NBL open to discussion with NBA about an Australian Summer League team

Australia’s growing imprint on the NBA has sparked discussions over an Aussie team entering one of the most-important tournaments on the American hoops calendar.

Melbourne United forward Jack White has excelled for the Denver Nuggets at this year's NBA Summer League in Las Vegas

Australia’s success on the NBA stage has prompted a push for the inclusion of an NBL team in the league’s Summer League tournament.

An impressive 18 Australian and international former and current NBL players are competing in this year’s annual pre-season event in Las Vegas.

China and Croatia sent their national teams to Summer League in past years while this year there are 86 international players on rosters.

#NBLxNBA Summer League 👀

Jo Lual Acuil Jr - 12 PTS 6 REB
DJ Vasiljevic - 6 PTS (2 3PT) 2 REB 1 STL

In the @Suns' 105-78 win over the Mavericks pic.twitter.com/AiEZXbz1r8

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All 30 NBA teams currently play in the Vegas tournament, but Melbourne United forward Jack White is one of many players who would also like to see an Australian/NBL team included in the Summer League schedule.

White has the backing of NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger, who is keen to talk to NBA officials about the possibility of involving an Australian team in the future.

Loeliger, though, stressed the current Vegas format with all 30 NBA teams competing may be hard to change.

“But we would certainly be interested in the conversation though,” Loeliger told News Corp.

“My understanding is that now that the Las Vegas Summer League comprises all 30 NBA teams, it is unlikely that any non-NBA teams would be included.

“Perhaps it could be an option in the Utah or Californian pre-season competitions, but they are very short.”

There is no denying an Australian team would excel if included in the NBA Summer League schedule.

Aussie players have long proved they belong in the world’s best league, dating back decades to pioneers like Luc Longley and Andrew Bogut.

Australia’s NBA success has continued at this year’s Summer League, with a cast of NBL and Australian players impressing.

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Jack White's mailbox, is not the right mailbox.@5jackwhite@MelbUnited#[e-mail]/qRgQcRUUNH

— The NBL (@NBL) July 14, 2022

White has been a standout performer, excelling in his first NBA Summer League for the Denver Nuggets.

The United forward is in contention for an NBA contract after dropping impressive numbers, including a 14 point and six rebound performance in a win over the LA Clippers.

White would love to play for an NBL/Australian team at the NBA Summer League.

“I think it would be elite,” White said.

“We’ve seen China and Croatia with a team, and I think we (Australia) could do a good job as well.

“We’ve got enough guys at the Summer League this year to have a team. We could almost put together two teams with all the guys from the NBL.

“It would be a cool thing to do and a reflection of our league, in terms of quality players, both local and imports.

“If bringing in an Australian team is a possibility, we should definitely take a look at it.”

White has noticed the respect for Australian basketball during his stint at the Summer League in Vegas.

Melbourne United forward Jack White has excelled for the Denver Nuggets at this year's NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

He says the global hoops community understand, and respect, Aussie players’ ability and contribution to the sport.

“People now know that Aussie basketball is no joke on an international and NBA level,” he said.

“It’s a credit to the older guys in the NBA like Joe (Ingles), Patty (Mills), Delly, Baynes, Bogut.

“All these guys who have paved the way and put Aussie basketball in the conversation over in the States.

“They’ve shown the high level we can play and compete at and how open we are to success.

“Now we’ve got Josh Giddey, Josh Green and Matisse Thybulle playing for the Boomers and the players now have just got to follow their lead.

“It’s something that I’m super proud to be a part of and hopefully I can contribute to that growing respect and how Aussie basketball is viewed on that global stage.”

Aussie and NBL players competing in the 2022 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas:

Josh Giddey (OKC Thunder)

Dyson Daniels (New Orleans Pelicans)

Luke Travers (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Jack White (Denver Nuggets)

Makur Maker (Chicago Bulls)

Akoldah Gak (Chicago Bulls)

Dejan Vasiljevic (Phoenix Suns)

Jo Lual-Acuil (Phoenix Suns)

Duop Reath (Phoenix Suns)

#NBLxNBA Summer League 👀

Ousmane Dieng - 12 PTS (1 3PT) 7 REB 1 AST 1 BLK

In the @okcthunder's 86-80 win over the Kings pic.twitter.com/SUrVMl9nv7

— The NBL (@NBL) July 14, 2022

Hugo Besson (Milwaukee Bucks)

Ousmane Dieng (OKC Thunder)

Justinian Jessup (Golden State Warriors)

Yudai Baba (Golden State Warriors)

Vic Law (Utah Jazz)

Dusty Hannahs (Milwaukee Bucks)

Tahjere McCall (Washington Wizards)

Robert Franks (Boston Celtics)

RJ Hampton (Orlando Magic)

Originally published as NBL open to discussion with NBA about an Australian Summer League team