NBL1 Central basketball’s top 10 player signings of 2023 revealed
The 2023 NBL1 Central season is just a month away and we’ve ranked the top signings across SA’s local clubs. See who made the cut.
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The 2023 NBL1 Central basketball season is just one month away and many of SA’s clubs have strengthened their lists for what should be an exciting campaign.
From big NBL names to rising local stars, we’ve ranked the 10 best signings across the competition for the upcoming season.
Here are our rankings from number 10 to 1.
10. AKECH ALIIR
(Canberra Gunners to North Adelaide)
22-year-old prospect Akech Aliir has joined the Rockets from Canberra ahead of the NBL1 Central season, bringing significant potential with him.
A talented forward who provides a big presence on either end of the court, Aliir averaged 11 points and eight rebounds for the Gunners last season.
9. JAEDYN CERDA
(Southern Tigers to Central District)
Cerda will provide a welcomed boost to Central District’s women’s team, the star guard departing Southern Tigers and signing with the Lions ahead of season 2023.
Cerda had a dominant season at Southern in 2022, averaging 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
8. BRAD RATHJEN
(North Adelaide to Forestville)
Rathjen showed glimpses of his ability for North Adelaide last season after arriving from Mount Gambier, despite suffering injury and only managing to play 11 games.
Rathjen is a dynamic wing who can score in a multitude of ways on the offensive end, tallying 11 points and three assists per game for the Rockets last season.
He should be a strong fit at Forestville and will be a chance to reach the next level with the Eagles.
7. TAYLAH LEVY
(Cleveland State to Eastern Mavericks)
Levy marked the biggest signing for the Mavericks’ women’s side so far this off-season, arriving at the club after time with Cleveland State.
She is a skilled guard and floor general who can score and help to open up holes on the offensive end, and should instantly make the Mavericks more competitive in 2023.
6. IMANI GUY
(Eastern Suns to Central District)
A significant pick-up for the Lions, Guy is coming off of a fantastic 2022 during which she played for the Marian University in the United States and also averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds a game for the Eastern Suns in NBL1 West.
Guy is an athletic big who can run the floor well and possesses elite skills on both offence and defence.
She should prove to be a big contributor this season.
5. JOEL SPEAR
(Sturt to West Adelaide)
Spear marks one of three major signings for West Adelaide during the pre-season.
A star guard during his time at Sturt, Spear is coming off of one of his best individual seasons, averaging nearly 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists a game.
4. LAUREN MANSFIELD
(Gold Coast to North Adelaide)
A WNBL player with the Adelaide Lightning, Mansfield remains one of the biggest arrivals to the NBL1 Central competition for 2023.
The 32-year-old shooting guard will return to her hometown club after signing with the Lightning for season 2022-2023, and has experience on the biggest stage having played in the 2018 FIBA World Cup.
3. MITCH MCCARRON
(Northside Wizards to West Adelaide)
A standout guard who also plays for the Adelaide 36ers, McCarron has signed with the Bearcats for the local basketball season.
McCarron has averaged eight points, four assists and five rebounds throughout the current NBL season for the 36ers and should have a major impact at West Adelaide.
2. ISOBEL BORLASE
(Forestville)
One of Australia’s brightest young basketball stars, 18-year-old Borlase has signed with Forestville’s women’s side for season 2023.
A regular in junior state and national sides who recently signed with the Adelaide Lightning, Borlase is a dominant guard who can run the offence, play strong perimeter defence and also score from inside or outside.
Her inclusion should take the Eagles to championship contention.
1. ANTHONY DRMIC
(Northside Wizards to West Adelaide)
A long-time NBL player for the Adelaide 36ers and Brisbane Bullets, Drmic will suit up for the Bearcats after returning to Adelaide last year.
The former NBL rookie of the year has been a reliable wing for many years, stretching defences with his ability to shoot outside and create for teammates.
Joining McCarron and Spear at West Adelaide, Drmic could be the catalyst for a Bearcats men’s championship in 2023.
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