NBL players tipped to leave Aussie soil to play in British Basketball League

NBL players tipped to leave Aussie soil to play in British Basketball League

Google Advertisements

In a shocking turn reversal of events, Australian’s have decided to colonise the British!

 

Well… not quite, but it’s certainly a shock to see five former NBL players decide to play in the British Basketball League as an alternative to signing with a team in Australia.

 

It all started when Josh Wilcher (who has has dual British nationality), after a number of years spent toiling in the second tier SEABL trying to crack an NBL roster, decided to look overseas for playing opportunities. The pint sized point guard (178cm) had managed to play 2 games for the Melbourne Tigers in 2011/12 as a developmental player but despite remaining on the radar of NBL coaches with his SEABL play for Sandringham and Bendigo it still wasn’t quite enough to get an NBL call up.

 

This is when the Plymouth University Raiders opened their arms and signed the talented 24 year old who in return he led the team with 7 assists per game and became the crafty floor general they needed.

 

Despite a strong rookie season by Wilcher it was a difficult season for Plymouth as the team finished 10th and didn’t make the finals. It then became even tougher when no players from that season decided to re-sign with the Raiders bar Wilcher). Many leaving to play in other countries due to the Raiders having limited funds for player salaries.

 

4x NBL Champion Daryl Corletto

It was then the team decided to try a different tact. After speaking with Wilcher about his friend Daryl Corletto and other contacts he had from this playing time in Australia that Raiders coach Jay Marriott embarked on a strong oversea’s recruiting mission looking at Australian and New Zealand  players who might consider playing basketball on the opposite side of the world.

 

The recruitment drive was able to land three former Australian NBL players. Aussies Daryl Corletto (Melbourne United), Auryn MacMillan (Melbourne United), Bennie Lewis (Former Melbourne Tigers player) and New Zealand born BJ Anthony (Adelaide 36ers),

 

Under BBL rules clubs are only allowed five non British players in their roster but with Wilcher, Corletto and Anthony all having Australian/British dual citizenship they will be to suit up this talented core and add up to three additional import players.

 

Dante Williams, who played at Oakland University in the US will be one of the import players..

 

BJ Anthony

Coach Jay Marriott, now heading into this third season coaching the BBL Raiders, is excited with the recruiting results. “I really do love the direction we are going in,” said Marriott.

 

“In the past we have been guilty of blending in with the trends of the BBL but this year we have decided to take a different approach.

 

“We know what we are getting with Josh and myself and Daryl have been talking three times a day.

 

“Last season we had some top four talent but it didn’t work out – you can never be 100 per cent sure that players will blend together or blend with the coaching style.

 

In each of the last two seasons Raiders have missed out on the play-offs and that is something the club are keen to step away from with their “Aussie” Raider squad.

 

Bennie Lewis (Former NBL Slam Dunk Champ)

“I am a big fan of Australian basketball and the players there have grown up in a similar culture to the players here. Australian players are not surprised by community coaching when they come to England as they are used to doing it as part of their contracts in Australia. American and European players are not used to that so it takes a while for them to adapt when they come here.

 

Despite being founded in 1987 the British Basketball league has been somewhat of a small scale competition in comparison to the NBL even to the SEABL in Australia. With the basketball being brought to the attention of the British public with the London Olympics, in 2012 the BBL along with several other basketball governing bodies (including England Basketball and Basketball Scotland) united to form the British Basketball Union, an organisation created to promote the commercial development of basketball within Great Britain.

 

Auryn MacMillan

Moves like this have the BBL seeing considerable growth and Marriott feels despite having this many Australian/New Zealand based players is unheard of in the BBL he is confident that the growing league will start to see more players making the move.

 

“In America there is a lot of very talented Australians coming through, even though it is relatively unheard of over here.

 

“I had the luxury of working with some Australian players when I was in Spain and I always enjoyed working with them.” Marriott is not one to shy away from his bold recruiting moves either. The team clearly has an “Oceania” flavour to it and it’s by strategic design.  “Next season is definitely make or break but whatever happens at least I will be able to say that I did it my way” Marriott declared.

 

Coach Marriott has said that he is hoping for pre-season to be more open this year, with the players expected in Plymouth on September 1.

Dan Boyce (815 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.


Share:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Jamie O’Loughlin on NBL25 Coaching Trends, Strategies, and the Wildcats’ Back-to-Back Titles

    Jamie O'Loughlin, a veteran coach with championship experience at the Perth Wildcats and extensive work with the Cairns Taipans, joins the podcast to discuss the evolving coaching trends in the NBL and insights from NBL25. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. From noticing shifts in offensive and defensive strategies across the league to reflecting on his time helping the Wildcats secure back-to-back championships in 2016 and 2017, O'Loughlin shares invaluable insights for basketball fans and aspiring coaches. He also breaks down the…

    READ MORE
  • Shawn Dennis on Whether Too Many Foreign Coaches Are Hurting the NBL, Plus Japanese Stars Who Belong in the NBL and Aussies Who Should Be Playing in Japan

    Shawn Dennis, head coach of Japan's Nagoya Dolphins, joins the podcast to discuss the evolution of Japanese basketball and its strong connection with Australian players and coaches. Since its launch in 2016, the B.League has become one of the highest-paying leagues worldwide, attracting both seasoned Australian coaches and NBL talent. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Dennis, going into his sixth season in Japan, joins host Dan Boyce to shed some light on how the NBL and B.League could benefit from closer…

    READ MORE
  • The 12,000-Seat Southport Stadium Set to Bring an NBL Team to the Gold Coast

    Plans for a new 12,000-seat stadium in Southport have injected momentum into the Gold Coast’s bid for an NBL franchise, positioning the city as a frontrunner for league expansion by 2027. Set to overlook the scenic Broadwater at Carey Park, the proposed stadium has sparked confidence among NBL officials that the region could sustain a national basketball team. NBL Chief Operating Officer Vince Crivelli expressed optimism, emphasizing that a world-class venue is essential for expansion. “We are encouraged and supportive of the exciting progress on…

    READ MORE
  • Dyson Daniels: The Defensive Maestro Fueling the Hawks’ Success

    Dyson Daniels is making waves in the NBA—not just with his scoring or playmaking, but through his relentless and disruptive defence. The Atlanta Hawks guard is currently ranked second in the NBA for steals, averaging 2.4 per game, and leads the league in deflections, making him a constant threat to opposing offences and a valuable asset for his team. This defensive prowess has been instrumental in the Hawks’ strong performances, including their 121-116 win over the New York Knicks today. In today’s game against the…

    READ MORE
  • Tommy Greer Steps Down as South East Melbourne Phoenix CEO

    In a major announcement, Tommy Greer, the foundation CEO of South East Melbourne Phoenix, has revealed his decision to resign after six successful seasons with the club. Greer, a pivotal figure in the Phoenix's establishment in 2018, has been instrumental in shaping the team’s identity and fostering its rapid growth within the National Basketball League (NBL). Interestingly, this announcement follows closely after the recent release of head coach Mike Kelly, marking a significant period of transition for the club. Just three weeks ago, AussieHoopla ran…

    READ MORE
  • Financial Collapse of Darwin Salties Likely Shuts the Door on NBL Expansion in NT

    The financial collapse of the Darwin Salties this week has all but closed the door on the possibility of an NBL expansion team based in the Northern Territory. Despite strong community support and government backing, the Salties have announced their withdrawal from the Queensland-based NBL1 North competition, citing unsustainable financial pressures. This development leaves the future of the club and the NT’s broader ambitions for professional sports in serious doubt. Founded in late 2021, the Salties quickly became a fan favourite, regularly filling stadiums and…

    READ MORE
  • Adelaide 36ers Lock in Montrezl Harrell for Rest of NBL Season

    Montrezl Harrell has officially committed to the Adelaide 36ers for the remainder of the NBL season. After a week of mounting speculation, Harrell’s agent, Darrell Comer of Tandem Sports & Entertainment, confirmed today that the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year has extended his contract, ensuring he will stay with the 36ers through the end of the season. Since joining the team, Harrell has made an impact both on and off the court. He's averaging 15.7 points on 55.6% shooting, along with 10.3 rebounds…

    READ MORE
  • New Wildcats Owner Mark Arena on the NBL Team Sale Process, Financial Upsides of Sports Ownership, and Expanding Basketball’s Reach in Asia

    New Perth Wildcats owner Mark Arena joins the podcast to break down the intricate details behind purchasing an NBL team and his vision for the club's future. As a lifelong Wildcats fan and successful tech entrepreneur, Arena shares insights into the business side of sports ownership and how he plans to elevate the Wildcats' brand, both locally and internationally. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. In this episode, listeners will get an exclusive look into what it takes to acquire and manage…

    READ MORE
sekolahtoto SEKOLAHTOTO sekolahtoto situs togel terpercaya situs slot deposit 5000 toto togel SEKOLAHTOTO SEKOLAHTOTO sekolahtoto SEKOLAHTOTO sekolahtoto sekolahtoto SEKOLAHTOTO sekolahtoto sekolahtoto sekolahtoto sekolahtoto SEKOLAHTOTO SITUS TOGEL