NBL 2022-23 rosters: Every move your club has made ahead of NBL23
Chris Goulding says he’s processed the disappointment of last season — and learnt from it — as he extends his stay at Melbourne United.
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Melbourne is home for Chris Goulding.
The Boomers Olympic bronze medallist and three-time NBL champion has inked a two-year contract extension, which will take his commitment to Melbourne United through the end of the 2024-25 season.
In a league that has huge player turnover from one season to the next — just ask United who have replaced three of last season’s starters with a trio of imports — Goulding has been a constant for the past seven years.
SCROLL DOWN FOR EVERY CLUB’S FULL ROSTER AND THEIR DEPARTURES
“Melbourne’s our home now,” the United captain told News Corp.
“I’m a bit of a bitsa — I spent a lot of my life in Brisbane, in Queensland, I spent a lot of my early childhood in Tasmania and now almost a third of my life has been in Melbourne.
“As far as where I want to spend, year round, it’s right here.
“My daughter was born here, so there’s fond memories of this city and of this club and the things we’ve been able to achieve.
MAKING MOVES: COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF NBL FREE AGENCY
“The more we can try to build and keep achieving success as a club is what I’m excited about and also to have some stability for my family (wife Molly and daughter Genevieve) and know we’re going to be here for another three years is really important at this stage of my life.”
“Everyone always says the what-ifs and if this person played and whatever, so of course that plays into your mind but the reality of the situation is I didn’t play and the JackJumpers were better on that night,” Goulding, who is United’s all-time leader in games played (209), points (3342), three-pointers (675), assists (496) and steals (158), said.
“So it was a massive disappointment for what we were building throughout the year but we learnt some things about where our team needs to go and where the league is going and we’ve figured out some areas we needed to get better and hopefully we’ve addressed that.”
United has replaced China-bound Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and NBA men Matthew Dellavedova and Jack White with imports Rayjon Tucker, Jordan Caroline and Xavier Rathan-Mayes.
He likes the competitive fire he’s seen early but, as he approaches his 34th year around the sun, he’s mature enough to keep a lid on things at this early point.
“I like what we’ve brought in but the proof’s got to be in the pudding,” he said.
>>>CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON MELBOURNE UNITED ROSTER MOVEMENT
“Everyone’s got great imports, everyone’s got great camaraderie, everyone’s had the best pre-season they’ve ever had at this stage of the year.
“We’re not getting too ahead of ourselves.
“If we come out and show that competitive fire and compete for 40 minutes, night in and night out, hopefully we have another successful year.”
Coach Dean Vickerman said Goulding’s extension was a huge moment for the club.
“It’s amazingly exciting for the club to have our captain re-sign for a couple more years,” Vickerman said.
“He embodies the values of our club, he drives everyone to be better every day. When anyone thinks of Melbourne United, he’s the first person they think of.
“We want to continue building his legacy and I’m so pleased that we’ve got him locked in so fans can keep rocking his jersey and cheering along with him on every three.”
EVERY CLUB’S ROSTER
ADELAIDE 36ERS
Contracted: Sunday Dech, Hyrum Harris, Daniel Johnson, Mitch McCarron, Kai Sotto, Nick Marshall (development player, upgrade to full roster in season 2024), Anthony Drmic (from Brisbane, 2 year deal), Kyrin Galloway (from NZ, 2-year deal), Antonius Cleveland (from Illawarra, 2-year deal), Robert Franks (from Brisbane, 2-year deal), Craig Randall II (new, 1-year deal), Deng Acuoth (new, 1-year deal)
Departures: Dusty Hannahs (not returning), Todd Withers (not returning), Isaac Humphries (Melbourne United), Mojave King (not returning), Lachlan Olbrich (US college), Manny Malou (not returning), Cam Bairstow (retired), Tad Dufelmeier (not returning), Zac Gattorna (Sydney Kings)
***Main roster complete
BRISBANE BULLETS
Contracted: Jason Cadee, Tyrell Harrison, Nathan Sobey, Kody Stattmann (new, 1-year deal), Harry Froling (from Illawarra, 1-year deal), DJ Mitchell (new, 2-year deal, second year club option), Tanner Krebs (re-signed, 1-year deal), Lual Diing (development player, 2-year deal, second year club option), Gorjok Gak (new, 1-year deal), Aron Baynes (new, 2-year deal), Tyler Johnson (1-year deal)
Departures: Anthony Drmic (Adelaide), Deng Deng (Illawarra), Robert Franks (Adelaide), Chuanxing Liu (EASL), Harry Rouhliadeff (US College), Isaiah Moss (not retained), Jack Salt (not retained), Tamuri Wigness (not retained), Max Mackinnon (US college), Lamar Patterson (not retained), Taane Samuel (not retained), Tom Digbeu (not retained)
***One import spot to fill
CAIRNS TAIPANS
Contracted: Majok Deng, Mirko Djeric, Bul Kuol, Keanu Pinder, Tahjere McCall (re-signed, 2-year deal), Sam Waardenburg (new, 2-year deal), Jonah Antonio (new, 2-year deal), Lat Mayen (new, 2-year deal, second year club option), DJ Hogg (new, 1-year deal), Ben Ayre (re-signed, 2-year deal, second year club option), Shannon Scott (new, 1-year deal)
Departures: Scott Machado (not returning), Kouat Noi (Sydney), Nate Jawai (not retained), Stephen Zimmerman (not returning), Robbie Heath (not returning), Jarrod Kenny (not returning), Marshall Nelson (not returning), Jordan Ngatai (not returning)
***Main roster complete
ILLAWARRA HAWKS
Contracted: Sam Froling, Akoldah Gak, Dan Grida, Tyler Harvey, Alex Mudronja, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (from Kings, 2-year deal), Deng Deng (from Brisbane, 1-year deal), Lachlan Dent (development player, 1-year deal), Mangok Mathiang (1-year deal), George King (new, 1-year deal), Justin Robinson (new, 1-year deal)
Departures: Harry Froling (Brisbane), Antonius Cleveland (Adelaide), Duop Reath (not returning), Emmett Naar (not returning), Isaac White (Tasmania), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (Melbourne United), AJ Ogilvy (retired), Justinian Jessup (not returning), Tim Coenraad (front office, will be injury replacement)
***One local roster spot left to fill.
MELBOURNE UNITED
Contracted: Chris Goulding, Shea Ili (2-year extension), Brad Newley, David Okwera, Mason Peatling, Zac Triplett (development player), Ariel Hukporti (Next Star), Makuach Maluach (new, 1-year deal), Joshua Duach (new, 2-year deal, first year development player, second United option to upgrade to full roster), Isaac Humphries (from Adelaide, 1-year deal), Rayjon Tucker (new, 1-year deal), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (from Illawarra, 1-year deal), Jordan Caroline (new, 1-year deal), Malith Machar (new, development player, 2-year deal)
Free agents: David Barlow
Departures: Caleb Agada (not retained), Yudai Baba (not retained), Will Hickey (second-year option declined by club), Jack White (NBA), Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (signed overseas), Matthew Dellavedova (NBA), Callum Dalton (training player recovering from injury), Dion Prewster (not retained)
***One local roster spot left to fill.
NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
Contracted: Tom Abercrombie, Rob Loe, Sam Timmins, Will McDowell-White (re-signed, 1-year deal), Tom Vodanovich (from Sydney, 2-year deal), Cam Gliddon (from South East Melbourne, 2-year deal), Rayan Rupert (new, Next Star), Izayah Le’Afa (from South East Melbourne, 2-year deal), Dan Fotu (new, 2-year deal), Dererk Pardon (new, 1-year deal), Jarrell Brantley (new, 1-year deal), Alex McNaught (2-year deal,
Departures: Kyrin Galloway (Adelaide), Hugo Besson (not returning), Ousmane Dieng (NBA), Jeremiah Martin (released mid-season), Princepal Singh (released), Yanni Wetzell (released), Finn Delany, Chasson Randle (not returning), Peyton Siva (not returning), Rasmus Bach (not returning), Isaac Davidson (not returning), Geremy McKay (not returning), Sam Short (not returning)
***One local roster spot left to fill.
PERTH WILDCATS
Contracted: Bryce Cotton, Majok Majok, Mitch Norton, Oliver Hayes-Brown (development player), Kyle Zunic (DP upgrade, 2-year deal), Corey Shervill, Todd Blanchfield (re-signed, 3-year deal), Jesse Wagstaff (re-signed, 1-year deal), Corey Webster (new, 2-year deal), Luke Travers (drafted by Cleveland Cavaliers, will play in NBL23), TaShawn Thomas (new, 1-year deal), Brady Manek (new, 1-year deal), Michael Harris (new, development player, 2-year deal, second year team option)
Departures: Vic Law (Japan), Michael Frazier II (not retained), Matt Hodgson (not retained), Jack Purchase (not retained), Kevin White (non-restricted)
***Main roster complete
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
Contracted: Kyle Adnam, Ryan Broekhoff, Mitch Creek, Dane Pineau, Reuben Te Rangi, Junior Madut (new, 2-year deal, second year club option), Gary Browne (new, 1-year deal), Owen Foxwell (development player, 1-year deal), Trey Kell (new, 1-year deal), Alan Williams (new, 1-year deal), Grant Anticevich (new, 1-year deal)
Free agents: Tohi Smith-Milner
Departures: Adam Gibson (retired), Cam Gliddon (New Zealand), Izayah Le’afa (requested release from second-year of deal), Xavier Munford (not retained), Brandon Ashley (not returning), Zhou Qi (not returning)
***One local roster spot left to fill.
SYDNEY KINGS
Contracted: Biwali Bayles (Indigenous player rule), Jaylin Galloway, Angus Glover, Jordan Hunter, Shaun Bruce (re-signed, 2-year deal), Dejan Vasiljevic (re-signed, 3-year deal, third year mutual option), Kouat Noi (Cairns Taipans, 2-year deal, second-year team option), Xavier Cooks (re-signed, 3-year deal), Anyiarbany ‘Jackson’ Makoi (2-year deal, first-year development player, second-year team option), Derrick Walton Jr (new, 1-year deal), Justin Simon (new, 1-year deal), Tim Soares (1-year deal), Iggy Mitchell (1-year deal, development player), Isaac Gattorna (from Sydney, 1-year deal, development player)
>>>CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON SYDNEY KINGS ROSTER MOVEMENT
Departures: Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (Illawarra), Tom Vodanovich (New Zealand), Jaylen Adams (not returning), Jarell Martin (not returning), Ian Clark (not returning), RJ Hunter (not returning), Matur Maker (not returning), Makur Maker (NBA)
***Main roster complete
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS
Contracted: Jarred Bairstow, Matt Kenyon, Fabijan Krslovic, Will Magnay, Sam McDaniel, Jack McVeigh, Clint Steindl, Jarrad Weeks, Sean Macdonald (development player), Josh Magette (re-signed, 1-year deal), Rashard Kelly (new, 1-year deal), Milton Doyle (new, 1-year deal), Isaac White (from Illawarra, injury replacement), Trista Forsyth (from South East Melbourne, injury replacement), Josh Tomasi (development player)
Departures: Sejr Deans (US college), Jock Perry (not retained), MiKyle McIntosh (not retained), Josh Adams (not retained)
***Main roster complete
NBL rosters near complete but where have Next Stars gone?
—Michael Randall
Just five coveted spots remain on rosters across the NBL as clubs load up for the new season.
But the Next Star river is running a little dry, with only Melbourne United’s returning Ariel Hukporti and New Zealand’s new French teen Rayan Rupert on the books for NBL23, after a record seven young guns went through the program last campaign.
The league narrowly missed out on a third Next Star after Phoenix joined the race with teams in Germany and Spain for 19-year-old Croatian wunderkind Roko Prkacin, but the 206cm big man ultimately chose to play in the ACB.
Point guards Lamelo Ball (Illawarra to Charlotte) and Josh Giddey (Adelaide to Oklahoma City) are the highest-profile graduates of the Next Stars initiative, which has produced a host of NBA talent. But it can be a poison chalice, too, with the likes of Terry Armstrong (South East Melbourne, 2019-20) and Tom Digbeu (Brisbane, last season) struggling to grasp the professionalism required and unable to make a real impact for their teams.
United, South East Melbourne and Illawarra are on the hunt for local talent, while Brisbane and New Zealand still have import slots open.
The Hawks have not ruled out adding a Next Star, which is a player who is eligible for the NBA draft, is paid by the league, outside club salary caps, and does not take a spot on the 11-man roster.
If the number remains at two, it will be the fewest since the initiative’s inception in 2018-19.
Melbourne teams hunt locals
The obvious move for Phoenix is to seek depth behind star power forward Mitch Creek, with Kiwi international Tohi Smith-Milner a known commodity who was part of the NBL22 squad. Former United and Cairns player Venky Jois has also worked out in The Heartland.
“We have one local position left, and we’re looking at a number of options for that spot, we’re not far from complete and pretty soon we’ll have everyone in town,” Phoenix boss Tommy Greer said.
>>>CLICK FOR MORE ON SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE ROSTER CHANGES
At United, all three new imports have arrived and the squad has been together this week.
Coach Dean Vickerman has previously said he is looking for guard depth, with Lachie Barker — who played a number of games as a Covid replacement for the Phoenix last season — suited up in a pre-season clash with St Mary’s last week. He didn’t stand out in that game, but is one of the most dominant players in the second tier NBL1 and many believe he deserves a real chance in the top flight.
Vickerman kept his cards close to his chest: “Now that we have Rayjon (Tucker), Jordan (Caroline) and X (Xavier Rathan-Mayes) here, we’re going to take our time and assess what is needed most out of that final spot,’ Vickerman said.
“We have a number of players who we’re looking at and feel very comfortable in our ability to fill that spot with a guy who will add great value to our group for the season.”
A left-field option for United could be pint-sized dynamo Tad Dufelmeier, who is a dogged competitor and will keep his teammates honest on the practice court.
Next Star Hukporti, still just 20, decided not to declare for the NBA draft to spend another year at United. He is set to emerge from the shadow of China-bound star Jo Lual-Acuil, with Vickerman keen for the German to play alongside new recruit Isaac Humphries in an ultra-big line-up.
Could Hawks add Next Star?
At Illawarra, the Hawks are also considering pursuing a Next Star as they take their time nailing down their last roster spot.
“As of right now, we’re not rushing into any particular roster position,” spokesman Joe Tertzakian said.
“We are exhausting all possible options that the NBL allows for, which includes, but not limited to, the possibility of a Next Star, an Indigenous player and/or an Asian Exempt player.”
Beloved veteran Tim Coenraad — who is the club’s full-time community manager — won’t have a main roster spot but hasn’t officially retired and could lace them up again if the Hawks suffer injury trouble, similar to last season.
Meanwhile, the Brisbane Bullets want an Antonius “Cleveland-type” — the former Hawk who won the defensive player of the year and then signed with the Adelaide 36ers — as its third import after severing ties with Lamar Patterson and Next Star Tom Digbeu.
Breaking down NZ’s new French Next Star
The Breakers are seeking a third international.
Young Frenchman Hugo Besson, who was nabbed by Milwaukee in the second round of this year’s NBA draft, but did not make the roster, has been cleared by the Breakers. He signed with Metropolitans 92, where he will play with prospective 2023 No.1 pick Victor Webanyama in the LNB Pro A.
The French connection remains at the Breakers, with Next Star Rupert, still just 18, receiving a big rap from ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony as a dynamic defender.
“At 6’7” with a 7’3” wingspan and frame that should fill out considerably, he has incredible potential defensively with the way he hounds opponents the length of the floor, swipes down for steals instinctually and generally makes it tough to dribble the ball anywhere in his vicinity,” Givony wrote.
“He’s difficult to shoot over in close-out situations, covers ground well on the perimeter and shows excellent timing recovering for blocks at the rim when beat.”
Cairns, Perth, Sydney and Tasmania are locked and loaded for NBL23.
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