Every NBL1 Central basketball player signing for 2023 so far revealed
From household names to star imports, there have been a number of player signings across SA basketball’s top competition ahead of season 2023. See every movement for each club so far.
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NBL1 Central basketball season is fast-approaching and a number of SA’s top teams have already added significantly to their rosters.
Important re-signings, big name arrivals and star imports have already put pen to paper for many of the league’s clubs.
Here is every major move for each club so far in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
CENTRAL DISTRICT LIONS
Men: Nil
Women: Jayden Cerda (Southern Tigers), Joe Noone (coach)
Jayden Cerda has joined the Lions in a major move for the club, the former Southern Tigers gun averaging 18 points, three assists and seven rebounds last season.
She joins successful head coach Joe Noone who takes on the role as Central District women’s coach for 2023.
EASTERN MAVERICKS
Men: Dan Wray (coach), James Legan (returning), Jasper Rentory (Inner West Bulls)
Women: Taylah Levy (Cleveland State), Vikki Kelson (coach)
Taylah Levy marked the biggest signing for the Eastern Mavericks’ women’s side so far this off-season, the skilled guard most recently representing Cleveland State in America.
American import James Legan has also committed to the club after averaging 23 points per game in the NBL1 Central competition in 2022, while Filipino prospect Jasper Rentoy has signed after a season with in the NBL1 East.
FORESTVILLE EAGLES
Men: Nil
Women: Georgia Crouch (coach)
Georgia Crouch has taken the role of head coach for the Eagles this year.
Crouch has strong experience as a women’s assistant coach and has also coached the U20 state side.
NORTH ADELAIDE ROCKETS
Men: Akech Aliir (Canberra), Durrell McDonald (Waverley), Michael Rogers (coach)
Women: Brenton Johnston (coach), Jordyn Freer (Forestville), Lauren Mansfield (Gold Coast)
Veteran women’s coach Brenton Johnston has returned for the Rockets and will welcome guard Jordyn Freer and guard Lauren Mansfield to his side.
Prospective big man Akech Aliir has joined the men’s team from Canberra, the youngster averaging 10 points and eight rebounds a game for the Gunners last NBL1 season.
NORWOOD FLAMES
Men: Nil
Women: Nil
Norwood is yet to make a major move or re-signing this pre-season but remains active in the market as it attempts to rebuild for another season of finals basketball.
SOUTH ADELAIDE PANTHERS
Men: Scott Ninnis (coach)
Women: Ashleigh Spencer (returning), Hannah Stewart (returning), Lauren Gibbons (Sturt), Richard Dickel (coach)
Iconic SA basketball coach Scott Ninnis has re-signed with South Adelaide after coaching the men’s side to its first championship in 25 years last season.
Star women’s player Ashleigh Spencer will return to the club as well.
Spencer averaged 20 points last season and should form a strong partnership with defensive leader Lauren Gibbson who has arrived from Sturt.
SOUTHERN TIGERS
Men: Scott Freer (coach)
Women: Matt Clarke (coach)
Scott Freer will coach the Tigers’ men’s side in 2023 after a successful stint in Woodville’s coaching staff, replacing Tom Hilbig.
Matt Clarke will return as women’s coach at the club having led the team to finals last season.
He will aim to take the Tigers one step further and compete for a championship in 2023.
STURT SABRES
Men: Nil
Women: Nil
Sturt remains another club which is yet to acquire a player of significance so far this pre-season but should add to both sides after a relatively successful 2022.
The women’s team made a losing grand final against West Adelaide, while the men finished just outside of the finals.
WEST ADELAIDE BEARCATS
Men: Anthony Drmic (Adelaide 36ers), Dean Nyberg (coach) Joel Spear (Sturt), Mitch McCarron (Adelaide 36ers), Nik De Santis (Mount Gambier)
Women: Annalise Watkinson (Rockhampton), Genna Anderson (Norwood), Jasmin Fejo (returning), Jasmine Simmons (returning), Molly Coleman (Norwood)
West Adelaide has been the busiest NBL1 Central club so far during the pre-season, with a number of big names joining or returning for 2023.
Adelaide 36ers players Anthony Drmic and Mitch McCarron headline the new recruits, joining champion North Adelaide coach Dean Nyberg at the Bearcats after the men’s side finished seventh last season.
Drmic should provide a major scoring boost while McCarron’s facilitation will be integral to any finals success.
Star guard Jasmin Fejo has re-signed with the women, while Annalise Watkinson and Genna Anderson mark the new arrivals.
WOODVILLE WARRIORS
Men: Jawan Stepney (returning), Joe Jackson (returning), Tyrone McLennan (New Zealand)
Women: Chloe Purvis (returning), Emily Winter (returning), Glenn Shaw (coach), Isabella Musci (returning), Katherine Perkas (returning)
Woodville has reacquired star guard Jawan Stepney and big man Joe Jackson heading into season 2023, while guard Ty McLennan joins from the New Zealand NBL having averaged 14 points last year.
Glenn Shaw has arrived as women’s coach for this season after a stint as assistant coach at North Adelaide.
He will see the return of star player Emily Winter who is coming off of a season in which she averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds and three assists a game.
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Originally published as Every NBL1 Central basketball player signing for 2023 so far revealed
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