The top 20 NBL1 Central basketballers to watch in 2023 revealed
The NBL1 Central basketball season tips off on Saturday and ahead of the action we’ve picked the top 20 players to watch in 2023. See who made the cut.
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The 2023 NBL1 Central basketball season will begin this weekend as South Australia’s top local sides prepare to go head-to-head for the ultimate championship prize at the end of the year.
A number of clubs have retained or added top level talent for the 2023 season with star players across the board.
Ahead of the weekend’s action we’ve picked the top 20 players to watch this season.
Here is our list.
CENTRAL DISTRICT LIONS
RENAI FEJO
Star point guard Renai Fejo has joined Central District after a successful career with Woodville and will be a major key to the Lions’ finals hopes this NBL1 Central season.
The WNBL-experienced player is adept as a floor general on the offensive end and can score or assist at a high and consistent level.
BRANDEN JENKINS
Jenkins has signed on with the Lions after a strong 2022 season and will look to take his game up a level as his side aims to contend in the postseason.
The big man from America averaged 16 points and six rebounds a game last season and will remain a key cog in Central District’s offence again in 2023.
EASTERN MAVERICKS
TAYLAH LEVY
With experience in Cleveland State’s basketball program under her belt, Levy looks ready to perform for the Mavericks upon her return to South Australia.
A skilled guard who can defend at a high level as well as score and create opportunities for teammates on the offensive end, Levy could take the Mavericks to the another level.
JAMES LEGAN
Legan is coming off of a fantastic season for Eastern Mavericks during which he averaged 23 points a game as a dynamic scorer.
The American import has fit NBL1 Central and his side like a glove and should be ready to compete for finals this weekend.
FORESTVILLE EAGLES
ISOBEL BORLASE
A lot has been made of Borlase’s commitment to Forestville for the 2023 NBL1 Central season and the top SA prospect should undoubtedly live up to the billing.
Borlase is an elite defender and a top drawer player on the offensive end who has the ability to shoot from distance and set-up her teammates with spectacular passes.
The young star recently won the WNBL breakout player of the year and sixth woman of the year awards.
ADAM DOYLE
While Jack Purchase and Daniel Johnson were the standouts for Forestville last season, captain and guard Adam Doyle could be the most important player in the Eagles’ line-up this year.
Averaging 16 points and 8.5 assists a game last season, Doyle is the heart and soul of the Forestville line-up and could take his club to a championship if at his best.
NORTH ADELAIDE ROCKETS
TAYLA CORRIGAN
Corrigan is coming off of a strong 2022 campaign and will again look to lead her side to finals in 2023.
One of the Rockets’ biggest assets inside the paint, Corrigan averaged 12 points and nearly 10 rebounds a game last year.
RILEY HARRAP
Harrap will captain North Adelaide’s mens side this season.
He has remained a consistent wing throughout his time in the NBL1 Central competition and should improve on his 2022 averages of 13 points, four rebounds and three assists a game.
NORWOOD FLAMES
ALEX WILSON
Wilson will have national 3x3 team responsibilities in the early season but will be a star player in the NBL1 Central competition upon return.
The WNBL champion had arguably her best NBL1 Central season yet in 2022, averaging 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
TREY MCBRIDE
A talented combo guard out of Cincinatti, McBride has committed to Norwood after a strong season for the club last year.
An explosive player who can score inside and outside, McBride averaged 17 points a game last season and was one of the Flames’ biggest weapons.
SOUTH ADELAIDE PANTHERS
ASHLEIGH SPENCER
Spencer has re-signed with the Panthers women’s side for 2023 after a dominant offensive season for the club.
The South Adelaide gun is a versatile scorer who has the ability to take over a game.
She averaged 21 points last season.
DANIEL JOHNSON
One of the top players in NBL1 Central last season for Forestville, South Adelaide’s star recruit Daniel Johnson has the club primed for a strong push for back-to-back championships.
The veteran 36ers forward has been a machine in the post and can also hit from range, averaging 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists last year.
SOUTHERN TIGERS
MORGAN YAEGER
The Tigers’ star guard last season, Yaeger is set for another standout year of NBL1 Central action.
She averaged 17 points, six rebounds and nearly five assists last year, demonstrating her ability to impact all areas of the game.
JIMMA DAU
Arriving from North Adelaide in the off-season, Dau could bring the extra toughness the Tigers need for a deep finals run this year.
A versatile forward with nearly a seven-foot wingspan, Dau can score in bunches as well as pull down the most rebounds each game.
STURT SABRES
ZOE WALKER-ROBERTS
Walker-Roberts could take the next step this season with a significant chance for more playing time.
A jack of all trades, the rising Sturt star was not a major scorer in 2022 but still averaged five rebounds and four assists a game.
JACOB RIGONI
Rigoni starred for the Sabres last season upon return from overseas, quickly becoming his team’s top scorer as they went 9-9 on the season.
A dominant wing/forward who can do it all, he averaged 19 points, nine rebounds, and nearly four assists in 2022.
WEST ADELAIDE BEARCATS
JASMINE SIMMONS
The former Crows AFLW player will return full-time to West Adelaide this season to play basketball and is coming off of a championship season in 2022.
The talented guard who can also play big was a double-double machine last year, putting up 10 points and 10 rebounds a game.
ANTHONY DRMIC
Adelaide 36ers veteran Drmic’s arrival along with Mitch McCarron could prove to be what takes the Bearcats to a championship in 2023.
Drmic is a dominant wing who can score in bunches and is also a willing passer.
His addition to the Bearcats remains the biggest local basketball signing for 2023.
WOODVILLE WARRIORS
EMILY WINTER
Woodville’s women‘s star of 2022 has returned for 2023 as the club looks to take the next step and compete in finals.
The dominant big averaged 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists last season and should produce at a high level yet again.
JOE JACKSON
The Warriors fell just short of South Adelaide in the 2022 grand final but Joe Jackson’s return should ensure the side is ultra competitive yet again.
Jackson remains one of the best defensive players in the competition, averaging nearly two blocks a game last year to go along with his 13 points and eight rebounds.
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