The major ins, outs and re-signings of the NBL1 off-season so far including CJ Turnage and Scott Ninnis
From MVP departures to iconic coach signings and the return of a female powerhouse of men’s basketball, here are the surprises to hit SA’s top league for 2022.
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It’s been three months since the NBL1 Central deciders were won and many teams around the league have made moves to bolster their forces for the 2022 season.
Men’s MVP CJ Turnage and women’s MVP Teige Morrell have both departed their clubs – Norwood and Southern – while former Adelaide 36ers coaches Scott Ninnis and Tracy York will enter the league.
From player and coach movements to key re-signings, these are the biggest moves by both men’s and women’s teams so far.
MVPs CJ Turnage, Teige Morrell leave for NBL1 West’s Joondalup
Reigning MVPs Turnage and Morrell had been stars of South Australian basketball for multiple years before deciding to leave for WA and join Joondalup.
The American imports dominated last season, with Turnage averaging 24 points, seven rebounds and five assists for Norwood and Morrell putting up 23 points and 12 rebounds a game for Southern Tigers.
The departures have come as a surprise, with both players achieving big individual and team success in 2021 – Turnage falling just short in the grand final with Norwood and Morrell winning the women’s title with the Tigers.
Both teams now have huge holes to fill heading into 2022.
Scott Ninnis signs with South Adelaide
Adelaide 36ers championship player and coach Scott Ninnis has signed with South Adelaide as the club’s men’s coach for season 2022.
Ninnis, originally from the Panthers, brings a wealth of experience with him as a three-time title winning player and assistant coach with the 36ers.
It is a significant coup for South Adelaide as the club aims to take its men’s side to the top.
Superstars Alex Starling, Olivia Levicki commit to Panthers
South Adelaide has continued its successful break by locking star men’s and women’s players Alex Starling and Olivia Levicki (nee Thompson) in for the future.
Levicki was the women’s league scoring and rebounding champion this year and was also named as an all-star.
Starling had a dominant year for the men, scoring 16 points, dishing three assists and pulling in 13 rebounds a game.
Tracy York pens deal with Central District Lions
Former Adelaide 36ers assistant coach Tracy York will become the first ever female coach of an NBL1 Central men’s team when she leads the Lions next season.
York, currently coaching the Bendigo Spirit in the WNBL, was assistant at the 36ers from 2014 to 2019 and previously coached the Adelaide Lightning and Southern Tigers.
Jackson signs on with the Warriors
Woodville got their off-season off to a great start by extending star player Joe Jackson’s deal to the end of 2022.
Then American recruit impressed in his first season in SA last season, averaging 17 points and 12 rebounds a game.
He also led the league in blocks through 2021.
The re-signing comes as a huge boost for the Warriors, who finished seventh on the standings.
Championship coach remains at North
2021 men’s championship coach Dean Nyberg will stay on with the North Adelaide Rockets after another successful season at the helm.
Before winning the 2021 championship over Norwood by 15 points, Nyberg led Southern Tigers’ men’s team to two separate titles.
He joins accomplished North women’s coach Brenton Johnson in re-signing with the club.
Iconic Forestville leader all-in for 2022
Iconic Forestville Eagles coach Andrew Simons will remain at the club in 2o22 after putting pen to paper yet again.
Simons, the father of Australia, Adelaide Lightning and Forestville women’s player Sam Simons, has been at the club since his junior playing days in 1973.
The Eagles finished second in NBL1 Central under his tutelage last season and will be aiming for championship success in 2022.
Ricardo Martin returns to the Tigers
After a season at the Ringwood Hawks in NBL1 South, utility Ricardo Martin will return to the Southern Tigers for season 2022.
He had a strong season in NBL1 South, averaging double digit scoring to go along with nearly five rebounds.
He should prove to be a big boost for the club and continues Southern’s positive after losing Teige Morrell – the club also recently signing star guard Morgan Yaeger to an extension.
Clarke to spearhead Southern women in back-to-back mission
Popular women’s coach Matthew Clarke will head Southern’s women’s side again in 2022 after leading them to a championship over North Adelaide last season.
His team had an extraordinary 16-2 record during the regular season in 2021 and Clarke will be looking to take them to the top yet again.
Basham and Wilson join forces at Norwood
Forestville star Brooke Basham surprised many by deciding to sign with the Flames for 2022, as she joins partner and re-signing Flames star Alex Wilson.
Basham, a reliable scorer, put up 18 points a game for Forestville last season while Wilson – who also plays for the Lightning – was a superstar at Norwood, averaging 23 points, 10 rebounds and nearly six assists.
The signings continue a big off-season for the Flames, who also recently replaced men’s coach Mike Malat with Tim Odell – who won the club’s coach of the year award last year while heading the under-16s.
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