Is Tom Wilson set for an NBL return?

Former Sydney King Tom Wilson could be in line for an NBL comeback, after returning to basketball through the NBL1 after multiple seasons with the AFL’s Collingwood Magpies. 

Wilson has an extensive basketball resume, as he was the captain of Australia’s second-placed squad at the 2014 FIBA U17 World Cup. Against Team USA, he scored 23 points against the likes of future NBA players in five-time All-Star Jayson Tatum and fourth overall pick Josh Jackson. 

Wilson was a highly touted prospect as a junior, ranking alongside Australian teammates Dejan Vasiljevic and Isaac Humphries.

He went on to play in SEABL (now NBL1 South), winning the league MVP in 2018. He then signed with the Kings, where he played in 12 games during the NBL19 season.

After pursuing a footy career, the 26-year-old has decided to return to basketball with his former club, the Melbourne Tigers, in the 2024 NBL1 South season. 

ESPN’s Olgun Uluc has reported multiple NBL teams have shown interest in Wilson, including the Brisbane Bullets and South East Melbourne Phoenix.

Uluc added the Phoenix brought Wilson in for a training session, where he impressed amongst NBL talent.

“I was at one of those practices a few weeks ago, outside of Mitch Creek, he was maybe the best player there,” Uluc said on NBL Overtime.

“It seems like there is a real NBL player here.” 

Lanard Copeland added that he spoke with Tigers coach Andrew Gaze, who revealed Wilson has starred in four practices.

The NBL1 South starts on April 3, streaming live and free on NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App.