NBL stars, NBA prospects headline All-Queensland State League team selections

NBL stars, NBA prospects headline the All-Queensland State League first and second teams. SEE WHO MADE IT.

Australian Boomers and NBL stars, NBA prospects and some of the state’s best up and coming talents – our Courier Mail All-Queensland State League teams have everything.

We may have missed out on the inaugural NBL1 due to COVID-19 but basketball fans still had the opportunity to catch some of the country’s top hoopers in action, thanks to the revamped QSL.

And from highlight dunks, high-flying blocks, buzzer beaters, which made the COVID-safe minimal crowds erupt, and 50-point games – there was no shortage of stellar individual performances across the season.

Following the announcements of the QSL awards in the Division 1 MVP and Coach of the Year, we thought we would put together an All-QSL First and Second Team to recognise the performances individuals put together.

Ipswich Force basketballer Nathan Sobey playing in the 2020 Queensland State League competition.

ALL-QSL MEN’S FIRST TEAM

Nathan Sobey – Guard – Ipswich Force (MVP)

The first selection on this team is a no-brainer in Australian Boomer and Brisbane Bullets star Nathan Sobey. Sobey was named the MVP of the competition by Basketball Queensland last week after leading the Force to second spot on the ladder after the regular season and a semi-finals appearance. The former Adelaide 36er and Cairns Taipan led the league in scoring, averaging 30 points per game while dishing out almost seven assists and grabbing more than four rebounds per game. His season was headlines by a 50-point game against Northside on October 3 and a buzzer-beater against the Brisbane Capitals in the opening game of the season.

Brisbane Bullets and Capitals player Jason Cadee. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

Jason Cadee – Guard – Brisbane Capitals (Champion)

After a slow start to the season, man did Jason Cadee click into gear at the right time. The defending QBL MVP’s scoring haul in his last six games read 27, 34, 47, 43, 24 and 39 to finish with an average of 26 points per game along with six rebounds and seven assists. The Brisbane Bullets guard also connected on 29 three-pointers in those final six games, including six in the grand final to lead his Capitals side to back-to-back titles after a comeback victory over the RedCity Roar.

RedCity Roar star William McDowell-White. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

William McDowell-White – Guard – RedCity Roar

Returning to play in his home state after a season with the Houston Rockets’ G-League affiliate, the Rio Grande Vipers, William McDowell-White made a statement in the QSL. Leading the RedCity Roar to the minor premiership in their first season in the state’s top-tier, McDowell-White was one of the top MVP candidates after averaging 25 points, nine rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. Some of his highlights along the way include a 39-point, 14-rebound performance to beat his former club the Southern Districts Spartans in Round 4 and a 43-point performance in the semi-final win over the Sunshine Coast Phoenix.

Brisbane Capitals big man Jarred Bairstow

Jarred Bairstow – Forward – Brisbane Capitals

A veteran of the state league competition in Queensland, Jarred Bairstow had arguably his best season this year after returning to the Brisbane Capitals. Bairstow was a key addition for Brisbane’s title defence after the absence of now NBA-bound Will Magnay, bringing an inside presence which was much-needed for Sean Connelly’s side. Bairstow also earned an NBL trial with the Perth Wildcats following his impressive season, where he averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game for the champions.

Harry Froling of the Bullets. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Harry Froling – Centre – RedCity Roar

The best big in the competition, Harry Froling was another MVP candidate as the second leading scorer in the league (28.7 per game) and the best rebounder in the QSL (17.2 per game). Froling’s two best performances came in the season opener against the Logan Thunder, with 43 points and 11 rebounds, and in Round 4 against the Southern Districts Spartans with a triple-double of 42 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists. A new recruit for the Brisbane Bullets, the Townsville product is set for a big season in the NBL.

SC Phoenix guard Jamaal Robateau.

Sixth Man: Jamaal Robateau – Guard – Sunshine Coast Phoenix

The leader of the Sunshine Coast Phoenix, Jamaal Robateau showed he is a star in state league after averaging more than 26 points per game to be the QSL’s third leading scorer. Robateau, who returned to his home club for this season, helped the Phoenix reach the semi-final and starred with 32 points, 10 assists and six rebounds to almost upset the RedCity Roar to reach the grand final. Other impressive performances for the former Adelaide 36ers development player include a 41 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists against Nathan Sobey and the Ipswich Force in Round 2.

ALL-QSL MEN’S SECOND TEAM

Tanner Krebs of the Bullets. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Tanner Krebs – Guard – South West Metro Pirates

The former St Mary’s star and now Brisbane Bullets guard showed fans what he could add to the NBL this season after an impressive season for the South West Metro Pirates averaging 20 points, nine rebounds and almost five assists per game.

Logan Thunder QSL star Chris Cedar.

Chris Cedar – Guard – Logan Thunder

This former Townsville Croc teamed up with his brother, Michael, at the Logan Thunder where he helped the team scrape into the postseason. Cedar averaged 20 points as well as 5.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game for the Thunder, who fell tot he Capitals in the quarterfinal.

RedCity Roar guard Darryl McDowell-White. Picture: B.Rad.Sports Photography

Darryl McDowell-White – Guard – RedCity Roar

After missing the first part of the season due to an arm injury, Darryl McDowell-White bounced back onto the scene with some huge performances for the Roar. McDowell-White averaged almost 20 points per game, including some highlight plays, shooting almost 50 per cent from the field and 43 per cent from the three-point line.

Phoenix's Nelson Kahler in action against Logan Thunder. Picture: Logan Thunder

Nelson Kahler – Forward/Centre – Sunshine Coast Phoenix

Establishing himself as one of the best big men in the competition, Nelson Kahler formed a star trio at the Phoenix with Jamaal Robateau and Jonathan Janssen to help the team to the semi-finals. Kahler, just like Jarred Bairstow, also earned himself a trial with the Perth Wildcats after his season where he averaged 15.7 points and 12.4 rebounds per game.

Callum Dalton of the Brisbane Bullets. (Photo by Kelly Barnes/Getty Images)

Callum Dalton – Forward/Centre – Southern Districts Spartans

Showing improvement from his previous season with the Spartans in the QBL, Dalton showed he could be in line for some minutes with the Brisbane Bullets this year after his impressive performances in the QSL. The big man averaged 17 points and more than eight rebounds per game, while shooting more than 50 per cent from the field.

Gold Coast Rollers guard Jalen Patton Croker

Jalen Patton Croker – Guard – GC Rollers

One of the competition’s up and coming talents, Jalen Patton Croker’s return to his junior club was a successful one individually with the youngster averaging 18.6 points, five rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. Even though the Gold Coast didn’t make the playoffs, Patton Croker’s breakout season was a shining light for the Rollers.

*The All-QSL teams were selected with input from several QSL coaches, including Coach of the Year Christoper Riches, as well as Courier Mail journalist and Logan Thunder women’s coach Brayden Heslehurst.