NBL1, NZ, College hoops: Where 24 NBL development players will feature this off-season
The class of NBL25 development players have a point to prove this off-season as they look to NBL1, NZ and college to push for main roster spots. We look at where 24 NBL DP’s will feature.
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NBL25 is in the books and a host of players find themselves on the move before returning for a new season.
The vast array of development players who are looking to work their way onto rosters are of particular note with points to prove.
We take a look around the league at where each team’s DP talents will feature in the NBL off-season:
ADELAIDE
FISTON IPASSOU
Forestville Eagles – NBL1 Central – Guard
Was a key part of Forestville’s run to the NBL1 Central grand final last year. Played five games with the 36ers in the 2022-23 season as he continues to push for a new contract as he enters free agency.
KEANU RASMUSSEN
West Adelaide Bearcats – NBL1 Central – Guard
Enters the second year of his deal with the 36ers as a development player and will be looking for an upgrade. Played in 18 games and earned some good court time in the process as other players fell out of favour.
BRISBANE BULLETS
JOSH KUNEN
Northside Wizards – NBL1 North – Forward
Saw some time on the floor last season as injuries struck the Bullets in a big way. Averaged eight points and six rebounds with Cairns in the NBL1 last year and will be looking for a greater impact with Northside.
TRISTAN DEVERS
Nunawading Spectres – NBL1 South – Guard
Enters his second year with the Bullets, where he will become a fully contracted player in 2026-27. A 19-year-old with plenty of upside, Devers has been a long-time Spectre and returns to the club for the first time since 2023.
KYE SAVAGE
North West Thunder – NBL1 South – Guard
Similar to Devers, Savage becomes a fully rostered player following the next season. Saw limited time in his eight games with the Bullets last season. Was a standout for the Centre of Excellence last season (13.9 PPG).
ILLAWARRA
KOBE MCDOWELL-WHITE
Illawarra Hawks – NBL1 East – Guard
Played a handful of games for the Hawks in their championship season. Caught the eye of the club when starring for the Sunshine Coast in last year’s NBL1 North (averaged 15.6 points, six assists). Signed on for a second year in the NBL program.
LUCA YATES
Hawke’s Bay Hawks – NZ NBL – Centre
Has been with Illawarra for two seasons now after leading Mackay with 12 points and seven rebounds last year. Is one of multiple Illawarra players joining their namesake in NZ, alongside Wani Swaka Lo Buluk and Dan Grida.
BRADLEY BALLINGER
Illawarra Hawks – NBL1 East – Forward
An 18-year-old who is improving at an impressive trajectory. What the club has been most happy with is his progress from local junior through to NBL development player. Impressed as an 11-point, six-rebound player in 2024.
ZAC TRIPLETT
Logan Thunder – NBL1 North – Guard
The 24-year-old is nearing the stage where he has to come into his own. Has 39 games of NBL experience, firstly with Melbourne United before joining Illawarra last year. Returns to Logan where he averaged 20.8 points per game last season.
MELBOURNE
CAMPBELL BLOGG
Sandringham Sabres – NBL1 South
Currently a free agent so will be looking for a huge season with the Sabres. Made the most of limited court time with United in 2024/25, scoring 2.1 points per game in under four minutes. Averaged 13 points over 60 NBL1 games.
JOEL FOXWELL
Stamford – US College – Forward
Will further his basketball journey with Stamford in US College after playing eight games in Melbourne United’s run to the NBL grand final series. Averaged 10 points, three rebounds and three assists as a 17-year-old with Sandringham in 2024.
TOM KOPPENS
Sandringham Sabres – NBL1 South – Forward
Joining Blogg at Sandringham is Koppens, and is also a free agent heading into the NBL off-season. Played 12 NBL games over the past two seasons, so is looking to make an impression as he chases a new deal.
NEW ZEALAND
KAIA ISAAC
Canterbury Rams – NZ NBL – Guard
Another who is set to come back for a second season as a Breakers DP after getting some decent time last year, averaging 2.6 points in seven minutes. Has played with the NZ national team and enters his fourth year with Canterbury.
ALEX MCNAUGHT
Nelson Giants – NZ NBL – Guard
Has been signed by New Zealand to return in 2025/26. Started with the Nelson Giants as a 17-year-old and now enters his sixth season with the club. Had a career-high 7.3 points per game last year so will look to build off that.
CARLIN DAVISON
Taranaki Airs – NZ NBL – Forward
A 21-year-old forward who gave the Breakers some solid minutes off the bench in 2024/25. Is back with Taranaki in New Zealand’s premier league, coming off a 17-point, eight-rebound season. Already has a triple-double to his name this season.
PERTH
THOMAS GEROVICH
Willeton Tigers – NBL1 West – Forward
The 20-year-old is entering his fifth season with Willeton in the NBL1 West. Saw the court just twice during the NBL season with the Wildcats and he will be looking to show coach John Rillie he deserves a shot.
DONTAE RUSSO-NANCE
Manawatu Jets – NZ NBL – Guard
Played nine games in 2024/25 for the Wildcats after coming across from New Zealand. Has been one of the most impressive players in the NZ league and makes the move from Otago to Manawatu this season.
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE
LUKE FENNELL
Syracuse – US College – Guard
Still just 18, Fennell is embarking on a new journey after committing to Syracuse to play college hoops. It gives the point guard a chance to shine after playing with the Centre of Excellence previously.
SYDNEY
KLAIRUS AMIR
Central Coast Crusaders – NBL1 East – Forward
Makes the move from Sutherland to the Central Coast. After two seasons as a development player, Amir joins Sydney’s top 12 in the new year. A strong showing will get him court time after not seeing any in 2024/25.
JASON SPURGIN
Sutherland Sharks – NBL1 East – Centre
Was called into the Kings last season after Cam Oliver fell out of favour at times and even played in the play-in against Adelaide. Returns to this level after a stint with Toowoomba in the QSL (now NBL1 North) before a college career.
TASMANIA
BRODY NUNN
Knox Raiders – NBL1 South – Guard
Tasmania picked up his option for a second season after earning a handful of games in the NBL last season. Was ultra-consistent with Knox in 2024 as a perimeter threat who averaged over 15 points per game.
NICHOLAS STODDART
Ballarat Miners – NBL1 South – Guard
Enters free agency and would likely be on team’s radars after impressing for the JackJumpers last year. Had a career-high 14 points against SEM and shot from long range at over 60 per cent. Comes back to the Miners for a second season.
WALTER BROWN
Canterbury Rams – NZ NBL – Guard
Steps into his third year with the JackJumpers and a full-time contract at that. Was called upon to play eight games last season and the 25-year-old has an off-season in New Zealand to mount his case for more minutes.
ARCHIE WOODHILL
North West Thunder – NBL1 South – Forward
Injuries saw him play four games last year and he held his own with three points in six minutes on average. Comes back to the North West Thunder for his second season after averaging 11 and six last year.
Originally published as NBL1, NZ, College hoops: Where 24 NBL development players will feature this off-season
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