NBL free agency 2024: Every club’s roster and contract rumours and whispers
A secret workout while on a weekend road trip to Melbourne from Mt Gambier was enough for the younger half brother of a star AFL defender to land a contract with Melbourne United.
A secret workout while on a weekend road trip to Melbourne from Mt Gambier was enough for the younger half brother of a star AFL defender to land a contract with Melbourne United.
Code Sports revealed in May United had taken an interest in emerging big man Akech Aliir, whose big brother Aliir Aliir is a dominant key back for Port Adelaide.
A development player with Adelaide 36ers last season, 204cm Akech Aliir dropped 17 points and grabbed eight boards against Knox and added a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double against Casey the next day and then took that form into United.
Coach Dean Vickerman liked what he saw and decided the athletic 204cm big who crashes the glass and loves mixing it with the muscle down low or punish from the outside with his shooting touch was worth a two-year deal, the first as a development player, the second a team option to join the main roster.
Akech Aliir said despite being separated by state lines the Aliir Aliir drove him into elite sport.
“He’s my brother, we’ve got the relationship that I’d say a lot of brothers have where we’re competitive, but we want the best for each other,” Akech Aliir said.
“He lived in a different state growing up so we didn’t get to see each other all the time, but when the whole family would come together it was always good.
“We’d head down to an oval and kick the footy, I had my growth spurt fairly late, so he was always bigger than me growing up but he never really tried to ‘big brother’ me.
“There have been a few times where we’ll go against each other playing video games, and we’re competitive there as well. I think it’s been a fairly even split between wins and losses for each of us.
“The biggest thing he’s helped me with is just how to be a pro.
“How to best take care of my body, how to build habits that will help you stay in sport for as long as I can and be the best athlete I can be.”
Vickerman believes Akech Aliir has the potential to grow significantly as a contributor in the NBL.
“The modern 5-man can shoot at a high level and he’s showing that with Mt Gambier, but I think the thing that attracted me the most is his speed,” he said.
“We’ve had great success in having bigs really be able to sprint the floor and attack off the dribble and he possesses that skill set.
“He’s made really big improvements between his play in the NBL1 last year and this year. We’ve seen strong growth in his game as a scorer and defender.”
Last year, Aliir Aliir, a 145-game AFL veteran with Sydney and the Power, said last year his little bro’s recognition was testament to his hard work.
”From a young age, our whole family played basketball (and) there were times we had to give that up or go down a different path but he stuck at it, Aliir Aliir said last year.
“The goal is to make it to the NBA, as is any young kid growing up.
“Just the work he’s put into his craft … he has great skills and great hands so hopefully he keeps developing that and can make a great career out of it.”
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Catch up on all the big signing and player movement news in NBL free agency below.
See every player currently contracted at your NBL club, the whispers on who is on the way in and out and confirmation of every signing as it happens.
ADELAIDE 36ERS
Coach: Scott Ninnis
Last season: Ninth
Roster spots left: 2 + Next Star
Contracted players: Dejan Vasiljevic, Isaac Humphries, Jason Cadee, Sunday Dech, Nick Marshall, Lat Mayen, Alex Starling, Jacob Rigoni, Ben Griscti
Key free agents: Trey Kell, Jacob Wiley
Lowdown: Adelaide acted swiftly on its roster and locked in a swag of local talent, built around elite Aussies Isaac Humphries and Dejan Vasiljevic. Kicked the tyres on former Phoenix Suns first-round NBA draft pick Tyler Ennis before he signed in Italy. Will go down the two-import route, with a point guard and power forward the targets. Code Sports understands the club has little interest in a Next Star.
BRISBANE BULLETS
Coach: Justin Schueller
Last season: Seventh
Roster spots left: 1 (possibly 2, pending Shannon Scott departure)
Contracted players: Josh Bannan, Shannon Scott (import), Sam McDaniel, Rocco Zikarsky (Next Star), Tyrell Harrison, Isaac White, Mitch Norton, Casey Prather (import), Deng Adel, Tohi Smith-Milner, Keandre Cook (import), Kye Savage (DP), Josh Kunen (DP), Tristan Devers (DP)
Lowdown: Bought out Smith and will do same with Scott, opening two import vacancies one of which has been taken by Keandre Cook, an athletic wing who is regarded as a high-level shooter and impact scorer. Baynes is said to be weighing up his future. Once Scott is sorted, the Bullets have one import and one local spot left to fill, with a mutual interest between the club and former Sydney King and Collingwood AFL player Tom Wilson, who returned to basketball this season with the Melbourne Tigers in NBL1 South.
CAIRNS TAIPANS
Coach: Adam Forde
Last season: Eighth
Roster spots left: 2 + Next Star
Contracted players: Taran Armstrong, Akoldah Gak, Sam Waardenburg, Jackson Makoi, Jonah Antonio, Kyrin Galloway, Dillon Stith, Tanner Groves (import), Rob Edwards (import)
Lowdown: Restarting again with Bul Kuol departing for Sydney and all three imports out. Still three players to sign, with one local and an import spot open pluse a potential Next Star.
ILLAWARRA HAWKS
Coach: Justin Tatum
Last season: Fourth (Lost in semi final)
Roster spots left: 1 + Next Star
Contracted players: Todd Blanchfield, Sam Froling, Dan Grida, Lachlan Olbrich, Mason Peatling, Hyunjung Lee (SRP), William Hickey, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Tyler Harvey (import), Luca Yates (DP), Trey Kell.
Lowdown: As revealed by Code Sports, star guard Tyler Harvey has re-signed with the Hawks on a multi-year deal which will become an even bigger boon, if and when he becomes an Australian citizen around the end of next year. Early confidence his partner in crime Gary Clark was expected to follow suit and re-ink with the Hawks was dashed when he was snapped up by the Phoenix Suns’ new G League affiliate in the recent expansion draft. Import point guard Justin Robinson said his farewells to the ‘Gong and he’s been replaced by productive San Diego-born import Trey Kell. If Clark is out, it’s a significant blow, with the Hawks needing to replace him with a high-level player at the four.
MELBOURNE UNITED
Coach: Dean Vickerman
Last season: Second (Lost Grand Final)
Roster spots left: 2 (potentially 3 or even 4) + Next Star
Contracted players: Kyle Bowen, Flynn Cameron, Matthew Dellavedova, Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Tanner Krebs, Luke Travers, Rob Loe, Tom Koppens (DP), Jack White, Campbell Blogg (DP)
Lowdown: Jack White is on his way home for next season. Will speak to former big man — and Tassie champ — Marcus Lee and ex-Charlotte Hornet Mangok Mathiang about filling the giant void left by Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. Have an eye on Adelaide development player Akech Aliir, half-brother of Port Adelaide AFL star Aliir Aliir. With eight locals locked in United will likely seek two imports and another local to complete their roster. White has an NBA out and is aggressively pursuing opportunities in the big league, leaving him no certainty to be in Melbourne next season. The early move all but confirms prodigious young forward Luke Travers will be in the NBA next season in some capacity, with a two-way deal in Cleveland likely. The Cavs have monitored their 2022 second-round draft pick closely and view the 22-year-old’s development positively. Former South East Melbourne captain — and United championship winner — Kyle Adnam as been spotted at Hoops City.
NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
Coach: Petteri Koponen
Last season: Fifth (Lost play-in game)
Roster spots left: 4 + Next Star
Contracted players: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (import), Sam Menenga, Dane Pineau, Mojave King, Jonah Bolden, Mitch McCarron, Grant Anticevich, Max Darling (DP), Carlin Davison (DP), Alex McNaught (DP)
Lowdown: Starting from almost scratch, the Breakers struck the first major blow of free agency when they lured All-NBL first teamer and MVP finalist Parker Jackson-Cartwright back for a second season in Auckland. Some solid signings early doors, including Mitch McCarron crosses from Adelaide, Sydney Kings big Jonah Boldenand former Next Star Mojave King, have been tempered with the departure of coach Mody Maor. With Finn Delany headed to Japan, the Breakers need two imports, likely a centre and a wing that they will look to pluck out of NBA Summer League and two locals to round out the roster (depending on Delany).
PERTH WILDCATS
Coach: John Rillie
Last season: Third (Lost in semi finals)
Roster spots left: 1
Contracted players: Bryce Cotton (import), David Okwera, Tai Webster, Michael Harris, Keanu Pinder, Hyrum Harris, Ben Henshall, Kristian Doolittle (import), Jesse Wagstaff, Elijah Pepper, Dontae Russo-Nance (DP), Izan Almansa (Next Star)
Rumoured signing: Next Star Izan Almansa has been confirmed as Alex Sarr’s replacement.Snagged the prized signature of returning college talent Elijah Pepper, captain Jesse Wagstaff re-signed for a 16th NBL season and sturdy import forward Kristian Doolittle locked in early for NBL25. Import Usher won’t be back and the Wildcats have parted ways with both Corey Webster and Kyle Zunic. Alex Sarr franked his season as a Next Star by going at No.2 in the NBA draft and was quickly replaced by another highly-rated young gun in Spain’s Izan Almansa. Eight locals, two imports and a Next Star are locked in, so the Wildcats just need an import to round out the roster. Coach John Rillie visited Melbourne recently to watch former Sydney King and Collingwood AFL player Tom Wilson play for Melbourne Tigers.
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
Coach: Mike Kelly
Last season: Last (10th)
Roster spots left: 2 + Next Star
Contracted players: Mitch Creek, Owen Foxwell, Matt Kenyon, Ben Ayre, Nathan Sobey, Angus Glover, Jordan Hunter, Derrick Walton Jr (import), Luke Fennell (DP), Tom Vodanovich
Rumoured signing: Pulled off one of the biggest signings of NBL free agency when NBL Grand Final MVP Derrick Walton Jr sought out a return to the league. He’ll run an offence with the two best local scorers in the NBL with former Brisbane Bullet Nathan Sobeyjoining Mitch Creek at the club. Kings Jordi Hunter and Angus Glover add sturdiness to the roster. Maintain an interest in Breakers big man Mangok Mathiang. Will unveil a Next Star in the coming weeks, leaving two import spots to fill.
SYDNEY KINGS
Coach: Brian Goorjian
Last season: Sixth (Lost play-in game)
Roster spots left: 1
Contracted players: Xavier Cooks, Kouat Noi, Shaun Bruce, Makuach Maluach, Alex Toohey (Next Star), Keli Leaupepe, Izayah Le’afa, Tyler Robertson, Bul Kuol, Jason Spurgin (DP), Klairus Amir (DP), Cam Oliver (import), Jaylen Adams (import)
Rumoured signing: Reloading under Brian Goorjian quickly with a host of homegrown stars, headlined by NBL23 MVP and two-time champion Xavier Cooks’ and highly-coveted Cairns wing Bul Kuol. Grabbed a trio of college returnees in Keli Leaupepe, Jason Spurgin and Tyler Robertson. Feisty Kiwi Izayah Le’Afa is another Goorj-type defensive guard. With Xavier Cooks’ massive contract, the arrival of athletic big man Cam Oliver is huge with Goorj and company going down the two-import route, they’ve managed to retain former Kings MVP and champion point guard Jaylen Adams for a third season. The Kings are understood to be looking at local point guards to fill their final roster spot.
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS
Coach: Scott Roth
Last season: Third (Champions)
Roster spots left: Roster complete
Contracted players: Will Magnay, Jack McVeigh, Clint Steindl, Fabijan Krslovic, Milton Doyle, Sean Macdonald, Anthony Drmic, Walter Brown (DP), Majok Deng, Gorjok Gak, Jordon Crawford, Craig Swords, Roman Siulepa (Next Star), Brody Nunn (DP)
The lowdown: Roster complete — and it looks even tougher than the one that claimed this year’s NBL title in a five-game classic over Melbourne United. Craig Swords comes in as a highly-rated import wing, especially on the defensive end, which Scott Roth will love, and the Jackies won the race for Queensland’s teen freak Roman Siulepa as a Next Star. Every chance of a repeat in NBL25.
GOORJ BACKS ADAMS TO RECLAIM THRONE
Championship-winning guard Jaylen Adams will return to the Sydney Kings to play under legendary coach Brian Goorjian in NBL25.
There had been fears Adams would leave the Kings following a disappointing season in ‘24.
However, CODE Sports can reveal the 2021-22 NBL MVP has opted to re-sign with Sydney for one season.
Adams, one of the NBL’s best players when fit, will join former title-winning teammate Xavier Cooks in the purple and gold.
Adams’ signing further solidifies Sydney’s roster into the upcoming coming NBL25 season.
Goorjian revealed the former Milwaukee Buck has his eyes locked in on winning another title in the Harbour City.
“I’m excited to have him back. Jaylen is one of the most talented players in the league. He’s motivated to return, have a great year and win a championship,” Goorjian said.
“One of the most important pieces in recruitment was this point guard position. I’m very confident in his ability, especially considering his understanding of the team, the league, and the city of Sydney itself.”
With one roster spot remaining for NBL25, Goorjian suggests it will likely be filled by a local player.
‘NEXT STAR’ TO FILL THE BIG SHOES OF ALEX SARR AT WILDCATS
Days after a record four NBL Next Stars heard their names called in the NBA draft, a new international young gun has been confirmed for the wildly successful pathway.
Highly-rated Spanish big man Izan Almansa will replace Alex Sarr at the Perth Wildcats after the Frenchman was snared by the Washington Wizards with the second pick in Thursday’s first round.
The G League Ignite product, 19, had tested this year’s NBA draft waters, participating in the annual combine in a bid to gauge teams’ interest before becoming the fourth Next Star to suit up in NBL25, joining giant Brisbane Bullets centre Rocco Zikarsky, positionless Sydney stud Alex Toohey and athletic beast Roman Siulepa (Tasmania).
“Securing Izan’s signature is a massive coup for the Next Stars and further solidification of the confidence prospects have in the NBL and the program,” Next Stars boss Liam Santamaria said.
“The strength of our development program is clear and has been highlighted after four Next Stars were selected at this year’s draft, making it nine Next Stars who have been drafted directly from the NBL to the NBA.
It’s understood the 208cm Murcia product – the second Spaniard to become a Next Star after Tom Digbeu’s failed NBL22 stint with the Brisbane Bullets – sees himself as a four man.
It’s likely, though, with the Wildcats set to target a wing import, coach John Rillie will need him to back up star centre Keanu Pinder at the five, unless David Okwera – still yet to turn 22 – can make a leap.
“I am very excited and thankful for the opportunity to play for the Perth Wildcats and be part of the Next Stars program,” Almansa said.
“I am really looking forward to getting to Perth and getting to work.
“I’m looking forward to competing in the NBL and trying to win a championship.”
Sporting a 216cm wingspan, Almansa’s G League numbers – 11.7 points, 7.4 rebounds across 32 games – don’t immediately leap off the page but the context he was doing it against seasoned pros as an 18-year-old – with a criminally low usage rate of just 16.7 – reveals he did plenty with limited opportunity.
Almansa has shown glimpses of a throwback post game, punctuated by his utilisation of the increasingly-rare hook shot.
Already a great screener with natural instinct as a roller to the hoop Almansa has sticky hands and combines a soft touch around the rim with the ability to finish hard through contact and traffic.
He’s perhaps not the athlete Sarr is and will go to work in the Perth weightroom but, with a trio of MVP’s at junior international level and a swag of gold medals to go along with them, Almansa has already carved out a reputation as a winner the Wildcats will hope translates to the NBL.
Perth basketball boss Danny Mills said the club was “thrilled” to welcome a second Next Star in as many seasons, after Sarr became club’s first.
“Izan is a player we have long recruited, and to be able to attract a player of his calibre on the back of the success we had with Alex this past season is a true testament to our presence as a club on a global scale,” Mills said.
Meanwhile, Illawarra has signed former South East Melbourne and Adelaide import Trey Kell.
The 193cm San Diego native, 28, was a productive presence in Adelaide last season, producing 17.1 points and 5.3 rebounds.
‘EXPIRED’: BIG ROADBLOCK CLEARED IN PHOENIX ROSTER RISE
The out clause that had some fearing marquee South East Melbourne recruit Derrick Walton Jr would never suit up in the Heartland has expired, removing any doubt the NBL grand final MVP would spearhead the revamped Phoenix roster.
As South East Melbourne actively chase a Next Star, its understood the club has also added another piece to their title assault with Kiwi forward Tom Vodanovich inking a one-year deal.
Code Sports in May exclusively revealed Walton Jr had signed with the Phoenix in perhaps the biggest move of any club this off-season. But an out clause in the American’s contract — specific to a small number of teams in the Chinese Basketball Association — meant there was a chance he could stay in the lucrative Asian league, where he’d spent last season with Zheijang Lions.
That clause expired earlier this month and the former Sydney Kings championship-winning point guard is now locked in to orchestrate an offence that features the two best local scorers in the country in veteran stars Mitch Creek and Nathan Sobey.
It’s understood the Phoenix are scouting young potential NBA bigs and wings to find the best Next Stars candidate — a role the club hasn’t filled since 2019-20 (Terry Armstrong).
Vodanovich is a tough-as-nails 201cm power forward who is as honest as the day is long, providing a steady locker room presence who owns titles with the Kings (2022) and Tasmania JackJumpers (2024).
The 29-year-old’s arrival completes the roster’s local content and the club’s focus is now on adding two high-calibre imports with a view to shore up its perimeter shooting and bolster its inside presence to help bruising new Aussie centre Jordi Hunter.
BAYNES’ BULLETS’ FUTURE UP IN THE AIR
The playing future of Australian basketball great Aron Baynes in Brisbane is uncertain, with the former NBA champion yet to indicate if he’ll play in NBL25.
Bullets coach Justin Schueller told CODE Sports he was waiting on a definitive response from Baynes regarding his playing status for next season.
The 37-year-old veteran centre, who won an NBA title with San Antonio in 2014, is off-contract.
Schueller was recently asked about Baynes ahead of the new NBL season, tipping off in September.
“Baynes is enjoying family life in the Brisbane sun, but we’re close to finalising our roster and we’ve still got some key decisions to make there,” Schueller said of Baynes, an Olympic bronze medallist with the Boomers who has played the past two NBL seasons with the Bullets.
“We’re really excited for this group that we’re putting together. There are a lot of questions out there around it, but we’ve got a genuine belief in the point of difference that this team can make.
“We’re excited to make that step forward and be a playoff team next season and that’s our sole goal.”
A year after fearing he may never walk again, Boomers centre Aron Baynes will make an inspiring comeback via the #NBL ðŸ‘
— CODE Basketball (@codebballau) July 27, 2022
DETAILS: https://t.co/dEkWE0fq4D
âœï¸ @mattlogue7pic.twitter.com/5RaPeBxjCe
It remains to be seen whether Baynes plays for another NBL franchise if he doesn’t return to Brisbane. The veteran big man would be an asset for a rival club like the Cairns Taipans or the New Zealand Breakers.
NEXT BIG THING HEADED TO TASMANIA
Freakish teen basketball prodigy Roman Siulepa has joined the reigning NBL champions as a Next Star.
As previously revealed by CODE Sports, Tasmania had been the most aggressive suitor for the 17-year-old Queenslander and it can be confirmed that he will begin his pro career under Scott Roth in one of the most respected programs in Australian basketball.
The multi-talented 200cm forward was on the radars of the NRL and Super Rugby but the NBL has swiftly locked him away in the Next Stars pathway that has produced a number of NBA players, including Perth Wildcats graduate Alex Sarr, who is this year’s potential No. 1 draft pick.
Siulepa bashed down the NBL’s door with a stunning 2024 that included MVP and a silver medal for Queensland at the U20 National Championships — as a bottom ager — and gold and an All-Star Five berth for Australia at the Albert Schweitzer tournament in Germany.
He’s emerged in the second-tier NBL1 North competition, where he fought his way into South West Metro Pirates’ starting line-up in late April and has since averaged 23.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 blocks, including back-to-back 30-point games.
It’s a match made in heaven for both the club and the young gun, who is still in high school and, earlier this year, acknowledged to Code Sports he was working to improve his preparation and daily habits to match his incredible gifts.
Siulepa visited Tasmania during this year’s NBL playoffs and the JackJumpers’ no-nonsense ethos that propelled them all the way to the title is the perfect place for him to learn to be a pro. Siulepa also found a familiar face in Tassie basketball boss Mika Vukona, who spent time with the young gun when at the Brisbane Bullets.
“We’ve got the utmost confidence in Roman’s talent and trajectory and believe he’ll continue to thrive in our program and in Tasmania,” Vukona said.
“Coach Roth and his coaches have a proven record in developing players.
“In our environment we believe Roman will be given a great opportunity to develop and grow his game the right way, preparing himself perfectly for the next level.”
Siulepa’s signing rounds out the JackJumpers’ returning roster (outside of development players) with the champions appearing an even tougher proposition to the one that shocked Melbourne United in the five-game NBL grand final series.
It’s also the genesis of what looms as a fascinating long-term rivalry between two of Queensland’s finest young talents in Siulepa and phenomenal 17-year-old 224cm Brisbane Bullets Next Star Rocco Zikarsky — both of whom could one day be key contributors with the Australian Boomers on the world stage.
Liam Santamaria, the league’s Next Star’s guru, said that rivalry could be box office and Siulepa possessed tools that could translate to the NBA.
“I remember going to the Basketball Without Borders Asia camp in Canberra in late 2022 and there was a moment there where Roman caught Rocco and put one on his head on a break away,” Santamaria said.
“Those guys have been teammates but also have a bubbling competitive rivalry and it will be good to see them go at each other in opposite jerseys on the NBL hardwood.
“We’ve been tracking Roman’s progress over the last couple of years closely and he’s elevated his play in different settings, especially this year, rising to every challenge put in front of him.
“The JackJumpers do the day-to-day element of player development at a very high level.
You only have to look at how they’ve helped elevate a guy like Jack McVeigh to become and All NBL performer, Will Magnay returned to his career best form and Sean Macdonald has developed into a star.
“Tasmania’s fans are some of the most passionate in the NBL and I have no doubt they will fall in love with Roman over the next couple of years as he looks to develop into a high-level NBA prospect.”
He joins Zikarsky and Alex Toohey (Sydney Kings) as the third Next Star set to line-up in NBL25.
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