Player movements across every NBL1 Central club for the 2022 season
SA’s biggest basketball competition is just weeks out from tip-off. From committed stars to arrivals from overseas, these are the biggest movements at every club.
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The NBL1 season will begin on April 9, with each club ready to go for the men’s and women’s competitions in 2022.
A multitude of big moves have been made around the league ahead of tip-off, including the departure of MVPs, the return of star coaches and the acquisition of multiple overseas imports.
Bendigo Spirit coach Tracy York will coach the Central District men’s side in 2022, while Adelaide 36ers great Scott Ninnis has signed with South Adelaide as coach.
In addition, 2021 MVPs Teige Morrell and CJ Turnage have left their respective clubs – Southern and Norwood – for Joondalup in Western Australia.
Ahead of the April 9 season start, we’ve got the big ins and outs for every club.
CENTRAL DISTRICT LIONS
Men
In: Tracy York (coach), Tobias Dowdell (North Adelaide), Demetrius Perkins (USA), Bijan Johnson (Albury Wodonga), Tyrone Fui, Kalani Sapwell (re-signing), Michael Bivone (re-signing)
Out: Nil
Women
In: Raynisha Washington (Southern Peninsula), Casey Samuels (USA)
Out: Nil
With no significant departures from both its senior sides, Central District is looking to make a push for finals in 2022.
Former Adelaide 36ers assistant Tracy York will return to South Australia after coaching the WNBL’s Bendigo Spirit.
York was 36ers assistant from 2014 to 2019 and has also coached the Adelaide Lightning and Southern Tigers.
Along with the acquisition of York, the Lions have continued to add significantly to their men’s roster, bringing in Demetrius Perkins from the US and also adding North Adelaide star Tobias Dowdell.
Dowdell averaged 14 points and eight rebounds for the Rockets last season.
FORESTVILLE EAGLES
Men
In: Andrew Simons (coach, re-signed), Greg Mays (re-signed), Adam Doyle (Eltham), Malith Machar (re-signed), Brandon Brine (re-signed), Jack Purchase (Perth Wildcats)
Out: Michael Harris (Mount Gambier Pioneers)
Women
In: Daniel Stratford (coach), Sam Simons (re-signed), Jess Simons (re-signed), Isabella Stratford (Bendigo), Cara Annetts (re-signed)
Out: Brooke Basham (Norwood)
Forestville has bolstered its senior teams with a mix of re-signings and strong recruitments.
New women’s coach Daniel Stratford has multiple weapons at his disposal this year, and star guard Isabella Stratford - who plays with the Bendigo Spirit - will be one of those.
The arrival of Adam Doyle from Eltham and dominant forward Jack Purchase - who represents the Perth Wildcats - into the men’s side will also be a boost.
The Eagles have also re-signed big names like Brandon Brine, Greg Mays, Sam Simons and Cara Annetts, all of whom produced strong seasons in 2021.
Michael Harris is a significant out for the club, the star guard heading back home to Mount Gambier to play with the Pioneers after a successful Forestville career which also saw him make the Adelaide 36ers list.
EASTERN MAVERICKS
Men
In: Ioannis Dimakopoulos, Koop McCallop (Southern Tigers) Nelson Kirksey (USA)
Out: Nil
Women
In: Steve Knight (coach), Oksana Gouchie-Provencher (Canada), Brigitte Lefebvre-Okankwu (Canada)
Out: Mollie McCendrick (Southern Tigers)
Koop McCallop is a big signing for the Mavericks, the former Southern Tigers big man coming off another successful season as a scorer and rebounder.
The return of import Nelson Kirksey, who has previously won MVP with the Warriors, to Adelaide could also be of high importance for the Mavericks, as he provides top-class scoring talent.
New women’s coach Steve Knight would also be impressed with the signings the club has made for his team, with Oksana Gouchie-Provencher and Brigitte Lefebvre-Okankwu bringing strong skillsets on both sides of the ball.
NORTH ADELAIDE ROCKETS
Men
In: Dean Nyberg (coach, re-signed), Jimma Dau (re-signed), Hamish Staude (re-signed), Brad Rathjen (Mount Gambier Pioneers), Terry Winn (Luxembourg), Jamar Akoh (Iceland) Riley Harrap, Adam Schild, Dylan Marshall
Out: Tobias Dowdell (Central District Lions), Verle Williams (University of Sunshine Coast Basketball Club), Jack McVeigh (North Gold Coast),
Women
In: Brenton Johnson (coach, re-signed), Tayla Corrigan (re-signed), Sam Defrancesco (re-signed), Lauren Badenoch (re-signed), Courtney Hansen.
Out: Nil
North Adelaide has lost a host of star players from its 2021 championship-winning men’s team, and has looked at re-signings as well as the additions of Brad Rathjen from Mount Gambier and versatile wing Terry Winn from overseas.
Similar to Forestville, North Adelaide’s offseason has mainly revolved around re-signings.
Co-captains Sam Defrancesco and Lauren Badenoch will remain with the club while last year’s championship-winning men’s coach Dean Nyberg has also signed on.
NORWOOD FLAMES
Men
In: Tim Odell (coach), Ray Harding (re-signed), Luca Barei (re-signed), Matt Lycett (re-signing), Anthony Green (re-signed), Mitch Dix (re-signed), Daniel Webber (re-signed), David Rinaldi (elevated), Marco D’Annunzio (elevated)
Out: CJ Turnage (Joondalup)
Women
In: Brooke Basham (Forestville), Genna Anderson (re-signed), Alex Akuen (re-signed), Alex Wilson (re-signed), Sophie Kerridge (Mildura), Chelsea Apacible (re-signed), Page Keenihan (re-signed), Tara Girardi (re-signed), Mia Parkin (elevated), Jem Whitton (elevated), Ella Turnbull (elevated), Aimee Herriman (elevated), Amber Bing (elevated), Alice Sabine (elevated), Esther Scharfbillig (elevated)
Out: Nil
2021 league MVP CJ Turnage was all the talk in the offseason when he left the Flames for Joondalup in NBL1 West after dominating for the club and just losing out to North Adelaide in the grand final.
The club followed that development by re-signing a bunch of talent in both its senior teams, and also elevating youth players to its senior ranks.
The addition of Brooke Basham to the women’s team is also a major boost, the strong scorer putting up 18 points a game for Forestville last season.
SOUTH ADELAIDE PANTHERS
Men
In: Scott Ninnis (coach), Alex Starling (re-signed), Sam Johns (re-signed), Jarryd Hoppo (re-signed), Todd Davies (re-signed), Jeremy Smith (UK)
Out: Alex Mudronja (North Gold Coast)
Women
In: Olivia Levicki (nee Thompson (re-signed), Jordan Hunter (re-signed), Ashleigh Spencer (re-signed), Jade Johnson (Sturt Sabres), Hannah Stewart (re-signed), Hatti Cox (re-signed)
Out: Nil
Scott Ninnis headlines the big moves for the Panthers, the former Adelaide 36ers champion player and coach joining as men’s head coach.
Ninnis brings a wealth of experience with him and is a significant coup for South Adelaide as it aims for finals success this year.
The re-signing of star forward Alex Starling along with the introduction of Jeremy Smith from the United Kingdom could also prove significant for the club.
For the women, guard Jade Johnson, having most recently played in the USA, returns to SA to suit up for the Panthers, while 2021 scoring and rebound champion Olivia Levicki has committed for 2022.
SOUTHERN TIGERS
Men
In: Tom Hilbig (SA Metro, coach),Lochlan Olbrich (36ers development player), Ricardo Martin (Ringwood), Viont’e Daniels (USA)
Out: Koop McCallop (Eastern Mavericks), David Morrell (Joondalup, coach)
Women
In: Morgan Yaeger (re-signed), Jemma Thacker (re-signed) Mollie McKendrick (Eastern Mavericks)
Out: Teige Morrell (Joondalup)
While the loss of MVP Teige Morrell from its premiership-winning women’s side will sting, the Tigers have done well to bring in Eastern Mavericks veteran Mollie McKendrick.
McKendrick averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Mavericks last season and should fill Morrell’s shoes nicely.
The re-signing of 36ers development player Lochlan Olbrich and the additions of Ricardo Martin from the Ringwood Hawks and Viont’e Daniels from the US will also be a big boost for the club.
Martin is a versatile two-way wing, and skilful guard Daniels, who signed for Southern in 2020, will pull on the black and gold for the first time after heading home during Covid.
STURT SABRES
Men
In: Paul Rigoni (coach, re-signed)
Out: Nil
Women
In: Tim Shortt (Unley, coach)
Out: Jade Johnson (South Adelaide)
The introduction of famed Unley High School head of basketball Tim Shortt as women’s coach is the only notable change the Sabres have made for this season.
Shortt has endless experience in basketball and will bring a fresh style of play to the Sabres women as they aim to contend in 2022.
WEST ADELADE BEARCATS
Men
In: Lachlan Hunter (re-signed), Nate Sheppard (USA), Anthony Spadevecchia (re-signed), Pagtrick Ciggas (re-signed), Luke Cadzow (re-signed)
Out: Bryan Michaels (Warwick)
Women
In: Kaye-Lee Stuart (re-signed), Jasmin Fejo (re-signed)
Out: Nil
The Bearcats have locked in multiple star players for 2022 as it looks for continued improvement across the club.
While Michaels has left, the introduction of shooting guard/small forward Nate Sheppard from the United States looks set to be a valuable one for the men’s side.
The club’s roster continuity could put it in a strong position for a deep finals push in 2022.
WOODVILLE WARRIORS
Men
In: Joe Jackson (re-signed), Riley Meldrum (re-signed), Daniel McKee (re-signed), James Boonstoppel (re-signed), Devon McGee (re-signed), Jawan Stepney (USA)
Out: Julian Jacobs (USA)
Women
In: Matt Atkins (coach), Renai Fejo (Victoria), Regan Turnour-McCarty (QLD), Emily Winter (re-signed), Deanna Troia (re-signed), Isabella Musci (re-signed), Zali Turner (re-signed), Katherine Perkas (re-signed), Amy Horskins (re-signed)
Out: Serena Winters (Darwin)
Woodville secured the services of new women’s coach Matt Atkins from Central District and followed that by re-signing key players and locking down new guard Renai Fejo from Victoria.
The men’s side’s important re-signing of guard Joe Jackson was also followed by the arrival of Jawan Stepney – a talented guard from the USA who will replace previous import Julian Jacobs.
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