Crosscourt: Latest news as the 2023-24 NBL regular season comes to a close

Having emerged from a power struggle as one of the emerging stars at Adelaide, Kyrin Galloway’s future is now uncertain. Will the club’s coaching call be the key?

Emerging out-of-contract forward Kyrin Galloway hasn’t closed the door on a return to Adelaide, but he will wait until the 36ers complete their coach search before engaging in talks.

Crosscourt can reveal the 24-year-old, prior to this season, had planned to seek opportunities elsewhere, while still under contract, but was convinced to stay after then-coach CJ Bruton promised a starting role.

The 206cm former New Zealand Breaker became collateral damage in the coaching power struggle between Bruton and then-assistant Craig Simpson, which ultimately ended in both men leaving the club.

Kyrin Galloway has given the NBL a late-season taste of what he can do. Picture: Getty Images

Under interim Scott Ninnis, though, the Hawaiian-born forward has been unleashed playing a key role as the Sixers reeled off five wins in six games in an unlikely but spirited push for the top six.

Galloway’s size, length and athleticism allow him to impact the game at both ends of the floor and his outside shot has become deadly — of huge benefit to big man Isaac Humphries (who has broken off talks with the Sixers), given his 40 per cent clip from deep over the past nine games has helped open up the interior. In that stretch, Galloway’s blocked 14 shots and almost doubled his scoring (4.4 to 7.8) and rebounding averages (2.8 to 4.6).

With Boomers coach Brian Goorjian emerging as a key target for the Sixers, Crosscourt has been told Galloway remains open-minded about his own future and, while he will explore his options, whoever is appointed as the Sixers new coach will still be given a chance to pitch.

NBL FINALS FIXTURE: BLESSING OR CURSE FOR BEST TWO TEAMS?

Melbourne United and Perth Wildcats are set to face the unique scenario of a near-three-week break between their last regular-season game and first semi-final.

This week’s break for FIBA-sanctioned internationals has necessitated an NBL pause — and caused frustration among clubs — with the largely NBL-linked Boomers in action in Bendigo on Thursday night and then Jakarta on Monday morning.

It means the Play-in Tournament won’t tip-off until Wednesday, February 28, with a juicy double-header featuring Tasmania hosting Illawarra and New Zealand travelling to Sydney — 10 days after Sunday’s end to the season proper.

In its second year, the top-six structure has been a big hit, adding more intrigue to the regular season and more urgency to the postseason.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FULL FIXTURE AND READ THIS WEEK’S LATEST NBL NEWS IN CROSSCOURT

And then there were six: The teams who are still alive in NBL24.

But it’s also meant the top-two teams, in this case United and Perth, face an added wait as they watch the trio of play-in games that will decide their playoff opponents.

Crosscourt has been told United isn’t likely to play its first game until March 7 at the earliest and that could potentially be March 9, depending on results and logistics — 18 to 20 days after they last bounced a ball in anger. Perth is likely in a similar situation, although its opponent will be decided sooner so the Wildcats’ semi-final series could tip off earlier.

United coach Dean Vickerman acknowledged it wasn’t “the perfect scenario” but was also conscious of the need for an international break to allow players to represent their country.

“We’d much rather go into it (straight away) but we understand and respect international basketball and what the FIBA window is about,” Vickerman said.

“We want players from all countries to come and play in our league and we want them to go and be a part of their national teams if they have that opportunity.

“We can’t play through the FIBA window, that’s not fair, so it is what it is right now and we’ve just got to deal with it.”

Vickerman said there was a silver lining in that it would allow some of his tired bodies an extended period of rest.

Dean Vickerman was pleased with his top-of-the-table squad’s finish to the season, but now faces a new challenge. Picture: Getty Images

But it also presented the challenge of ensuring his charges were in playoff mode, come game one.

“We’ve done a good job of making sure the high performance team, the players, everyone’s had input into what we do over these next couple of weeks,” he said.

“We’ll make sure that there’s enough time where we can just be at home and maybe you don’t engage as much so we’ll also make sure that we spend time and eat together and do some things like a team who’s travelling on the road together.

“The intraclub scrimmages, it’s about how intense and the time period that we’re going to play and getting referees to make it as close to a playoff situation as we can.

“We’ll probably do more of those but how much contact in that is also a decision — we just got healthy so we want to make sure that we come into the playoff series that way.”

Arch enemy Adelaide did Sydney a favour, handing the Kings a home qualifier by knocking off New Zealand in the last game of the season.

With a big win the Breakers could have leapfrogged Illawarra into fourth, after the Hawks lost to United earlier in the day but, instead, dropped to sixth and could enter the clash with the Kings without star guard William McDowell-White, who reportedly dislocated his shoulder against the Sixers.

PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT

Seeding Qualifier: Tasmania JackJumpers (3) v Illawarra Hawks (4), Wednesday, February 28, 5.30pm AEDT, MyState Bank Arena

Play-in Qualifier: Sydney Kings (5) v NZ Breakers (6), Wednesday, February 28, 7.30pm AEDT, Qudos Bank Arena

Play-in Game: Loser of Seeding Qualifier v Winner of Play-in Qualifier, Monday, March 4, 7.30pm – either WIN Entertainment Centre or MyState Bank Arena, depending on results.

BEST-OF-THREE SEMI FINAL SERIES – TBA

Melbourne United (1) v winner of Play-in Game

Perth Wildcats (2) v winner of Seeding Qualifier

BEST-OF-FIVE GRAND FINAL SERIES – TBA

Semi final winners face off for the Dr John Raschke Trophy

Duop Reath has signed a three-year deal with Portland in the NBA. Picture: Getty Images

GLOWING GOORJ’S DUOP JOY

No Aussie other than the man himself was happier than Boomers coach Brian Goorjian when Duop Reath’s late-blooming rise to the NBA was franked with a full contract in Portland.

Goorjian was Reath’s first coach in the NBL, watching the 206cm big man mature in body, mind and skillset to first become a Boomers’ Olympic bronze medallist, then a 27-year-old NBA rookie on a two-way deal to now fully-contracted for the next three years.

“I’ve never been happier for someone,” Goorjian told Crosscourt when asked about Reath.

“Duop came into the Boomers and didn’t think he’d make the Olympic team but he got that chance and then became a starter at the World Cup.

“From Illawarra, to China to the NBA, he’s a self-made man who has worked at his craft.

“A special teammate who absolutely deserves everything he’s been able to achieve.”

The South Sudan-born Perth native actually signed a one-year deal with the Blazers in October, which was rescinded two weeks later and he was re-inked on the two-way contract, which allowed the Blazers to use him in the NBA and G League.

Brian Goorjian has praised his Boomers star centre. Picture: Getty Images

But his performances — 8.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 17.4 minutes in 43 games — often outshone $100 million man Deandre Ayton and, as he closed in on the two-way maximum 50 games, Portland has acted with a multimillion-dollar cheque.

Since the World Cup, mid-last year, Goorj believes Reath has made exponential improvement.

“I had him in Illawarra and his skill package was all over the place and he just wasn’t a conditioned athlete,” Goorjian said, last month.

“Now, he’s leaner, he’s running the floor and he’s much more fluid — besides his ability to shoot the ball and his confidence in that, his mobility has really taken a step.

“He’s developed into that pick and pop guy now and, defensively, he’s showing he can switch.

“His minutes (at the World Cup) were a little bit restricted because we used him as our drops guy (moving back toward the rim to protect).

“I wasn’t as comfortable with Duop (showing or switching on screens) but what he’s doing now on a consistent basis really gives us a strong help with the Boomers.”

Duop Reath has come a long way from the player who began his NBL career at Illawarra. Picture: Getty Images

Even No.3 pick and fellow rookie Scoot Henderson was overjoyed at the news.

“Yes sire, yes bro, yes,” Henderson said when told of Reath’s deal.

“I’m really, really proud of Duop, people don’t see it a lot, but Duop works, man,

“Every time I go back in the gym, he’s in there breaking a sweat already.

“Duop is a worker and he’s got this far because he’s put the work in. I’m proud of him and I’m glad that we’re teammates.”

Look at Scoot’s reaction when he heard the news 🥹 https://t.co/wHjM2BxveYpic.twitter.com/wL3xIfr3rc

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 17, 2024

SLEEPING GIANTS AND A COACH WITH A POINT TO PROVE

Amid a tough season that could have been all over on Saturday night, Sydney’s dream of a three-peat remains alive after the Kings locked up a top-six berth on the penultimate day of the season with a record 55-point win over South East Melbourne.

And, for first-year NBL coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah, it’s a chance to hit back at the doubters — of whom there are many. Crosscourt revealed earlier this season Abdelfattah narrowly avoided the axe after a particularly bad loss but the former Houston Rockets assistant has stuck with it and will now put the tough season behind him in pursuit of history.

“Truly, I like to put things into perspective. Basketball is obviously as important as can be in my life but there are other things that are as important, as well,” he said.

Can the Kings make a deep playoff run for coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah. Picture: Getty Images

“I put forth my best effort and try to be the best coach that I can and try to make sure that these guys are successful but, wins and losses, I try not to let that affect who I am, any day of the week.”

“I think we’re as talented as can be. We know now, obviously we have to win a couple games more to get where we want to get, but it’s all part of the process.

“It’s been fun, it’s truly been fun.

“I’m glad we’re part of the final six, we’ll see what happens from here.”

With star import DJ Hogg (25 points, 7 rebounds) finally looking healthy, 2022 NBL MVP Jaylen Adams (24 points, 9 assists) looking as dangerous as ever and key pieces Alex Toohey, Denzel Valentine, Jonah Bolden and Jaylin Galloway all hitting form in the 122-67 win over the admittedly decimated Phoenix, the Kings have the tools to give this thing a shake.

Brad Newley opens the scoring on @BradNewley day.

📺 ESPN2 | 10 Peach pic.twitter.com/2ZIKRPNBQv

— Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) February 18, 2024

NEWLEY’S FITTING FINISH

Who says there’s no room for romanticism in sport?

Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman certainly had a sense of occasion on Sunday when he sent out his starting five to face Illawarra — with one heartwarming tweak.

After his midweek retirement announcement drew an outpouring of praise from people in basketball circles all over the world, beloved veteran Brad Newley, in his final regular season game, trotted out with the first five and was met with a roar of appreciation from a sold out John Cain Arena crowd — on his 39th birthday, no less.

“What a fun way to spend your birthday,” Newley said, post the 92-87 win.

“Deano even gave me the start. I wish I had my birthday more often.”

The NBL’s oldest player held up his end of the bargain, too, moving off the ball with the vigour of a young rookie to catch a Shea Ili pass on the run and finish in traffic for the first bucket of the contest.

Just the three minutes and a perfect 1-1 from the field for the legendary veteran who has been a guiding light in the locker room for the league’s best team.

Originally published as Crosscourt: Latest news as the 2023-24 NBL regular season comes to a close