Category: NBL

Sydney reclaims top spot after 87-81 win over Brisbane

Brandon King

Andrew Bogut still has gas in the tank, Daniel Kickert is still a force and the Sydney Kings are back at the top of the ladder after an 87-81 win in Brisbane on Friday night. Those who questioned a ‘tired’ Sydney’s ability to match it with the best have been caught crying wolf as the Kings took care of business beating the Bullets by six points at Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Bogut was the best player on the court, but not even he could register a single offensive rebound as the…

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Cairns defeats New Zealand in OT 106-98

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au: FAST FACTS • Cairns have hosted consecutive home games with overtime for the first time in their history • The Taipans came from 12 points down to win – the first time they have won from more than four points behind this season • It was Taipans first overtime win since December 2015 after five consecutive losses • Melo Trimble had 32 points, five rebounds and five assists. First Taipan ever to have 32/5/5 twice in the same season • Jarrad Weeks scored 17 points for the Bre…

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Why NBA people whose thoughts, actions and decisions mean something are looking at the NBL

Brandon King

This is an interesting read from Liam Santamaria on how more NBA team eyes are starting to focus on the NBL. Written for nbl.com.au by Liam Santamaria The NBL’s reputation as a breeding ground for NBA talent continues to grow, with more NBA coaches, agents, analysts and scouts than ever viewing the league as a legitimate development pathway. It’s a reputation that has skyrocketed over recent years thanks to a combination of factors, including the increased visibility of the league, the NBLxNBA initiative and the success of young players developing…

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Illawarra defeats New Zealand 107-96 in come from behind win

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au: Forward pair Todd Blanchfield and Brian Conklin combined for 47 points to lead the Illawarra Hawks to Friday night’s inspired 107-96 comeback victory over the New Zealand Breakers at WIN Entertainment Centre. Illawarra were behind at every change before outscoring the Breakers 34-11 in the final quarter to claim their 10th win of the season and stay in the finals race. Jordair Jett and AJ Ogilvy scored 14 points apiece off the bench for the Hawks, while four-time Olympian David Andersen added 10. “Our last four games are…

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NBL Round 13 Studs and Duds

Brandon King

Written for nbl.com.au by Liam Santamaria A trio of gutsy comebacks highlighted an eventful Round 13 – a weekend full of big-time players making big-time plays, more surprising results and, of course, plenty of studs and duds. STUDS Melo Trimble (Cairns Taipans) With his mum paying a visit from the States, Trimble poured in a massive 74 points across Round 13, connecting on a flat-out ridiculous 13-of-17 from long range. Wheeling and dealing off the dribble, the talented point(s) guard was borderline unstoppable for most of the weekend as he…

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Sydney keeps winning ways going with 83-68 over Illawarra

Brandon King

Less than two days after a stunning last-gasp win over NBL leaders Perth, the Sydney Kings racked up a fourth straight victory with Sunday’s convincing 83-68 defeat of NSW rivals the Illawarra Hawks at WIN Entertainment Centre. The Hawks had gone to great efforts to build up the game as their inaugural Indigenous themed contest as they wore specially designed jerseys and it loomed as a big game for both teams – Illawarra to keep building some momentum and Sydney to keep its winning run going. As it turned out,…

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Perth comes back to stun Breakers 91-86

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au: The Perth Wildcats just refuse to lose. Despite MVP Bryce Cotton joining captain Damian Martin on the sidelines and the New Zealand Breakers being in control for 35 minutes, the league-leaders pulled out a miraculous 91-86 win at RAC Arena on Sunday. The Breakers started on fire with the opening 10 points and even though they were missing their own pair of Tall Blacks Shea Ili and Finn Delany, they remained on top of the contest. New Zealand led by as much 16, were still up 11 early…

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Liam Santamaria’s Studs and Duds: Round 6

Brandon King

Written for nbl.com.au by Liam Santamaria   Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide all made statements throughout Round 6, while the ‘Cats escaped a WILD finish in the Tropics. Here are your Round 6 studs and duds.   STUDS Melbourne United You have to tip your hat to the defending champs for the toughness they’ve shown throughout their brutal recent schedule. After a high-quality win ‘across the ditch’ on Friday night, United returned home for their eighth game in twenty-two days and took care of business against the Bullets. Melbourne trailed Brisbane…

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NBL returns to Australia’s capital city

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au:   The Hungry Jack’s NBL will return to Canberra when the Illawarra Hawks play the Cairns Taipans on Australia Day. The NBL today announced a partnership with the ACT Government and Basketball ACT to bring elite basketball back to the nation’s capital. The ACT Government will invest $125,000 to bring a Hawks game to AIS Arena on January 26 . The team will also host a number of coaching clinics with ACT Representative squads and ACT coaches, visit a number of schools and play against the AIS Centre of…

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Adelaide 36ers and Adris De Leon part ways

Brandon King

After the team’s 93-81 loss to the Sydney Kings, the Adelaide 36ers and point guard Adris De Leon have parted ways. This season De Leon averaged 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists on 33% from the field in 18.7 minutes per contest; all of numbers that were below his career averages (16.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists on 41% FG). De Leon will return to his home country, the Dominican Republic, where he will have the option to play out a longer term deal in the national league there.…

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