Crosscourt: Matt Logue and Michael Randall on all the big news and talking points out of Round 8 of the NBL24 season
The Brisbane Bullets have revealed bold plans to supercharge their future - and are in advanced talks to establish a new home. All that and more in this week’s Crosscourt column.
Basketball
Don't miss out on the headlines from Basketball. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Sydney Kings coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah has a big NBA draft message for boom teen Next Star Alex Toohey, Brisbane has revealed grand plans for the future, is it time for an NBL trade window and what’s up with one coach’s sideline potty mouth?
Matt Logue and Michael Randall take a look at another huge NBL round in this week’s edition of Crosscourt.
NEW DIGS — AND A WNBL CLUB?
Brisbane might have blown it against the Perth Wildcats on Saturday night but off the hardwood the club has grand plans in the works, including a new base and a new WNBL franchise.
The Bullets are in advanced talks to establish a new home in Southbank, where they hope to relocate to a more central site and unite administration and basketball personnel under one roof in a fit-for-purpose space.
“Our goal is to have the whole organisation in one facility, somewhere in the heart of the CBD, which would include a main court, shooting and dribbling bays, gym, change facilities and a home for our office and administration staff,” new Bullets boss Mal Watts said.
“Part of that is also integrating ourselves in the community in Southbank, working with schools in the area and having more visibility in the city.”
The new facility would then open the door for the expansion of the Bullets’ fledgling junior academy to provide a pathway for young talent and, eventually, a WNBL club.
It’s understood the owners have prioritised securing a new licence in the women’s league that would be tied to the Bullets, and Watts and co have been quietly working in consultation with Basketball Queensland to establish the best path forward.
BQ boss Josh Pascoe said “several parties” had expressed interest in securing a WNBL licence in Brisbane but the Bullets “make the most sense”.
“Mainly because it’s shared resources, you don’t have to have two marketing teams, you don’t have to have a different ticketing platform, all those things that just make sense,” Pascoe said.
“We would support that if they were serious about it.”
The idea was met with mixed opinions from fans but there was enough positivity to suggest a move away from the 5000-seat Nissan Arena when the current arrangement ends in 2025 could be fruitful.
Basketball has experienced exponential growth over the past four years. The latest BQ membership figures show the 29,000 registered players in 2019 have more than doubled to 71,300.
The Bullets have recognised that growth and are pulling out all the stops to tap into the sport’s explosion in the Sunshine State.
TOOHEY URGED TO SEIZE DRAFT CHANCE AS NBA SCOUTS SWARM
Sydney Kings Next Star Alex Toohey should seize the moment and declare for the 2024 NBA draft.
That’s the clear message from Kings coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah, who has urged Toohey to make the most of NBA scouts attending training and games.
The Kings received a visit from the Los Angeles Clippers this week, while officials from the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards are also in Australia.
Toohey has the option to wait for the 2025 NBA draft but has surged into calculations for next year following his standout form for the Kings.
The Canberra-raised forward is averaging 10.3 points on 43 per cent shooting from the field and 4.6 rebounds. Beyond the stats sheet, Toohey looks like he belongs on the professional stage.
The 19-year-old has displayed vision, composure and smarts – qualities that have helped him receive the attention of NBA draft analysts.
The Athletic’s recent mock draft had Toohey at No.30, while ESPN had the rising forward at 84 in a top 100 list.
Sydney’s Next Star is yet to declare his draft intentions but Abdelfattah has given the gifted 207cm forward the green light to pursue his draft dreams.
“For me, don’t pass up on something that’s there and don’t wait on something that’s not there,” Abdelfattah said.
“I think it’s an opportunity. There are scouts coming in and out of the gym consistently to come and watch all these NBL games.
“They are asking about him (Alex) and others, so if there is an opportunity for him to go, I would always recommend that.
“It doesn’t matter what position you are in, if you’re a staff member or a player, you just never know when that opportunity may come.
“Whatever is best for him, I think he will take advantage and make the most of it, and he will be successful.”
Toohey is showcasing qualities – on-and-off the court – beyond his tender years.
It’s a dream situation for Abdelfattah, who used Toohey as a Swiss Army knife to plug holes in every position when two-time reigning NBL champions the Kings coped with early-season injuries.
“It makes my job a lot easier,” he said.
“The whole group has been phenomenal to work with but Toohey having never played college basketball and being as young as he is … everyone can see his talent but what a lot of people don’t see is his work ethic, his basketball IQ.
“It’s also the way he is willing to be coached and being a great teammate ... he is a phenomenal person and he has a long professional career ahead of him.”
Abdelfattah has coached at NBA and G League levels and expressed enormous respect for the NBL’s Next Stars program as an NBA pathway.
“We have a potential top five pick this year in Sarr (Alex) and another potential first-round pick in (Bobi) Klintman,” he said.
“Then you go down the line and you have Toohey, (Ariel) Hukporti and AJ Johnson.
“That’s one of the reasons why I took this job, the growth of the league and relating the Next Stars program to how the G League treats the two-way situation.
“It’s successful and (NBA) guys are always reaching out.”
NBL TRADE WINDOW?
The NZNBL is set to announce a mid-season player trade period for next year, prompting calls for the NBL to consider a similar system.
It’s understood the New Zealand domestic league is exploring a trade window but moves will only be made on the proviso the players agree to the trade.
The NBL has long discussed the idea of in-season player movement but is yet to give the concept the green light.
Former South East Melbourne Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell said it was destined to happen but not yet.
“I know it’s been discussed but I’m not sure we are ready for it,” Mitchell said.
“The money isn’t there just yet. Practical things like waiting lists for daycare, schools and partner’s jobs.
“But, long term, it’s inevitable and I think we will see trading, drafts etc.”
NBL great Chris Anstey and sports media company Media8 recently purchased NZNBL team the Taranaki Airs.
Anstey wants to be visionary and is keen to see how a trade window would work in the New Zealand domestic league, with a view to a similar concept in Australia.
Former league MVP Derek Rucker applauded the NZNBL for its progressive move but conceded a trade window would be harder to introduce in the NBL, believing it could only work with local players.
The NBL has an 11-day FIBA break, beginning on Monday, which could be the perfect time for player transactions.
ROTH’S POTTY MOUTH
Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth has raised eyebrows with his sideline expletives in two separate games over the weekend.
Broadcast microphones and vision captured Roth muttering “motherf---kers” during the loss to the New Zealand Breakers on Thursday.
He was also seen and heard saying “you’re all f--king cowards” during the win over the Taipans in Cairns on Saturday.
The NBL is unlikely to sanction Roth because he wasn’t directing his verbal tirade at anyone in particular, and people on social media took the grumpy American’s outbursts with humour.
Scott Roth muttering “you’re all fucking cowards†to himself reminds me of Milton from Office Space 😂 #NBL24pic.twitter.com/nEwu1xzrZl
— Nick (@nicktan77) November 18, 2023
Roth’s passion is infectious and it rubs off on his players, who he inspired in the come-from-behind overtime win over the Taipans.
The JackJumpers trailed by six points with three minutes remaining but stormed home to force overtime and then landed a remarkable buzzer-beating winner.
Roth gave McVeigh a giant cuddle following the game as the JackJumpers cemented their position inside the top three heading into this week’s FIBA break.
It was also a triumphant weekend for Tasmania big man Will Magnay, who finally returned to the court after recovering from an off-season foot injury.
Jack McVeigh FOR THE WIN 🚨
— NBL (@NBL) November 18, 2023
Catch the action live on ESPN via Kayo 📺 pic.twitter.com/6kdDU5msj4
Magnay dropped a whopping 20 points and 13 rebounds in the loss to New Zealand, while his stuffed stat sheet in the win over Cairns included six points, seven rebounds and four assists.
His shot-blocking has been huge for the JackJumpers. It has energised the team and fans, and put steel in the side’s defence.
A tip of the hat goes to Magnay for excelling in his return, despite fears he might never make it back to his best.
WAGSTAFF THE ULTIMATE CULTURE GUY
The Perth Wildcats have reignited their season with five straight wins and Jesse Wagstaff’s leadership has powered the resurgence.
Wagstaff is the ultimate culture guy every team needs.
The 37-year-old didn’t receive a second of court time after “Wagstaff Week” to celebrate his 450th NBL game, which upset fans, but he didn’t complain or sook.
Instead, Wagstaff instigated Perth’s winning run with a frank spray after the Wildcats beat Adelaide in round 6 but almost let a 20-point lead slip.
How good is this… such a simple thing that not many people would do… A 450 plus game @NBL veteran in @PerthWildcats legend Jesse Wagstaff rebounding for the team’s youngsters for 35 mins AFTER the game ended. Culture! Deserved a shoutout.#NBL#NBL24pic.twitter.com/4sPz7DI36p
— Brayden Heslehurst (@bheslehurst) November 18, 2023
The veteran forward personifies selflessness and he was at it again on Saturday following Perth’s hard-fought win over Brisbane.
Wagstaff rebounded for young Wildcats David Okwera and Ben Henshall, 35 minutes after the game had ended.
Wildcats import forward Kristian Doolittle recently said Wagstaff’s leadership and commitment to his teammates were on a different level.
“I’ve never dealt with someone like Jesse, especially having a teammate with this much experience,” Doolittle said.
“Jesse is like a coach with a jersey on, with how much he knows.
“Especially in tight moments during games, having that extra leader definitely helps.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Crosscourt: Matt Logue and Michael Randall on all the big news and talking points out of Round 8 of the NBL24 season
DJ, Ice, star as 36ers romp to first win of the NBL season
Isaac Humphries and Dejan Vasiljevic have starred to send the 36ers on their way to their first win of the new NBL season.
NBL Late Mail: Delly out after baby news
SuperCoaches are reaching for the “reverse trade” button with Melbourne United star Matthew Dellavedova ruled out against the Perth Wildcats.