The trend of Australian basketballers looking to Europe to further their careers has been on the reverse the last couple of years with the NBL benefiting from local stars preferring to come home if they aren’t in the NBA. (Click to Tweet)
The last decade has seen the majority of Australia’s best basketballers who aren’t in the NBA look to Europe – including David Andersen, Aron Baynes, Matt Nielsen, David Barlow, Brad Newley, Joe Ingles, Aleks Maric, AJ Ogilvy and Nate Jawai.
Even Chris Goulding, Kevin Lisch and Daniel Johnson had stints in Europe.
While Australian basketballers are flourishing in the NBA – like Ingles, Matthew Dellavedova, Patty Mills, Andrew Bogut, Aron Baynes, Dante Exum and Ben Simmons – it now appears the second best option is the NBL.
That’s a great credit to the development and growth of the NBL over the past 18 months under the guidance of Larry Kestelman, but just returning to play in Australia doesn’t automatically mean it’s an easy league to come back and dominate.
I have decided to take a look at how the Australian stars who have come back to the NBL from Europe of the past two years are faring:
AJ Ogilvy (Illawarra Hawks)
Has been a big part of the Hawks now since the start of last season. Did return to the NBL with the Sydney Kings in 2013-14, but then went back to Spain before joining up with Illawarra. Last season was part of a dynamic trio alongside Kevin Lisch and Kirk Penney. Is the only one left this season and while he has his critics, remains one of the best centres in the league and will be a key part of the Hawks’ prospects again this season.
Chris Goulding (Melbourne United)
After starting his NBL career with the Brisbane Bullets, Perth Wildcats, Gold Coast Blaze and Melbourne Tigers, spent a season in Spain before returning with Melbourne United last year. Was an important part of Melbourne finishing as minor premiers before losing in the semi-finals to the New Zealand Breakers. Again so far this season, the confident and dynamic scorer has started solidly enough with United going 2-2 on the back of being part of the Boomers’ Olympic campaign.
Kevin Lisch (Sydney Kings)
Became an Australian citizen after last season where he returned to the Illawarra Hawks having previously played with the Perth Wildcats out of college. Already a league MVP and championship winner, returned a better all-round player and finished up with a second MVP award and Best Defensive Player crown. Played at the Olympics and was a key signing for the Sydney Kings and new coach Andrew Gaze. Has come up huge in the Kings’ wins over the Hawks and Taipans.
Daniel Johnson (Adelaide 36ers)
The Sixers big man is the great enigma of the NBL. The seven-footer is capable of shooting the ball as well as anybody his size ever in the league. He can dominate the rebounds and be a match-winner. The problem is you never know what you are going to get. He is equally likely to go scoreless and fail to rebound as he is to deliver a massive double-double. Because of his talent and how good he is when playing well, he deserves to be persevered with but in a young Adelaide team now missing captain Mitch Creek, needs to find some consistency.
Nate Jawai (Cairns Taipans)
The big man has long threatened to be a dominant force firstly when he started with the Cairns Taipans, then during his stint in the NBA, in Europe and with the Boomers. But his body just hasn’t allowed him to. Was back in the NBL last season for the first time since his rookie year and helped Perth to a championship, but more with spurts rather than anything consistent. Played for Cairns in Saturday night’s loss to Sydney and had five points and four rebounds in almost 17 minutes.
David Barlow (Melbourne United)
Made the move to Spain and then Poland at the peak of his powers as a three-time NBL championship winner before returning to Melbourne for the 2014-15 season. Was solid in a team that missed the playoffs but didn’t play at all last season due to an Achilles injury and has again been put on the injured list so far this campaign. It looks like it will be a challenge for the 32-year-old and dual Olympian just to get back on an NBL floor.
Cameron Bairstow (Brisbane Bullets)
Chose to join his returning hometown Brisbane Bullets rather than head to Europe when waived by the Detroit Pistons after being traded by the Chicago Bulls. Never got to show his full ability in the NBA, but has with the Boomers internationally. Missed Brisbane’s opening weekend through injury but returned in Sunday’s overtime loss to Adelaide. Had 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists and is an MVP calibre performer in the NBL.
David Andersen (Melbourne United)
One of Australia’s best and most successful basketball players ever but at 36 years of age, time will tell if the NBL will see the best of him at the back end of his career. Has joined Melbourne United this season and been solid in losses to New Zealand and Adelaide, and wins over the 36ers and Illawarra. As a four-time Olympian and having won 11 different titles during his European career, it could be the business end of the season where he is at his most valuable for Melbourne.
Aleks Maric (Sydney Kings)
Hasn’t quite found his feet with the Sydney Kings this season largely due to foul trouble but the powerful big man is a proven performer. Like Andersen, success tends to follow him and once he gets adjusted to the NBL style, he could be a real factor and a front court of him, Josh Powell, Greg Whittington and Julian Khazzouh looks scary for opposition clubs.
Brad Newley (Sydney Kings)
After three NBL seasons with the Townsville Crocodiles, went to Europe and carved out a strong career in Greece, Turkey, Lithuania and Spain becoming a triple Olympian, most recently in Rio. Returned to the NBL this season to play at the Kings under Gaze and alongside Lisch. Has been solid so far but once he adjusts fully and his team can find ways to get him more looks, he can be a dominant presence.
Thursday
Illawarra Hawks 84 lost to Sydney Kings 88
Friday
Adelaide 36ers 87 lost to Melbourne United 98
Perth Wildcats 75 defeated New Zealand Breakers 73
Saturday
Sydney Kings 92 defeated Cairns Taipans 78
Sunday
Melbourne United 95 defeated Illawarra Hawks 83
Brisbane Bullets 93 lost to Adelaide 36ers 96
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