Larry Kestelman is focused on expanding the NBL with new teams expected from both Australia and overseas. Recent talks have seen cities like Gold Coast, Hobart and even China potential areas for expansion.

No matter where the next NBL team is located the league will increase beyond 88 roster spots for the first time since 2009.

Where would a new GM look to bring 11 new players into the league?

With the current salary cap rules it’s fair to say a new team would sign eight talented, Australians and three imports.

We’ve put together a shortlist of the most likely Australian players currently playing overseas (without NBA contracts) who would be no doubt at the top of any new NBL team’s short list.

With eight rosters spot it’s fair to assume four would go to backcourt players (guards) and four front court players (centres and power forwards) so we want you to get your feedback on what players you think would make up a new NBL franchise if you were its general manager.

Vote for four backcourt and four frontcourt players you think would be signed by an expansion NBL team next season. It will be interesting to see how correct the Australian Hoops community is.

THE BACK COURT

Rhys Carter

AGE: 32

HT: 191cm

WT: 84kg

Current Team: Plymouth University Raiders

League: British-BBL (England)

With most NBL teams having an import point guard a lot of talented Australian guards found themselves having to play overseas this season. Adding a ninth NBL team would see a number of talented players who could easily be in the NBL today return and run the floor. Carter’s, a two-time NBL champion with 282 NBL games on his resume would be a no-brainer when it comes to recruiting a new team’s backcourt. Despite being 32 Carter is still one of the best “Three and D” Australian guards today.

Ryan Broekhoff

AGE: 26

HT: 201cm

WT: 98kg

Current Team: Lokomotiv Kuban

League: VTB United League and EuroCup

Despite his statistics being modest, make no mistake Ryan Broekhoff is the best non-NBA player from Australia. Broekhoff had the most points, rebounds and assist by a non-NBA player on the Boomers squad in Rio and is capable of making an NBA roster. With his ability to play both guard and forward he is a name any new NBL team could only dream to have as it’s marquee Australian player. Broekhoff’s scoring and leadership would instantly give a new team the attributes required to go head to head with the Chris Goulding’s and Brad Newley’s of the league… and be able to come out on top.

Daniel Dillon

AGE: 30

HT: 191cm

WT: 89kg

Current Team: Turow Zgorzelec

League: VTB United League

Dillon had a great season in the Polish TBL last season, finishing fifth in the league in points per game. Dillon who recently signed to play with Japan’s Hiroshima Dragonflies could provide a scoring punch for an NBL right now but larger contracts overseas have seen him play internationally since 2012. Dillon is a tenacious defender and has proven he can score points in any league.

Jack White

AGE: 19

HT: 196cm

WT: 88kg

Current Team: Duke University

League: NCAA Division I

Jack White will become the first Australian player to play for the prestigious Duke University Blue Devils this season. We haven’t put a lot of college players on this list who still have eligibility as it’s unclear when they would leave to become professional. Jack isn’t expected  to see large amounts of time this season so having already experienced NBL action last season with Cairns, perhaps a lack of playing time could see him leave school earlier to return to NBL success.

Clint Stiendl

AGE: 27

HT: 200cm

WT: 88kg

Current Team: Leuven Bears

League: Basketball League Belgium (BLB)

The NBL’s reigning Most Improved Player, Clint Stiendl, chose to turn down a number of NBL offers this season to test the European competition. Stiendl was impressive in the NBL in 2015-16, averaging 13.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game for the Townsville Crocodiles. Stiendl is a playing a number of teams would love to make room for this season so once a new NBL enters the league it won’t be long before we see Stiendl’s NBL return.

Xavier Cooks

AGE: 21

HT: 203cm

WT: 84kg

Current Team: Winthrop

League: NCAA Division I

We may have jumped the gun on this one as Xavier Cooks is only in his junior year in College, so it’s likely he wouldn’t be available for a new NBL team next season, however, his recent performances in college and having an NBL coach as his father might be enough to see him want to become a professional a little earlier than expected. An incredibly athletic swingman who can pile up steals and blocks in a hurry, surely it couldn’t be long before former NBL import and current Illawarra assistant coach Eric Cooks looks to his son to help the Hawks succeed in the NBL. If he doesn’t a new NBL team would surely be picking up the phone to Xavier in a hurry.

William McDowell-White

AGE: 18

HT: 196cm WT: 84kg

Current Team: Fresno State

League: NCAA Division I

William McDowell-White will debut for as a freshman for Fresno State in the coming weeks, so why would we list him as a potential player for a new NBL team next season? Firstly because even though he is only 18 years old he is one of the most talented Australian guards not in the NBL already and secondly because he came extremely close to deciding to play for the Townsville Crocodiles last season, so if his college experience doesn’t go as well as he would hope, perhaps we can see him return sooner rather than later. An excellent distributor with the size, speed and length to play against NBL quality guards.  McDowell-White could be the first Australian point guard who could start for a winning team since Damian Martin and Adam Gibson took the court.

Mirko Djeric

AGE: 21

HT: 188cm

WT: 82kg

Current Team: KK Vrsac Swisslion

League: Basketball League of Serbia

We thought we’d see Mirko Djeric suiting up with the Sydney this season after he signed a deal to play under Andrew Gaze at the Kings before using an out clause which allowed him to fulfil a dream of playing as a local played in Serbia. Djeric propelled the Townsville Crocodiles to many come from behind victories with his deadly shooting and clearly has the talent to play in this league. No doubt we will see the talented abilities of Djeric back on our shores in the future.

Sam Daly

AGE: 18

HT: 193cm WT: 86kg

Current Team: Chaminade

League: NCAA Division II

Sam Daly is the talented brother of former Adelaide 36ers star Tom Daly. He is a great distributor of the ball with a high basketball IQ and although wouldn’t likely start for an NBL team he would be a great backup behind a quality import. A member of the Australia Junior National Team in 2011 he is currently in his senior year at Chaminade and will look to begin his career as a professional in 2016.

Ben Madgen

AGE: 31

HT: 193cm WT: 83kg

Current Team: Lietkabelis Panevėžys

League: Eurocup and Lithuanian League

Former Sydney Kings captain Ben Madgen chose to give Europe a try instead of re-signing with the Kings in 2015. After a very successful season in Belguim, his deadly shooting caught the attention of Lithuania club Lietkabelis Panevėžys and now Ben is playing in the second best competition in Europe, the Eurocup. Ben is one of Australia’s finest shooters in any league and he would benefit any NBL team now or in the future when he is ready to return to Australia.

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THE FRONT COURT

Ater Majok

AGE: 29

HT: 211cm

WT: 106kg

Current Team: Homenetmen Beirut

League: Lebanese Basketball League

Although Ater Majok’s earlier career saw him in short spurts with quality teams like Connecticut (NCAA), LA Lakers (NBA), Gold Coast and Perth (NBL) he has since carved out an impressive international basketball resume that would be welcomed back to the NBL. Currently playing in arguably the best Asian basketball league and only 29 years old, Majok is still on the radar of NBA teams with Chicago trading Jose Calderon to get his rights in July this year. His ability to defend the basketball would make any NBL a defensive nightmare.

Jonah Bolden

AGE: 20

HT: 208cm

WT: 98kg

Current Team: FMP Beograd

League: Adriatic League / Basketball League of Serbia

A talented small forward who comes from impressive basketball stock (he is the son of NBL legend Bruce Bolden), Jonah is sure to be a fixture on future Boomers teams. After spending a season at prestigious college UCLA Bolden decided a season in Europe would be the best way to boost his NBA chances. Although Bolden may be a tough get for a future NBL team due to him potentially wearing an NBA jersey, if somehow he’s unsuccessful at being drafted Bolden would make any new NBL team a legitimate contender in the NBL.

Mangok Mathiang

AGE: 24

HT: 208cm

WT: 100kg

Current Team: Louisville Cardinals

League: NCAA Division I

This will be Mathiang’s final year at the University of Louisville. Currently being guided by coaching legend Rick Pitino, Mathiang will be focused on nothing less than the 2017 NBA draft. If that doesn’t eventuate however expect every NBL coach to try and gain his signature with potentially his hometown Melbourne United having the inside chance.

Brock Motum

AGE: 26

HT: 208cm

WT: 107kg

Current Team: Zalgiris

League: Lithuanian LKL (Lithuania)

This one is a no-brainer. Brock Motum is one of the few Australian’s playing in the second highest basketball competition in the world, Euroleague. He had a terrific campaign in Rio as part of our Olympic team and is legitimately one of the country’s best players not in the NBA. Motum played one season for Adelaide in 2015 and led Adelaide with 17.5ppg and 7rpg. Motum would be a franchise player for any NBL club and with recent NBL salary cap changes it’s only a matter of time before we see Brock back in the NBL.

Cam Tragardh

AGE: 33

HT: 208cm

WT: 102kg

Current Team: none

League: none

Cam Tragardh did have a contract to play this season but he was released by the Taipans just prior to the season’s start. Tragardh did receive interest from Illawarra, Adelaide and Perth but ultimately wasn’t offered a contract. He averaged 8 points (48% shooting) in his last NBL season and his NBL experience would benefit any new NBL team on the horizon. We may even see a homecoming if Hobart are successful in returning the league with the boy from Burnie, TAS could potentially return to the state where it all started.

Josh Duinker

AGE: 27

HT: 211cm

WT: 104kg

Current Team: Regatas Corrientes

League: Lithuanian LKL (Lithuania)

We briefly saw Josh Duinker in the NBL with Sydney in 2014-15 where he averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds a game but since then he spent his career in Europe honing his game. Gaining experience in the Eurocup playing with Egis Körmend  last season and now playing in the Argentinian league it’s clear he is a much more skilled player than he was during his NBL run. His ability to score at a very high percent inside would be something any new team could build around.

Daniel Trist

AGE: 24

HT: 208cm

WT: 106kg

Current Team: Horsens IC

League: Basketligaen (Danish Basketball League)

Dan Trist might not be the first name on the lips of Aussie hoop fans, however,  it’s about time we stopped sleeping on the man from Wahroonga, NSW. After a strong college career at Lafayette Trist was a projected NBA second round pick who ultimately went undrafted in 2015. He has been playing in Europe with the hope of catching the eyes of NBA scouts once again but perhaps the lure of playing in the green and gold in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, when we are unable to suit up our NBA players, is enough to lure him back to home. Trist’s ability to score double figures in the tough LEB Oro league in Spain should see him do well in the NBL if he ever decided to return home.

Venky Jois

AGE: 23

HT: 203cm

WT: 104kg

Current Team: Tartu Ulikool Rock

League: FIBA Europe Cup and Basketball Champions League (Estonia)

The defensive-minded forward with a pogo-stick leap, knack for defence and a great basketball mind almost found himself in the NBA after impressing at Eastern Washington University and then pre-draft workouts for the Sacramento Kings. NBL teams were in contact with Jois after he went undrafted but presumably they were unable to match the offers of european teams. With the league seeing higher financial success this season and many players finding the lifestyle of European basketball difficult, perhaps we see Jois in a Gold Coast or Hobart jersey in the coming seasons.

Nick Duncan

AGE: 21

HT: 203cm

WT: 120kg

Current Team: Boise State

League: NCAA Division I

Nick Duncan has played under the legendary John Rillie for the past four seasons at Boise State so you know the guy can shoot and has a little “mongrel” in him. Now in his senior year Duncan would be a huge addition to any NBL team however, he is another player we may not see here for a while with his recent play gaining the attention of a number of NBA scouts. A 15 point game against #23 ranked team Oregon has scouts wondering if he’s worth a second-round selection. The NBA’s loss would be any NBL team’s gain and Duncan would be the type of young talent any new team needs to build around.

Lucas Walker

AGE: 31

HT: 203cm

WT: 102kg

Current Team: Perth

League: NBL

Although currently signed with Perth Walker isn’t a part of the team’s 11 man squad so we’ve put him on this list. An injury replacement for Matt Knight, Walker has seen limited minutes this season but his previous form as a member of the 36es and United is enough to know he belongs in the NBL. A top-tier athlete who can defend multiple positions. Another born and bred Tasmanian who would be a good leader for the second unit for the new Tassie team.

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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.