NBL signing tracker: All the latest news and whispers out free agency
Heart and soul Aussie guard Mitch Norton poured five years into Perth, so it came as a shock when the Wildcats dropped the axe — but it didn’t take long for him to find a new home.
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Mitch Norton admits it was a “shock” when he was told he no longer had a place in Perth, a club he had devoted five of the best years of his career, winning two NBL titles along the way.
But that shock quickly turned to optimism when the phone started ringing, with several clubs keen to find out if they might be part of the relentless 30-year-old guard’s plans.
The interest was testament to the respect his uncompromising yet unselfish game has earned him in the NBL but a text from Brisbane assistant Greg Vanderjagt set the wheels in motion for a return to his home state, the Townsville native signing a two-year deal with the Bullets.
“Vandy is someone I’m pretty close with, he was my roommate back when we played together at the (Townsville) Crocs,” Norton said.
“I spent a lot of time on the phone with (coach) Justin Schueller, Vandy and (assistant) Darryl McDonald chatting about style of play and how I can help the team. Everything they said really excited me with the way Brisbane are moving and it was something I didn’t want to miss.
“Darryl was a big reason why I wanted to head to Brissy because the work he’s done with the guards in Melbourne during his time is a glowing endorsement.”
It’s a bit of a sliding doors moment that might never have happened, had the two-time Wildcats champion not fallen out of coach John Rillie’s rotation last season.
The Wildcats then decided he, along with teammate Todd Blanchfield, were no longer part of their future plans, forcing ‘Norto’ to find a new home. Norton still had a year left to run on his contract and the Wildcats will have to foot the bill for half of that, which will also impact their salary cap for NBL24.
“It came as a bit of a shock, but I guess you kind of get that sometimes in sport, it is what it is,” Norton said.
“I have to learn to live with it, move on and know that I’ve learnt a lot in Perth about culture and what it takes to win championships.
“I’m very thankful for my five years in Perth and it’s on to Brissy now where hopefully I can implement some of those things I’ve learnt.”
Norton admits it’s tough leaving his mate Bryce Cotton, but is excited by the prospect of hooking up with two Olympians in Aron Baynes and Nate Sobey.
Sobey, in particular, can benefit from the lessons Norton learned as Cotton’s foil.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play alongside some pretty good shooting guards, like Bryce Cotton, so I do know how important it is to take care of your No.1 and No.2 guys,” he said.
“They do draw a lot of attention and rightly so and then it’s up to the rest of our guys to make shots and try to make their lives a bit easier by moving off the ball.
“Very excited to team up with Sobes and Baynes and the other guys. We’re all kind of cut from the same cloth.”
The relationship Norton forged with Cotton goes far beyond the court, but there’s an ironic laughter when he’s asked what it will be like trying to stop the legendary import when the pair face off in NBL24.
Schueller said the Bullets had targeted a “Mitch Norton-type” so, when he became available, the club pounced.
“He fits who we want to be perfectly. He’s hardworking, an elite defender and a great culture fit,” Schueller said.
“One of the things that stood out to me when talking about joining us was his want to continue to get better and a thirst to win.
“Any time we can add a Queenslander to our roster is a huge positive.”
WILL A 20-YEAR-OLD ‘WALKING HIGHLIGHT’ COME PLAY DOWN UNDER?
An intriguing 20-year-old walking highlight who is already in the top-50 on NBA draft boards could be on an NBL roster next season.
Teafale Lenard Jr has narrowed down his landing spot to three, with the NBL hoping he will choose to become a Next Star over US colleges Memphis and Texas A&M.
The ridiculously athletic 200cm wing plays way, way above the rim — on both ends of the floor. His highlight reels out of Middle Tennessee feature poster dunks where he is often looking down at the ring and rare chasedown blocks that highlight his potential.
Teafale Jr, on Sunday, announced his top-three preferred destinations on Instagram.
“I remember who was cheerin for me when there wasn’t much to cheer for,” he wrote.
The Texas native is a defensive Swiss Army knife who will attract the interest of NBL clubs for his ability to switch and guard four positions on the floor, drawing comparisons to reigning Defensive Player of the Year Antonius Cleveland — he averaged almost four combined blocks and steals last season.
He’s projected as a second-round pick, but has the potential to shoot up draft boards, especially given the NBL’s proven record for developing NBA talent.
After two years where the Next Stars program had sputtered, several clubs have taken notice of the way the Breakers used Frenchman Rayan Rupert as a piece of their grand final puzzle.
Rupert’s stock rose swiftly and he is now projecting as a lottery pick in next year’s draft.
News Corp has been told Illawarra, Adelaide, Brisbane, South East Melbourne and the Breakers will all look at bringing in a Next Star for NBL24 if they can find the right fit.
IN-DEMAND FREE AGENT’S BIG CALL ON NBL FUTURE
The pool of elite out-of-NBL-contract Australian talent available in free agency continues to shrink, with coveted wing defender Bul Kuol turning his back on longer-term, big money offers to re-sign in Cairns for NBL24.
News Corp has been told the Sudan-born 26-year-old has inked a one-year deal to remain at the Taipans, believing a strong showing next season would provide a stepping stone to the NBA.
After top targets Keanu Pinder and William McDowell-White secured their futures, Kuol, along with Luke Travers – who multiple sources believe is getting closer to choosing United next season – were the two players clubs were clamouring for.
But Kuol has decided to remain up north after overtures from several clubs, including Illawarra and South East Melbourne.
The Phoenix will continue to search for a defensive linchpin who can hit the three at a high clip and have emerged as a potential partner with Perth to facilitate Mitch Norton’s exit.
The Wildcats have made no secret they want to part ways with the 30-year-old and News Corp understands the Phoenix see the tough two-time NBL champion as a good fit under former Perth assistant Mike Kelly.
Norton has one year remaining on his contract and a deal would need to be brokered under which the Wildcats would potentially pay part of his salary at the Phoenix.
ADNAM FUTURE UP IN AIR AS FOUR NBL RIVALS CIRCLE
Free agent Phoenix guard Kyle Adnam is a player attracting plenty of interest across the league.
News Corp has been told there are at least five teams who have the 29-year-old on their radar.
Adnam, who is still hopeful of a return to the Phoenix, where he was co-captain last season, would not be drawn on which clubs had shown early interest, but News Corp understands Illawarra, Brisbane, Perth and the Breakers are among them.
There is also the lure of a lucrative European contract for the 186cm Victorian, recently engaged to long-time love Anastasia Hallinan.
Adnam will spend the off-season assessing his options while playing in New Zealand and completing his Masters in Business Sports Management.
In a good day for the Taipans, after they last week lost superstar Pinder to Perth, the Snakes announced Wednesday young big man big Sam Mennenga will join the club on a two-year deal.
The 206cm New Zealander, 21, joins fellow Kiwi and NBL23 Next Gen Award winner Sam Waardenburg in the Taipans’ front court after three years at Davidson College in the US.
Meanwhile, the Brisbane Bullets made 22-year-old Victorian tall Josh Bannan official. He joins the club on a three-year deal.
In-demand breakers star makes call on future
The two biggest NBL free agency chess pieces are now off the table, with Will McDowell-White returning to New Zealand spurning big money overtures from several clubs desperate to bring him back to Australia.
The Queenslander had suitors all over the league, but chief pursuers, including Brisbane, Tasmania and Perth will have to go back to the drawing board to find an elite point guard.
The 24-year-old has steadily improved in each of the past three seasons, and, after averaging 10.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.2 assists in leading New Zealand to within one win of the 2023 title, agreed to a two-year deal — with NBA outs — to stay at the Breakers with beloved coach Mody Maor.
“I only hear about what the boys see online — they ask me if I’m leaving or not and I just give them a blank look,” he told News Corp during the recent NBL grand final series.
“I wouldn’t even know the teams who are talking to my agent, so that side of it is pretty easy when you don’t hear about it.”
McDowell-White and Pinder, who signed with Perth last week, were the two biggest names in free agency, with the pursuit of departing Wildcat Luke Travers and Cairns defensive dynamo Bul Kuol the next most-coveted men yet to decide their future.
It’s understood Melbourne United is closing in on 22-year-old NBA draft pick Travers, while South East Melbourne looms as the top destination for 26-year-old former Rookie of the Year Kuol.
Cadee heads south to former club
Fellow Aussie guard Jason Cadee will leave Brisbane Bullets and return to the Adelaide 36ers on a two-year deal. The 31-year-old spent the past five seasons in Brisbane, and lands back with Adelaide, where he played from 2012-14.
The Sixers are set to take their time in filling out key pieces of their roster, with the club heading to NBA Summer League in search of a sharpshooting import point guard to play alongside Mitch McCarron.
News Corp has been told there’s plenty to play out with import Robert Franks, who, while he is contracted for next season, is no certainty to return.
Melbourne loses giant duo in major roster shake-up
Two Melbourne United big men have found new NBL homes as the club works to rebuild a roster that missed the playoffs for the first time in five seasons under Dean Vickerman.
Championship-winning workhorse Mason Peatling has come to terms with Illawarra on a two-year deal, while talented youngster David Okwera heads home to Perth for the next three seasons.
United is still waiting on league approval to announce Flynn Cameron, the son of New Zealand basketball legend Pero Cameron, as its first new arrival, after it extended the contract of highly-rated Next Star Ariel Hukporti into NBL24.
The club, which was in the mix to sign returning college big man Josh Bannan before he eventually decided on Brisbane, is frontrunner to sign departing Wildcats NBA draft pick Luke Travers — if he stays in the NBL.
It is understood the Travers wants to play power forward, wherever he lands, and United is keen to bring the Perth native into the fold and aid in his development that it is hoped will eventually lead him to the big league.
Peatling is a much-loved figure at United, but both sides knew more money and opportunity lay elsewhere. The 26-year-old provides the Hawks valuable experience and leadership and a mentor to new big man Lachlan Olbrich, a former Adelaide development player who chose Illawarra over his hometown club.
“I am excited to join a proud and iconic organisation in the Hawks,” said Peatling of a Hawks team that finished bottom of the table, but has been among the most active in compiling its roster.
“I see great potential in the team we are building and I can’t wait to be a big part of our rise back up the ladder in NBL24”.
Okwera is an interesting one. United has invested heavy development into the 20-year-old, who is uber-talented, but yet to fully realise his potential. He heads to Perth to be part of a front-court rotation that also includes marquee arrival Keanu Pinder.
“It feels amazing to get the opportunity to play in front of my family and be around them, I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
‘Unfinished business’ but lure of NBA strong for big man
Isaac Humphries has “unfinished business” in the NBL – but the lure of the NBA remains strong for the Aussie giant.
Humphries’ agent Daniel Moldovan told News Corp the 25-year-old, who spent last season with Melbourne United after the best part of two years sidelined with injury, had attracted interest from former clubs Sydney and Adelaide.
But he is also being courted by an NBA club, eyeing him for a contract that would place him in the G League and provide an opportunity to return to the NBA, where, in 2019, he played five games for the Atlanta Hawks.
“There’s three NBL teams I’m talking to about him, in addition to an NBA team who is really interested in having him part of their G League team,” Moldovan said.
Moldovan said Humphries – who made world headlines this year when he became the only current player in a top-tier men’s basketball league to come out as gay – was keeping his options open.
Big NBL dominoes fall as Wildcats, Bullets strike
Hot on the heels of Perth’s NBL free agency-shaking Keanu Pinder coup, Brisbane has struck a blow by recruiting one of the hottest young Australian talents in Josh Bannan.
WA-born Pinder comes home after winning back-to-back MVP’s in Cairns and softens the blow of Luke Travers’ shock departure a day earlier.
The 210cm big man, 27, averaged a near-double-double with 17 points and a tick over 9 rebounds last season in Cairns and is now eyeing silverware on a two-year deal with the Wildcats.
“It feels great to be able to play in front of my family and the best fans in the country,” he said.
“I can’t wait to get started and I feel like we’re going to win a championship.
“Wildcats have such a rich culture and tradition of winning championships and I feel like I can be a part of that.
“I like the vision the club has for me and I think we’re going to do well.”
Meanwhile, Justin Schueller’s golden start to his time in Brisbane has continued, the ex-Melbourne United assistant fighting off mentor Dean Vickerman to secure the prized signature of Josh Bannan.
The 22-year-old, who chose to forego the last year of his college eligibility in Montana, heads to the Bullets on a three-year deal, set to be announced in the next day or two.
Victorian native Bannan projects to be an immediate rotation player, his versatile game making him a huge mismatch in that he has great handles and playmaking ability that pose an issue for bigger forwards to stay in front of him, while he’s too big for smaller forwards to handle on the block. He shot 40 per cent on his threes this year — but only on two attempts per game. Once the St Kevin’s College product develops a consistent deep shot, it’s over.
Bannan was one of two key targets Schueller was focused on when he took the reins and he will now shift his focus to New Zealand Breakers point guard William McDowell-White.
But the Bullets will face stiff competition. The Wildcats have planned to go hard at McDowell-White in a bid to team him up with Bryce Cotton – and now Pinder – as far back as the playoffs, while the Breakers also feel they are a strong chance of running it back after their grand final appearance.
The lure of home — and Schueller — is Brisbane’s sell: McDowell-White played under him and is the Queensland-born son of Brisbane Lions triple-premiership legend Darryl White.
Vastly improved Pinder heading home
One of the biggest dominoes of NBL free agency has already fallen, with back-to-back Most Improved Player Keanu Pinder to be unveiled by the Perth Wildcats.
WA-born Pinder and the ‘Cats have agreed to a two-year deal with NBA out-clauses, softening the blow of young gun Luke Travers’ departure.
The 27-year-old began his NBL career in Adelaide before spending the past two years in Cairns, showing exponential improvement in each of his three seasons to the point he was in early MVP conversations in NBL23 before injuries struck.
A 2023 All-NBL Second Teamer, Pinder, along with New Zealand guard William McDowell-White, was the most-coveted out-of-contract player in the market.
Currently tearing it up for Fuenlabrada in Spain, Pinder will play in NBA Summer League before joining the Cats.
Teams in Spain, Italy and Turkey had shown interest, while the Sydney Kings were also keen on the 210cm athletic phenom, who averaged a near-double-double with 17 points and a tick over 9 rebounds last season.
But bitter rival Perth wins this one and it is a huge boost for the club and chief executive Danny Mills, a day after 22-year-old Cleveland Cavaliers NBA draft pick Travers parted ways with the club.
Pinder’s Cairns’ teammate, ultra-talented forward DJ Hogg, who averaged 18 points and shot 35 per cent from deep in NBL23, is also a sought after commodity.
Agent Daniel Moldovan — who also represents Pinder — believes Hogg has a unique skillet that will attract NBA teams.
“DJ also has a bunch of teams that want him and many of those are outside of the NBL,” Moldovan said of the 26-year-old Ohio native.
“He was so good last season and, with a year of continuity and understanding the league, if he returns to the NBL, I can see him exploding next season.
“Money is going to be an important factor and there’s a lot of money being bandied out around the NBL.
“I would be really intrigued if he returned to the NBL if he could be the next one to make the jump from the NBL to the NBA.”
Phoenix to land ‘elite’ talent, Travers shock explained
A desire to leave the comforts of home and “spread his wings” as he aims to make the transition to the NBA was behind Luke Travers’ shock decision to leave Perth.
Power agent Daniel Moldovan shed light on the WA-born Cleveland Cavaliers NBA draft pick’s tough decision to take his talents elsewhere.
“This was nothing to do with Perth, what they’ve done for Luke has been first class,” Moldovan said.
“This was more so I want Luke to leave the nest. I want him to go and spread his wings and mature as an athlete and a person away from home.
“He will benefit greatly from, for the first time in his life, living out of home and getting comfortable being uncomfortable.”
Popular belief around the league is the 22-year-old will eventually sign with Melbourne United but Moldovan there had been interest from European clubs and he could even suit up for the Cavs’ G League affiliate, Cleveland Charge.
Moldovan said Travers would go to Summer League again and it was “inevitable” he would, one day, play in the NBA.
Perth favourite son Greg Hire echoed a legion of the Red Army in his dismay at the versatile 2m forward’s exit.
“Luke Travers is a generational talent. I believe he’s the future face of a franchise. And that franchise should’ve been the Wildcats. Very intrigued on what happens next for the club,” Hire tweeted.
Perth’s legendary six-time Defensive Player of the Year Damian Martin said it was Travers’ right to “make decisions based on what he believes is the best for his career”.
“A lot of Wildcats supporters were surprised and disappointed by the news,” Martin said.
“Whilst Wildcats fans have made it clear they would’ve loved to have seen him continue his development in a Wildcats uniform, everyone is appreciative of the enjoyment he has brought to them from breakaway dunks, big blocks and of course, an amazing mullet.”
Cats chief executive Danny Mills said the Wildcats would be “targeting hard” a “pool of local talent” who are “difference makers”.
Among those is Geraldton-born 22-year-old Alex Ducas, who is on NBL radars after completing his four-year college stint at St Mary’s.
The 198cm guard averaged 12.5 points and hit 87 treys at 41.1 per cent. It was the fourth most makes from deep in a single season in the college’s history.
The arrival of a homegrown talent like Ducas would go a ways to softening the blow of Travers’ departure. The Wildcats also have a relationship with U20 National Championships MVP Ben Henshall, who is set to choose the professional route over college.
Rhys Vague is set to sign with South East Melbourne. Former Perth Wildcat who spent the past three years the Kagawa Five Arrows in the Japanese B.League. Great get - shoots the lights out. Played really well for the Boomers in recent World Cup qualifiers.
— Michael Randall (@MickRandallHS) March 31, 2023
The news comes on the same day it was revealed cross-town rival South East Melbourne Phoenix is set to sign Rhys Vague.
The Former Perth Wildcat, who spent the past three years the Kagawa Five Arrows in the Japanese B.League and is an elite back up superstar Mitch Creek.
The 27-year-old shoots the lights out and reminded everyone of his talent in the Boomers recent FIBA World Cup qualifiers in Melbourne.
United lock in NBA hopeful
NBA draft hopeful Ariel Hukporti is locked in at Melbourne United for NBL24 – and club medicos say he’ll be ready to go when the season tips off.
The giant Togolese-German centre made good on the promise he made in News Corp papers to return to the club after he missed the entirety of last season when he was struck down by a devastating Achilles rupture during pre-season.
The 20-year-old has undergone an arduous rehabilitation and is now primed to man the middle for United on a one-year Next Stars extension that he’ll use to prove his NBA potential.
Hukporti, in January, told News Corp “I want to stay here at Melbourne United, I’m coming back, man” and he now wants to repay the club and fans for their support.
“My only goal is to help bring a championship to this team and our fans, because they have always been there to support me,” Hukporti said on Friday.
“I can’t wait for the moment when I can step back on the court and give this team everything I’ve got.”
United coach Dean Vickerman said anticipation was high for Hukporti to return to the floor after he led the league in defensive rating during his debut season.
“Ariel is a special talent and we’re all excited to see him on the floor for United again next season,” Vickerman said.
“He showed that he can be an elite player at the defensive end of the floor, and we’re confident he’ll be able to do the same in NBL24.
“Having him come back as a Next Star has the added bonus of providing us with some more flexibility in roster building across the off-season.”
United’s high performance manager Steve McAdam confirmed Hukporti’s rehab had gone like clockwork and he expected him to be ready for round one in October.
“We’ve been able to work on strengthening and improving his whole body during his rehab,” McAdam said.
“He’s spent a lot of time on the court, running hard and working on every part of his game; his ball handling, his shooting, his passing.
“We expect him to be fit and firing for Round 1.”
Meanwhile, United will also unveil its newest arrival after it locked in the son of one of the most revered New Zealand basketballers in the sport’s history.
News Corp has been told the chance to learn his craft behind star Kiwi point guard Shea Ili was too good to refuse for Gold Coast born guard Flynn Cameron.
Cameron’s father Pero is a FIBA Hall of Fame inductee who captained the Tall Blacks for a decade.
The 196cm guard averaged 13.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in his final year at University of California Riverside and, while slightly built, the 22-year-old projects to play a role in United’s rotation from day one behind Ili.
Bullets move quickly to sign guards
Brisbane has moved quickly in NBL free agency, locking down Australian guards Sam McDaniel and Isaac White early on day two.
Gritty defensive guard McDaniel, 27, opted out of his contract with Tasmania, while 24-year-old sharpshooter White’s stock skyrocketed as a development player with the JackJumpers.
In an active start to free agency for new head coach Justin Schueller, both players have signed two year deals with the Bullets, White the first to be made official, with McDaniel expected to follow later today.
“This is the opportunity I’ve been hunting for the last couple of years and I look forward to capitalising on it,” White said.
“I’ve been part of playoff teams every season I’ve been in the league and pride myself on being a good locker room guy, so that’s also something I’m really excited to bring to Brisbane!
“I love to compete on both ends of the floor. I am looking to provide an offensive spark for our team with my ability to shoot and score the ball, but also want to be someone who can guard the ball up the floor and make a significant impact on the defensive end.”
Both men were early Schueller targets and it’s a testament to the respect he garnered as an assistant at United and as a coach on junior Australian teams the deals were done so quickly.
“Isaac has shown he is an impact player in the competition and that’s exactly what we want from him,” Schueller said.
“He is a high character guy, who is a relentless competitor and helps add depth at both ends of the floor to our roster build.”
White and McDaniel join Aron Baynes, Nathan Sobey, Tyrell Harrison and DJ Mitchell on the Bullets NBL24 roster, with Schueller in hot pursuit of homegrown Boomers point guard Will McDowell-White and returning college product Josh Bannan in free agency.
Originally published as NBL signing tracker: All the latest news and whispers out free agency
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