Who to watch: NBL1 players in NBL23

By NBL Media

With the NBL season around the corner and after a huge season of NBL1, many of the stars from the league will play for NBL clubs in NBL23.

Every team besides the New Zealand Breakers has 2022 NBL1 talent on their roster, so here is one NBL1 player from each team to watch for NBL23.

The season starts on Saturday, with the South East Melbourne Phoenix hosting the Tasmanian JackJumpers at 6:00pm AEST via ESPN here. 

Nick Marshall 

Expectations will be high for Mount Gambier Pioneers star Nick Marshall. His 36ers teammate and NBL1 First-Teamer Antious Cleveland called him “The best DP [Development Player] in NBL History.”

The young guard averaged 16 points and six rebounds for the Pioneers and was one of the stars in the NBL1 South, taking his team all the way to the South Grand Final against the eventual champions the Hobart Chargers. Marshall had 25 points and nine rebounds in a 78-62 loss and a major chance to add to his skillset in NBL23 with the title-contending 36ers. 

Honourable mention: Kyrin Galloway 

Devondrick Walker 

After a phenomenal NBL1 West campaign by leading the conference in scoring, winning the conference MVP and taking home the Finals MVP, Devondrick Walker is set for a massive NBL23. 

Walker was picked up by the Bullets the week of the Coles Express NBL1 National Finals, where his Rockingham Flames went on to win the National Title. In the NBL Blitz Walker showed that his first NBL stint with the Phoenix in the NBL20 season was no fluke, hitting a dagger against the Taipans and fitting seamlessly with the stacked Bullets squad. 

Devondrick with a dagger ???

We're in the midst of a shootout in Darwin - tune into @kayosports freebies to catch the end of tonight's #NBL23 Blitz action ? pic.twitter.com/k9CY07X7RS

— The NBL (@NBL) September 20, 2022

Honourable mention: DJ Mitchell

Lat Mayen (pictured)

The Taipans bench features three players from the NBL1 North Cairns Marlins, the pre-built chemistry will likely service Adam Forde's second unit well this season. The one to watch will be Lat Mayen, the fiery forward led his Marlins to the Semi-Finals where they lost to USC Rip City, but his heroics in the elimination finals will not be forgotten quickly. 

LAT MAYEN SENDS IT TO OT IN THE #NBL1FINALS ?

Watch the #NBL1North on https://t.co/NEk1I7BLMG or the NBL1 App ??? pic.twitter.com/A51d4VVIDo

— NBL1 (@NBL1) August 13, 2022




He averaged 20 points and seven rebounds for the season and should be a spark plug off the bench for the Taipans this season. 

Honourable mention: Ben Ayre

Mathiang Mangok

After having his career derailed by injuries, Mathiang Mangok has made his come back with the Casey Cavaliers and now this set to soar with the Illawarra Hawks. 

Former NBA player Mangok Mathiang made his #NBL1South debut for the Casey Cavaliers this weekend!

Putting up a double double in his first game with 13 points and 12 boards ? pic.twitter.com/VkErLVXxMo

— NBL1 (@NBL1) June 1, 2022




He averaged 18 points and 8.5 rebounds in his four games with the Cavaliers, showing his health and athleticism to all the NBL teams watching. The Hawks were watching and now it’s our turn to see what he can do in NBL23.

Honourable mention: Wani Swaka Lo Buluk 

Lachlan Barker

Named to the NBL1 Coles Express All-Star Five, Lachlan Barker should be a perfect fit for the title-contending United.

LACHIE BARKER ?

Can Frankston make the Championship Game? Find out on @kayosports ? pic.twitter.com/AoU8Ogt1VS

— NBL1 (@NBL1) September 10, 2022

With a revamped roster, Melbourne is set for another big season and having the Frankston Blues star off the bench will make United’s depth nearly second to none in NBL23.

Honourable mention: Malith Machar

Michael Harris

Michael Harris had a massive NBL1 season, he was named to the NBL1 South All-Star Five and led his Pioneers alongside Marshall, to the South Grand Final. He averaged 24.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game for the season and his sharpshooting should help the Wildcats significantly in John Rillie’s system. 

“The exciting thing about Michael is his shot-making ability, he has range to 25 feet, and has had a great NBL1 season with Mount Gambier,” Rillie said. 

“This should be a great learning curve for him and will hopefully help develop his career.”

Honourable mentioned: Oliver Hayes-Brown 

Owen Foxwell

After his first stint with the Phoenix last season, Owen Foxwell returned to the Eltham Wildcats in the offseason and lit it up. With multiple 30-point games, the young gun was named the NBL1 South Youth Player of the Year, averaging 15 points and three assists for the season. 

? @Owenfoxwell scored 38 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals for @elthamwildcats in the @NBL1 over the weekend. pic.twitter.com/bbymdYBRvB

— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) July 11, 2022




Honourable mention: Malcolm Bernard

Jaylin Galloway

After his Boomers debut and an NBL22 championship, Jaylin Galloway suited up for the Mackay Meteors and dominated. He averaged 18.4 points and five rebounds and took Mackay to the first round of the finals. 

Galloway was a highlight machine in the NBL1 North, with poster dunks and massive scoring performances, he should be ready to help the Kings try to go back-to-back. 

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Honourable mention: Iggy Mitchell 

Sam McDaniel 

The NBL1 South Grand Final MVP Sam McDaniel had an electric performance against the Pioneers in the Grand Final, scoring 32 points in an unguardable fashion. 

While McDaniel is a familiar name to NBL fans, his NBL1 season has given him more confidence and room to grow with the Hobart Chargers. Giving him a head start by playing in Tasmania already before the start of NBL23. 

Honourable mention: Jack McVeigh

Feature image via: Gordon Greaves / Cairns Basketball