Darwin Convention Centre proposed as home for a new NT NBL team
A potential home for a new NBL team in the Territory has been revealed as the league says there is sufficient community support for a new franchise.
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The Darwin Convention Centre is being floated as a potential home base for an NBL team as the Territory has shown there is appropriate community support for a team, according to the league.
Following the success of the pre-season Blitz over the past week at Marrara, high level conversations have continued between the league and the NT government about the possibility of Darwin joining the top flight.
It comes as the league’s chief operating officer Vince Crivelli said the Blitz had met his expectations and he was not surprised more than 6500 tickets had been sold.
“I think what’s not questioned is whether or not it could happen,” Crivelli said of Darwin having its own team.
“When and how, I would like to think (is the point).
“Now it’s just a case of now understanding how we bring that together and see whether or not everybody is still on the journey.
“There are other really powerful opportunities that could come to life through an enterprise like this for the community.”
The NT News understands the team would be managed by the government’s major events department with the Convention Centre the hoops hub, and a potential start of 2024-25.
The success story of the Tasmania JackJumpers, who made their debut for the 2021-22 NBL season, would also provide guiding principles for a potential bid.
It follows the success of the Darwin Salties who made a quarterfinal in their debut NBL1 North season, drawing on average a home crowd of more than 1200 people to Marrara.
One of Darwin’s best players, Makuach Maluach, was recruited by NBL outfit Melbourne United off the back off his stellar performances at the “Croc Pot”.
Crivelli said the league had been engaged in “deep” conversations over the past week and he could see an opportunity for the “Territory to house a team more permanently”.
However, he said there were some “unique challenges” to be addressed, including infrastructure to seat about 5000 people.
“We’re well on the way to the due diligence of figuring that out,” he said.
“I know there will be great support (for a team).
“We think there’s an appetite to explore this.
“I feel confident that we can get a lot of the support we need from the stakeholders that would be involved.
“The conversations with the NT government have been really positive.
“We haven’t gone too far down the path of talking to the private sector just yet.”
Major Events Minister Paul Kirby said a Darwin bid was not at the business case stage yet.
However, he said he believed an NBL team was a much more likely option than the Territory having its own AFL team, which would require “massive infrastructure” and 20,000 to 30,000 fans.
“We’re in the early stages of taking advice,” Mr Kirby said.
“The numbers to make a local team viable are more in the four to five thousand.
“Which makes the NBL a really attractive ... and much more viable option for the Territory at the moment.”
Sydney Kings guard Angus Glover supported the prospect of the Territory getting an NBL licence.
“I think Darwin has shown this week it can definitely have an NBL team up here,” Glover said.
“I’ve fallen in love with it up here."
Darwin throws its support behind a potential NBL licence bid
The average Darwin basketball fan has done all they can to show there is community support for a local NBL team one day, the league’s chief operating officer says.
The NBL Blitz, the league’s pre-season tournament, has been a massive success at Marrara in terms of spectator attendance.
After a relatively slow start on opening night on Friday, more than 6500 tickets have been sold and Saturday and Sunday’s fixtures were a complete sell out.
Only VIP tickets remain for the remainder of the competition which wraps up on Friday at the “Croc Pot”.
The games have also attracted around 10 NBA scouts to watch the action, further putting Darwin on the sporting map.
The league’s Vincent Crivelli has previously said it was no coincidence Darwin had been picked as the host for the Blitz, with strong community support a key part of a potential licence bid in the future.
“We’re here in part to grow the game of basketball, the NBL specifically, and introduce it to a brand new fanbase,” Crivelli said.
“The people of Darwin have been absolutely wonderful.
“We’re also testing out the appetite for what an NBL team might look like down the line.
“It would require support at all levels here ... from government, industry to a fanbase.
“So far it’s been a great experience, it hasn’t done any damage ... it certainly hasn’t hurt Darwin or the Northern Territory having their own team in a national sporting competition like ours.
“And the conversations are continuing positively with the relevant parties.
“It’s been a great experience, and I think it’s an ongoing conversation that we need to go on.”
Crivelli said the league had been “really happy” with how the competition had gone so far, both on and off the court.
“We’ve really enjoyed what Darwin’s had to offer ... so that’s a real tick,” he said.
“All in all, it all bodes well.
“It’s been good going. It’s been really well supported.”
Major Events Minister Paul Kirby said the event had been incredibly popular with Territorians.
“The competitions have shown there is an appetite in the Territory for both basketball and elite sport, and we hope to capitalise on this going forward, on the back of momentum gained from the Blitz,” Minister Kirby said.
Adelaide bank second win at NBL Blitz
The Adelaide 36ers have scored their second win of the NBL Blitz off the back of a stunning opening quarter from a key offensive weapon.
Antonius Cleveland put up 19 points in the first term and Craig Randall 13 in the third as they pushed the Tasmania JackJumpers aside 87-79 at Marrara on Monday night.
Cleveland would finish with 27 points, five boards and three assists while Randall had 17 points and four rebounds.
The 36ers, who won the Blitz last season in the Apple Isle, were also served by the defensive might of Sunday Dech and the leadership of skipper Mitch McCarron.
For Tasmania, Milton Doyle backed up his strong showing in game one with 12 points and four assists, Sean Mcdonald hit 13 and Rashard Kelly collected 11 points and five rebounds.
In fact, it was the JackJumpers who started the stronger team on Monday night, getting out to a 6-0 start, and then a 15-6 break, after Kelly and Josh Magette landed three balls.
But then Cleveland lorded over proceedings, knocking down four three-pointers for the rest of the opening term — his 19 points giving the Sixers a 27-22 lead.
The JackJumpers kept him scoreless in the second as Jack McVeigh added 12, trimming Adelaide’s lead.
Randall then took over from Cleveland in the third with three triples, putting the Sixers on top.
Tasmania continued to duke it out, and tied the scores through the golden hands of Magette and Kelly for threes, before Sixers coach CJ Burton called a time-out.
It would prove to be an inspired move as the Sixers sunk the next nine points, on the back of some quality defensive pressure from Sunday Dech.
Adelaide will conclude their time in the Blitz against Illawarra Hawks on Thursday while Tasmania play Cairns Taipans, also on Thursday.
Wildcats score second successive win over Phoenix
The Perth Wildcats have shown there are many strings to their bow with a resounding 87-71 victory over South East Melbourne Phoenix at the NBL Blitz on Monday night.
On the back of Bryce Cotton’s 36-point game on Saturday against the Cairns Taipans, Corey Webster contributed 16 points while Kyle Zunic had 15 points, going at 50 per cent from beyond the arc.
The Wildcats ruled the air too with 47 rebounds to 39 while shooting at 46 per cent from the field, compared to their opponents’ 37.
Import Brady Manek also hit a couple of long balls on his way to 13 points and nine rebounds.
The Phoenix, without offensive weaponry in Mitch Creek, Ryan Broekhoff and Trey Kell, found bright spots in Alan Williams’ double-double (13 points and 11 rebounds), Gary Browne with 12 and eight assists and Kyle Adnam a team-high 16 points.
South East started strongly to take a 7-2 lead before Perth rolled up their sleeves; Manek hitting his first three-pointer in Cats colours, sparking a 7-0 run.
With the game threatening to get away from them – Zunic, Webster and Manek had a combined 28 points between them – the Phoenix kept in touch with some late buckets to Browne.
Perth jumped ahead by double digits for the first time as they went on a 6-0 spree early in the third and were never headed after that.
Luke Travers provided the exclamation point with a slam early in the fourth.
Day five of the NBL Blitz continues on Tuesday with the New Zealand Breakers taking on the Illawarra Hawks followed by the Cairns Taipans v Brisbane Bullets.
Darwin Saltie’s Marrara homecoming
Star Darwin Saltie Makuach Maluach has made a solid return to the floor of the “Croc Pot”, albeit in a Melbourne United singlet for the first time.
The uber athletic 24-year-old was in the starting five on Sunday night against the Illawarra Hawks for the NBL Blitz at Marrara, picking up five points and one elite-level defensive manoeuvre
He was paired up against new Hawks import Justin Robinson, who played in the NBA for several clubs including the title-winning Milwaukee Bucks, for the tip off.
Maluach was picked up by United following a spectacular first season with the Salties in NBL1 North.
He was paired up against new Hawks import Justin Robinson, who played in the NBA for several clubs including the title-winning Milwaukee Bucks, for the tip off.
Maluach was picked up by United following a spectacular first season with the Salties in NBL1 North.
He landed in the top five for all key statistical benchmarks in 2022, including average points, assists, rebounds and blocks.
And he remains a popular figure at Marrara, with Maluach welcomed onto the court during the pre-game warm up through the cheers of plenty of young children — some of whom he coached during the season.
Maluach told the NT News it was an “awesome” experience but he was still adjusting to the physicality of a higher level.
“Give me a couple of games and practice, I’ll be fine, I’ll get used to it pretty quick,”
Maluach said, who played with Salties skipper Jerron Jamerson watching from the sidelines.
“I was pretty excited (before the match).
“It was great to see some of the guys (from the Salties).
“Playing in front of them again was fun and exciting.
“The community and the fans welcomed me back with open arms, I was very appreciative.
“I was happy to be out there and I’m excited they’ve got a chance to watch us play.”
Melbourne’s new number 13 got into the game within the opening two minutes, dishing off the ball to Isaac Humphries who scored off the glass as United took an early lead.
After missing a few early shots, Maluach was taken aside by an assistant during a time-out for some friendly counsel.
It seemed to do the trick as the South Sudanese star had the near-capacity crowd roaring when he delivered a three-pointer midway through the second term, right by the United bench, followed by a two-point jumper minutes later.
“I missed my first few attempts so it was nice to see that one go in,” Maluach said of his successful shot beyond the arc.
Then, in the third, he showed his defensive chops by swatting away a Tyler Harvey drive to the basket.
However, the Hawks’ big three in Sam Froling, Harvey and Robinson were instrumental in their 81-68 victory.
With new coach Jacob Jackomas taking over from Brian Goorjian, United struggled to contain point guard Harvey (13 points, four boards), big man and Boomer Froling (14 points, eight rebounds) and NBA recruit Robinson (14 points, eight assists, five rebounds).
The Hawks still have George King to come back into the line-up, while United were without Chris Goulding and Shea Ili on the night.
For the vanquished, Rayjon Tucker had a physical presence while putting up 20 points – with a shooting percentage of 53 per cent from the field – to go with his four rebounds, as emerging star Ariel Hukporti had 13 points and eight rebounds.
After an even first quarter (20 apiece), Robinson lit up Marrara with eight points in quick time, either driving to the basket or nailing shots from the outside.
The lead blew out to 15 in the third before United went on a 6-0 run, as Tucker, Hukporti and Maluach combined.
However, the Hawks regained control, scoring 13 of the last 15 points before the final break.
And when Deng Deng hit a brace of three-pointers, the lead had extended to 19 and the game was over.
The Adelaide 36ers will play the Tasmania JackJumpers tonight, followed by the Perth Wildcats v South East Melbourne Phoenix contest, day four of the NBL Blitz.
Aron Baynes’ big debut with Brisbane
Olympian Aron Baynes has delivered a memorable debut as a Bullet, downing the New Zealand Breakers by 12 points at Marrara in game four of the NBL Blitz.
Baynes, returning from a horrific spinal injury at the Tokyo Olympics, which left him unable to walk, produced 14 points and six rebounds, scoring early to settle any nerves, while ending Tom Abercrombie’s night early after an accidental blow.
Despite the efforts of French rookie Rayan Rupert for the Breakers on Sunday night, Brisbane got home 81-69.
The Bullets were also bolstered by the addition of Tyler Johnson, with 376 games of NBA experience, who shot 14 points, while DJ Mitchell added 12 and three boards.
Rupert had 12 points and three steals, shooting at 50 per cent from the field, while the returning Tom Vodanovich was impressive with 15 points and five rebounds, while Jarrell Brantley had 10 points and eight boards.
Earlier, coming off the bench, Rupert racked up nine points in minimal time as he went to work at the rim or hitting the long ball, leading the Breakers on a 12-0 run to take a 28-18 lead at quarter time.
However, through the powerful inside work of Baynes, and precision of Johnson and Nathan Sobey, the Bullets returned the favour with a 14-0 spree of their own, turning an eight-point deficit into a six-point buffer at the long break.
That lead would grow to 14 at as Baynes continued his dominance, including a triple.
The Bullets would put the game beyond doubt with a 12-2 run in the fourth quarter, including a dunk from development player Lual Diing.
Tasmania JackJumpers get revenge on Sydney Kings
The Tasmania JackJumpers have gone a little way towards atoning for last season’s championship loss, downing the Sydney Kings, 73-53, at Marrara on Saturday night in game two of the NBL Blitz.
Led by new import Milton Doyle, the JackJumpers replicated what they did so well in their debut season, locking down an opponent; keeping the Sydneysiders to just seven points in the final term.
Tasmania, without captain Clint Steindl, star centre Will Magnay and NBL1 South grand final MVP Sam McDaniel, restricted the Kings’ shooting proficiency to just 29 per cent from the field while only five from 27 attempts beyond the arc, found the net.
As Sydney were kept under lock and key, Tasmania exploded with three-pointers from Doyle, Sean Macdonald, Jarrad Weeks and Jack McVeigh as they went on a 16-1 spree to begin the last quarter.
Doyle, the replacement for star shooting guard Josh Adams, had 13 points, five rebounds and four assists, while McVeigh top scored with 16 points from just 18 minutes on the floor, going a lethal four from four beyond the perimeter.
However, in bright spots for the Kings, new import guard Derrick Walton Jr had 12 points and four boards and assists apiece, while reigning NBL1 North MVP Kouta Noi netted nine points and 10 rebounds.
The Kings managed to claw back two notable deficits, as Tasmania went on 6-0 and 8-2 runs.
However, with the margin just two points at the final break, Sydney went to sleep early in the fourth — a lone Xavier Cooks free-throw the only point from the opening six minutes as Tasmania took control and rained down threes.
Tassie draw the Adelaide 36ers on Monday while Sydney take on South East Melbourne Phoenix on Wednesday.
Wildcats blast Snakes off the floor in final term assault
Perth Wildcats jet Bryce Cotton’s 36-point game has wiped the Cairns Taipans off the court in game three of the NBL Blitz.
The four-time MVP sent a clear message to the rest of the competition as he shot 12 from 21 from the floor and went seven from 12 beyond the arc.
Cotton had 33 points by three quarter time in a stunning display as the Wildcats went on a 13-0 run, easily winning 98-80 after just three points separated the two sides at the final break.
NBA draftee Luke Travers contributed 16 points, seven rebounds and four steals, development player big Oliver Hayes-Brown stepped up with nine points, as did Kyle Zunic.
Meanwhile, Keanu Pinder led the way with 21 points for the depleted Taipans who were missing import DJ Hogg, new signings Lat Mayen and Sam Waardenburg along with Majok Deng, while Bul Kuol added 14 points and six rebounds.
Tahjere McCall also chipped in with 12 points, eight boards and six assists while Jonah Antonio landed 11 points and five rebounds.
The Taipans started the stronger outfit at Darwin’s Croc Pot, taking a 7-2 lead early before Cotton stepped up with an important three.
However, Cairns would open up a nine-point buffer before Cotton again regained control with seven points to close out the second quarter – and 21 for the half – as the Wildcats held a slender 49-47 lead.
The Snakes would gain another healthy lead of eight points, before Cotton found Mitch Norton and Corey Shervill for maximums, while adding a further seven points himself before the final break, with Perth reclaiming the lead by three points (69-66).
However, in an omen for the rest of the match, Cotton hit a three early on in the fourth and the game was quickly iced as Perth went on a 13-0 run
Brisbane Bullets will take on New Zealand Breakers on Sunday, followed by the Illawarra Hawks v Melbourne United contest.
Adelaide 36ers edge out South East Melboure Phoenix
NEW Adelaide 36ers recruits Craig Randall and Antonius Cleveland have spearheaded an eight-point win over South East Melbourne Phoenix at Marrara on Friday night, 84-76.
In the opening fixture of the NBL Blitz at the “Croc Pot”, dynamic point guard Randall and the uber talented Cleveland showed there should be plenty for Adelaide fans to be excited about in 2022-23, with the Sixers opening up a 22-point lead during the third quarter.
That margin would be slashed to just five through a Gary Browne and Alan Williams-led fightback, before the Sixers steadied through a breakaway slam from Adelaide captain Mitch McCarron.
Earlier, with flashes of brilliance from new Sixers power forward Robert Franks (six points, three steals from 11 minutes of game time), plus the experience of McCarron and Daniel Johnson, Adelaide had the answers when it mattered against a Phoenix team missing perhaps their most potent offensive weapons: Mitch Creek, Trey Kell and Ryan Broekhoff.
South East Melbourne were initially sparked by captain Kyle Adnam (19 points and four assists) and Junior Madut (11 points and six rebounds) before imports Browne (10 points) and Williams emerged late in the game.
The latter would have been frustrated by foul trouble, limiting him to just under 15 minutes of game time, but still delivered 13 points and seven rebounds.
However, it wasn’t enough for a Sixers team at full strength aside from the absence of Anthony Drmic.
Randall had some massive moments for Adelaide, both finishing at the rim and knocking down critical three balls to finish with 16 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Cleveland, coming off a season with the Illawarra Hawks where he was named both Best Defensive Player and an All-First Team member, delivered 12 points, four rebounds and three assists and steals apiece.
McCarron, who had a massive off-season leading the Boomers, put up 12 points, eight rebounds, while there were positive signs from development player Nick Marshall (11 points, six rebounds) and the emerging Hyrum Harris (eight points, four boards).
South East Melbourne opened strongly with the first five points at Marrara before the Sixers woke from their slumber; Kyrin Galloway showed he’s ready for a larger role in the NBL this season, knocking down a three-pointer before Adnam hit a brace of triples approaching quarter time.
However, Adelaide turned a one-point buffer at the first break into a healthy lead after McCarron knocked down a three, sparking a 9-0 run.
The advantage grew to 13 as Kai Sotto brought the house down with a putback dunk.
The Sixers put the foot down further in the second half, going on an 8-0 spree with Randall putting on a show with a couple of spectacular finishes.
The lead then ballooned to 22 as Adelaide went on another, 9-0 scoring spree, as Sunday Dech nailed a three.
The NBL Blitz action continues on Saturday with Tasmania JackJumpers taking on Sydney Kings and later Perth Wildcats playing Cairns Taipans.
Melbourne United’s Brad Newley reflects on his time in the Territory as a teen
Darwin Saltie Makuach Maluach has all the ingredients to be a good NBL player and earn some minutes with Melbourne United in his debut season, new teammate and two-time Olympian Brad Newley says.
However, the 37-year-old dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist and United forward said the 24-year-old South Sudanese star needed to work on his verbal game.
Maluach was a shining light at Marrara’s “Croc Pot” during Darwin’s debut NBL1 North season, landing in the top five for all key statistical benchmarks and produced at least one jaw dropping moment from all of his 20 matches.
However, Newley, who roomed with Maluach during United’s pre-season camp in Ballarat, said the new recruit needed to come out of his shell on court after making the “big step” of moving to Melbourne.
“He’s a quiet fella, but he’s definitely a talent,” Newley said, in town for the NBL Blitz from September 16 to 23.
“You can see the athleticism and his shooting ability, I think he has the ability to be a good, professional player in the NBL.
“Once we get him talking and more vocal on the court, I think he’s going to be a pretty effective player.
“All the physical stuff is there.”
Newley, the only man to win both the Rookie of the Year and the Best Sixth Man awards, said the pair had enjoyed a few one-on-one conversations so far.
“He’s doing fine. I think he’s going to get some minutes, hopefully he’ll be ready to play,” he said.
Like Adelaide 36er Mitch McCarron this week, it will be a homecoming of sorts for the Adelaide-born Newley, who spent three years living in Alice Springs in the mid-1990s.
Newley’s father, who worked as a banking officer in the Red Centre, was president of the Alice Springs Basketball Club and once played hoops in Darwin, several decades ago.
“I loved my time up there … a lot of great memories,” Newley told the NT News.
“I was very lucky to grow up in a place like Alice, you could play so much sport.”
In fact Newley wondered if those years had made him hungrier for success.
“It was a good experience to do it a bit harder than the kids in the city I guess,” he said.
He was also inspired by the “raw, natural” Indigenous talent across a range of sports in the Red Centre.
“I tried to emulate a little bit what they could do,” he said.
“It pushed me to go a bit harder and faster.”
Newley also knew McCarron as a kid – who left the Alice for Queensland as a three-year-old – and was coached by his father Don at a junior level.
“I remember him slam dunking basketballs in rubbish bins as a kid,” he said.
“I think we leant him a couple of my old toys.”
Meanwhile, Newley said the NBL Blitz would “jump on the momentum” created by the success of the Salties this season: “I know basketball has always been popular in the Territory.”
The NBL Blitz runs from September 16 to 23.
Top 12 players to watch at the NBL Blitz
THE best basketballers in the country will descend on Darwin this week for the NBL Blitz, the league’s pre-season tournament.
And the Marrara series, running from September 16 to 23, will be filled to the brim with international stars and national representatives, including Boomers Chris Goulding and Aron Baynes, and young jets set to make their name in the elite competition, like Darwin Saltie and Melbourne United recruit, Makuach Maluach.
It comes after Darwin’s spectacular debut in the NBL1 North conference this year, pulling on average more than 1200 to home games while building its case for one day having a league licence.
NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger spoke to the NT News about 12 players to watch over the week-long carnival.
TOP 12 PLAYERS TO WATCH IN THE NBL BLITZ
Chris Goulding
Team: Melbourne United
Upon his return to the NBL in 2015 after a Spanish sojourn, Goulding has certainly made his presence felt at Melbourne United, leading the rebranded franchise to their inaugural title in 2017-18 – while also collecting the finals MVP – followed by a further premiership three years later.
A major offensive threat, the Launcheston product is the club’s all-time number one for games played, three pointers, assists and steals since the Tigers became United in 2014.
Also a regular Boomer, Goulding was part of the bronze medal-winning team at last year’s Olympics in Tokyo.
Xavier Cooks
Team: Sydney Kings
A hot favourite to take out the NBL’s MVP this season, according to Loeliger, the Sydney Kings co-skipper and forward recently guided his team to the title over the Tasmania JackJumpers, breaking a 17-year drought.
The Ballarat-born baller, son of Eric who played for Illawarra and Wollongong, starred in the finals and took home the MVP after averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds.
It came after he played a pivotal role during his debut season of 2019-20, helping the Kings to their first grand final appearance since 2008.
Bryce Cotton
Club: Perth Wildcats
The star 30-year-old, who won his fourth club MVP with the Perth Wildcats last season, has long impressed league watchers with his brilliant shooting
Returning from major surgery on his leg in 2021-22, Cotton produced the kind of elite form which saw him named in the All-NBL First Team and runner up in the league’s MVP award.
“Everyone expects a highlight reel from Bryce Cotton every time he steps on the court,” Loeliger said.
The 30-year-old Arizonian guard averaged 22 points for the Wildcats last season.
Keanu Pinder
Club: Cairns Taipans
The 27-year-old forward is set for a big year after a “barnstorming” off-season, according to Loeliger.
The Derby-born product comes from strong basketball stock, too, with his Bahamian father, Kendal “Tiny Pinder”, who played over 200 NBL games, was a championship winner with the Perth Wildcats and the only man to lead the league in scoring and rebounding in the same season, in 1985.
Keanu’s talent was noticed during an Indigenous basketball tournament in Adelaide, where he was encouraged to pursue a career in the sport.
After making his debut with the Adelaide 36ers in 2021, Pinder made his way to the Taipans and has also represented the country at World Cup qualifiers in recent times.
Pinder won the league’s Most Improved Player Award last season, after greatly enhancing his scoring and rebound numbers.
Ariel Hukporti
Club: Melbourne United
The German 19-year-old centre, identified under the league’s Next Stars program, is being touted as an NBA draftee and the seven-footer is expected to use his time Down Under with United this season to prepare.
“His improvement was so exponential,” Loeliger said of Hukporti, who has represented Germany at numerous international tournaments.
Averaged seven points and five rebounds a match with United in 2021-22, after a stint in the Lithuanian Basketball League, averaging 10.4 and 7.4 for the same benchmarks.
Rayan Rupert
Club: New Zealand Breakers
The 18-year-old French forward with defensive versatility is a “huge talent with a high basketball IQ” and could be a first-round pick in the NBA draft, Loeliger observed.
“He’s a fantastic player and also a wonderful young man, we’re very excited to have him playing his first season in the NBL,” the commissioner said.
A recent addition to the league’s Next Stars program, his father Thierry captained the French national team while his sister Iliana was the Vegas Aces’ 12th pick in the 2021 WNBA draft.
Makuach Maluach
Club: Melbourne United
The Darwin Salties star forward was a human highlights reel most weekends for the new NBL1 North franchise down at the Croc Pot, with an ability to dunk, shoot and generally create offensive havoc for any defensive outfit.
His brilliance, including a Round 1 length-of-the-court dunk against Red City Roar, caught the eye of NBL scouts, with Melbourne United snapping him up by mid-season.
“Who knows, one day he might be pulling on a Darwin jersey in the NBL,” Loeliger said.
Maluach landed in the top five for all key statistical benchmarks for the Salties in 2022.
Aron Baynes
Club: Brisbane Bullets
Coming off a horrific spinal injury suffered at the Tokyo Olympics against Italy, which left him initially unable to walk, Baynes is one of the big signings ahead of the season.
“I think he’ll have a significant and immediate impact in the NBL,” Loeliger said of the 35-year-old, set to make his return to professional basketball.
“They’ve built a team around him which could very well catapult them into the top four.”
Signing a two-year deal with the Bullets, his contract contains a provision which would allow him to return to the NBA if required.
Baynes won an NBA title in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs.
Mitch McCarron
Club: Adelaide 36ers
The 30-year-old Boomer had a forced change of scenery from Melbourne to Adelaide last year, as United signed Matthew Dellavedova after winning the 2020-21 title.
And it will also be a homecoming for the Territorian at the NBL Blitz, who will visit his native Alice Springs for the first time since leaving the area as a three-year-old.
Keen Salties observers might also recognise the guard’s work with the Northside Wizards in NBL1 North this season, averaging 15 points and eight boards and assists a game.
Kouat Noi
Club: Sydney Kings
The 24-year-old, South Sudanese forward will be no stranger to Darwin Salties fans after the USC Rip City star boasted before the NBL1 North quarterfinal meeting in August his team would “whoop their ass”.
However, Noi backed up the bullishness with a 30-point game as Rip City beat the Salties 89-86, complementing his conference MVP Award.
The former Cairns Taipan, who signed a two-year deal with the Kings in June this year, averaged 26 points and 13 rebounds a game for Rip City during the season.
Jason Cadee
Club: Brisbane Bullets
The 31-year-old guard boasts a wealth of experience, racking up more than 300 appearances already during his glittering career — at least a 100 more than his nearest rival in Nathan Sobey.
A Boomers squad staple, Salties fans have seen Cadee’s skills up close after playing with Gold Coast Rollers in NBL1 North this season.
The Bankstown product averaged 23 points and 10 assists for the season.
Jordan Hunter
Club: Sydney Kings
Motivation will be burning white hot for the 25-year-old Sydney product, who made his debut with the Kings during the 2019/20 season, helping them qualify for the grand final series.
The following season, the centre was leading the club for total rebounds and named runner up as the league’s Most Improved Player.
However, a navicular fracture in 2021-22 meant he missed the Kings’ drought-breaking title against new franchise Tasmania JackJumpers.
Hunter had a strong NBL1 North season with the North Gold Coast Seahawks, averaging 19 points and 13 rebounds a game.
Territorian’s homecoming for the NBL Blitz
IT WILL be a homecoming nearly 30 years in the making for Territory basketball export and Boomer, Mitch McCarron.
McCarron, who joined the Adelaide 36ers early this year on a three-year deal via Melbourne United after they won the 2021 NBL championship, will return to his home town of Alice Springs on September 15.
He will be part of a skills clinic ahead of the NBL Blitz in Darwin, the league’s pre-season tournament, which starts the following day.
It comes as thirst for the game in the Top End continues to build, with the NBL’s chief operations officer Vince Crivelli saying the Darwin Salties’ brand was “unbelievable” and one of the best in the country.
The Salties were the best supported NBL1 team of any conference in 2022, making the quarterfinal in its debut season in NBL1 North.
McCarron has a strong hoops pedigree, with his mother Louise a keen player and his father a coach who guided junior NT teams.
However, the now 30-year-old guard left the Alice for Brisbane with his family at the age of three after Don accepted a job with Basketball Queensland.
“I was playing a lot, just not registered games,” the Boomers squad member told the NT News of his early involvement in basketball.
“I’ve really wanted to go back to Alice as my dad’s got stories for days, but it’s really hard to find time.
“They were up there for about four to five years.
“He was coaching some Northern Territory teams and went to Australian camps with NT kids, he was pretty into it.”
Ahead of the Blitz, McCarron dropped into Darwin for the first time several weeks ago to shoot some promotional content alongside Salties favourite and Melbourned United recruit, Makuach Maluach.
McCarron hoped the Top End hosting the league’s pre-season tournament would continue to strengthen local interest in the sport.
“I hope it has a huge impact,” he said.
“There’s going to be some exciting games, some great players … hopefully we get some packed arenas
“And on the back of that, a huge response and an uptick in participation for the city.”
Meanwhile, McCarron said fellow 36er and current Saltie Tad Dufelmeier had impressed with his elite passing game and agility.
“He’s entertaining, he’s that kind of highlight player,” he said.
“He looks small and doesn't look like he can do much and then he jumps up above everybody, or makes a nice pass, he’s fun to watch.
“I know he’s working on getting a deal overseas if nothing pops up in the NBL, he’s definitely got the talent.”
The NBL Blitz will be held in Darwin from September 16 to 23.
Darwin would need major sporting infrastructure for an NBL licence bid
DARWIN would need sporting infrastructure consistently holding at least 5000 basketball fans to be a serious chance of becoming an NBL outfit, the league’s boss says.
The Top End will host the big league’s pre-season tournament, the NBL Blitz from September 16-23 with big names such as Aron Baynes, Chris Goulding and Bryce Cotton in town for the series.
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It comes as league’s chief operating officer Vince Crivelli said last month the Darwin Salties’ brand was “unbelievable” and one of the best in the country, with a local appetite building for a local licence.
However, NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said the franchise would need “substantially more people … in a substantially bigger venue” than the existing “Croc Pot” at Marrara, or a 5000-seater facility which was “consistently full”.
The club says Salties home games attracted more than 1200 people on average, with its strongest crowd of 1423 including players.
The club also received an NT government grant to build a 334-seater grandstand at Marrara.
Loeliger said the early signs were strong with the Salties the most watched team in all five NBL1 conferences in 2022.
“Salties both performed well on and off the court,” he said.
“The Salties have put a big tick in the right column in terms of getting our attention.
“It’s a good starting point.”
Loeliger said Darwin winning a licence “might sound ambitious” but a similar thing was achieved with the Tasmania JackJumpers in recent years.
“A lot of people said it wasn’t possible, but we now know it is,” he said.
Loeliger said a new licence was dependent on public and corporate interest, followed by government support and the “right infrastructure”.
“Business and the government in the area will only really get behind this if they know the public support is there,” he said.
“Certainly fan support is the first thing in the process.”
He said there had been “plenty of interest” for an NBL team in Darwin but that had to be matched by attendances during the Blitz, with ticket sales “strong” so far.
He said it was “no coincidence” the Blitz was coming to Darwin.
“Public interest in the competition at large is something we’re keeping a pretty close eye on,” he said.
“Whether or not fans turn out for the Blitz is a very important bellwether for how far our consideration goes or which direction or consideration takes.
“In terms of whether or not an NBL licence in Darwin is viable.”
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