SuperCoach NBL Cheapie Bible: The 25 best value picks

Finding bottom-priced players for your bench is the key to SuperCoach success. Get the expert verdict on the most popular cheapies plus all their NBL Blitz scores.

Mick Randall

4 min read

September 17, 2024 - 12:55PM

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.

Following the NBL Blitz, 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.

Lachlan Olbrich. Picture: Getty

Lachlan Olbrich ILL ($121,400 CTR/FWD) – 44.9% owned

NBL Blitz scores: 35, 12, 33

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) – 40.7%

NBL Blitz scores: 21, 40, 16

I’ve got him. I love him. But I’m not happy about it. One of Australia’s finest young talents is dirt cheap, will he get enough game time to be fantasy relevant? Over to you, John Rillie.

Rocco Zikarsky. Picture: Getty

Rocco Zikarsky BRIS ($95,700 CTR) – 40.1%

NBL Blitz scores: 10, 17

Ownership has dropped slightly over pre-season but 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.

William Hickey. Picture: Getty

Will Hickey ILL ($106,000 GRD) – 26.1%

NBL Blitz scores: 28, 9, 23

Looks the clear back-up to Trey Kell after making big strides last season.

Casey Prather. Picture: AAP

Casey Prather BRIS ($139,200 FWD/GRD) – 24.7%

NBL Blitz scores: 29, 29, 17

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

Izan Almansa PER ($115,000 FWD/CTR) – 15.6%

NBL Blitz scores: 32, 18, 12

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.

Angus Glover. Picture: Getty

Angus Glover SEM ($110,500 GRD) – 14.2%

NBL Blitz scores: 28, 14, 15

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.

Keli Leaupepe. Picture: Getty

Keli Leaupepe SYD ($69,000 FWD) – 11.7%

NBL Blitz scores: 18, 12, 13

Appears to be locked in the starting five-man role and should make money from the get-go with his crash and bash game and three-point shooting, despite liminted minutes and touches.

Elijah Pepper PER ($69,000 GRD) – 13%

NBL Blitz scores: 32, 20, 5

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.

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

NBL Blitz scores: 18, 7, 11

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) – 9.6%

NBL Blitz scores: -2, 13, 12

Suspended for the first two games for DUI but should be primary back-up to Taran Armstrong on his return. You could start him and cop zeros in the first two rounds or make him a priority trade in a few weeks.

AK Gak CRNS ($136,200 FWD/CTR) – 5%

NBL Blitz scores: 18, 13, 8

Just a massive human who is in a glut of bigs at Cairns, but, at the price, there’s enough to suggest he can carve out a large enough role to be SuperCoach relevant. Got better as the Blitz wore on.

Owen Foxwell. Picture: Getty

Owen Foxwell SEM ($98,000 GRD) – 4.4%

NBL Blitz scores: 14, 11, 16

Young gun who has beaten Ben Ayre for the back up point guard spot at the Phoenix. Defensive dynamo who should find a role.

Malique Lewis SEM ($115,000 FWD) – 4.3%

NBL Blitz scores: 19, 20, 10

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.

Sunday Dech. Picture: Getty

Sunday Dech ADEL ($104,700 GRD) – 4.2%

NBL Blitz scores: 3, 0, 17

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.

Nick Marshall ADEL ($105,100 FWD) – 3.8%

NBL Blitz scores: 21, 7, 20

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?

Flynn Cameron MEL ($106,000 GRD) – 2.7%

NBL Blitz scores: 11, 9, 9

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

Kyle Bowen. Picture: Getty

Fabijan Krslovic TAS ($90,500 FWD) – 3.4%

NBL Blitz scores: 16, 5

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) – 2.6%

NBL Blitz scores: 7, 4, 2

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.

Kyle Bowen MEL ($127,000 FWD) – 2%

NBL Blitz scores: 23, 8, 7

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

Jason Spurgin. Picture: Getty

Kyle Adnam CRNS ($69,000 GRD) – 1.8%

NBL Blitz scores: –

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

Jason Spurgin SYD ($58,500 CTR) – 1.2%

NBL Blitz scores: 7, 0, 3

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 ADL ($69,000 CTR) – 1%

NBL Blitz scores: 5, 8, 14

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.