Rather than pad the NCAA coffers for a year or two, highly touted high school prospect RJ Hampton took his talents to Oceania and plied his craft in the National Basketball League this year. Unfortunately for both Hampton and the New Zealand Breakers, the ride ended prematurely, as an injured hip cut his season short and in lieu of that injury, Hampton has returned to the U.S. from nbl.com.au : New Zealand Breakers Next Star RJ Hampton is returning home to the United States to continue rehabilitation on his injured hip and preparation for…
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LaMelo Ball has returned to the Uniced States
From nbl.com.au : Illawarra Hawks NBL Next Star LaMelo Ball has returned home to the US today to continue his rehabilitation and preparation for the 2020 NBA Draft. Ball, 18, had previously been ruled out for the remainder of the 2019-20 Hungry Jack’s NBL season due to a foot injury. He played 12 games for the Hawks and averaged 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists per game. Illawarra Hawks General Manager, Mat Campbell said: “With only four games remaining this season we understand LaMelo is keen to return home…
Read MoreLiam Santamaria’s Round 16 NBL Studs and Duds
From nbl.com.au : At the conclusion of each round, NBL Media’s Liam Santamaria lets us know who made the grade and who deserves a little shade. STUDS New Zealand Breakers Just when we thought they were out, they pull themselves back in. That’s the story for the Breakers this week after a couple of dubs have vaulted them right back into the playoff hunt. The Kiwis made big plays down the stretch to overcome the Kings in a thrilling clash on Friday night and then made life difficult for United…
Read MoreBoomers squad named for FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers
From nbl.com.au: Basketball Australia have named a 24-man Boomers squad for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup qualification games. The Boomers face New Zealand in Brisbane at Nissan Arena on February 20 before playing away to Hong Kong in their second game on February 23. The squad is headlined by 2019 FIBA World Cup team members Chris Goulding, Mitch Creek, David Barlow, Cam Gliddon and Nathan Sobey alongside emerging NBL stars including Will Magnay, Kouat Noi and Sunday Dech. Players from teams participating in the NBL Finals will not be named…
Read MorePerth defeats SE Melbourne 97-91 in Bryce Cotton’s 100th NBL game
From nbl.com.au : The Perth Wildcats have shown the South East Melbourne Phoenix no mercy on their second trip to RAC Arena putting on a clinic in the second half to celebrate Bryce Cotton’s 100th NBL appearance with the 97-71 win. The Wildcats were back at RAC Arena for their first home game of 2020 and while the first half didn’t reach any great heights, the home team still led by 10 at the main break. Then following a brief flurry from the Phoenix early in the second half, the…
Read MoreNBL to hold first-ever Indigenous Round
From nbl.com.au: The Hungry Jack’s National Basketball League (NBL) will stage its inaugural Indigenous Round from January 29-February 2. The round will recognise and acknowledge Indigenous culture and basketball across Australia and New Zealand. The decision to stage an Indigenous Round follows the success of last year’s Indigenous game hosted by the Illawarra Hawks. All nine NBL teams will wear Indigenous uniforms designed by local Indigenous artists in Round 18, while the Sydney Kings’ Indigenous game will be on January 19 and South East Melbourne Phoenix’s on February 9. All…
Read MoreNBL1 will have North and South Conferences in 2020
From nbl.com.au: Following the success of its inaugural season, NBL1 is set to expand with the establishment of North and South conferences in 2020. After a landmark agreement with Basketball Queensland, NBL1 North will replace the Queensland Basketball League (QBL) and there will be 13 clubs in the men’s and women’s league. Participating clubs will be Cairns Marlins and Dolphins, Townsville Heat and Flames, Rockhampton Rockets and Cyclones, Mackay Meteors and Meteorettes, Southern District Spartans, Sunshine Coast Phoenix, University of Sunshine Coast Rip, Brisbane Capitals, Logan Thunder, South West Metro…
Read MoreKendall Stephens’ big game powers South East Melbourne to key win over Illawarra
From nbl.com.au Kendall Stephens’ breakout party helped South East Melbourne Phoenix open up a handy first half lead and then he hit the two daggers to shake off a determined Illawarra Hawks for a critical 90-82 win on Sunday. The Phoenix had no choice but to win the game to close Round 15 at WIN Entertainment Centre against the bottom placed Hawks but they did have their work cut out when down nine early in the second quarter. It was Stephens who sparked a remarkable run of 17 straight points…
Read MoreLiam Santamaria’s Round 15 NBL Studs and Duds
From nbl.com.au : At the conclusion of each round, NBL Media’s Liam Santamaria lets us know who made the grade and who deserves a little shade. STUDS Adelaide 36ers That must’ve felt good for the 36ers. In a terrific result all-round for the club, the Sixers beat up on Melbourne on Saturday night in front of a record home crowd. Joey Wright’s men were the aggressors against United as they notched up a 32-point opening quarter, eventually running away with a 14-point win. “Right from the jump we were anticipating…
Read MoreSouth East Melbourne signs Devondrick Walker
From nbl.com.au: The South East Melbourne Phoenix is shooting a league-leading 38.46% from beyond the arc this season. That is set to improve with the addition of sharpshooting import Devondrick Walker. The 27-year-old Texan officially became the Phoenix’s replacement for import centre Keith Benson today and will add to the teams already impressive offensive arsenal. “I’m excited to join the Phoenix; it’s a new club with a healthy aspiration of getting to the top of the playoffs. Every game matters at this point so it’s an exciting time of year…
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