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Which NBL players could make the NBA grade?

30th July, 2016
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Could Chris Goulding dare to dream about an NBA contract? (Photo: Stephreef/wikimedia Commons)
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30th July, 2016
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When I sat down to write this article, I wasn’t really sure which direction it was going – could any NBL player really hope to end up in the NBA?

The answer is yes. A definitive yes as well – and it’s not just imports who can hope and dare to dream, but it is going to take some time.

Some of the local Australian players have every chance if they apply themselves properly over the next few years and take every step possible to build careers and prospects.

The Australian Boomers team that is heading off to Rio might show you a thing or two about that, and there are plenty of NBL players in there.

Now, I’m not sure that any Australian (and the key word being Australian) NBL player would be an immediate fit into the NBA right at this moment.

The league here in Australia is growing and the upcoming season looks like it will be the best for some time, which is quite incredible given how brilliant last season was. More talent is appearing, there is a three import rule and still with eight teams, the league should be really quite something.

At this point, with rosters taking shape and nearing completion, it is actually tough to sit there and rule a line through any team’s finals aspirations. More on this another day though, as the season indeed gets closer to tipping off.

The reason NBL players will be ready for NBA action into the future, but not quite at the moment is exactly this. The NBL is going to continue expanding, developing and improving giving it a status of one of the better league’s globally.

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Some very strong youngsters are starting to come through the ranks as well in the NBL, but more on this later.

With that sort of recognition, players should be able to get contracts in Europe for starters, meaning they can play all year round against high quality opposition. This is key to announcing yourself on the global stage, given the second tier competitions in Australia are not fantastic.

Now, the current options are the obvious ones – those being in the Boomers team for Rio. Ignoring the likes of Cameron Bairstow and Kevin Lisch, who was born in the USA, it is over to guys like Chris Goulding and Adam Gibson.

Just on Lisch for a moment – I have no doubt he could make a very handy rotational player in the NBA. He is coming off an MVP season in the NBL, and has a brilliant all around game playing in the one spot.

Certain clubs who lack that play making spark, Milwaukee for example who are going with one of the biggest line-up’s you could imagine (remember, they drafted Thon Maker at 10) could use a guy like Lisch, who isn’t going to soak up a stack of minutes but will add a helpful option to space the floor and get creativity flowing.

Anyway, on from that. Would any club really take a gamble on players like Gibson, Goulding or even Damian Martin?

A line could be ruled through Gibson and Martin – they are 29 and 31 respectively and despite their defence being absolutely fantastic don’t offer enough offensive spark. Both of those players will finish their careers in Australia.

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Chris Goulding though – boy does he have plenty to play for in these Olympics. He might be getting onto 27, but he is a true ‘microwave’ in basketball terms. If he gets hot, he is near unstoppable putting up points.

While this might be in the NBL, and must be taken with a grain of salt, if he can do it consistently during the Olympics and make a big impact off the bench for the Boomers, particularly against the USA he could be gearing up for a late career run overseas, and if not in the NBA certainly in Europe.

Across the Tasman, and Corey Webster is unlikely to give up on his dream anytime soon either. Like Goulding, he is 27 and spent a summer in the States, but eventually didn’t make the final cut. He is a sharp shooter, can defend with absolute class and is an out and out competitor.

But the key theme here was development of the NBL, so with that you need to shift an eye to the future. None of the guy’s mentioned are going to be genuine NBA stars in their careers, and all are starting to get on in age.

Talking of the future though, a guy you may have never heard of by the name of Kenyon Martin. A true point guard who has been putting up huge numbers in the SEABL has just been signed by the Brisbane Bullets – seriously, watch this space.

He is going to get big minutes this year unless the Bullets can sign an import guard, and a good one at that. He really only has Adam Gibson ahead of him, and the Bullets have shown massive faith in him by putting him straight onto the full roster.

Todd Blanchfield is another who could really benefit from the improvement of the NBL in coming years. He has put together some impressive performances for Melbourne United, but at the age of 25 time is running out for him to get consistent. The next two years will be very telling.

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23-year-old Majok Deng could be a revelation in the NBL this year. The Sudanese-Australian forward has attended college in the USA already, so has ties over there and a big season or two with the Adelaide 36ers could see him on his way to Europe and the NBA.

At almost seven foot tall, Deng has plenty going for him size wise, and he is said to have a very smart game – high basketball IQ so to speak for a forward.

There are plenty of other youngsters coming through the various team systems, and it will only take a break out year, contract in Europe and some good ball over there to see players knocking on the door of NBA teams.

Obviously, it’s going to take some time for the NBL to produce an NBA calibre player – but some of the rotation players in the NBA on bottom teams could certainly be upgraded by players here in the NBL.

If this league continues to develop, grow, expand and improve then there is no reason why the NBL can’t be a major stepping stone to the NBA.

Watch this space!

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