SuperCoach NBL 2023: How to pick a winning team in five minutes

Don’t miss out on the action when the first ever season of SuperCoach NBL starts on Thursday. Here’s how to be in the running for a brand new 2023 Mitsubishi ASX GS 2WD!

Taran Armstrong of the Taipans competes for the ball. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images for NBL

The moment is almost here.

The first ever season of SuperCoach NBL begins when Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix kick off the new NBL season at 7.30pm Thursday (AEST).

Haven’t picked a team yet? Don’t panic. There’s still time to be part of the action in Australia’s official fantasy basketball game – and join the race for fantastic prizes including a brand new 2023 Mitsubishi ASX GS 2WD for the top SuperCoach and cash and merch for the top scorers each week.

Go to supercoach.com.au and enter your details (even faster if you already play another form of SuperCoach) and start picking your 10-man roster.

EASY TEAM HELP

If you’re really pushed for time, or starting with minimal basketball knowledge, you’re not alone! And we’re here to help. The Intelligent Auto-Fill feature will select a team for you based on the most popular players in every other team selected so far. You can also nominate your favourite player(s) and hit ‘fill my team’ and let our smart technology do the rest.

How to use auto fill in SuperCoach NBL

PICK YOUR OWN TEAM

Want to have some more ownership over your starting roster? Follow this simple guide below based on the most selected players in the game to give you a starting team ready to challenge for your head-to-head league premiership.

Note: The schedule plays a big part in team selection for SuperCoach NBL. Perth Wildcats, Adelaide 36ers, Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Magic all play twice in the opening round, so selecting players from those teams can help you score maximum points early, with points from both games counting towards their round total.

The 36ers and Phoenix have doubles over the first two rounds, increasing their appeal, but don’t load up your team with too many players from the New Zealand Breakers or Cairns Taipans players, with both teams missing games in the early rounds.

Note (2): In SuperCoach NBL your bench players’ scores will count towards your total every round. You’ll get 100 per cent of the scores of your five on-court starters and 50 per cent for each of your bench players, so having players on the bench who are playing and scoring points is more important than ever.

Note (3): If you don’t get every pick perfect to start with, don’t panic. Every coach has three trades every round – or four if you use a Trade Boost – to improve your team and replace players who might miss through injury.

One final note. Remember all your players need to fit under the $2 million salary cap. OK, let’s get picking! The players below are based on ownership percentages in the game and a little expert knowledge.

FORWARDS

Pick two stars to start on court and two bargain-priced players for your bench.

PICK TWO OF THESE GUYS ON COURT

Mitch Creek (SEM) $418,900 (29% ownership)

Keanu Pinder (PER) $385,900 FWD/CTR (30%)

Sam Froling (ILL) $319,500 FWD/CTR (10%)

Denzel Valentine (SYD) $277,000 GRD/FWD (14%)

Jordan Usher (PER) $277,000 (4.5%)

Tyler Cook (SEM) $277,000 (14%)

Luke Travers (MEL) $276,300 GRD/FWD (44%)

Jack McVeigh (TAS) $262,300 GRD/FWD (7%)

Jonah Bolden (SYD) $232,000 FWD/CTR (10%)

Alex Sarr (PER) $115,000 FWD/CTR (46%)

Alexandre Sarr starred in the NBL Blitz pre-season comp. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images for NBL

Mitch Creek averaged 23 points per game for the Phoenix last season. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

PICK TWO OF THESE GUYS FOR YOUR BENCH

Jaylin Galloway (SYD) $123,600 (7.3% ownership)

Alex Toohey (SYD) $115,000 (9%)

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (ILL) $105,300 (3.7%)

Lachlan Olbrich (ILL) $69,000 CTR/FWD (29%)

Josh Bannan (BRI) $69,000 (15%)

Ben Henshall (PER) $69,000 FWD/GRD (11%)

Kyrin Galloway (SYD) $69,000 (5.8%)

Kyle Bowen (MEL) $69,000 (1.2%)

Frenchman Sarr has been one of the stars of the pre-season and should be in most SuperCoach NBL teams in a starting forward or centre slot.

CENTRES

Pick one starter on court and one bench back-up.

PICK ONE OF THESE GUYS ON COURT

Keanu Pinder (PER) $385,900 FWD/CTR (30% ownership)

Sam Froling (ILL) $319,500 FWD/CTR (10%)

Tyler Cook (SEM) $277,000 FWD/CTR (7%)

Jacob Wiley (ADL) $277,000 FWD/CTR (6%)

Isaac Humphries (ADL) $251,700 (6%)

Aron Baynes (BRI) $240,300 (9%)

Jonah Bolden (SYD) $232,000 FWD/CTR (10%)

Alex Sarr (PER) $115,000 FWD/CTR (43%)

Teenager Rocco Zikarsky is one of the hottest properties in the NBL. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images for NBL

PICK ONE OF THESE GUYS FOR YOUR BENCH

Ariel Hukporti (MEL) $172,100 (18% ownership)

Rocco Zikarsky (BRI) $115,000 (12%)

Lachlan Olbrich (ILL) $69,000 CTR/FWD (29%)

Sam Mennenga (CRNS) $69,000 (2.4%)

With just one bench players you should be able to afford to spend a bit more here to get the best scores each week.

GUARDS

Pick two stars to start on court and two bargain-priced players for your bench.

PICK TWO OF THESE GUYS ON COURT

Bryce Cotton (PER) $466,300 (45% ownership)

Jaylen Adams (SYD) $377,400 FWD/GRD (9%)

Milton Doyle (TAS) $344,600 (6.3%)

Denzel Valentine (SYD) $277,000 GRD/FWD (14%)

Luke Travers (MEL) $276,300 GRD/FWD (44%)

Chris Goulding (MEL) $262,100 GRD/FWD (17%)

Matthew Dellavadeova (MEL) $255,300 (10%)

Bryce Cotton doesn’t come cheap in SuperCoach NBL. Picture: Brendan Radke

PICK TWO OF THESE GUYS FOR YOUR BENCH

Trentyn Flowers (GRD) $115,000 (28% ownership)

Ben Ayre (SEM) $107,900 (4.2%)

Isaac White (BRI) $88,500 (13%)

Ben Henshall (PER) $69,000 FWD/GRD (11%)

Taran Armstrong (CNS) $69,000 (33%)

Bryce Cotton is the most expensive player in the game based on his scoring last year, and he put up some huge numbers in pre-season games. Will you spend almost a quarter of your salary cap on the Wildcats superstar?

Once you have a 10-man roster hit save! Pick a captain and vice-captain and you’re set for round 1. Then click on LEAGUES and get your mates in on the action!