s Flames will feel invincible heading into the National Final on the nation in Joondalup.
Fraser Roxburgh (West Adelaide Bearcats)
Adelaide 36ers development player Fraser Roxburgh will become the player for West Adelaide this tournament.
The 18-year-old athletic wing will have to up his season average from 13 points per game to burden the load on the offensive end left by the injured Mitch McCarron.
Are we set to see a star emerge on the National Stage? Tune in from 4:00pm AWST to see the Bearcats take on the Knox Raiders Live & Free via Kayo Freebies.
