Movement afoot for NBL coaches

In the final Jordan’s Air NBL column for season 2018-19, Melo Trimble’s future, upcoming NBL coaching jobs as well as some QBL signings feature for Round 18.

Melo Trimble of the Taipans drives to the basket during the Round 18 NBL match between the Sydney Kings and the Cairns Taipans at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Saturday, February 16, 2019. (AAP Image/Steve Christo) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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WHO HAS FINAL SAY?

Maybe it was a slip of the tongue but Melo Trimble did not do much to dispel the theory that Taipans coach Mike Kelly does not have final say on his playing squad.

Before the team left for Melbourne last week, the American was asked about coming back to Cairns next season.

“(It’s) something that I will talk about on this trip with (Taipans CEO) Mark (Beecroft) and I’m really not worried about that right now,” Trimble said.

“I will worry about that next week.

“I am just focusing on these next two games.”

In an interview recently, Kelly said he made all decisions on his roster, despite suggestions within basketball circles that he does not.

NEW GUARD IN QBL

Expect to see G-League point guard LJ Rose, 25, bob up at a southern QBL club in the near future.

Rose has been with the Salt Lake City Stars this last season, and will join a team that had signed another guard who then pulled out with a long-term injury.

JUNIOR REP HONOURS

A handful of Far North juniors have been selected for the men’s and women’s north Queensland squads for the under-18 National Championships.

Ethan Crees, Ky Stattman, Tamuri Wigness, Indiah Bowyer and Shaniece Swain will don the maroon.

Meanwhile, Cairns’ Summah Evans has played for Queensland under-20 Women at the recent Australia Junior Championships.

Tamuri Wigness at Cairns Basketball after a Cairns Taipans training session. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE.

NBL1 RIPPLE EFFECT

It will be interesting to see how the new NBL1 competition will go signing recruits compared to the QBL this winter.

The NBL has partnered with Basketball Victoria to create a new league to strengthen the pathway for Australia’s best basketball talent — basically replacing the old SEABL.

NBL1 will consist of 18 clubs across southern Australia and feature both men’s and women’s teams, with every game to be live-streamed.

Could QBL clubs miss out on recruits because they want to play in an NBL-affiliated competition?

MOVEMENT AFOOT FOR NBL COACHES

Could we be about to enter the NBL off-season of coaching movement?

Illawarra, Adelaide, Sydney and Perth are up in the air with the whispers growing louder that Rob Beveridge has coached his last game for the Hawks.

It was reported that Trevor Gleeson has strong interest from Asia, and as for the Kings, who knows what will happen with Gazey.

Originally published as Movement afoot for NBL coaches