Last minute re-cap before NBL1 East tip-off!

With the count-down on until the start of the 2023 Coles Express NBL1 East season, all 16 clubs have locked in rosters boasting rising stars, sensational imports and fantastic local talent.

Let’s take a look at some of the hoopers to keep an eye on, that’ll be fighting for the championship title:

WOMEN’S:

• Young-gun Aliza Fabbro will be joining NBL1 East 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, Lauren Nicholson at Sutherland Sharks, once they play out their WNBL finals with Townsville Fire.
• Nicole Munger has re-signed with Newcastle Falcons, following her WNBL season with the UC Capitals, after a stellar 2022 season averaging 25.6 points and 11 rebounds per game for the Falcons.
• WNBL veteran and Penrith local talent Tahlia Tupaea returns to her junior club of Penrith Panthers, for their inaugural NBL1 East season.
• The Sydney Comets are ready for their NBL1 East debut, headed by current Sydney Flames coach and Opals legend Shelley Gorman. Vanessa Panousis will be returning to her junior club, along with Jada Crawshaw – bringing a fiery flavour to the NBL1.
• Canberra Nationals will have Opal Natalie Hurst as their coach (currently coaching Adelaide Lightning), whilst Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders have brought on Olympic silver medallist Alicia Poto as their head coach.

MEN’S:

• Young, rising talent, Junior Madut has signed with Norths Bears, following his debut NBL season with the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
• Archie Woodhill (Sydney Kings development player) will be joining the Sydney Comets for their inaugural season, along with Kings guard Iggy Mitchell, who is returning to his junior club.
• USA import Marquel Beasley will be joining the Sutherland Sharks as a Forward Guard, all the way from Florida.
• USA import Kevin Warren has been signed to the Maitland Mustangs, fresh off winning the NCAA Championship Tournament.
• Glenn Morison has re-signed to the Canberra Gunners, as their Finals MVP from last season, who helped claim the trophy.
• NBL stars Will Hickey and Lucas Walker will be joining the Illawarra Hawks, with Tim Coenraad re-signing.

Not sure where to be on Saturday? Check out our picks of the games to watch in Round 1 this weekend:

MARCH 11: SUTHERLAND SHARKS VS NEWCASTLE FALCONS – WOMEN’S

The battle of the coasts is the game of the week, which will be tipping-off at 5:00pm, at the Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre.

You can also watch the game on Kayo Freebies.

Falcons will be looking for victory with superstar Nicole Munger, fresh off a WNBL season with the UC Capitals, who achieved a league-record 53 points in a single game last season.

Sharks will be missing crucial players in the likes of NBL1 East Defensive Player of the Year, Lauren Nicholson and Aliza Fabbro, in their pursuit for a WNBL championship with Townsville Fire. Despite this, the Sharks were runners-up to the NBL1 East 2022 title, being knocked out by the GOAT’s Bandits team, so they will be undoubtedly looking for a strong start to their season.

MARCH 11: SYDNEY COMETS VS PENRITH PANTHERS – WOMEN’S

Both clubs will be debuting in their inaugural NBL1 season, and with impressive major signings on each side, this game is one to watch as both teams attempt to establish themselves early.

The game starts at 7:30pm, at the Comets Stadium

Panthers will be coming in strong with Tahlia Tupaea returning to her junior club – arguably one of NBL1 East’s biggest signings of the season. She will be joined by a full roster, including Meg Jefferson, who spent 3 years at college with the University of Virginia and a short stint at the University of Hawaii.

Comets will have the home-ground advantage, led by their coach Shelley Gorman, an Opals icon and Sydney Flames head-coach. Gorman’s leadership proved to be transformational for the Flames, and Gorman has brought heat to her roster, in the likes of young gun Jada Crawshaw, as well as Vanessa Panousis’ return to her junior club.

MARCH 11: ILLAWARRA HAWKS VS MAITLAND MUSTANGS – MEN’S

The Mustangs head south to take on the Hawks at The Snakepit Stadium, with the game starting at 7:00pm.

All eyes will be on the debut of Mustang’s new import, Kevin Warren, who was a part of the champion Chico Wildcats team in the NCAA Championship Tournament. Warren will be joining the likes of Matt Grey and Will Cranston-Lown, who have re-signed with the club.

The Hawks will, however, have a solid foundation, as many of their NBL players stay put for the NBL1 season. William Hickey has joined the Hawks NBL1 roster, after a stellar performance during their NBL campaign, as well as teammate Tim Coenraad putting pen to paper. Lucas Walker, formerly part of the Sydney Kings, has also signed with the Hawks – showing the potential of the side to be a force not to be reckoned with.