With the NBL24 season starting tonight, let’s take a deep dive into which NBL1 players you need to watch for each team going into the season.
Alex Staring
The back-to-back Best Defensive Player finally got his chance to play in the NBL this offseason after being naturalised.
Alex Starling is a hyper-athletic defensive specialist, who took his offence to a new level this past NBL1 Central season. He bumped his average from 19.5 points per game to 21.2 as the main option, shooting the ball more efficiently from outside and maintaining his elite defensive presence.
Alex Starling sent that outta here! ??
Watch the #NBL1Central First Nations Round via https://t.co/NEk1I7kIKG or the NBL1 App ?&? pic.twitter.com/OmTkCa7d4B
Likely the backup centre going into NBL24, Starling will have a huge chip on his shoulder and will be a lot of fun to watch.
Honourable mention: Keanu Rasmuseen
Issac White
After leading the entire men’s competition in points per game, Isaac White was the man for the Mackay Meteors this past season.
Averaging 32 points per game, White will be a spark plug off the bench for the Bullets this season. After impressing with the Jackjumpers last season in limited stints, acting as a much-needed boost in energy, White will be trying to replicate that on a more consistent basis for NBL24.
Honourable mention: Matt Johns
Jonah Antonio
After a massive season with the Cairns Marlins, Jonah Antonio will be back with the Taipans for NBL24.
After only averaging three points in NBL23, Antonio became one of the key scorers for the Marlins – dropping 18.5 points per game for the Finals squad. In his final two games, he scored a total of 83 points against Kouat Noi’s USC Rip City and championship-winning Ipswich Force.
Jonah Antonio caught FIRE ?
— NBL1 (@NBL1) July 24, 2023
4?2? points in the #NBL1NorthFinals ?
Tune into the #NBL1Finals this weekend Live & Free via https://t.co/NEk1I7kIKG, NBL1 App & @kayosports Freebies ? pic.twitter.com/jgNzJBtXiw
Honourable mention: Lachlan Anderson
Lachlan Olbrich
The standout player from the NBL Blitz was Lachlan Olbrich, with scouts and analysts drooling over his potential – it’s easy to see how his NBL1 season has translated to NBL24.
Olbrich had a historic season in the NBL1 Central, he took home three major awards with the Frank Angove medal, being named to the NBL1 Central All-Star Five and winning Finals MVP.
In the Grand Final, Olbrich had a near triple-double with 28 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Doing it as the best player on the court with the likes of Mitch McCarron and Anthony Drmic alongside him.
After a phenomenal NBL1 season, a standout Blitz and now a full NBL season ahead – Olbrich has the chance to ascend to another level in NBL24.
Honourable mention: Biwali Bayles
Campbell Blogg
After a massive season with the Sandringham Sabres, Campbell Blogg is set to make his NBL debut with Melbourne United in NBL24.
The 20-year-old captain of the Sabres averaged 16.2 points, 3.8 points and 2.6 assists on the Grand Final runners-up.
He’s set for an important NBL24 season, being within the United system for a number of years and playing for arguably the championship favourite, Blogg will have to prove he has a role on this team for a number of years going forward.
Honourable mention: Tom Koppens
Dane Pineau
Blogg’s teammate will be another player to watch in NBL24.
After battling multiple seasons with injuries, the NBL1 season gave Dane Pineau a stretch of healthy basketball to prepare himself for a full NBL return.
In 20 games he averaged 13 points and 14 rebounds for the Sandringham Sabres, leading the team to the NBL1 South Grand Final before losing to the Knox Raiders.
With a ludicrous season-high 25 rebounds and a game-winner, Pineau’s NBL1 South season will have him prepared for NBL24.
DANE PINEAU WINS IT WITH THE HOOK ?
— NBL1 (@NBL1) May 27, 2023
Watch #NBL1South via https://t.co/NEk1I7kIKG or the NBL1 App ?&? pic.twitter.com/nu8w86dEBB
Ben Henshall
Ben Henshall has had an impressive 2023 so far, captaining the 20-2 Centre of Excellence, making waves in the States against the G-League Ignite and having a solid NBL Blitz – the 19-year-old will have to perform if Perth wants to have a bounce-back season.
Averaging 18 points in the NBL1 East, with a season-high of 34 points, Henshall is everything you’d want in a young prospect. With the new-look roster taking shape, Henshall could be one of the Wildcats’ go-to players off the bench this season.
Honourable mention: Kyle Zunic
Gorjok Gak
After winning the Best Defensive Player of the Year award out West, Gorjok Gak is headed to the South East Melbourne Phoenix to add another defensive-minded player to the new-look team under Mike Kelly.
For 2023, the All-NBL1 West First Team member averaged 19.7 points. 11.8 rebounds and a block per game for the Finals team.
Under the mentorship of Mark Worthington, Gak used his NBL1 season to expand his offensive game and dominate the defensive end.
Honourable mention: Austin Rapp
Jasper Rentoy
Recently signing as a development player, the NBL1 Central star will have a chance to bring his impact to the back-to-back champions.
After averaging 12.3 points and 7.7 assists for the Eastern Mavericks, Jasper Rentoy will bring versatility to the Kings as a backup guard as a facilitating scoring threat.
The 23-year-old Filipino guard has been waiting for his opportunity and has finally broken through the barrier with his excellence in the NBL1.
Honourable mention: Zac Gattorna
Majok Deng
One of the finalists for MVP, Majok Deng put on a show in the NBL1 North this past season.
Averaging 26 points, 11.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks for the Logan Thunder – Deng was outstanding all season for the Thunder.
With seven 30+ point games, the Thunder re-established themselves as a powerhouse on the men’s side once again. Finishing second on the ladder off the back of Deng’s NBL1 North First Team season.
Majok Deng had a STATEMENT GAME ?
— NBL1 (@NBL1) July 15, 2023
3??8?? points, 1??9?? rebounds and thunderous dunks ??
Watch the #NBL1North Game of the Week Live & Free via @kayosports Freebies ? pic.twitter.com/8LE9Z2EEJZ
Honourable mention: Jacob Richards
Watch the start of NBL24 tonight with Melbourne United vs the South East Melbourne Phoenix from 7:30pm AEST Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports.
