Cheapie Bible: Every bargain buy in SuperCoach NBL
Nailing the right cheapies is they key to success in fantasy sports. Here’s every bargain-priced player you need to know for your SuperCoach NBL team.
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The pre-season is done and Thursday’s NBL24 opener is almost upon us.
So, with that in mind, Mick Randall has pored over the data from the NBL Blitz.
With a little statistical help from the gurus over at basketballblokes.com, here’s Mick’s rejigged pre-round 1 cheapie bible.
NBL SEASON STARTS THURSDAY!
For the purposes of this column, we’ve rated cheapies at $130k and below and divided them into four categories.
Players priced at $58,500 need only score five points to break even, and an average of 11 would see them double in price.
Players who cost $69,000 are priced at six points.
The seven first-year Next Stars are each priced at $115,000, an average of 10 points (except Melbourne United’s Ariel Hukporti at $172,200).
For the record, most new imports are locked in at $277,000 – a break-even of 24.
Next Stars ($115k)
Can we rely on any of the young NBA draft hopefuls?
Alex Sarr (PER) $115,000 FWD/CTR – STRONG BUY
NBL Blitz average: 25.7
Perth still hasn’t signed a third import and, with rumours that player will be more a three-four than four-five, it might not have much impact on Sarr’s role as the primary back-up for Keanu Pinder at centre. What a player this kid is at just 18 years of age. Still learning the game, the Frenchman can play inside and out – at both ends of the floor – has incredible athleticism, especially at 216cm and some scouts have him now projected to go in the top five of this year’s NBA draft. He’s the most-owned player in SuperCoach for a reason. Don’t overthink it.
Ariel Hukporti (MEL) $172,100 CTR – BUY
NBL Blitz average: 24
After missing the entirety of last season with a ruptured Achilles, the German-Togolese Next Star is priced more than $50k higher than all the other Next Stars owing to a rookie season where he averaged 1.1 points per minute. He is arguably overpriced, given you’d normally want a player who has missed a full season to be super cheap but, with Jo Lual-Acuil Jr out until November and coach Dean Vickerman hoping he can get 20-30 minutes out of the 21-year-old, he has a huge ceiling. Foul trouble and a proclivity for the odd boneheaded play will still be a frustration but, flashback to 2021-22 and he was ultra productive, averaging 16.5 SuperCoach points in just 14.8 minutes per game. Sky’s the limit.
Alex Toohey (SYD) $115,000 FWD – BUY
NBL Blitz average: 19.7
Is it possible the 6’8” utility is better than advertised? I was already enamoured with his game but the poise, efficiency and versatility he showed at the Blitz only made me respect him even more. You could wait a week given the Kings only have one game in round 1, but, with his ability to play every position on the floor, he should carve out a role as new Kings’ coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah’s Swiss Army knife and that’s a big plus for SuperCoaches. A top round 2 trade target if you don’t start the season with him.
Bobi Klintman (CNS) $115,000 FWD – BUY/WATCH
NBL Blitz average: 26.3
Some respected scouts touted the Swede to be drafted higher than any of this year’s crop of Next Stars, and the size, athleticism and confidence, coupled with a broad offensive skillset he showed at the Blitz, didn’t give huge reason to doubt them. Klintman enjoyed a solid role for the Taipans, his best game an 18-point, four-rebound, three-assists, two-steal effort that included two clutch late buckets against the Phoenix. The caveat for the 20-year-old is the Taipans are yet to welcome back two projected starting wings in Tahjere McCall and Bul Kuol, which likely have a big impact on how effective Klintman can be for SuperCoaches.
Trentyn Flowers (ADL) $115,000 GRD – PASS/WATCH
NBL Blitz average: 7.7
Adelaide abandoned the Trentyn Flowers point guard project after just two mistake-riddled pre-season games, coach CJ Bruton shifting the 18-year-old to a wing. Initial thoughts were the teen was a must-have when he was given the keys to running the team. But it turns out he’s not really equipped to do that, so a move off the ball might actually be a positive, although I’m off the SuperCoach wagon because I believe there are far more reliable options available.
Rocco Zikarsky (BRI) $115,000 CTR – WATCH/NEXT YEAR?
NBL Blitz average: 9.5
Still just 17, the 7’3” Brisbane giant set tongues wagging when tore apart his first pre-season game against Cal Baptist University. Coach Justin Schueller rates the youngster and he has the capacity to go large in SuperCoach, but I’ve long said he’s a trap this season and nothing at the Blitz changed my mind. Right now, he’s the third centre at the Bullets behind Aron Baynes and Tyrell Harrison, and Schueller will make him earn every minute he gets. Given Rocco’s inexperience, he will be on a tight leash, but his sheer size, presence at both ends of the floor and just flat out basketball ability might ensure he forces his way into an early role. The SuperCoach dream is he’s played sparingly early doors, the Bullets fall out of finals contention and Schueller then throws his future star into the fire.
AJ Johnson (ILL) $115,000 GRD – PASS
NBL Blitz average: 5
Showed little flashes at the Blitz, but isn’t on my SuperCoach radar. A broken nose in pre-season hasn’t helped, and I can’t see where his minutes come from in the Hawks’ roster build. Illawarra is stacked at guard with Justin Robinson, Will Hickey and Tyler Harvey all set to have the ball in their hands and play big minutes. Where that left Johnson was one of the most fascinating watches of the NBL Blitz for me – the answer is he played 15, eight and 14 minutes. If he can find a clear way to back up Robinson at the one, then that could put him back in the SuperCoach mix. As with Flowers, though, youth can lead to mistakes and it remains to be seen how much coach Jacob Jackomas is willing to accept – especially if the Hawks look like a finals team.
Mantas Rubstavicius (NZL) $115,000 FWD – WATCH
NBL Blitz average: DNP
Didn’t play in the Blitz, so your guess is as good as mine about what he might be able to produce for SuperCoach purposes. A talented wing out of Lithuania who could be a scoring machine, but it will be tough to find a prominent role with the reloaded grand finalists. The Breakers have a ton of wing depth, but what helps Rubstavicius is he is 21 years old, has already played professionally and you only need look at his efforts at last year’s U20 European Championships to see what he is capable of. He averaged 19.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists, leading the tournament in scoring on the way to a silver medal for Lithuania.
CASH COWS ($59K-99K)
The guys who can make serious bank
Lachlan Olbrich (ILL) $69,000 CTR/FWD – STRONG BUY
NBL Blitz average: 27.3
The only cheapie at the Blitz in the top 10 SuperCoach scorers, the 19-year-old was the talk of the Gold Coast with games of 20 and 18 points on a ridiculously efficient 19-22 shooting – 87 per cent. But it’s not just the stats, this kid has all the physical and skill tools to be an NBA player, one day, and it looks like he will force his way into consistent minutes in Jacob Jackomas’ rotation. The Hawks don’t have a great early schedule, but Olbrich looms as a must-pick cheapie, given his ability and efficiency.
Josh Bannan (BRI) $69,000 FWD – WATCH/STRONG BUY
NBL Blitz average: 24
One of my first-picked players, Bannan was the beneficiary of a bidding war between Melbourne United and Dean Vickerman and former United assistant-turned Bullets head coach Justin Schueller. Spent a period of the off-season working out in Indiana with the Pacers, underlining the potential NBA interest, and should split time at power forward with DJ Mitchell and potentially nick some minutes at the five. High level rebounder and tough inside scorer who is my pick for cheapie of the year – just check the injury report before the Bullets tipoff on Friday night as he suffered a lower leg injury in the Blitz.
Taran Armstrong (CNS) $69,000 GRD – STRONG BUY
NBL Blitz average: 23.7
One for the basketball purists, the Tassie point guard has taken his considerable talents north and looks a natural running the Taipans offence. Passes – see what I did there? – both the eye and SuperCoach test and, as the starting point guard at bottom SuperCoach dollar, you have to start with him, even with the Taipans’ less than ideal early schedule.
Kyrin Galloway (ADL) $69,000 FWD – BUY
NBL Blitz average: 17.7
Played around 20 minutes in each game at the Blitz – albeit without injured import Jacob Wiley – and stood out with 27 SuperCoach points against NZ. Loads of potential, but hasn’t quite made the leap. Could it be this campaign? The Sixers are an interesting case study, with a number of wing players who will be high in CJ Bruton’s rotation, but Galloway plays tall, crashes the boards and does the dirty work.
Ben Henshall (PER) $69,000 FWD/GRD – BUY
NBL Blitz average: 18.7
Let me preface this by saying I have a bit of a man crush on Henshall’s game, but I’m not the only one. One NBA scout said before the Blitz “he’s definitely an NBA guy” and, after it, plenty more would have been thinking the same. Intrigued to see where he sits with the Wildcats. He’s on a two-year deal and on the main roster but is perhaps fourth in line behind ultra-talented stars Bryce Cotton and the Webster brothers, Tai and Corey. Regardless, you have to consider him at the price this season, but there’s a chance, if he doesn’t end up in the NBA, he and Cotton end up forming the starting back-court in Perth next season.
Sam Mennenga (CNS) $69,000 CTR – BUY
NBL Blitz average: 18.3
Will be the Taipans’ starting centre on opening night and he’s tough, mixes it inside and shoots well from deep. Mennenga was brought in to help fill the enormous shoes of the departed Keanu Pinder and, with a 26-point SuperCoach effort against SEM, the generous role in the frontcourt with Sam Waardenburg and new import Josh Roberts should pay dividends.
AK Gak (CNS) $69,000 FWD/CTR – WATCH
NBL Blitz average: 14.3
Lat Mayen (CNS) $69,000 FWD – WATCH
NBL Blitz average: 22.7
Jonah Antonio (CNS) $69,000 GRD – WATCH
NBL Blitz average: 14.7
Cairns is going to be every SuperCoach’s second favourite team if Adam Forde unleashes his squad of young, talented cheapies. The issue, for now, is how it all shakes out up north. Gak, Mayen and Antonio have all had their moments in pre-season but, as mentioned, there are a ton of Taipans who are vying for minutes and will steal SuperCoach production off each other. If one of these three emerges from the pack, don’t hesitate.
Kyle Bowen (MEL) $69,000 FWD – CONSIDER
NBL Blitz average: 11
They already love him at United. A real meat and potatoes big man who is very vocal and looks set to back up his mate Luke Travers at the four spot. Has role clarity and should exceed the six-point average he’s priced at, purely on hustle and effort. Don’t discount his ability to impact at the offensive end, he’ll get his chances on putbacks and maybe even the odd three ball late in the shot clock, where he’ll show off a unique one-hand-off-the-ball technique. Destined to be a fan favourite.
Makuach Maluach (SYD) $69,000 FWD – WATCH
NBL Blitz average: 12.5
After a season in Melbourne, the jury is out a bit on the remarkable athlete who never really had the chance to shine. Another one on watch for now but, if he does happen to get going in Sydney, he might be worth a punt.
Tohi Smith-Milner (ADE) $69,000 FWD – WATCH
NBL Blitz average: 12
Hear me out here. The big Kiwi enforcer has never been hugely productive, but coach CJ Bruton is a big fan and a 20-point outburst at the Blitz, coupled with another year of unrest in Adelaide could thrust the sharpshooter into a role that is SuperCoach-friendly.
BARGAIN OR BUST? ($70-130k)
Players above rookie price who could have the role to be valuable SuperCoach additions
Jaylin Galloway (SYD) $123,600 FWD – STRONG BUY
NBL Blitz average: 26.3
Sydney has known for a long time how good this kid is, but he caught the attention of the rest of the league with his defensive efforts in last year’s grand final series – and some spectacular athleticism. He’s competing with a hell of a lot of talent on that Kings’ squad but the 20-year-old balled out at the Blitz as the player who enhanced his reputation more than any other by tournament’s end. Appears to have stitched up the only contentious starting role in Sydney and that makes him a player who must be considered, given role and exposed form.
Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (ILL) $105,300 FWD/GRD – BUY
NBL Blitz average: 17
Coach Jacob Jackomas is a huge fan and, on seeing him at the Blitz, there’s a glimmer of an improved or more aggressive offensive punch from Wani in NBL24. Looks like he will be the preferred starting wing option at the Hawks and, if he can marry more scoring with his traditional defensive stats, the former Sydney King could be a SuperCoach jackpot.
Ben Ayre (SEM) $107,900 GRD – BUY
NBL Blitz average: 18
Unwanted in Cairns, SEM’s new pest has quickly established himself as the backup at both guard positions. He’s scored very well in pre-season and, while the injury-hit Phoenix need to integrate Matt Kenyon into the line-up, Ayre appears to have secured plenty of burn when one of import guards Gary Brown or Will Cummings rest. Has the green light and no fear launching it. Role consistent enough to make money.
Isaac White (BRI) $88,500 GRD – BUY
NBL Blitz average: 15
I’ve ever-so-slightly cooled on White being one of the cheapie buys of the year but he’s still a buy on the strength of his early pre-season showings. Former teammate Xavier Rathan-Mayes thought it ludicrous White couldn’t get a full NBL contract last season and, after several big outbursts for Tasmania as a development player, he was brought to Brisbane by new coach Justin Schueller as one of his first new signings. The flamethrower can fill it up in bunches and has unlimited range but he’s also shown some improved playmaking ability and that could be his key to SuperCoach supremacy.
Mitch Norton (BRI) $116,000 GRD – WATCH/CONSIDER
NBL Blitz average: 11.3
Out of favour in Perth, Norton was recruited by the Bullets as a hard-nosed back-up point guard and should be that behind import Shannon Scott. Priced almost the same as a Next Star, I can see him giving us 10-20 SuperCoach points per night with his ability to contribute in multiple categories, along with the potential for the odd big outburst. Schueller has spoken glowingly about the veteran, who was named in the Bullets leadership group, and players who average 0.6 points per minute or better are always worth consideration, especially those with a point to prove in a new home.
Sean Macdonald (TAS) $129,300 GRD – WATCH/LOW-END BUY
NBL Blitz average: 16
Development player who would probably start on three or four other NBL teams. I can’t decide if Macdonald is overpriced or underpriced, which means he’s probably perfectly priced. Does that mean he should be in your SuperCoach team? Certainly not at the beginning of the season, but it’s clear he’s a future leader of the Jackies and, if he can take a big step in NBL24, then his playmaking and scoring ability make him a viable SuperCoach option.
Hyrum Harris (PER) $83,400 FWD – WATCH/CONSIDER
NBL Blitz average: 16.3
Meat and potatoes player who isn’t elite at any one skill, but does just about everything the Wildcats want from him well. Tough and efficient, he’s cheap and should have some sort of role but the Wildcats also have another import to sign, so caution is needed here until that’s done.
Todd Blanchfield (ILL) $101,600 FWD – WATCH/CONSIDER
NBL Blitz average: 11.3
Veteran who returned to the Hawks after the Wildcats decided they wanted out of a multi-year deal. It’s difficult to see how things shake out with so many wings in Illawarra, but if Jacob Jackomas turns to the veteran stager, he’s a three-point maestro who can outproduce his relatively low price.
Michael Harris (PER) $75,400 GRD – WATCH
NBL Blitz average: 17
Look up “green light” in the dictionary and you might see a pic of Michael Harris. Still a DP with Perth, so he’ll rely on player unavailability for opportunities, but Rillie ran just about every play for him in the second half of the Blitz game against Adelaide and the 23-year-old responded with 18 points and six rebounds for 26 SuperCoach points. Watch and see for now, but keep him in your thinking.
David Okwera (PER) $110,200 FWD – PASS
NBL Blitz average: 10
Unabashed fan of the Perth-born kid who spent the past few years with Melbourne United, and I had high hopes a change of scenery would help him realise his full potential. But the signs aren’t good right now, and the price is too high. Has enormous SuperCoach X-Factor, if afforded consistent minutes.
Nick Marshall (ADL) $85,900 FWD – PASS
NBL Blitz average: 4
Couldn’t get a gig during Adelaide’s embarrassing first quarter stinker against Perth and that was without Trey Kell. Raps are huge on the future Boomer and he’s a monster in NBL1 but the Sixers have about 17 wings and Marshall doesn’t appear close to the top of CJ Bruton’s pecking order.
UBER CHEAPIES ($58,500)
Bottom-priced players who could deliver a Hail Mary if you’re desperate
Anzac Rissetto (SEM) $58,500 CTR – WATCH/CHEAP PUNT?
NBL Blitz average: 6.7
With Gorjok Gak out for six weeks with an ankle injury, the huge Kiwi has been elevated onto the main roster and Mike Kelly has already said a number of times he’s a fan of the 6’10” 22-year-old. So, at bottom price, the Phoenix cult figure is worth your consideration if you desperately need to find some cash. Came to Phoenix as a big, raw lump at the beginning of last season and has since made enormous strides.
Dontae Russo-Nance (PER) $58,500 GRD – WATCH
NBL Blitz average: 15
Only played one game at the Blitz, but scored 15 points in 10 minutes, underlining his SuperCoach potential. As with most development players, opportunities could be limited, but you could do worse than a kid who was a monster in the New Zealand NBL in 2022 – as a 17-year-old he led the entire league in steals at 2.9 per game, averaged 15.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists as the Tuatara made it all the way to the grand final, and he was named youth player of the year. Good pedigree and John Rillie is very high on him out west. Could he be the Sean Macdonald of NBL24?
Gabe Hadley (BRI) $58,500 GRD – WATCH
NBL Blitz average: 0
Got no burn at the Blitz, so that’s not an encouraging sign, but a fully-rostered player at $58,500 must be considered, especially in Brisbane, given there should be opportunities afforded to most guys on the roster in NBL24. He’s a Schueller disciple, too, having played under the new Bullets coach at the Geelong Supercats. Is last man in the pecking order right now, but don’t be surprised if he finds spot minutes here and there.
Matt Johns (BRI) $58,500 FWD – WATCH
NBL Blitz average: 6.3
A development player in Brisbane but, unlike Hadley, Johns was given a small window to impress and showed if playing time does ever open up, the Schueller disciple will make SuperCoach money.
Alex Mudronja (CNS) $58,500 – GRD – WATCH
NBL Blitz average: 6.3
Played in all three games at the Blitz and handled the ball a bit but the Snakes have so many ballhandlers, it’s hard to see Mudronja getting much of an opportunity. If he does end up with even a small role, he could prove a cheapie path to someone big.
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