Category: National Basketball League

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

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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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NBL21 Free Agency: Adelaide 36ers sign Donald Sloan

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au: The Adelaide 36ers have announced the signing of US import, and former NBA guard Donald Sloan for the NBL21 season. From Louisiana, Donald’s career has included significant stints in the NBA, NBA G-League, Chinese Basketball Association and also the Basketball Bundesliga in Germany. The 32-year-old, 191 cm guard most recently played with Baskets Bonn in the Basketball Bundesliga. Averaging 11.7 points a contest in Germany before Covid 19 ceased play. In the season prior, Donald posted 25.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game for the Jiangsu…

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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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August 14 2020 NBL21 Free Agency

Brandon King

from nbl.com.au: With free agency underway, NBL Media’s Liam Santamaria is taking a look at each and every signing and breaking down what it all means ahead of #NBL21. SIGNING SNAPSHOT: JORDAN NGATAI TO CAIRNS Signed by: Cairns Taipans The deal: Two years (club option final year) Age: 27 2019-20 team: New Zealand Breakers 2019-20 stats (per game): 1.2 points, 1.2 rebounds, 27.3 FG%, 26.9 3P%, 50.0 FT% Projected role: Back-up wing. Quote: “Jordan is a talented, tough, team-first player… I want to continue to see him grow in our…

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NBL21 Free Agency : Illawarra Hawks sign American Justin Simon

Staff

From nbl.com.au : The Hawks have secured their second import for the 2020/21 Hungry Jack’s NBL Season signing defensive ace Justin Simon to a one-year deal. Simon played for the Windy City Bulls in the NBA G-League this past season, the G-League affiliate of the Chicago Bulls. The 24-year-old averaged 12.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.2 steals in 43 games for Windy City. Simon has links to the NBL, having been coached by former Sydney Kings coach Damian Cotter in the G-League. The California native had a three-year college career,…

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NBL21 Free Agency: Perth signs John Mooney

Staff

from nbl.com.au : The Perth Wildcats have announced the signing of American power forward John Mooney. Standing at 206cm and weighing 111kg, Mooney was the NCAA leader in both defensive rebounds and double-doubles last season at Notre Dame. The 23-year-old is excited to begin his professional career with the reigning NBL champions. “I’m humbled and flattered for the interest Perth has given me and I couldn’t be more excited to have signed my deal. I understand the Wildcats organisation values winning, working hard and setting a great example for the…

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NBL21 Free Agency : Cairns signs Jordan Ngatai

Brandon King

from nbl.com.au: The CQUniversity Cairns Taipans have signed New Zealand forward Jordan Ngatai for NBL21. The four-time NZNBL Champion, 2015 NBL Champion and Tall Blacks representative on a two-year deal (second year Club option), his first NBL contract outside of New Zealand. The versatile forward recently won the NZNBL title where he averaged second in each major statical category: points (18.2) rebounds (5.7) and assists (4.5) for the Otago Nuggets, playing alongside Taipans guard Jarrod Kenny. Like Kenny, Ngatai has a storied career with extensive experience in the NBL, NZNBL…

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