NBL1 Central’s NBL and WNBL players, including Daniel Johnson, Jack Purchase and Sam Simons
Our local basketball comp is as strong as ever with top players hitting the court. Here are the NBL and WNBL pros playing for your local clubs.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The NBL1 Central season is over a month in and SA’s top local competition is looking as strong as ever in 2022.
Each club in the men’s and women’s competition made major recruitments in the offseason and managed to retain most of their star players.
The continued improvement of the league has seemingly coincided with the improvement of the WNBL and NBL in recent years, and NBL1 Central currently plays host to 11 players who are part of WNBL and NBL lists.
Perth Wildcats player Jack Purchase – who joined Forestville at the start of this season – said the quality of NBL1 Central had improved significantly.
“The competition is definitely a lot better than it used to be – you go in every week with a chance to lose if you’re not at your best,” Purchase said.
“I think over time clubs have recruited well and have also continued to develop their juniors and bring them through the ranks so it’s only going to continue to get better.”
Purchase has been joined by star Adelaide 36ers big man Daniel Johnson for season 2022, and the two of them join Forestville women’s players Sam Simons (Adelaide Lightning) and Isabella Stratford (Bendigo Spirit) in a group of players at the club with top level experience.
Purchase was thrilled with the chance he now had to win with the Eagles.
“My time at Forestville has been great so far and everyone has looked after me since I arrived a few weeks ago,” he said.
“I’m just looking forward to integrating into the team and contributing to wins however I can – we’re all really focused on sticking together and going far.”
Basketball SA operations manager Jacqui McConville said the continued participation of NBL and WNBL players would have a ripple effect through the league.
“It lifts the profile of the league and it lifts the quality and standard for each player - if you’re going up against WNBL or NBL players you’re going to do everything you can to improve and match them,” McConville said.
“It’s really going to have a big impact on juniors as well because a lot of our NBL and WNBL players, especially in the women’s competition come through our junior ranks.
“It shows juniors wearing the same colours what they can aspire to and that they can do it as well, and it really showcases that the district junior pathways are going to put kids in the position to be successful.”
McConville also believed the competition would only get stronger.
“I can definitely see NBL and WNBL players playing NBL1 becoming a bigger trend.
“There’s more television coverage now and it can become an extra layer in their cycle where they will participate to keep their fitness and game in check in a competitive environment, which can only bring positives for us and for the SA basketball community.”
With more top-level players in the NBL1 Central competition than ever this season, we’ve compiled the full list of each WNBL and NBL player in SA’s top local league and the clubs they represent.
DANIEL JOHNSON (Forestville, Adelaide 36ers)
Johnson is arguably the most high-profile player in local SA basketball.
An NBL professional since his Melbourne Tigers debut in 2008, the key big man has played over 10 years for the 36ers.
The 34-year-old has also represented the West Adelaide Bearcats, Sturt Sabres and South Adelaide Panthers in SA’s local competitions, and has now returned to Forestville for a second stint with the club.
Johnson has played three games for the Eagles so far this NBL1 Central season, and posted huge performances of 21 points, 20 rebounds and seven assists against Eastern Mavericks and 19 points, three steals, six rebounds and eight assists against Sturt.
JASMIN FEJO (West Adelaide, Adelaide Lightning)
Fejo has played for the Lightning since 2020 and has fast-become one of the best young guards in SA.
The 21-year-old possesses strong decision making and a wide array of skills on the offensive end, making her a headache for opposition defences.
Fejo has completely dominated the NBL1 Central season so far and is a big reason why West Adelaide currently sits third on the ladder.
She is averaging 22 points, six assists and five rebounds a game.
JACK PURCHASE (Forestville, Perth Wildcats)
Star forward Jack Purchase is set to provide Forestville with a major boost once he integrates into the side.
Having played for the NBL’s Melbourne Tigers for four years, as well as Melbourne United, the Adelaide 36ers and the Perth Wildcats for a year apiece, Purchase has brought a lot of experience with him to NBL1 Central.
He rolled his ankle two weeks ago in his first game for the Eagles, but still posted impressive stats of 17 points, five rebounds and three assists.
He and Johnson could take Forestville all the way this year if they can gel, and stay fit.
ALEX WILSON (Norwood, Bendigo Spirit)
Having played for the Adelaide Lightning, Townsville Fire, Sydney Uni Flames and now the Bendigo Spirit, 28-year-old Wilson has been a star for years.
Wilson is a former WNBL rookie of the year and a two-time WNBL champion with Townsville and Sydney.
The star guard excelled for Norwood last season and is dominating again in 2022.
Over her first five outings for the Flames this year she has averaged 24 points seven rebounds and nearly five assists and will be in the season MVP discussion if her club can go deep in the season.
SAM SIMONS (Forestville, Adelaide Lightning)
Simons signed with the Lightning last season after years of stardom overseas and for Forestville.
A household name in SA basketball, Simons has played at the Eagles since she was a junior and won a championship with the club in 2019.
After dominating for Forestville in 2021, the skilful 21-year-old guard played a key role for the Lightning in its 2021-2022 WNBL campaign.
Across five NBL1 Central appearances so far this season, Simons is posting stats of 25 points, six rebounds and five assists per game as Forestville sits sixth on the ladder with a 3-3 record.
LACHLAN OLBRICH (Southern Tigers, Adelaide 36ers)
18-year-old Olbrich has been signed as a development player at the 36ers after an impressive season at NBL1 Central level for Southern Tigers in 2021.
The young tall has been a rising star in South Australia for multiple years now and has fine-tuned his game while representing the state and while training at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence.
The young gun has taken his game to another level for the Tigers so far this season, averaging 18 points and eight rebounds a game as a forward, most recently scoring 23 points to go with 12 rebounds against South Adelaide.
BROOKE BASHAM (Norwood, Adelaide Lightning)
Dynamic, high-scoring guard Basham signed with the Lightning in the WNBL ahead of the 2021-22 season after an impressive year for Forestville and then also made a move to Norwood in NBL1 Central.
The 24-year-old continues to perform for each club she represents and looks set to take Norwood to the next level alongside guard teammate Alex Wilson.
With an average of 21 points an outing in NBL1 Central so far this year, Basham has already shown glimpses of where her WNBL experience has taken her game.
JENNIE RINTALA (West Adelaide, Bendigo Spirit)
Rintala is one of the more experienced players in the NBL1 Central women’s competition, and has become a force in the frontcourt for the Bearcats.
The 31-year-old centre has played five years in the WNBL for the Adelaide Lightning and now the Bendigo Spirit and has continued to lead from the front for West Adelaide.
Rintala has been the perfect pairing with Fejo so far this year and has been averaging 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Her most recent outing was a 24 point, 16 rebound and three steal show against Woodville.
MORGAN YAEGER (Southern Tigers, Sydney Uni Flames)
Yaeger made the move to the Sydney Uni Flames after a brief stint with the Adelaide Lightning – which came after her years as a development player with SA’s WNBL club.
The 24-year-old guard has become Southern’s key player in 2022 and her early season performances reflect why.
She’s been leading the Tigers by example this year, showing her top level experience to drop 25 points, six assists and seven rebounds a game.
The Tigers currently sit equal fourth on the ladder.
ISABELLA STRATFORD (Forestville, Bendigo Spirit)
Yet another Forestville player to have garnered WNBL/NBL experience, Stratford – who moved to Forestville from Southern at the end of last season – has become a promising young guard in the NBL1 Central competition.
Joining the WNBL’s Spirit as a development player over recent years, the 20-year-old has been able to fine-tune her game as a guard and is showing potential as an all-round threat on both ends of the floor.
Her recent 17 point, nine rebound and five assist game against Eastern Mavericks is reflective of that.
DEMI SKINNER (Southern Tigers, Bendigo Spirit)
25-year-old Skinner has had a breakout year for Southern so far in 2022.
The scoring forward, who joined the Spirit in the WNBL in 2020, continues to develop as a threat from outside and inside the three-point line.
She has been touted as a key tool in the Spirit’s rebuilding phase and if her form for Southern in the NBL1 Central competition is anything to go by, she’s set for a big year ahead.
Skinner is averaging 19 points and eight rebounds so far this season, in comparison to her 13 point and five rebound averages last year.
‘Like a second home’: Local footy club legend calls time
A Southern Football League great has called time on his dazzling career ahead of season 2025 after winning a fourth A Grade premiership with his beloved local club in 2024.
Read more
‘Gone up a notch’: Local footy club makes major additions for season 2025
A recently relegated Adelaide Footy League club has welcomed back a number of big names for 2025 including a former Crows gun and dual league medallist as it prepares for instant division two success.
Read more