NBL1xNBL Wrap | NBL24 Round 1

The NBL24 season is finally here and Round 1 is done. 

From NBL debuts, players reinventing their roles and veterans firing on all fronts, Round 1 saw NBL1 players take centre stage.

Check out the full NBL1 x NBL Wrap for Round 1 below: 

After an All-Star Five season with the Sandringham Sabres, Ben Ayre showed his NBL1 season has vaulted his game to another level, with 17 points against Melbourne United on Thursday night. 

Filling the starting line-up with an injury to Gary Browne, Ayre filled the scoring absence and will be one of the Phoenix’s go-to guys off the bench for NBL24.

All net for Benny Ayre! ??

? Watch Live & Free ESPN via Kayo Freebies | 10 Peach & 10 Play pic.twitter.com/KqyY7ohMXz

— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) October 1, 2023

The NBL1 South Youth Player of the Year made his NBL debut with the Phoenix against the Perth Wildcats.

Luke Rosendale scored six points in three and a half minutes at home against the Wildcats, coming off a massive season with the Bendigo Braves. 

Luke Rosendale scores his first NBL points ?

Watch live and FREE on Kayo Freebies / 10 Peach & 10 Play ? pic.twitter.com/vY9Gl4WtEY

— NBL (@NBL) October 1, 2023

In 28 seconds, Rocco Zikarsky did everything you’d want to see out of a big man. With two points, two rebounds and a block in an exciting debut for the NBL Next Star. 

Coming off his NBL1 East season with the Centre of Excellence, Zikarsky will be a must-watch player from the NBL1 in NBL24.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NBL (@nbl)

After winning the NBL1 North Finals MVP, Nathan Sobey is back for the Bullets and looks like he’s in his best shape after a successful season with Ipswich. 

With a team-high of 18 points, the Olympian is looking to have a bounce-back season. If he plays to the level he did in the NBL1, the Bullets will be a dangerous Play-In contender. 

Both Jaylin Galloway and Kouat Noi had a major impact in the Sydney Kings’ first win of the NBL24 season, combining for 41 points against the Illawarra Hawks. 

Related: NBL1 North star impresses in NBL24 debut

Noi made the NBL1 North First Team, averaging 29.3 points per game for the Finals team. Galloway made the Second Team, won the Youth Player of the Year and was a key piece of Ipswich’s championship run.

Jason Cadee

The NBL1 North MVP had a historic season with the Gold Coast Rollers, dropping 52 points in a single game and leading his team to back-to-back Grand Final Series appearances. 

Making the move to Adelaide for NBL24, Cadee had an impressive first game back with 18 points off the bench for the 36ers at home. 

Jason Cadee sinks it from downtown ?

? Watch #NBL24 live on ESPN pic.twitter.com/eQeaMBUgAu

— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) October 1, 2023

The King of the North has credited the NBL1 for reviving his love of basketball and it shows on the court.

After not playing in game one, Ben Henshall roared into game two against the Phoenix and lit it up. He led the team in points in his debut, the first Australian to do so since Joe Ingles. 

The NBL1 East star has been a major talking point for the Wildcats since signing, gaining international attention through the G-League Ignite games and is now one of the most scouted prospects in the competition. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NBL1 (@nbl1)