Picking One Intriguing Player From Every NZ NBL Team
Gotta love a bit of Aotearoa’s National Basketball League. It’s a rapidly growing competition that regularly attracts most of the country’s best players whilst also attracting a decent level of import and still finding room to boost up the next generation. And there’s no shortage of talent amongst that next gen, as befits what’s already emerged as one of NZ’s favourite sports. The games are broadcast to a high level and are easily accessible. There’s great representation for all the regions (gonna need a Northland team one of these days though). There are plenty of highlight packages and stat resources floating around the internet. It’s good fun. It’s quality basketball. Gotta love it.
But just in case you need an extra slice of enticement to stay on the channel or keep the stream open when there’s a game on, as there are most nights during the season, then maybe this will help. One intriguing player from each team. An introductory angle for all eleven squads. ‘Intriguing’ is a deliberately vague word that could mean exciting youngster or it could mean elite Tall Black talent or it could mean someone with a fascinating role or a player due for a breakthrough campaign. Basically whatever yours truly as writer decides it means. It’s all just buzz to hype up the league a little more.
By the way, this began as a short segment for our Substack newsletter but then it became clear that it was going to be too big for an email segment so here it is, as promised, in article format instead. But if by some strange circumstance you’re not already signed up to our Substack newsletter then be sure to get amongst because our Monday and Friday dispatches are full of all the relevant article/podcast links as well as bonus written yarns that you won’t find elsewhere. Very often got basketball stuff in there. Plus there’s a Paid Substack option if you’re feeling generous, that way you get access to our subscriber podcast as well as the karmic bonus points of helping Aotearoa’s top independent kiwi sports website going (there’s also Patreon as an alternative). We are, as ever, very much obliged.
Auckland Tuatara – Rob Loe
The reigning MVP. Almost got a ring with Melbourne United thanks to his early season excellence as an injury replacement (they lost in the finals without him), but is otherwise retired from all levels above this. That makes it even more of a joy to see him bossing the court in the local stuff. The ethereal nature of sports, right? Loe was a richly deserved 2023 MVP averaging 19.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game (plus 1.9 blocks and 1.9 steals). He basically does everything out there, scoring and rebounding and creating for others and defending. That Tuatara starting five is stacked with Australasian goodness: Corey Webster, Cam Gliddon, Reuben Te Rangi, Tom Vodanovich, and Rob Loe. Part of the reason they stack their starting five like that is they know they can rely on the young talent in the area (which includes last year’s breakout prospect Charlie Dalton back during his college offseason) so stay peeled for that crew. But Rob Loe is the bloke to tune in for.
Franklin Bulls – Sam Timmins
Always a rebounding fiend in the NZ league, Timmins struggled for opportunities during a couple seasons with the Breakers and then hardly even got a crack with the Sydney Kings this season after being a late addition to their roster. He’s caught in that tricky in-between place. The limbo state between the NBLs. He’s not the only one in that situation on this Bulls roster with Dom Kelman-Poto, Ethan Rusbatch, Jordan Hunt, and Isaac Davidson also having been around Aussie NBL teams in recent years without quite getting through. The NZ scene respects its big men though, and Sam Timmins showed that with a 12-point, 17-rebound performance in week one. He was a couple of boards away from averaging a double-double in 2023 so expect something around those areas with the Bulls in ‘24. A sub-nomination for Dru-Leo Leusogi-Ape too, who has returned to the Bulls after three seasons away with Taranaki and Southland during which he evolved into a pretty handy scorer. He made 2/3 triples in week one and if he can get that deep ball to land regularly then the 23yo could be in for a boost.
Mid-North Whai – Kruz Perrott-Hunt
KPH is a sharp shooter who had a strong college career and, at 23yo, has moved from the Tuatara to the Whai where he’ll seemingly get a much more prominent role – as evidenced by that first game haul in which he scored 23 points whilst shooting 5/9 from deep. Nobody else made five triples in week one. Perrott-Hunt is reunited in Tauranga with his old high school coach Matt Lacey (and a few other Rosmini alumni). They’re going to have some powerful imports but there’s always room for a local who can shoot, and KPH was a 39.9% three-point shooter across four years at South Dakota so there’s no doubt about his jump shot credentials.
Hawke’s Bay Hawks – Keanu Rasmussen
Shout out to Jordan Ngatai for being the one bloke from last year’s starting five who’s actually stuck around in the Bay (well, Jarrod Kenny too... sort of). But Keanu Rasmussen scored 23 points on debut for the Hawks. He’s 20 years old, born and raised in Australia, and was a development player with Adelaide this past season who later got elevated into full roster status – although he only played about five minutes in total. Well, it turns out his dad is a kiwi and he’s eligible as a kiwi local so here he is with the Hawke’s Bay Hawks. Not sure if that means he’s willing to try make the Tall Blacks some day. Potentially not... but the possibility alone makes him one to watch, especially on a Hawks team who are in a bit of a rebuilding phase after an implosive 2023 campaign. Keanu will get his moments for sure.
Taranaki Airs – Flynn Cameron
Love this team, reckon they could be a sneaky title contender thanks to some clever additions across the board. Sam Froling and Mitch McCarron as Aussie imports. Derone Raukawa. Tobias Cameron. Of course the trampoline hops of Carlin Davison. But Flynn Cameron is an established Tall Black now and he’s currently on his way back battling away in the NBL Finals with Melbourne United. FC averaged 3.4 points on 44% shooting in his rookie Aussie NBL campaign, though he found his 9-10 minutes per game were ironed out in the playoffs as rotations got tightened. Still, he was there the whole time soaking up that environment. Now he’s bound to do some tremendous things in his first NZ NBL experience, where he gets to show what tricks of the trade he picked up from Shea Ili and Matt Dellavedova.
Manawatu Jets – Liam Judd
The Jets are going to be dominated by their imports, with Mustapha Heron returning while Troy Baxter has moved up from Canterbury and they did bring in new fella Jasper Rentoy, an Aussie/Filipino guard, although he’s out injured for the season and will need to be replaced. Point being that the locals are mostly younger blokes... but Judd could angle for a starting gig there after a breakthrough season averaging 7.1 points per game last year. That’s looking even more likely after a 23-point effort in the opening round, anchored by his ability to get to the free throw line. Tough mahi from the 22-year-old. Also, Tyrell Harrison will be around for the first couple of weeks, fresh from being shortlisted for Most Improved Player in the Aussie NBL with Brisbane Bullets. It’s been said he’ll only play four games before he returns to Aussie for NBL1... although there are also rumours linking him to a gig in Italy. Harrison had an outrageous 24 rebounds in that close defeat to Taranaki. As long as he’s in town he’s going to be immense.
Wellington Saints – Hyrum Harris
It’s always Hyrum Harris. He’s a perpetual triple-double threat in the NBL and finally, for the Perth Wildcats, he got given the opportunity to stretch his legs properly in the Australian comp. The consequence of that was HH having a massive impact as the ‘Cats dramatically turned things around after a slow start. Hyrum makes things happen. He demands attention. His role with the Saints won’t be too different from what it was with the Wildcats: help get a former perennial contender back where they belong... and it is so far so good on that count. Admittedly neither team is at full strength yet but the stunning 30-point victory they had over last year’s beaten finalist Auckland Tuatara suggests that the Saints are so very much back. And who, pray tell, led the way with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists in that game? Not to mention an equally impressive defensive outing. Yeah, mate, that was Hyrum Harris. Of course it was Hyrum Harris.
Nelson Giants – Alex McNaught
Dan Fotu is the most prominent of the kiwis in Nelson, as he showed in week one. Nelson had a double-header and they lost both games... but Fotu scored 18 and 19 points in those defeats. Got to get that three-ball dropping and he’ll be unstoppable when combined with his bouncy efficiency around the rim. We sorta know what he can do though. Whereas his fellow fringe Breaker, Jedi McNaught, will have more to prove this year as he attempts to show what he’s learned under Mody Maor... and also show why he should be back next season getting more minutes than the two-and-a-half combined minutes he played in NBL24. McNaught isn’t a golden shooter but he’s rugged and precise. He won’t shirk the hard yards and he’ll defend above himself. Let’s see what he gets up to. Also looking forward to seeing more of newly-capped Tall Black prospect Hayden Jones. Son of Phill and Kat. Brother of Maia.
Canterbury Rams – Taki Fahrenson
Got to be careful with early season overreactions in the NBL, as quite a few imports and Australian-based dudes haven’t actually arrived yet. That’s true of the Canterbury Rams who beat Nelson with only one import: Australian fella Lachlan Olbrich. The cool thing about this easing-in stage of the season is it gives the kiwi depth more of a window... and you can take your pick for intrigue with this Rams team. Kaia Isaac is a knockdown shooter who has moved back after spending much of his life in Australia. He did shoot 0/8 from deep in week one but don’t let that fool you because he was a 43.5% three-point marksman last year. Or if not him, how about his younger brother Tama Isaac who is also with the Rams? Let’s not overlook the super-entertaining Walter Brown who just won the Aussie championship as a development player with Tasmania JackJumpers. Max Darling certainly has more to offer and no rim is safe in his vicinity. Taylor Britt’s got you covered for veteran guidance. But nah let’s go with Taki Fahrensohn, a 24yo wing who was part of the Tall Blacks 2022 Asia Cup squad. Has played professionally in Germany, as well as in previous years of NBL. He’s gonna do some things.
Otago Nuggets – Tai Webster
The relationship between the Australian and New Zealand NBLs is a cosy one. Lots of players from the former pop up in the latter during their offseasons. The NZ stuff acts as a prime scouting location for the Aussies. Backs are scratched in both directions. But never as obviously as with the Otago Nuggets who share ownership with the Perth Wildcats and therefore not only have they gotten Jack Andrew and Dontae Russo-Nance aboard for 2024 but they’ve also signed Tai Webster. Who, by rights, might just be the best local player in the competition this year. Webster had a resurgent time of it with Perth in NBL24, who bowed out in the semis, and will no doubt take this Nuggets team to a new level. He didn’t play in week one, neither did DRN, although Jack Andrew did and he pocketed 18 points and 16 rebounds. 19-year-old Australian wing Ben Henshall is also in town to add to the Perth presence and he scored an eye-catching 21 points.
Southland Sharks – Callum McRae
Last but not least – definitely not least if we’re measuring in metres – is 25yo big fella Callum McRae, who joined Nelson Giants last year after finishing college and promptly averaged 18.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per game in seven appearances. Without a preseason or anything. It helps when you’re 2.15 metres tall (7’1), to be fair. That’s the same height as Alex Pledger and he’ll be taking over a familiar spot for ol’ Chief as the starting centre for the Southland Sharks. When you’re that tall, it’s all about the inside presence. McRae’s got an appropriately big engine and will consistently rebound and score in the paint. Feed the big man and the whole team gets to eat. He had 12 points and 13 rebounds on debut and that was him merely getting started.
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