2024 NBL1 North predictions

Feature image via: Judd Green

With the NBL1 North tipping off Thursday, conference expert Jon Guarna has broken down his predictions for the MVP Award and the conference champions for the 2024 season. 

Women’s NBL1 North MVP: Erin Bollmann (Northside Wizards)

Bollmann was having an MVP-calibre season with the Salties last year before injuries hit. This year she moves down south and joins the reigning champion Northside Wizards and will have more talent surrounding her.

If Bollmann can stay healthy, she could put up some big numbers on another successful team which will have her right in the mix for the MVP award.

Men’s NBL1 North MVP: Kouat Noi (Darwin Salties)

There is so much talent in this Darwin group and Kouat Noi sits right at the very top of the list. Noi is coming off of arguably the best NBL season of his career and I think he will carry that momentum into the NBL1 North season.

The Salties are going to be putting up big numbers this year and I think Noi could lead the league in scoring and rebounding for one of the top teams in the league and that will always have you in the MVP conversation.

Women’s Champions: Northside Wizards 

The Wizards have reloaded in the backcourt with Erin Bollmann and Jess McDowell-White, and return to one of the top frontcourts in the competition with AJ Johnson and Nadeen Payne. Youngsters like Alice O'Driscoll and Saskia Gunness gained valuable experience during the championship run last season which will only strengthen an already strong group. It might not be as smooth sailing as last season but that championship experience will be invaluable for them in 2024.

Men’s Champions: Mackay Meteors 

Mackay is not only talented, but they are talented and deep and have a ton of championship experience throughout the roster.

Isaac White and Todd Blanchfield could both find themselves in the MVP conversation, Emmett Naar will run the show, and the frontcourt got better with the additions of Luca Yates and the return to the Mack of Manny Malou and inaugural NBL1 North Grand Final MVP Jerron Jamerson.

This team can legitimately go 9-10 deep and that is going to be difficult for teams to compete with.

Make sure to listen to Guarna each week in the NBL1 North Games of the Week Live and Free via Kayo Freebies and tune into ‘In The North Podcast’ via the NBL1 North Instagram page.