10 AUSSIES IN COLLEGE NBL TEAMS SHOULD BE WATCHING

Alex Condon dunking for the Florida Gators against Jacksonville

Australian talent is spread across US college basketball, giving NBL teams plenty of reasons to tune in this season. Former NBL players are expanding their games, while emerging guards and big men are building a case for their first professional opportunity.

These are 10 Aussies in college NBL teams should be watching in 2026–27: what makes each worth following and what he could bring to a club. The full Australian men’s Division I player list follows below.

1. Ben Henshall — Ole Miss

Ben Henshall

Henshall brings three seasons of Perth Wildcats experience to Ole Miss, including a final NBL season in 2025–26 averaging 8.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, along with a gold medal from Australia’s 2025 Asia Cup campaign.

His senior international experience also includes appearances in Australia’s Asia Cup qualifying campaigns before the 2025 gold-medal run. Those opportunities have given him experience playing a supporting role alongside established Boomers, adding another layer to the professional background he takes into college.

What he can bring to NBL teams: Henshall could give an NBL backcourt another scorer and creator without needing to dominate possession. His hometown ties and three seasons with the Wildcats make Perth a natural favourite if he returns to the league. However, Perth accepted a buyout when he left for Ole Miss, so a return would require a new deal, leaving other NBL clubs in the conversation too. Improved decision-making and more consistent scoring could make him an option for greater responsibility alongside an import guard.

2. Owen Foxwell — Wisconsin

Owen Foxwell

Foxwell’s case starts with production against NBL opposition. He averaged 10.8 points, 4.5 assists and 3.0 rebounds for South East Melbourne in 2025–26 after becoming the Phoenix’s starting point guard. He also helped Australia win the 2025 Asia Cup.

Foxwell made his senior Boomers debut in the May 2025 Trans-Tasman Throwdown against New Zealand, before contributing to Australia’s Asia Cup title later that year. Both Foxwell and the Phoenix have expressed interest in a future reunion. A return to South East Melbourne is a natural possibility, but no return deal has been confirmed. Other NBL clubs have reason to follow his progress too.

What he can bring to NBL teams: Foxwell could bring an Australian organiser who can create for teammates and contribute his own scoring. His work running the Phoenix offence has already given clubs a close look at that skill set. The opportunity at Wisconsin is to build on it: greater control under pressure and efficient scoring would strengthen his case for a substantial professional backcourt role.

3. Alex Condon — Florida

Alex Condon

Condon has a résumé few Australians in college can match: a starting role on Florida’s 2025 national championship team, followed by a junior season averaging 15.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists. He also led the Gators with 48 blocks in 2025–26.

Condon has also begun building senior Boomers experience. He started both home World Cup qualifiers against Guam and the Philippines in July 2026, totalling 10 points, 12 rebounds and four assists across the two wins in Perth. His pathway has taken him directly from Australian development basketball to Florida, rather than through an NBL playing stint.

What he can bring to NBL teams: Condon offers the potential to connect an offence through the frontcourt, combining passing with scoring, rebounding and rim protection. A club could use him to find cutters and keep the ball moving while still getting production around the basket. That range of contributions makes him a significant prospect to follow, even though his eventual professional destination remains open.

4. Akoldah Gak — Oklahoma

Gak brings experience from the Illawarra Hawks, Cairns Taipans and NBA G League. Oklahoma signed him after a Capital City Go-Go season in which he averaged 7.5 points and 3.7 rebounds while shooting 62.8% from the field.

His final NBL season was with Cairns in 2024–25, when he averaged 6.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists across 21 games, after previously playing for Illawarra. Gak also represented the senior Boomers in three World Cup Asian qualifiers in 2022, giving him international experience well before his move into college basketball.

What he can bring to NBL teams: Gak could supply mobility at centre, a target rolling to the basket and finishing around the rim. His Hawks and Taipans stints mean Australian recruiters already have a reference point; Oklahoma offers a chance to see how his game has progressed since then. More consistent rebounding and defensive positioning would help turn those tools into dependable rotation minutes.

5. Joshua Dent — Saint Mary’s

Joshua Dent

Dent’s sophomore season supplied a strong all-round case: 13.2 points, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game, with 40.4% shooting from three and 91.8% at the free-throw line. He started every game and earned first-team All-WCC honours.

Dent has already had exposure to the senior national program: Basketball Australia selected him in its February 2024 Asia Cup qualifying squad while he was still at the Centre of Excellence. He did not take the court against South Korea, so the squad selection is distinct from a playing appearance. His development pathway did not include NBL game appearances before Saint Mary’s.

What he can bring to NBL teams: Dent could bring a useful blend of perimeter shooting and playmaking. His college production suggests he could organise possessions himself or play alongside another creator, giving a coach flexibility in the backcourt. The appeal is a guard who can help an offence without needing every possession built around him, provided his efficiency translates against professional pressure.

6. Austin Rapp — Wisconsin

Austin Rapp

At 6-foot-10, Rapp offers shooting with frontcourt size. In 2025–26, his first Wisconsin season, he averaged 9.7 points and 4.0 rebounds, making 58 of 160 three-point attempts — 36.3%. That followed WCC Freshman of the Year honours at Portland.

Rapp’s final NBL season was 2023–24 with South East Melbourne, where he averaged 2.1 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.3 assists in seven appearances as a development player. He subsequently made his senior Boomers debut in the May 2025 Trans-Tasman Throwdown against New Zealand, adding senior international experience to his junior national-team background.

What he can bring to NBL teams: Rapp could give an NBL frontcourt shooting that creates more room for its guards and interior scorers. His earlier Phoenix appearances introduced him to the league, but his college career is building a fuller picture of what he might offer. If his defence and rebounding develop alongside his shot, he could become a valuable option at forward.

7. Roman Siulepa — Ole Miss

Roman Siulepa

Siulepa arrives from Pittsburgh after starting all 33 games as a freshman and averaging 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds. His 69 offensive rebounds in 18 regular-season ACC games led the conference during league play.

Siulepa also has an NBL connection, although he did not play a league game: he signed with Tasmania as a Next Star ahead of 2024–25, then parted ways with the JackJumpers before the season. There are therefore no NBL season averages to attach to that stint.

What he can bring to NBL teams: Siulepa could bring second-chance scoring and an ability to contribute without having plays called for him. His offensive rebounding offers a way to help an established team while developing the rest of his game. A more reliable outside shot and greater defensive versatility would expand the combinations an NBL coach could use him in.

8. Joel Foxwell — Arizona State

Joel Foxwell

Foxwell’s freshman season at Portland produced 15.6 points, 6.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game. He set the program’s season assists record with 221, earned first-team All-WCC honours and moved to Arizona State for 2026–27.

Before college, Foxwell played for Melbourne United in 2024–25, averaging 1.1 points, 0.3 rebounds and 0.8 assists across eight NBL appearances in a limited development-player role. His college production should be viewed against that small professional sample, rather than as a continuation of an established NBL starting role.

What he can bring to NBL teams: Foxwell could offer an Australian point guard capable of creating opportunities for others while carrying some of the scoring load himself. His Portland production provides a promising foundation for that role. If he continues developing at Arizona State, he could give an NBL team another player to initiate the offence and reduce its reliance on a single creator.

9. Chol Machot — Georgetown

Chol Machot

Machot moves to Georgetown after earning the 2025–26 CAA Defensive Player of the Year award at Charleston. He averaged 8.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game in 2025–26.

What he can bring to NBL teams: Machot could bring rim protection to an NBL frontcourt, with his shot-blocking providing a clear starting role. Alongside guards who create opportunities near the basket, he could contribute without needing a large share of the offence. Added strength, reliable rebounding and disciplined defence would help make that impact sustainable against professional big men.

10. RJ Greer — UNC Greensboro

RJ Greer

Greer belongs in the Australian conversation, even though his pathway has been through the United States. Raised in the US, the Australian-American guard has a Tasmanian mother, Misty, and holds an Australian passport. He also considered the NBL during his recruitment, making Australia a genuine part of his basketball pathway.

Now a sophomore at UNC Greensboro after transferring from Davidson, the 6-foot-4 guard is getting a chance to build his college résumé. He scored 15 points and made four three-pointers in the Spartans’ 91–84 win over Lees-McRae on 11 November. His Australian heritage and US upbringing give him a different pathway from many of the players on this list.

Greer also attended a Boomers training camp in 2025, gaining exposure to the senior national program. Camp involvement is separate from an official senior international appearance.

What he can bring to NBL teams: Greer could offer perimeter scoring and shooting from an Australian guard developed in the US system. His outside shot gives him a potential role alongside an established creator, while a larger college workload will help show how much more he can contribute. For NBL recruiters, the appeal is following that development early and assessing whether he can become a dependable scorer against stronger opposition.

The team to watch: Portland

Portland Pilots men's basketball team, 2026–27

With Austin Foxwell, Carlin Briggs, Henry Sewell, James O’Donnell and Riley Parker on the roster, the Pilots are packed with Australian talent and a must-watch for NBL fans and recruiters following the next wave. Their mix of guards and forwards offers several development stories in the same game, making Portland a useful starting point for NBL teams following Australians in college this season.

The Australians give Portland a mix of experience and emerging talent. Riley Parker brings perimeter shooting, playmaking and leadership, while James O’Donnell supplies an established interior option after averaging 10.0 points and 4.4 rebounds last season. Austin Foxwell adds another developing shooter, with Carlin Briggs and Henry Sewell providing options on the wing and in the frontcourt. Together, they could help the Pilots play the quick, shared offence coach Shantay Legans wants, while giving NBL clubs a chance to assess several Australians in complementary roles.

Full list: Aussies in college basketball, 2026–27

The directory below contains 92 tracked players across 66 colleges, including programs transitioning into Division I. It includes Australian-American RJ Greer, whose Australian passport and family connection are outlined above. This list covers NCAA Division I, including transitioning programs; Division II, Division III, NAIA and junior college players are outside its scope.

CollegeAustralian players
Arizona StateAjak Nyuon; Joel Foxwell; Marcus Vaughns
ArkansasMaper Maker
Arkansas StateDelang Muon
Boston CollegeJacob Furphy
BradleyJosh Ibukunoluwa
BryantKeegan Harvey
BucknellEthan Marten-Coney
Cal State BakersfieldTom Koppens
Cal State FullertonBailey Nunn; Tiernan Stynes
CanisiusAbu Riak; Nate Deer
Central ArkansasHarry Beauchamp
CharlestonWill Mortimore
CharlotteFrank Oguche
ChattanoogaKobe McDowell-White
ColoradoAlex Dickeson; Goc Malual
ColumbiaNicolo Romanelli
DavidsonMalik Davis
DenverCharlie Dimmock; Harry Bates
Detroit MercyXavier Istomin-Monroe
DuquesneStephen Olowoniyi
Eastern IllinoisTanner Vogel
EvansvilleJames Dyson-Merwe
FloridaAlex Condon; Alex Kovatchev
Florida A&MTuscan Onuoha
FordhamAbass Bodija; Jack Whitbourn; Roor Akhuar
FurmanCharles Johnston
George MasonEmmett Adair
George WashingtonDeng Manyang
GeorgetownChol Machot
GeorgiaMading Kuany
HarvardLuca Ace-Nasteski
Hawai’iBol Dengdit; Lueth Awan
HofstraRiley Dunn
JacksonvilleRex Stirling
LafayetteJasraj Gill; Paddy D’Arcy
La SalleBowyn Beatty
LipscombTruman Byrne
Long Beach StateHenry Lau
ManhattanBen Tweedy
MarquetteNash Walker
Maryland Eastern ShoreAlvin Cole
MercerHarrison Lyttle
New HavenBrad Ballinger
Northern ColoradoCampbell Blogg
Northern KentuckyEthan Elliott; Noah Pagotto; Will Shortt
OhioChe Brogan; Kiir Kuany
OklahomaAkoldah Gak; Yaak Yaak
Ole MissBen Henshall; Roman Siulepa
PortlandAustin Foxwell; Carlin Briggs; Henry Sewell; James O’Donnell; Riley Parker
Saint Mary’sFlynn Pavely; Joshua Dent; Luke Fennell; Rory Hawke
SienaTim Ibukunoluwa
Southeast Missouri StateClayton Jewell
SyracuseTasman Goodrick
TCURyan Hunt
UC DavisKoby Moir
UC RiversideBen Waller
UNC GreensboroRJ Greer
UMass LowellIsaiah Walter
USCJosh Hughes
USC UpstateJoe Baldwin
WashingtonTristan Devers
Washington StateFraser Roxburgh; Roman Stathis
West FloridaOluwatomisin Ayodele-Osho
West GeorgiaMarshal Destremau
William & MaryJesse McIntosh
WisconsinAustin Rapp; Isaac Riddle; Owen Foxwell
Share:
  • 10 AUSSIES IN COLLEGE NBL TEAMS SHOULD BE WATCHING

    Australian talent is spread across US college basketball, giving NBL teams plenty of reasons to tune in this season. Former NBL players are expanding their games, while emerging guards and big men are building a case for their first professional opportunity. These are 10 Aussies in college NBL teams should be watching in 2026–27: what makes each worth following and what he could bring to a club. The full Australian men's Division I player list follows below. 1. Ben Henshall — Ole Miss Henshall brings…

    READ MORE
  • Gold Coast Blaze set to return to the NBL

    Gold Coast councillors have backed further work on an NBL expansion proposal, raising the possibility of a new team entering the competition in 2027/28. The proposed Gold Coast franchise is expected to revive the Blaze name, with Mayor Tom Tate indicating its identity has already been decided. “They’ve already got a name but I can’t tell ya.”Tom Tate Tate has been a leading supporter of the expansion bid and was part of the original Blaze ownership group formed in 2006 alongside David Claxton and Owen…

    READ MORE
  • If NBL Players Were Slipping at Any Other Workplace, Would We Still Be Waiting for a Solution?

    Imagine working in a warehouse where employees repeatedly slip on the same section of flooring. Management knows about it, workers have complained, and someone has already suffered a serious injury. Under Australian workplace safety laws, employers are expected to investigate and manage foreseeable risks, not simply rely on an industry safety certificate. A business found to be in breach of safety obligations could face a WorkSafe improvement notice requiring the hazard to be fixed. A serious breach could lead to prosecution, with companies in Victoria…

    READ MORE
  • Harry Rouhliadeff on NCAA Money and the Rebuilding of the Brisbane Bullets Program

    Brisbane Bullets forward Harry Rouhliadeff joins the Aussie Hoopla podcast to discuss his journey from growing up a Bullets fan to captaining the University of Hawai‘i at March Madness, before returning home to begin his professional basketball career. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Harry about his first NBL start, the faith new coach Will Weaver has shown in him, and the challenges facing the Brisbane Bullets as they look to turn their fortunes around. Having grown…

    READ MORE
  • Which NBL Teams Spent the Most?

    Over the past three NBL seasons, clubs have spent almost $97 million assembling their rosters, but how much of that money has translated into wins, and which teams have delivered the best value for money? These figures represent cash spend, not salary cap spend. Cash spending includes player salaries and additional costs such as agent fees, bonuses, import related expenses and luxury tax, rather than simply the amounts counted against the league's salary cap. How much have NBL teams spent over the past three seasons?…

    READ MORE
  • ARE THE HAWKS “TIRED” OF TATUM’S VOICE?

    Larry Bird believed players began tuning out coaches after three years. Pat Riley reportedly put the limit at five, while Steve Kerr admitted his Golden State players were tired of hearing him in his fourth season. Now Justin Tatum is in his fourth season with Illawarra, and the Hawks have gone from NBL champions to the bottom of the ladder. Could they be experiencing the same problem? Justin Tatum transformed Illawarra from one of the NBL's worst teams into champions. But ahead of today's clash…

    READ MORE
  • COULD BRIAN GOORJIAN HAVE SAVED THE MELBOURNE TIGERS?

    In 2002, the Melbourne Tigers were fighting for survival when they identified an opportunity to attract supporters from their biggest rivals. Their plan to honour Brian Goorjian was blocked by the Victoria Giants, potentially changing the course of Melbourne basketball history. In 2002, the Melbourne Tigers devised a plan that could have changed the future of their club. The Tigers were emerging from financial administration, crowds were falling and the club had been forced to abandon its home at Vodafone Arena, now known as John…

    READ MORE
  • GOLD COAST NBL EXPANSION SET TO BECOME A REALITY?

    A new funding proposal, a crucial November meeting and renewed interest from the NBL could finally provide a pathway for professional basketball to return to the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast's long-running push to return to the NBL has reached another critical stage, with Mayor Tom Tate preparing to meet Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie in November to discuss the future of the proposed $1 billion Gold Coast Arena. After years of negotiations, changing timelines and funding setbacks, the city's hopes of securing an NBL…

    READ MORE

HAVE A TAKE ON THE GAME?

WRITE FOR AUSSIE HOOPLA

Love Australian basketball? Have a story to tell or an opinion worth sharing? We're keen to hear from passionate basketball fans, writers and aspiring journalists. Pitch your idea and be part of the Aussie Hoopla writing team.

JOIN OUR WRITING TEAM