Category: NBL

NBL: Humphries and Giddey lead 36ers to victory over Breakers

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au: It was anything but a two-man show, but Isaac Humphries and Josh Giddey showed they are going to help make the Adelaide 36ers tough to beat this season leading the Sixers to an 88-78 over the New Zealand Breakers. The 36ers were playing their fifth consecutive home game at Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Wednesday night and on the back of a flying start, and with Humphries and Giddey showing the way, the Sixers led from go to woe to win by 10. It’s the first time the 36ers…

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Big-time Doubleheader to tip off NBL21 Season

Staff

From nbl.com.au: The 2020-21 Hungry Jack’s NBL Season will tip off on Friday January 15 with a blockbuster double header to open the league’s 43rd season. Last season’s finalists the Cairns Taipans will meet the new look Hawks led by recently returned master coach Brian Goorjian. This will be followed by reigning champions the Perth Wildcats taking on Melbourne United as they begin their campaign for a third consecutive title. The NBL today announced a revised schedule for the first two rounds of the season. The opening round of games…

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Accessing every NBL21 roster

Brandon King

From Liam Santamaria at nbl.com.au: Can you believe it? After the longest off-season in NBL history we’re now only two weeks from opening night. NBL21 is just around the corner! So, as we approach the start of the season, let’s take stock of where each club currently sits in terms of their roster. Of course, most teams are locked, loaded and ready to go. Some, however, still have a final piece to add to their puzzle. As a bit of a snapshot, I’ve listed each squad’s returning players, their new…

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NBL21 Free Agency: SE Melbourne signs Keifer Sykes

Staff

From nbl.com.au: The South East Melbourne Phoenix have announced the signing of high-flying American point guard Keifer Sykes as their second import on a one-year deal. The 26-year-old Chicago native has played for a number of clubs across the world – most recently at EuroLeague giants Panathinaikos – since finishing a stellar college career at Green Bay. He’s also represented Cleveland, Golden State and Denver at the NBA Summer League, and the Austin Spurs in the NBA G-League. Sykes won two Horizon League Player of the Year awards at college,…

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Brisbane Bullets sign former Magic two way player Vic Law

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au: The Brisbane Bullets have secured their second and final import for the 2020/21 Hungry Jack’s NBL Season with the signing of recent NBA player Vic Law. Law is coming off a 2019/20 season where he played for the Orlando Magic and their G-League affiliate the Lakeland Magic. The 24-year-old appeared in nine games for Orlando, which included a 10-point performance against the New Orleans Pelicans in August in the NBA bubble.  The 6’7” small forward made the 2020 All-NBA G-League Third Team after averaging 19.7 points, 8.1 rebounds…

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RJ Hampton says NBL experience gives him edge in the draft

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au: NBL Next Star RJ Hampton says playing with the New Zealand Breakers last season gives him an edge over some college players in next month’s NBA Draft. Hampton bypassed multiple high-profile division one colleges to play in the NBL last season, a decision he believes helps his prospects in the NBA Draft. “I think the overseas experience helped me a lot,” Hampton said in a draft combine media session. “Playing against grown men, being on a professional team, I think that’s enough in itself. “I feel like with my…

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Hawks owner focused on championships

Staff

From nbl.com.au: The Hawks Co-Owner Dorry Kordahi has declared the club is ready to fight with the league’s powerhouses and become a perennial championship contender. The new ownership group of Kordahi, Bryan Colangelo and Michael Proctor have led an offseason of change for The Hawks. Master coach Brian Goorjian has been recruited while they’ve broken club records for the amount of money spent on the playing roster. Kordahi hopes the new beginning will symbolise the start of a winning culture being installed at The Hawks, a club that has been…

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Former Sacramento State guard Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’afa signs with SE Melbourne as development player

Brandon King

Story via semphoenix.com.au, image via Photosport NZ Sacramento State guard Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’afa (pronounced Mo-dee-oh-ho-ho Lee-ah-fuh) will represent South East Melbourne Phoenix in the NBL21 season. The New Zealand native has signed as a development player with the Phoenix following four years in the American college system as a starter at the Sacramento State Hornets. Mauriohooho-Le’afa played professionally for the New Zealand NBL’s Wellington Saints prior to his college career and more recently for the Auckland Huskies, where he averaged 20 points and five assists, won defensive player of the year…

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NBL21 Free Agency: DJ Newbill inks deal in Japan

Staff

From nbl.com.au: NBL20’s Best Defensive Player DJ Newbill has signed in Japan with Osaka Evessa for the coming season. The Club made the announcement official with a release on their website and social media channels. Newbill has spent the past three seasons in the NBL, his first with the New Zealand Breakers followed by two years with the Cairns Taipans. The lockdown defender was a key cog in the Taipans run to the Finals in NBL20, averaging 18.5 points and 1.3 steals per game. Newbill was rewarded for his strong…

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Melbourne and Casey Prather agree to part ways

Brandon King

from melbourneutd.com.au: Melbourne United and Casey Prather have agreed to mutually terminate the second season of his agreement. The 29-year-old forward joined the club in 2017 and played a big part in Melbourne United’s maiden Championship, his third consecutive NBL title. Prather, known for his elite athleticism and crowd-stunning highlights, quickly became a fan favourite. However, due to the unprecedented turn of events over the past year and changes to league operating rules, both parties have agreed to head in a different direction. “Casey is a fantastic player and an…

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