Ten players to watch in NBL1 Central 2021

NBL1 Central expert Tristan Prentice takes us through the stars, the movers, the money men and women, the x-factor and the rookies likely to make an impression this 2021 season starting April 10. 

Mens NBL1 Central

The Star – Alex Starling (South Adelaide Panthers)

Make no mistake, while Julian Jacobs (Warriors) and Anthony Green (Flames) will be in coming stars, the forgotten man at full health is a known quantity in the league and in terms of influence is a key part of the Panthers hopes. The 2019 Defensive Player of the Year last played in the red and white for the North and is a two-time Woollacott medallist and two-time Premier League champion. Before someone comes to claim their stardom in the league, they will need to come take the crown from Starling who during the ABC 2020 averaged 23.2 points in only six games and 20.7 points per game in the reserves competition during the 2021 pre-season.

The Mover – Moses Nuangki (Norwood Flames)

Getting the former junior player back from the Southern Tigers in 2021 was a key priority for GM Will Smith and they got their man. Nuangki came off his Cowley County College career back to the Tigers during the ABC 2020 season averaging 11 points but a 24-point with five triples game against the reigning champions put a few on notice about his potential. The reserves competition in the lead up also showed that hasn’t gone away averaging 18 points in four games. If the Flames are to move back up the table, Moses Nuangki needs to part the seas of defence with his play and bring his stars of CJ Turnage and Anthony Green along for the ride.  

The Money Man – Michael Harris (Forestville Eagles)

The former Adelaide 36ers rookie is looking to make a statement this coming season and in a team looking to defend its ABC 2020 championship; he is the go-to guy at the crunch. Harris has added to his game not only as a point scoring machine but extra length defensively on the wings adding to an already potent front court combo of Brandon Brine and Greg Mays. He also in the lead up through the Reserves averages 25.3 points in eight hit-outs; in the battle of the small forward wings he will be the one to stop this season at the three.

X-Factor – Lual Diing (Central District Lions)

The Central District Lions chances of climbing the ladder this season rest with the 36ers rookie. Diing returned from a college with the Texas Wesleyan University Rams playing with the Southern Tigers during the ABC 2020 where in six games he averaged 17.8 points. He put on an absolute shooting clinic against runner-up Sturt during last season and in pre-season has been producing some solid numbers in the reserves for the Lions with 17 points and some back-board shattering dunks and blocks.

The Rookie – Keanu Rasmussen (Sturt Sabres)

The Sturt Sabres Centre of Excellence (COE) combo guard returns to the double blue and looks in elite form heading into the season. The junior recruit over the pre-season averages 19.3 points which is similar to the 16.7 points and shooting of the rock at 65 percent that he did at the U18 and U20 Australian National Championships. That included being first in three-point percentage at 48.9 percent. So, expect the 2022 California Baptist University College signing Keanu “Reeves” to shoot points, lots of points.   

Womens NBL1 Central

The Star – Jennie Rintala (West Adelaide Bearcats)

The double double machine showed the value she will be to the Bearcats in their 75^th year as a club during a short stay in the ABC 2020. In six games, Rintala averaged 16.5 points and over 10 rebounds per game before the former Adelaide Lightning players signed with the Bendigo Spirit for the 2020 WNBL Season. Her presence alone will elevate the Bearcats into contention with their young up-coming front court.   

The Mover – Sam Simons (Forestville Eagles)

Out of all the players in the Womens, Simons is the one to watch. It’s been a long process but finally the Forestville Eagles confirmed the daughter of men’s coach Andy and after watching multiple pre-season fixtures and reserves games is the missing link to their aspirations this 2021 season. Simons is a multiple Australian representative at junior level from 2016 to 2019 where she was vice captain of the U19 team which won a silver medal. The St Mary's Gael has concluded her involvement with the college choosing to stay in her home of South Australia and is ready to step up and be one of the premier 4-5 women in this league.

The Money Woman – Olivia Thompson (South Adelaide Panthers)

While the WNBL 2020 season was rolling along there were many players for various reasons that missed a contract for a club. Halls Medallist and former Forestville Eagle Liv Thompson should not be forgotten and out of all the women in the league, she is the highest points scorer remaining from the ABC 2020 averaging 22.6 points in 10 games (226 points). Richard Dickel’s former WNBL starting centre is the key player in the Panthers chances to break into the final two after finishing up just short last season.  

X-Factor – Genna Anderson (Norwood Flames)

Another to make a big impression in a tough year for the Flames was 5’11 former Keilor Thunder forward Anderson. Anderson was on fire last season in the ABC averaging 18.7 points in nine games including a 39-point outing and currently in reserves averages 21.4 points in seven games. She had double the average points from the next rostered player last season but insert superstar Adelaide Lightning guard Ally Wilson and college recruits Shay’lee Dayman and Bride Kennedy-Hopoate and Anderson now has some support around her on the scoreboard. With Wilson diming her up, she is the biggest x-factor in the league in 2021.

The Rookie – Rachel Mate (North Adelaide Rockets)

Quickly making an impression is rookie guard Rachel Mate. The 21-year-old NBL North Ipswich Force guard averages 14.6 points in eight games over the pre-season in reserves and has settled into her role well around leadership team of Adelaide Lightning utility Taylor Ortlepp and shooting machine Sam DeFrancesco. She was part of the leadership team of 2020 with the Force and averaged 12 points.