SuperCoach NBL: Standouts, bolters from pre-season hit-outs
In his last NBL stint, he was an MVP finalist and had the third-best average in Supercoach. Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman has revealed his injured star is ahead of schedule.
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Melbourne United superstar Jo Lual-Acuil Jr is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a wrist injury that was to keep him out of action until mid-November, with the club set to announce its final signing as early as next week.
Lual-Acuil Jr, who was returned to the club with the injury from Dynamo Lebanon, was no longer sporting a protective cast at United’s practice on Thursday.
United coach Dean Vickerman said the 29-year-old’s “progress has been great”.
“Yes, ahead of schedule – he’s got some medical appointments tomorrow (Friday) that may allow him to advance his workouts,” Vickerman said.
“He’s catching the basketball, he’s shooting the basketball and he’s dribbling the basketball.
“There’s still some (questions): can he catch a ball at high speed? Can he fall on the ground?
“We want to make sure that he’s got the strength … before we progress.”
JLA was expected to miss up to 12 games, with hope he’d be fit to return following the November 20-28 FIBA window.
But the news could put him in the frame for three marquee match ups against Perth, Sydney and South East Melbourne, prior to the window. JLA – a $353,900 CTR – is a big name to watch for NBL SuperCoaches, given he had the third highest average in the game the last time he was in the league (2021-22, 33.9).
Lual-Acuil Jr watched on at Hoop City as returning FIBA World Cup internationals Chris Goulding, Shea Ili and Flynn Cameron took part in their first United action for the first time in two months.
Boomer Jack White was also there as he prepares to head back to the US to resume his NBA career in Oklahoma City in the next couple of weeks.
The quartet was united with new face Ian Clark, who is relishing a chance at his first full pre-season in the NBL after late-arriving stints in Sydney and Adelaide.
“Coming into these last two weeks, being able to start the season early and not coming in mid-season and trying to find my way (is a big difference),” Clark said.
“Having this time to learn the guys, learn the offence and not rush myself is pretty big for me.
“We have a stacked team, we have a lot of guys who have won before and have that experience so I just want to bring whatever I can to help us win.”
The most popular player in SuperCoach, Luke Travers ($276,300 GRD/FWD, 38.3 per cent ownership), took part in some five-on-five action for United, but ended the session shooting away from the main group.
Matthew Dellavedova has also been hampered by soreness and he will not play on Saturday night when United heads to Melbourne’s suburbs to take on South East Melbourne in Cranbourne.
“We believe LT (Travers) is going to practice (Friday), he’s just got to see how he pulls up from this practice,” Vickerman said.
“Delly, he’s not going to play this weekend, we’ll get him ready for the (pre-season NBL) Blitz.
“He’s pretty close, though, and not too far away, so expect him to get really good minutes at the Blitz.”
Vickerman is not so concerned about the Phoenix as he is about integrating his squad – and the battle within the battle between development players Campbell Blogg, Zac Triplett and Malith Machar for United’s vacant final roster spot.
“They’re three guys that have been with us for a couple off years … and we believe the last roster spot will come from one of those guys and I think we’ll make a decision pretty early next week,” Vickerman said.
“They all offer different things, you know Campbell being the captain of Sandringham and having that leadership quality, Trip did some of the things that we really wanted him to do in handling the ball more in NBL1 this year and Malith got his team (Forestville Eagles) to the (NBL1 Central) grand final over there and is just a supreme athlete.
“None of those guys is a bad choice.”
Melbourne United squad v Phoenix: Brad Newley, Flynn Cameron, Tanner Krebs, Kyle Bowen, Ariel Hukporti, Ian Clark, Luke Travers, Shea Ili, Zac Triplett (development player), Campbell Blogg (development player), Malith Machar (development player), Joel Foxwell (training player), Tom Koppens (training player)
Unavailable: Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (wrist), Matthew Dellavedova (soreness), Chris Goulding (rest), Rob Loe (arrives in Melbourne Friday, will not play)
Wildcats’ teen proves he’s real deal
In front of a stadium packed with NBA scouts, teenage French sensation Alex Sarr has shown off the wild potential and physical gifts that have him touted as an NBA lottery pick in 2024.
Stepping out Thursday morning for the Perth Wildcats against G League Ignite in Las Vegas, the 216cm NBL Next Star showed he has the potential to be a force on both ends of the floor in NBL24.
Just 18, Sarr produced 17 points – including 2-3 from deep – seven rebounds and a gaudy six blocked shots, although the Wildcats fell to Ignite 124-105.
The effort equated to 37 SuperCoach NBL points, placing him firmly on the radar for fantasy coaches at a bargain $115,000 price tag.
On one highlight reel play, Sarr received the ball at the halfway line, dribbled twice as he accelerated to full pace like a gazelle elegantly bounding across the Sahara, and took off from just inside the three-point line to jam it home in an effort not unlike what former NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo produces.
“I was just hoping to be competitive,” Sarr said post game.
“I was happy with my performance.
“I wish we’d won the game, but we’ve got another game on Friday (Saturday AEST).
“I just wanted to turn pro and the NBL and Perth Wildcats seemed like the best move for me, and I think I made the right decision.”
The effort underlined why Sarr is the third most popular player in SuperCoach NBL.
New import wing Jordan Usher also caught the eye with his two-way ability, his 22 points coming on an ultra-efficient 9-14 shooting – he forced nothing and played in the flow of the game on his way to 33 SuperCoach points. He looms as a potential POD.
I earmarked Tai Webster as a SuperCoach bargain and his ownership should shoot up from its current 5.1 per cent after his 28 SuperCoach points that came largely on stats outside scoring – six assists, five rebounds, four steals, five points. He should thrive in the Wildcats’ potent offence.
David Okwera is another potential bargain SuperCoaches could consider – depending on where the Wildcats go with their third import – and what his role looks like with Keanu Pinder, who was managed as he continues to recover from a groin injury, in the line-up.
The 21-year-old former Melbourne United big man is one of the best per-minute offensive rebounders in the league – he grabbed four off his own rim on the way to 27 SuperCoach points.
Future Boomer Ben Henshall remains one cheapie who must be considered after his 17 SuperCoach points.
Potential NBA No.1 draft pick Ron Holland was brilliant in his Ignite debut, with 23 points, five rebounds, three steals and a block, his points coming on 9-14 shooting, while fellow highly-rated prospect Matas Buzelis had 16 points.
The Wildcats are in action against Ignite again Saturday (11am AEST, 9am in the west).
SuperCoach NBL jackpot: Wildcats to watch in Vegas
Star Perth recruit Keanu Pinder is set to engage in his first meaningful action of an injury interrupted pre-season when he suits up for the Wildcats in a pair of clashes against a G League Ignite team featuring some of the most exciting NBA draft hopefuls on the planet.
It’s understood up to 200 basketball scouts from all over the world have converged on Las Vegas to see the talent on show at the G League Fall Invitational, including Perth’s 18-year-old French NBA draft hopeful Alex Sarr.
Pinder, who has battled a groin injury, trained in Las Vegas on Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s clash with G League Ignite, still sporting a hard plastic face mask to protect the fractured orbital bone he suffered in January that forced him out of former club Cairns’ NBL finals campaign.
The Wildcats, still yet to lock in a third import, have taken every squad member to Vegas for the event, with Kiwi scorer Corey Webster recovered from a hip flexor complaint and recruit Hyrum Harris touching down Tuesday after completing FIBA World Cup duties with the Tall Blacks.
“I feel like we’ll have a full roster participating in Wednesday’s game,” coach John Rillie said.
“Corey is ready to go and has been practising.
“Keanu has had a disrupted off-season but looks pretty good and hopefully he’ll be available for Wednesday as well.”
NBL Supercoaches will need to keep a close eye on these games, given the Wildcats sport three of the five most popular players in the game
It’s a chance at a first glimpse of back-to-back NBL Most Improved Player Pinder (32 per cent ownership) alongside Wildcats’ superstar Bryce Cotton (35.7 per cent) and Sarr (30.5 per cent).
The 216cm Sarr gave a first taste of his potential in a pair of weekend exhibition games against an NBL1 West select team and will be keen to improve his draft stock in front of talent watchers from NBA clubs.
The Ignite roster features several high-level young talents, including Ron Holland, Matas Buzelis – the potential No.1 and No.2 picks in the 2024 NBA draft, depending on who you speak to – Izan Almansa and Thierry Darlan – both possible lottery picks.
Ignite veteran David Stockton will be a name familiar to some Aussie basketball fans – he’s the son of NBA all-time assists leader John Stockton, and NBL fans will recall he signed with New Zealand in 2016 as a replacement for injured import Ben Woodside and averaged 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 10 NBL games.
The Wildcats face G League Ignite Thursday and Saturday, both games at 9am WA, 11am AEST. Watch the games free on the NBA app.
WILDCATS IN VEGAS
Bryce Cotton
Corey Webster
David Okwera
Hyrum Harris
Jordan Usher
Keanu Pinder
Kyle Zunic
Tai Webster
Jesse Wagstaff
Ben Henshall
Alexandre Sarr (Next Star)
Dontae Russo-Nance (Development Player)
Michael Harris (Development Player)
Jack Andrew (Development Player)
‘First-picked cheapie’: Pre-season scouting notes
It’s still early in the pre-season and several NBL teams are yet to have a proper hitout, but that won’t stop us from taking away some all-too-soon SuperCoach NBL intel.
Melbourne United and Tasmania were the latest teams in action Monday and Wednesday but, with an army of SuperCoach-relevant players at the World Cup (Chris Goulding, Shea Ili), injured (Luke Travers, Matthew Dellavedova) or taking it easy after attending a wedding in the US (Marcus Lee), what can we really take away?
Ariel Hukporti ($172,100 CTR) has had a slow start with scores of 14 (seven turnovers killed his score) and 18, but expect him to skyrocket once he’s up to speed, having spent last season on the sidelines with a ruptured Achilles. United development players Campbell Blogg ($58,500 GRD, 27 points) and Zac Triplett ($69,000 GRD, 20) led game one and two, respectively. Neither will get that kind of in-season burn, though.
Tassie guard Sean Macdonald ($129,300 GRD) had 36 points on Monday night and would be intriguing if he was at a cheaper pricepoint.
United faced touring Cal Baptist University earlier this month and Luke Travers ($276,300 GRD/FWD) showed why he is the most popular player in the game, owned by over a third of all SuperCoaches at this stage. The former Perth Wildcats’ versatile skill set producing 11 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 6 blocks and 3 steals for 48 SuperCoach points.
Teenage 7’3” Brisbane Bullets Next Star Rocco Zikarsky ($115,000 CTR) lit up with what is still a pre-season high 52 points against CBU back on August 10, and backed that up with 22 points in just 9 minutes last Saturday against Cairns. I maintain he’s a SuperCoach trap this season, but will be pleased if he can prove me wrong.
Former Taipan Shannon Scott ($313,300 GRD) had 33 points in his Bullets debut against his old club and he looms as a real point of difference, given he was the 12th-highest scorer in the game last season. Rookie forward Josh Bannan ($69,000 FWD) had 24, then 14 points and, at $69,000 – he should be your first-picked cheapie. Isaac White ($88,500 GRD) is another cheapie who looks like he will have a role, having produced 23 and then 42 points, although that was without No.1 man Nate Sobey.
The Taipans had only half a team in and they’re an avoid until after they return from the US for the NBAxNBL games, but rookie big man Sam Mennenga is the pick at $69,000.
Perth showed it is packed with potential SuperCoach studs. The most-expensive man in the game Bryce Cotton ($466,300 GRD) didn’t get out of first gear and still managed 35 and 27 points in the games with an NBL1 West Select squad. New import wing Jordan Usher ($277,000 FWD) is on the radar with 24 and 31 points while flamethrower Michael Harris ($75,400 GRD) had 34 in the second game. He’s a development player at the moment but will be SuperCoach relevant if he can secure a bigger role in the future.
French Next Star Alex Sarr ($115,000 FWD/CTR, 30) and former Melbourne United forward David Okwera ($110,200 FWD, 16 and 25) both put their names forward for SuperCoaches – the caveat is the Wildcats are yet to unveil their last import, set to be a power forward, who will potentially eat up those minutes available to the bigs.
The Wildcats head to Vegas next week for a pair of games against G League Ignite.
Hard to take much out of SEM’s clash with CBU. SuperCoach lock Mitch Creek ($418,900 FWD) didn’t play, Alan Williams ($381,600 CTR) had 10 points in 10 minutes and Gary Browne ($325,500 GRD) was around the mark with 30, but that was before new import Will Cummings arrived, so it will be interesting to see how the points are divvied up when they have a full squad.
With the NBL Blitz on the Gold Coast looming on September 16, several teams have practice games locked away.
The Phoenix and Adelaide are up on Friday night in Mt Gambier and New Zealand visits the Snakepit to take on Illawarra on Sunday.
The Throwdown before the Throwdown is also on Saturday week, when United and the Phoenix clash at Casey Stadium.
Tassie triumphs twice over depleted United
Makeshift Melbourne United has completed a two-game pre-season trip to Tassie with a fighting comeback that ultimately proved fruitless against the JackJumpers.
United welcomed back Tanner Krebs after he missed Monday’s 79-63 loss with what was understood to be a calf complaint, giving them four main roster players to deploy.
It was the former Brisbane Bullet, along with a mix of development, train-on and NBL1 talent that piloted United as they battled back from 21 down to fall 89-78.
With one local roster spot still up for grabs, development players Campbell Blogg and Zac Triplett caught the eye for United. Sharpshooter Triplett drained four of his five three-point attempts on the way to a team-high 14 points, while Blogg’s inside-outside game helped him to 13 – backing up from 18 on Monday night.
Returning JackJumpers All NBL First-teamer Milton Doyle and new arrival Jordon Crawford gave the 1100 Tassie fans who packed out Launceston’s Elphin Sports Centre, a taste of what they can deliver in NBL24, combining for 33 points and five steals before coach Scott Roth put the cue in the rack and they sat out the fourth.
United took the lead 44-43 on an Ariel Hukporti free throw with 2.28 left in the first half but then became onlookers as Tassie reeled off nine in a row before the long break and then tacked another seven answered to begin the third in a 16-0 run that effectively killed the contest.
In the third, Mighty Mouse Crawford, one of the smallest men to ever play in the NBL at 168cms, received some rough treatment on a screen from 20-year-old United hopeful Tom Koppens. The 33-year-old Ohio native had some choice words and squared up to the Sandringham Sabre, providing watchers with a slightly comical moment, given he only came up to the 201cm Koppens’ chest.
A 16-4 run to begin the fourth drew United within six, but that was as close as they got as Tassie steadied, then held on.
Next Star Hukporti, on his way back from an Achilles rupture that wrecked his NBL23 campaign, did not give the ball away once after seven turnovers on Monday night and he showed a glimpse of the force he can be for United this season with 23 rebounds and four blocks across the two games.
United missed Boomer Chris Goulding and Tall Blacks Shea Ili and Flynn Cameron, who are all away on FIBA World Cup duties, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr is out until November after wrist surgery and starting pair Luke Travers and Matthew Dellavedova stayed in Melbourne nursing undisclosed niggles.
A wedding in the US over the weekend prevented new Tasmania import big man Marcus Lee from taking on his former team for the first time. The Jackies also missed Junior Madut and Majok Deng, also at the World Cup, making history with South Sudan.
Head coach Dean Vickerman made the trip with the squad but he played overseer as assistants David Barlow, on Monday, and Rhys Carter, on Wednesday, took their chance to run the show from the sidelines.
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