The 2018/19 NBL season has arguably had the best spread of imports the league has ever seen. The talent on show in every team has been fantastic to watch and brings the standard of competition up to a level not seen for many years.
Here at Aussie Hoopla, we’ve ranked all 28 imports that suited up during the season, no matter how little court time they received and then put them into tiers to distinguish their contribution to the league.
THE “THANKS BUT NO THANKS”
28. Nnanna Egwu (BRI)
12.3mpg, 0.0ppg (.000 FG, .000 3P, .000 FT), 2.3rpg, 0.0apg, 0.3spg, 0.7bpg
Egwu played only three games, missed all four of his shots and had the same number of turnovers. He was terrible and left to play in Malaysia. He used to be a serviceable big man in the NBL, but not anymore.
27. Adris Deleon (ADE)
19.5mpg, 7.7ppg (.333 FG, .333 3P, .778 FT), 2.7rpg, 2.9apg, 0.9spg, 0.1bpg
The way Deleon parted with the Sixers was admirable, playing well in his final game even though he was told of his sacking before the game. That doesn’t change the fact that he brought very little to the team.
26. Alonzo Gee (BRI)
25.4mpg, 7.8ppg (.316 FG, .500 3P, .800 FT), 5.8rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, 0.0bpg
One of the biggest disappointments this season, Gee was a highly touted recruit for the Bullets, coming off quality minutes in the NBA. Unfortunately, life sometimes gets in the way of professional sports, as Gee was released from his Bullets contract due to “personal reasons.”
THE “MAKING UP THE NUMBERS”
25. Stephen Holt (BRI)
16.6mpg, 7.1ppg (.441 FG, .368 3P, .750 FT), 1.4rpg, 1.3apg, 0.7spg, 0.0bpg
It’s strange to think that Holt was an essential player in the NBL once upon a time because the 2018/19 version of Holt was like a ghost. When he was one the court, he was invisible, and he was not missed on the bench.
24. AJ Davis (BRI)
10.0mpg, 3.1ppg (.316 FG, .000 3P, .875 FT), 1.2rpg, 0.3apg, 0.2spg, 0.3bpg
Davis had a monumental task of coming into a new team late in the season and providing something for the Bullets. Coming to a new country would be hard enough, but to learn a team’s system and players would be almost impossible when Davis arrived.
23. Ray Turner (SYD)
8.8mpg, 4.1ppg (.625 FG, .000 3P, .750 FT), 2.1rpg, 0.4apg, 0.5spg, 0.4bpg
Another player who came into the NBL late, Turner had the advantage of playing behind superstar Andrew Bogut. For the minutes he performed, averaging 20.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per 40 minutes.
THE “MEH”
22. Jeremy Kendle (BRI)
10.5mpg, 6.4ppg (.438 FG, .259 3P, .900 FT), 1.2rpg, 1.2apg, 0.4spg, 0.1bpg
Kendle was an above average player when he was on the court, having a PER of 17.1 and averaging 25 points, five rebounds and five assists per 40 minutes. He doesn’t have the talent to stick with a team but is good enough for a quick spark off the bench.
21. David Wear (SYD)
20.1mpg, 7.1ppg (.458 FG, .390 3P, .938 FT), 3.6rpg, 0.9apg, 0.3spg, 0.3bpg
Someone who was hyped up at the start of the season, Wear has been the definition of “meh.” He shot the ball well but didn’t do much else. Would have played less if Daniel Kickert wasn’t 35 years old.
20. Devon Hall (CNS)
29.2mpg, 9.2ppg (.363 FG, .339 3P, .750 FT), 4.4rpg, 2.5apg, 0.8spg, 0.3bpg
With one of the worst starts to an NBL career in memory, Hall started to find his groove later in the season. In Hall’s first seven games as a Taipan, he averaged seven points, five rebounds on 23.9% field goal shooting and 20.0% three-point shooting. He got his groove back, but that start was horrific.
19. Armani Moore (NZB)
19.9mpg, 7.1ppg (.424 FG, .350 3P, .629 FT), 4.3rpg, 1.7apg, 0.8spg, 0.5bpg
Moore had a bad hand dealt to him with fellow Breakers import Patrick Richard playing the same position. He just didn’t have an impact season; which imports should have. He was a good bench player, but nothing more.
THE AVERAGE
18. Brian Bowen II (SYD)
25.4mpg, 6.5ppg (.462 FG, .351 3P, .770 FT), 3.0rpg, 0.6apg, 0.2spg, 0.2bpg
Although Bowen isn’t technically an import but a Next Stars participant, he is not a local so is on the list. For a 19-year-old playing professionally for the first time, Bowen was as good as anyone could expect. He learned from some of the best in the league, and when he was on the court was not a liability.
17. Cedric Jackson (ILL)
23.1mpg, 8.0ppg (.424 FG, .136 3P, .561 FT), 3.1rpg, 3.8apg, 1.1spg, 0.1bpg
The former NBL MVP was seventh in the league in assists but still can’t shoot. Jackson’s three-point shooting was beyond woeful (3/22, 13.6%) and in a league that shooting more threes than ever, it is a massive weakness for Jackson to have.
16. Jordair Jett (ILL)
23.7mpg, 12.0ppg (.446 FG, .294 3P, .600 FT), 2.9rpg, 2.8apg, 1.6spg, 0.3bpg
Another Hawks guard that can’t shoot three-pointers well (25/85, 29.4%), Jett at least made up for it with his aggressive driving and awesome hair. Illawarra needs to find better guards than Jackson and Jett if the team wants to compete in the future.
15. Patrick Richard (NZB)
22.6mpg, 11.0ppg (.426 FG, .376 3P, .857 FT), 3.6rpg, 2.3apg, 0.8spg, 0.2bpg
Richard did everything good enough, but not enough to be good. He is a classic jack of all trades player, which wasn’t enough to New Zealand to succeed this season. Just like with Armani Moore, having another import at the same position is not good team management.
THE GOOD
14. Demetrius Conger (ADE)
25.5mpg, 11.8ppg (.482 FG, .327 3P, .662 FT), 4.8rpg, 2.2apg, 0.5spg, 0.1bpg
It may be a little unfair on Conger to place him this low, but when the last time he played in the NBL he was an MVP candidate, it’s a bit disappointing to see this kind of production. Conger played in a more talented team this season with Adelaide, but he didn’t have that game-changing type of season like when he was with Illawarra.
13. Ramone Moore (ADE)
25.9mpg, 9.2ppg (.434 FG, .306 3P, .650 FT), 3.6rpg, 4.3apg, 0.9spg, 0.3bpg
Statistics don’t also accurately portray a player’s importance to a team, and Ramone Moore is the perfect example. His leadership, his one-percenters, his ability to get the best out of the rest of his teammates were above what the numbers say. He was fourth in the league in assists per game, which is impressive due to his teammate Nathan Sobey leading the league.
12. Josh Boone (MEL)
23.8mpg, 11.0ppg (.562 FG, .000 3P, .467 FT), 8.4rpg, 1.5apg, 0.7spg, 1.5bpg
A superstar last season, Boone’s numbers slipped in nearly every category this season. At 34 years old, time might be catching up to the United big man. With the league loaded with quality centers, Boone will need to regain some of last season’s spark for Melbourne to be successful.
THE GREAT
11. Brian Conklin (ILL)
26.0mpg, 14.6ppg (.478 FG, .100 3P, .719 FT), 5.3rpg, 2.1apg, 0.7spg, 0.2bpg
The former MVP was nearly back to his best. In a team that was severely lacking in scoring options, Conklin carried the load for the Hawks. Unfortunately, he was another Illawarra player that can’t shoot the long ball (1/10, 10%) but he was great everywhere else.
10. DJ Kennedy (MEL)
29.1mpg, 13.0ppg (.435 FG, .415 3P, .856 FT), 7.4rpg, 3.1apg, 1.3spg, 0.7bpg
The ultimate glue guy. Kennedy can play nearly every position on the floor and do it without giving up anything. He was fifth in the league in rebounds and seventh in steals, all while shooting 40% from three. On a team with plenty of scorers, Melbourne needs an elite glue guy like Kennedy to succeed.
9. DJ Newbill (CNS)
32.2mpg, 14.6ppg (.415 FG, .328 3P, .610 FT), 4.3rpg, 2.5apg, 1.3spg, 0.2bpg
Not the flashiest of players, Newbill produced nonetheless. He was eleventh in scoring and fourth in steals in the NBL. He was top five in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks for the Taipans and the team needed every bit of his production to win any games.
8. Jacob Wiley (ADE)
22.5mpg, 12.2ppg (.565 FG, .333 3P, .757 FT), 5.0rpg, 0.9apg, 0.6spg, 0.6bpg
Wiley was an excitement machine, electrifying the league with his high flying antics on his way to a great season. He could shoot the ball, play defense, rebound well and give the Sixers a big man who could run with their up-tempo style. Great for the league to see him back next season.
7. Terrico White (PER)
31.2mpg, 15.8ppg (.420 FG, .298 3P, .732 FT), 3.8rpg, 2.2apg, 0.8spg, 0.1bpg
Every year it seems that Perth has excellent imports, and this season is no different. Bryce Cotton may be getting all the hype, but Terrico White has been an excellent wingman. Ninth in the league in scoring while giving a little bit of everything else, he has been precisely what the Wildcats have needed this season.
THE SUPERSTARS
6. Lamar Patterson (BRI)
28.8mpg, 18.1ppg (.455 FG, .371 3P, .819 FT), 6.4rpg, 3.6apg, 1.3spg, 0.1bpg
The Bullets needed a significant star import as they had with Torrey Craig. Patterson fits the bill perfectly, leading the team to the playoffs for the first time in eleven years. In the NBL, he was sixth in scoring, eighth in rebounding, ninth in assists and fifth in steals. He’s the real deal and look for him to do damage in the postseason.
5. Jerome Randle (SYD)
33.4mpg, 18.7ppg (.461 FG, .438 3P, .867 FT), 2.9rpg, 4.1apg, 0.8spg, 0.0bpg
Randle does what he always does, causes opposing defenders to lose their minds. He’s so crafty with the ball in his hands and can score and pass with the best of them. Fourth in points and fifth in assists in the league, he has found the perfect running mate in Andrew Bogut, with their pick and roll extremely hard to guard.
4. Shawn Long (NZB)
27.3mpg, 18.3ppg (.560 FG, .404 3P, .701 FT), 8.9rpg, 1.4apg, 0.7spg, 1.5bpg
Shawn Long is the most exciting player in the league this season. He is so dominant for the Breakers that watching him play is a must-see event. Fifth in scoring and second in rebounds and blocks, fans may have seen the last of Long in the NBL due to being picked up in the higher league.
3. Casper Ware (MEL)
34.6mpg, 18.9ppg (.403 FG, .355 3P, .837 FT), 3.1rpg, 4.5apg, 0.9spg, 0.1bpg
It’s almost impossible for Ware to have a better season than last year, but this campaign has been stunning. Although he is prone to “hero ball,” he leads Melbourne in a way not many others could. His shooting numbers aren’t the best, but third in scoring and second in assists is a fantastic season performance.
2. Melo Trimble (CNS)
34.4mpg, 22.5ppg (.450 FG, .415 3P, .833 FT), 4.1rpg, 4.6apg, 1.1spg, 0.2bpg
There is a decent chance that if Melo Trimble were not on the Cairns roster this season, the Taipans would struggle to win a single game. Trimble was that important to the team. He could score from anywhere on the court, and his quickness was extraordinary. At only 24 years old, Trimble was second in the league in points and third in assists as the primary focus of a team that was devoid of options.
Forget his team’s record; this kid is legit. Hopefully, he can stick around in the league for years to come.
1. Bryce Cotton (PER)
35.2mpg, 22.5ppg (.406 FG, .363 3P, .856 FT), 3.8rpg, 3.0apg, 1.3spg, 0.0bpg
Using the formula for MVP as MVP = Best Player on Best Team is sometimes too easy and doesn’t paint the whole picture. In this instance, the best on the best team just happens to be the MVP. Bryce Cotton is an exceptional player, one who thrives on pressure and gets the job done when it counts (apart from the last game of the regular season.)
The reigning MVP was first in points in the league while sixth in steals and has a very high chance to become the first back-to-back winner of the award since Andrew Gaze won it five consecutive years from 1994-1998.
Kyle has barracked for the North Melbourne Giants, Victoria Titans, Victoria Giants and the South Dragons. He's hoping the Melbourne United don't fold like the rest of them