SuperCoach NBL Cheapie Bible: The 25 best value picks

Recruiting bargain players with upside is a challenging part of compiling a winning SuperCoach NBL roster. Lucky for you, NBL expert Mick Randall gives his one-line verdict on the main targets.

Mick Randall

3 min read

September 13, 2024 - 1:54PM

SuperCoach NBL

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Picking topscoring superstars for your SuperCoach NBL squad is generally the easiest part.

Recruiting the right bargain players with the most scoring upside to fill out your roster is a challenge.

Because bench scores matter in SuperCoach NBL, getting the balance between high scoring team leaders and second stringers who score consistently is key to winning.

Here is my one-line analysis of the best bargain players, including the most owned to date, as we count down to tip off for NBL25.

Rocco Zikarsky. Picture: Getty

Rocco Zikarsky BRIS ($95,700 CTR) – 45.9%

The biggest boy in Aussie basketball is the clear back up to Tyrell Harrison and his ability to block shots and rebound should provide a money-making path.

Lachlan Olbrich. Picture: Getty

Lachlan Olbrich ILL ($121,400 CTR/FWD) – 39.6%

Huge level-up expected after good signs last season and an MVP campaign in the NZNBL.

Ben Henshall. Picture: Getty

Ben Henshall PER ($69,000 FWD/GRD) – 32.7%

One of Australia’s finest young talents is dirt cheap, will he get enough game time to be fantasy relevant?

Casey Prather. Picture: AAP

Casey Prather BRIS ($139,200 FWD/GRD) – 23.9%

Injuries and age the big worry here. Can get on the floor and be a SuperCoach threat?

William Hickey. Picture: Getty

Will Hickey ILL ($106,000 GRD) – 22%

Looks the clear backup to Trey Kell after making big strides last season.

Izan Almansa PER ($115,000 FWD/CTR) – 16%

Feels like a wait-and-see but Perth’s lack of centres should give him a chance to be the main back up to Keanu Pinder at the five.

Elijah Pepper PER ($69,000 GRD) – 13%

New arrival who is in a similar boat to Ben Henshall. Both elite young talents but there’s always a ceiling when Bruce Cotton is around.

Angus Glover. Picture: Getty

Angus Glover SEM ($110,500 GRD) – 12%

In a glut of guards remains to be seen how big his role is but confidence is through the roof after a change of scenery and monster NBL1 season.

Tyler Robertson SYD ($69,000 GRD/FWD) – 12%

Ownership feels way too high to me, given how stacked Sydney’s roster is.

Jackson Makoi. Picture: South Sudan Basketball Media

Jackson Makoi CRNS ($58,500 GRD) – 10%

Suspended for the first two games for DUI but should be primary back up to Taran Armstrong on his return.

Keli Leaupepe. Picture: Getty

Keli Leaupepe SYD ($69,000 FWD) – 9%

Like Robertson, I’m not as high on Leaupepe due to the Kings’ loaded roster.

Malique Lewis SEM ($115,000 FWD) – 5%

Has shown real signs he can make an impact. Long, strong and athletic, he’ll make mistakes but has been the pick of the new Next Stars early in pre-season.

Kyle Adnam CRNS ($69,000 GRD)

Love the veteran Aussie point guard, but not sure the SuperCoach role will be there.

Nick Marshall ADEL ($105,100 FWD)

Scoring machine who dominates NBL1 level but is yet to quite get it right in the big show. Is this the campaign he stamps himself on?

Sunday Dech. Picture: Getty

Sunday Dech ADEL ($104,700 GRD)

Fell off a cliff amid last season’s turmoil but has reportedly had a great off-season prep and refocused on a clear role. Good money-making potential.

AK Gak CRNS ($136,200 FWD/CTR)

Will know more after the Blitz but hard to trust coach Adam Forde’s penchant for varying his line-ups.

Kyle Bowen. Picture: Getty

Kyle Bowen MEL ($127,000 FWD)

Coach’s fave whose efficient game contributes to winning, but not SuperCoach.

Flynn Cameron MEL ($106,000 GRD)

Biding his time behind the best guard combo in the NBL. Can’t see SuperCoach relevance yet.

Fabijan Krslovic. Picture: Getty

Fabijan Krslovic TAS ($90,500 FWD)

Cheap for a reason. Only real path to relevance would be an injury to one of the Jackies’ big men.

Akech Aliir MEL ($58,500 FWD)

Just made United’s roster, elevated from development player and made the game-winning play in the double-overtime pre-season Throwdown. Unlikely to get a ton of burn but a full rostered player at that price is a must-watch.

Jason Spurgin. Picture: Getty

Jason Spurgin SYD ($58,500 CTR)

One to watch in Sydney. A development player but the Kings lack genuine height and he’s a seven-footer, so could be called upon against teams with bigger men like Melbourne United and Brisbane.

Ben Griscti. Picture: Mark Brake

Ben Griscti ADL ($69,000 CTR)

Another full rostered young gun who likely won’t have much of a role in Adelaide but would be in line for playing time if Isaac Humphries went down with an injury.