NBL creates Indigenous Player Rule to encourage clubs to recruit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander basketballers

The NBL is trying to encourage teams to recruit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander basketballers with a new rule.

A new National Basketball League initiative to boost opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, and find the next Patty Mills, is already paying dividends.

The Indigenous Player Rule encourages clubs to recruit eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players in a bid to increase representation, retain talent and develop genuine pathways to the elite level.

Eligible players are those who have never been fully contracted by an NBL club, are in the first six years of their professional career and have not played professionally elsewhere.

A fully contracted eligible player in his first three years will be exempt from an NBL team’s salary cap, while clubs with the same players in their fourth, fifth or sixth year will receive a 50 per cent exemption.

The league will also fund half of the minimum salary for eligible development basketballers.

Cairns Taipan and former NBA player Nathan Jawai is one of six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players in the NBL. Picture: Albert Perez

The contracting club must adopt an organisational cultural safety program approved by the NBL to receive these benefits.

Two of the six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander basketballers in the NBL, Sydney Kings’ Biwali Bayles and Melbourne United’s William Hickey, signed with their respective teams under this rule.

The others are William McDowell-White (New Zealand Breakers), Keanu Pinder (Cairns Taipans), Nate Jawai (Cairns) and Tamuri Wigness (Brisbane Bullets).

Taipans assistant coach Kerry Williams is also Indigenous.

NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said the league wanted to ensure there were “meaningful, impactful, stable and tangible benefits for Indigenous basketballers all around the country”.

Biwali Bayles’ NBL opportunity came via the Indigenous Player Rule. Picture: Jenny Evans

“As part of our RAP, we are committed to creating genuine pathways and opportunities for Indigenous players,” Loeliger said.

“The Indigenous Player Rule is the first step in that journey, and we will continue to explore more ways to help strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander player recruitment, retention and professional development.

“Basketball has been blessed with numerous Indigenous icons and we celebrate them during Indigenous Round while helping pave the way for the next wave of superstars.”

NBL Indigenous Round will be held in rounds 14 and 15 this season and will celebrate, recognise and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture across Australia and New Zealand.

As with previous Indigenous rounds, players from all clubs will wear uniforms designed by local artists.