Top NBL1 Central basketballers of 2024 revealed
The best players are making their presence felt in NBL1 Central as the race for finals heats up. Here’s a look at our top players of the season.
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The race for the NBL1 Central finals is heating up.
As the 2024 regular season draws to a close, we’ve broken down the leading players of the year so far.
Here is our list of the top players in the men’s and women’s competitions in alphabetical order.
MEN
ADAM DOYLE
(Forestville)
The leading playmaker in the division this season, veteran guard Doyle has played a key role for the Eagles yet again.
Is averaging 11 points, six assists and four rebounds so far this year.
ANTHONY DRMIC
(West Adelaide)
Fresh off an NBL title with the Tasmania JackJumpers, Drmic has been arguably the league’s best offensive player in the several appearances he has made.
He leads all men’s scorers with 28.83 ppg and has also been a consistent threat from deep.
JORDAN FORBES
(Sturt)
Always involved in the game at both ends of the floor.
Forbes has the ability to score in bunches but on his quieter nights quickly turns provider.
Is averaging 20 points, six assists and nine rebounds.
JACK HEMPHILL
(Norwood)
Signing with Norwood after a strong season with Eastern Mavericks in 2023, Hemphill has been a standout despite a tough year for the Flames so far.
A talented forward who can produce on both ends, Hemphill is averaging 18 points and eight rebounds a game.
JOE JACKSON
(Woodville)
One of the leading defensive big men in the league. Jackson, 28, protects the rim as well as any other player.
Jackson is averaging a double-double in points and rebounds as well as two blocks a game.
BRANDEN JENKINS
(Central District)
The American import has been a significant contributor on both ends of the floor for the Lions throughout the season.
He averages the second most points per game in the competition with 23.5 a game and also averages an impressive 2.69 steals.
DANIEL JOHNSON
(Forestville)
A star with the Adelaide 36ers in the NBL and a dominant force at this level.
The experienced big man doesn’t need big minutes on court to make an impact.
Is averaging 20.5 points, 4 assists and nearly nine rebounds a game.
FABIJAN KRSLOVIC
(West Adelaide)
Has played a handful of games but when he’s been on the court he’s averaged a double-double and been dominant for the Bearcats.
The star forward averages 19.6 points and 12 rebounds a game and should continue to be a force for his side for the remainder of the season.
GREG MAYS
(Forestville)
Been one of the better players for the Eagles for the ladder leader to this point of the season.
Currently averaging over 20ppg and has the ability to score in a number of ways inside and outside.
STEVEN PARFITT
(North Adelaide)
While the Rockets may have struggled, Parfitt has enjoyed a productive season individually.
He has been among the league’s leading defenders and averages 11 points, 11 rebounds and nearly two blocks a game.
JACOB RIGONI
(Sturt)
Has been a consistent force as his side has risen up the ladder.
Plays big minutes every week and is putting up impressive averages of 20 points, three assists and nearly eight rebounds a game so far.
KOEN SAPWELL
(Central District)
One of the leading scorers in the division, Sapwell is a consistent threat from beyond the three-point line and also creates for others.
Has averaged 22.8 points, 3.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game this year.
JEREMY SMITH
(South Adelaide)
The former MVP has just three games to his name after being a late arrival from a European season.
The American has started to hit his straps however, and is now putting up 22 points, five assists and four rebounds a game.
ALEX STARLING
(South Adelaide)
After playing with the Adelaide 36ers last NBL season, Starling has returned to the Panthers where he has remained one of the leading players in the competition.
Currently among the league’s leading scorers with 22.7 points a game and is also averaging 11 rebounds.
WOMEN
BROOKE BASHAM
(North Adelaide)
One of the leading stars for her side, Basham currently sits top of the league in scoring.
A dominant and versatile player, Basham is averaging 22.6 points, 4.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds a game.
TAYLA BRAZEL
(Sturt)
A young star who is making the most of her opportunities.
Brazel, who plays at the guard position, is a threat on both ends of the floor.
Is putting up averages of 16 points and a bloakc a game.
ISOBEL BORLASE
(Forestville)
One of the key reasons the Eagles are in the upper part of the ladder.
The rising star, who has represented Australia, is a consistent threat on all three levels.
Borlase is averaging 15 points, three assists and five rebounds a game.
Was also drafted to the WNBA by the Atlanta Dream.
HARRIET COX
(South Adelaide)
Another one of a group of promising players across the competition, Cox has upped her game with more minutes throughout the season.
A talented guard who can have an impact on both ends of the floor and will be important for the Panthers as the season goes on.
JASMIN FEJO
(Central District)
Fejo has had her fingerprints across all aspects of the Lions’ success so far this season.
Among the leading offensive players in the league, Fejo also consistently causes trouble on the defensive end.
Has impressive averages of 16 points, four assists, seven rebounds, a block and 2.5 steals per game.
SIENNA GRIEGER
(West Adelaide)
The Bearcats rising star has enjoyed a strong season, building on the back of a promising six games in 2023.
Averaging 13 points, two assists and three rebounds a game.
ELIN JELENA GUSTAVSSON
(West Adelaide)
Averaging a double-double this season as one of the leading bigs in the division, Gustavsson has been dominant for the Bearcats.
Has been putting up stats of 11 points, three assists and nearly 13 rebounds a game.
BRITTANY HODGES
(South Adelaide)
Just how far the Panthers go this season could depend on the excitement machine.
With averages of 18 points and 11.5 rebounds a game and a big presence defensively, the star forward could be the catalyst for a big South Adelaide campaign.
TAYLAH LEVY
(Central District)
The 23-year-old is consistently among the leading offensive players in the league, averaging 20 points and five assists a game.
Also loves nothing more than a steal and is averaging nearly two each appearance.
LAUREN MANSFIELD
(North Adelaide)
The experienced guard is enjoying a strong season on both ends of the floor.
Mansfield has the ability to take over a game defensively or offensively and is putting up strong numbers of 15 points, five assists, five rebounds and two steals.
CASEY SAMUELS
(Central District)
One of the key reasons her side is in championship contention this season.
Samuels is among the league’s leading players with her scoring and playmaking ability and averages 22 points, four assists and seven rebounds.
EMILY SAUNDERS
(Norwood)
The leading shot blocker in the division this season, Saunders can shut off any opposition player’s water on her day.
Also a strong playmaker, Saunders is averaging 11 points, two assists and 10 rebounds along with 2.42 blocks.
REGAN SCHENCK
(Southern Tigers)
The leading playmaker in the competition, Schenck is capable of creating for teammates or finding her own shot.
Scores 14 points a week to go along with her 5.6 assists and 5.8 rebounds.
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