NBL1 West: News, squads, coaches - everything you need to know
Can the Buccaneers go back to back? That’s the big question as tip-off in the NBL1 West competition approaches. REBECCA WILLIAMS casts her eye over the league inside.
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Can the Buccaneers go back to back?
That is the big question in the NBL1 West men’s league in 2024 as the reigning champions reload for another crack at the title with some impressive new signings.
Coach Dayle Joseph has added significant star power to his roster including former SBL MVP Josh Braun and Nik DeSantis, who won the NBL1 Central title with West Adelaide last season.
Rebecca Williams casts her eye over the entire NBL1 West Men’s league ahead of the season starting this week.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL NBL1 WEST WOMEN’S PREVIEW
Click to skip to your team:Cockburn Cougars | East Perth Eagles | Eastern Suns | Geraldton Buccaneers | Goldfields Giants | Joondalup Wolves | Lakeside Lightning | Mandurah Magic | Perry Lakes Hawks | Perth Redbacks | Rockingham Flames | South West Slammers | Warwick Senators | Willetton Tigers
COCKBURN COUGARS
Home stadium address: Wally Hagan Stadium
Coach: Mark Clayden
Players: Brayden Atwell, Josh Hunt, Jordan Lee, Alexander Mackinlay, Gavin Field, Seva Chan, Hunter Clarke, Rhys Vague, Demetris Morant, Matt Clifford, Noah Stewart, Nathan Pond, Kyle Armour, Charlie Dimmock, Hayden Bell, Riley Bensemann, William Yarran.
Finished last year: 9th
Key recruit: Rhys Vague - former Perth Wildcat who spent time in Japan before returning to the NBL for a stint with South East Melbourne. Sharpshooting stretch four who can fill it up.
Who to look out for and why: Charlie Dimmock - WA U20 Nationals captain who has a promising future in basketball.
Our bold prediction: In the battle for the final eight.
EAST PERTH EAGLES
Home stadium address: Herb Graham Recreation Centre
Coach: Carl Filpo
Players: Sebit Reath, Taylor Young, Nicolas Filpo, Elijah Pawson, Noah Straatsma, Jerami Grace, Sherif Watson, Sunday Dech, David Okwera, Lukas Milner, Lee Roberts, Anthony Filpo, Nathan Drown, Mike Clare, Nigel Adonis, Cameron Flynn.
Finished last year: 12th
Key recruit: Sunday Dech has been a huge part of the Eagles over many years and he returns again after another strong season with Adelaide 36ers in the NBL.
Who to look out for and why: Star import Taylor Young had a strong season last year, averaging 15.4 points, and is determined to push the Eagles into the playoffs in 2024.
Our bold prediction: Should squeeze their way into the playoffs.
EASTERN SUNS
Home stadium address: Ray Owen Sports Centre
Coach: Aaron Trahair
Players: Rob Huntington, Cooper Lowe, Reece Maxwell, Jack Exeter, Seb Salinas, Dyson Lowe, Brendan Dinardo, Marek Nelson, Bryan Michaels, Di’Ante Mearis, Raphell Thomas-Edwards, Austin Rebel, Ryan Coutts.
Finished last year: 10th
Key recruit: Bryan Michaels has joined from Joondalup Wolves while the club has high hopes for new American import Marek Nelson who has joined from Nicholls State University in Texas.
Who to look out for and why: Ryan Coutts will make his NBL1 debut this season before heading to the US to play College ball at Dordt University in Iowa.
Our bold prediction: Not quite there yet.
GERALDTON BUCCANEERS
Home stadium address: Active West Stadium
Coach: Dayle Joseph
Players: Aaron Ralph, Mat Wundenberg, Liam Hunt, Johny Narkle, Nikolas DeSantis, Joshua Keyes, Joshua Braun, Robert Griechen, Ryan Blanchett.
Finished last year: 2nd (Champions)
Key recruit: Nikolas DeSantis looms as a potential recruit of the year, coming from the NBL1 Central champions West Adelaide Bearcats where he averaged 16.9ppg. Is he the missing link in the premiership puzzle?
Who to look out for and why: Liam Hunt. Incredible story to fight back after a severe fall four years ago where paramedics thought he may require an amputation with fears an artery had been severed. A former Buccaneers MVP, there are hopes this could be the season he recaptures that form.
Our bold prediction: Added experience of DeSantis gives Buccaneers hope they can go one step further in 2024.
GOLDFIELDS GIANTS
Home stadium address: Niels Hansen Basketball Stadium
Coach: Matthew Van Pelt
Players: Randy Bell, Ethan Henderson, Manylok Malek, Kon Anguik, Maj Gareng, Damon Ballantyne, Jerome Reid, Hamish Cummings, Sam Marrow, Nic Lawrence, Laine Warena, Dyson Sumsion, Nicholas Shaw, Jordan Clements, Bailey Hywood, Lachlan Clements, Jayden Doel
Finished last year: 11th
Key recruit: Randy Bell is a 6’4 combo guard who has arrived in Kalgoorlie after two seasons for Bumi Borneo in the Indonesian league. Versatile and with great all round scoring ability, his shooting from range or driving to the post will add another dimension to the Giants. Defensively the club hopes his experience, fight and willingness to scrap will help drive the team towards a stronger season.
Who to look out for and why: Former Arkansas and Texas A&M college baller Ethan Henderson is just a superb athlete the Giants believe can transform the team. Standing 6’9, he is both athletic and mobile, can dunk everything, run in transition, hedge ball screens, and guard every position.
Our bold prediction: Big improvement expected with the Giants.
JOONDALUP WOLVES
Home stadium address: HBF Arena Joondalup
Coach: David Morrell
Players: CJ Turnage, Jordan Wellsteed, Luca O’Brien, Ben Geel, Ethan Elliott, Caleb Davis, Christian Jurlina, Jonathan Wade, Gabe Chadinha, Jeremy Combs.
Finished last year: 6th (Lost the grand final)
Key recruit: Ethan Elliott. A dynamic guard and rising star, Elliott is a former centre of excellence athlete who joins the Wolves from the Warwick Senators where he finished second in the team for scoring (18.5 ppg) and first for assists (4) last season.
Who to look out for and why: Jonathan Wade. Coming off a season-ending injury in 2023, Wade will be looking to bounce back to his best form with his elite shooting, defence and playmaking.
Our bold prediction: Championship or bust for the Wolves this year.
LAKESIDE LIGHTNING
Home stadium address: Lakeside Recreation Centre
Coach: Mike Malat
Players: Dominic Jackson, Josh Davey, Mike Adewunmi, Marshawn Blackmon, Max Richards, Cameron Armstrong, Elliot Mackenzie, Michael Garbellini, Ryan Hunt, Michael Odindo, Tom Parkinson.
Finished last year: 8th (Eliminated first week of playoffs)
Key recruit: Mike Adewunmi is a 25-year-old guard from Texas who has spent a season playing in Bulgaria.
Who to look out for and why: Max Richards had a strong finish to the season last year, delivering some big moments in games and should take further steps in his development in 2024.
Our bold prediction: Will be on the cusp of the playoffs yet again.
MANDURAH MAGIC
Home stadium address: Mandurah Aquatic and Rec Centre
Coach: Mark Utley
Players: Ayden Mcilvinney, Dion Collins, Jarrad Mcilvinney, Jayden Crudeli, Josh Brabazon, Chad Miegel, Joseph MacDonald, Taj Benning, Michael Durr, Julian Pesava, Harry Klasztorny, Mark Riegert, Mitch Fenton, Jarrod Molnar, Jermaine Malie, Lachlan Bertram, Troy Kelly
Finished last year: 14th
Key recruit: Julian Pesava joins from Mt Gambier Pioneers where he average 11.9ppg and 4 rebounds.
Who to look out for and why: Taj Benning is another big recruit, coming off a strong season with Cockburn Cougars where he averaged 17.5ppg.
Our bold prediction: Look set for another tough season.
PERRY LAKES HAWKS
Home stadium address: Bendat Basketball Centre
Coach: Damian Barr
Players: Jaylen Key, DeQuan Abrom, Adrian Nobensi, Luke Phillips, Joel Vaiangina, Cooper Hamilton, Matt Leary, Keegan Phillips, Tom Snelgrove, Harry Imison, Nick Floyd, Kyiah O’Donohue, Neema Kazeemi, Max Bucknell, Riley Leach.
Finished last year: 4th (Eliminated semi-finals)
Key recruit: Import Jaylen Key. The 202cm power forward from Milwaukee averaged 22 points and eight rebounds during the 2023 season playing in NBL1 North.
Who to look out for and why: Fellow import DeQuan Abrom is a sharpshooting 6ft guard who has a wealth of experience playing in Europe, Asia, North America and China.
Our bold prediction: Serious title contenders.
PERTH REDBACKS
Home stadium address: Belmont Oasis Leisure Centre
Coach: Charles Nix
Players: Tevin Jackson, Maris Colton, Jacob Formosa, Denzel Jackson, Kyden Edman, Ioannis Dimakopoulos, Connor Mincherton, Travis Vogel, Cousteau Kyle, Joe Cook-Green, Miles Gibson, Jordan Deegan, Koby Weir, Carl Aylett.
Finished last year: 5th (Eliminated preliminary finals)
Key recruit: NBL1 single-game scoring record holder Joe Cook-Green, who hit 54 points in a game last season.
Who to look out for and why: Seven-foot tall Greek-Australian Ioannis Dimakopoulos looms as a weapon for the Redbacks after signing with the team this season.
Our bold prediction: A top three finish is surely on the cards in 2024.
ROCKINGHAM FLAMES
Home stadium address: Mike Barnett Sports Complex
Coach: Ryan Petrik
Players: Callum Beard, Justin Beard, Terry Caldon, Travis Durnin, Gorjok Gak, Ryan Godfrey, Cody Hill, Jonathan Janssen, Marshall Nelson, Brendan Redhead, Dean Supljeglav, Mazz Tapu, Devondrick Walker.
Finished last year: 1st (Eliminated preliminary finals)
Key recruit: The South East Melbourne Phoenix star Gorjok Gak could very well play his way into being the best big in the NBL1 West.
Who to look out for and why: Marshall Nelson. With the departure of Jeremy Combs to Joondalup, it’s time for Nelson to deliver his breakout year after his All-Star five national finals nomination last season.
Our bold prediction: Can they recover from last year’s playoffs failure to fight for the title again?
SOUTH WEST SLAMMERS
Home stadium address: Eaton Rec Centre
Coach: Shane Goff
Players: Buay Tuach, Clive-Warren Nye Harvey-Weeden, Devan Craig, Jack Flynn, Mayuol Makuac, Xavier Cotton, Byron Jonker, Cory Richardson, Dylan Moir, Manyiel Wugol, Pharell Keats, Alex Holcombe
Finished last year: 13th
Key recruit: American import Alex Holcombe is a 25-year-old forward who at 206cm adds some size to the roster. Coming off a season in the Kazakhstan national league.
Who to look out for and why: Two-time club MVP Buay Tuach is the Slammers’ key man and will be looking for another strong season alongside some new recruits.
Our bold prediction: Will be looking to improve on last year’s tough season.
WARWICK SENATORS
Home stadium address: Warwick Stadium
Coach: Andrew Cooper
Players: George Pearl, Tyler Shand, Jay Thwaites, Michael Harris, Zac Gattorna, Todd Withers, Brody England, Kieran Berry, Ash Litterick.
Finished last year: 7th (Eliminated first week of playoffs)
Key recruit: American forward Todd Withers has played in the NBL as an import with the Adelaide 36ers and around the world, including New Zealand and Turkey.
Who to look out for and why: Perth Wildcats guard Michael Harris joins the Senators for the first time this season.
Our bold prediction: Beware. They could be the surprise contenders this season.
WILLETTON TIGERS
Home stadium address: Willetton Basketball Stadium
Coach: Adam Nener
Players: Tom Gerovich, D’antae Woods, Thom Musumeci, Aiden Fitzgerald, Michael Dupree, Damien Scott, Travis Fee, Mike Vigor, Josh Ibukunoluwa, Jeremy Bregger, Andrew Black, Deng Gak, Luke Paul, Channing Olowoyo, Aaron Gashaw.
Finished last year: 3rd (Eliminated semi-finals)
Key recruit: Michael Dupree has joined the Tigers from the Goldfield Giants where the point guard averaged 20.7 points and 3.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game last season.
Who to look out for and why: Deng Gak. His brother Gorjok played for the Tigers last year and was the West men’s defensive player of the year. Gak joins the Tigers from NBL1 central and has been playing in Europe.
Our bold prediction: Arrival of Dupree makes the Tigers a serious threat to go all the way.
Originally published as NBL1 West: News, squads, coaches - everything you need to know
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