Our look at signings in the NBL that took place over the last week. The Illawarra Hawks bring back their leading local, the Sydney Kings return a player who will find no additional minutes despite deserving them and the South East Melbourne Phoenix bring in their first development player.

We also witnessed a rare waiving: Mitchell McCarron parted ways with the New Zealand Breakers after much speculation over his future. It comes after a career-worst performance by the guard who averaged only 3.6 points per game on 37.1/20.7/90.0 shooting splits.

1. Daniel Foster to South East Melbourne Phoenix
2. Sam Froling re-signs with Illawarra Hawks
3. Makuach Maluach re-signs with Sydney Kings
4. Team overviews
5. Remaining free agents
   1. Locals
   2. Imports

Daniel Foster to South East Melbourne Phoenix

Position: Guard
From: Nevada Wolf Pack (College basketball – NCAA Division I)
2024–25 statistics: 3.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, .1 blocks, .6 steals, 51.1% field goal, 26.3% three-point, 50.0% free throw

The South East Melbourne Phoenix bring Daniel Foster home as a development player after a collegiate career with the Nevada Wolf Pack. He had an unusual role for a guard as an essential sixth man throughout his career with the Wolf Pack; his clear shooting constraints (a below-30% three-point shooter with less than an attempt per game and subpar free throw percentages) were overcome by his defensive abilities. Foster also fascinatingly grabbed more rebounds (384) than scored points (367). He is a 6’6″ guard who also possesses playmaking ability and can emerge as an interesting prospect if any of his offensive limitations are overcome; his development stint with the Phoenix will show what he can do.

Sam Froling re-signs with Illawarra Hawks

Position: Center
2024–25 statistics: 13.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, .7 blocks, .6 steals, 55.2% field goal, 0.0% three-point, 61.9% free throw

The Illawarra Hawks re-signed their most essential free agent and it came as no great surprise. Sam Froling has spent six seasons with the Hawks since returning from the Creighton Bluejays in college basketball and has emerged as one of the leading local talents in the league. He has been a stalwart in the Hawks’ line-up since his elevation to a starter during the 2020–21 season when he was chosen as the Most Improved Player. Froling has posted almost identical per game statlines for the last three seasons (around 14 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2 assists) but his performance this season was coupled with the Hawks producing their best season in 20 years en route to their second ever championship and subsequently earned him All-NBL Second Team honours. There was not any great consideration that he would sign anywhere else and apparently talks of him re-signing commenced while the Hawks were celebrating their championship win. Froling is an excellent talent and someone who will remain in their system for the foreseeable future; the next three seasons are already certain with this contract.

Makuach Maluach re-signs with Sydney Kings

Position: Forward
2024–25 statistics: 3.7 points, 1.4 rebounds, .8 assists, .3 blocks, .2 steals, 43.9% field goal, 33.3% three-point, 75.0% field goal

Makuach Maluach’s return to the Sydney Kings is a bizarre move to me from a basketball perspective. He was the innocent victim of being on a loaded Kings roster last season and was deep in the rotation behind other forwards Xavier Cooks, Kouat Noi, Cameron Oliver, Alex Toohey, Keli Leaupepe and Bul Kuol. Staying with the Kings where all but two of those players will definitely be returning ensures that Maluach will see no expansion in his role this year. The last game of his 2024–25 season involved his season-high with a 12-point posting against the Hawks which that could have been an audition tape for a larger role elsewhere but it is not to be for now. Maluach’s interview in the press release of his signing indicates that he would like one more year in the Kings system to aid with his development; perhaps Maluach only needs to develop the mindset holding him back from seeking more. He has the ability already.

Team overviews

G: Guard / F: Forward / C: Center / I: Import / DP: Development Player

Adelaide 36ers
G: Flynn Cameron, Michael Harris, Keanu Rasmussen, Dejan Vasiljevic, Isaac White
C: Ben Griscti, Isaac Humphries
Needs: Import point guard, two import forwards, general stability

Brisbane Bullets
G: James Batemon (I), Sam McDaniel, Taine Murray, Mitch Norton
F: Casey Prather (I), Tohi Smith-Milner
C: Tyrell Harrison
DP: G Tristan Devers, G Kye Savage
Needs: Import guard/forward, local back-up center

Cairns Taipans
G: Kyle Adnam, Kody Stattman
F: Kyrin Galloway, Alex Higgins-Titsha, Sam Waardenburg
Needs: Everything but also: import guard, import forward, import center, local guard, local center

Illawarra Hawks
G: Tyler Harvey (I), William Hickey, Lee Hyunjung
F: Todd Blanchfield, Daniel Grida, Lachlan Olbrich, Mason Peatling, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk
C: Sam Froling
DP: G Kobe McDowell-White, G Luca Yates
Needs: Return of G Trey Kell III (I), Gary Clark/Darius Days-type import forward, retaining Justin Tatum

Melbourne United
G: Dash Daniels, Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Tanner Krebs, Tom Wilson
F: Kyle Bowen, Fabijan Krslovic
Needs: Import center, back-up shooting guard, local center

New Zealand Breakers
G: Taylor Britt, Izayah Le’afa
F: Sean Bairstow, Max Darling, Carlin Davison, Karim López, Reuben Te Rangi
C: Tacko Fall (I), Robert Loe, Sam Mennenga
DP: G Kaia Isaac, G Alex McNaught
Needs: Import point guard, import shooting guard

Perth Wildcats
G: Sunday Dech, Elijah Pepper, Dontae Russo-Nance
F: Kristian Doolittle (I), Lat Mayen, David Okwera, Jesse Wagstaff, Dylan Windler (I)
DP: F Thomas Gerovich, F Cameron Huefner
Needs: Bryce Cotton clone / import point guard, local point guard, local center

South East Melbourne Phoenix
G: Owen Foxwell, Angus Glover, Nathan Sobey
F: Akech Aliir
C: Jordan Hunter
DP: G Daniel Foster
Needs: Import point guard, import small forward, import power forward, local center, local forward

Sydney Kings
G: Shaun Bruce, Kendric Davis (I), Matthew Dellavedova, Tyler Robertson
F: Xavier Cooks, Jaylin Galloway, Bul Kuol, Keli Leaupepe, Makuach Maluach, Kouat Noi
C: Jason Spurgin
DP: F Klairus Amir
Needs: A return to 48-minute games so the quality of players receive enough minutes, emergence of Spurgin

Tasmania JackJumpers
G: Ben Ayre, Sean Macdonald
F: Josh Bannan, Walter Brown, Majok Deng, Anthony Drmic, Nick Marshall
C: Will Magnay
DP: G Brody Nunn, F Archie Woodhill
Needs: Import point guard, return of Milton Doyle, back-up center, injury-free Sean Macdonald

Remaining free agents

Players who were contracted during the 2024–25 season. Statistics are from last season.

Locals

• Jack White (F, Melbourne United) – 35 games, 13.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists
• Ben Henshall (F, Perth Wildcats) – 32 games, 9.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists
• Alex Toohey (F, Sydney Kings) – 30 games, 10.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists
• Thomas Vodanovich (F, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix) – 30 games, 2.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, .7 assists
• Keanu Pinder (F, Perth Wildcats) – 29 games, 15.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists
• Hyrum Harris (F, Perth Wildcats) – 28 games, 2.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists
• Grant Anticevich (F, New Zealand Breakers) – 26 games, 4.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, .7 assists
• Jonah Antonio (G, Cairns Taipans) – 26 games, 4.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, .8 assists
• Mitch McCarron (G, New Zealand Breakers) – 25 games, 3.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists
• Matt Kenyon (G, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix) – 25 games, 1.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, .4 assists
• Jonah Bolden (F, New Zealand Breakers) – 24 games, 6.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists
• Gorjok Gak (C, Tasmania JackJumpers) – 24 games, 4.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, .3 assists
• Akoldah Gak (F, Cairns Taipans) – 21 games, 6.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, .9 assists
• Tai Webster (G, Perth Wildcats) – 20 games, 7.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists
• Taran Armstrong (G, Cairns Taipans) – 19 games, 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists
• Rocco Zikarsky (C, Brisbane Bullets) – 18 games, 4.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, .3 assists
• Mojave King (G, New Zealand Breakers) – 17 games, 8.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists
• Dillon Stith (F, Cairns Taipans) – 14 games, 1.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, .1 assists
• Emmett Naar (G, Brisbane Bullets) – 14 games, 1.1 points, .6 rebounds, 1.1 assists
• Jackson Makoi (G, Cairns Taipans) – 11 games, 4.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists
• Tom Koppens (F, Melbourne United) – 11 games, .7 points, 1.2 rebounds, .2 assists
• Deng Adel (F, Brisbane Bullets) – 10 games, 4.7 points, 1.5 rebounds, .8 assists
• Nicholas Stoddart (F, Tasmania JackJumpers) – 10 games, 4.3 points, 1.2 rebounds, .9 assists
• Lachlan Barker (G, Tasmania JackJumpers) – 10 games, 2.0 points, .3 rebounds, .2 assists
• Jacob Rigoni (F, Adelaide 36ers) – 10 games, 1.6 points, 1.0 rebounds, .1 assists
• Luke Rosendale (G, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix) – 10 games, 1.2 points, .3 rebounds, .2 assists
• Jarred Bairstow (F, Brisbane Bullets) – 8 games, 2.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, .1 assists
• Campbell Blogg (G, Melbourne United) – 8 games, 2.1 points, .8 rebounds, .1 assists
• Joel Foxwell (G, Melbourne United) – 8 games, 1.1 points, .3 rebounds, .8 assists
• Zac Triplett (F, Illawarra Hawks) – 8 games, .6 points, .4 rebounds, .3 assists
• Josh Kunen (F, Brisbane Bullets) – 7 games, 1.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, .7 assists
• Majok Majok (C, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix) – 5 games, .8 points, .6 rebounds, .0 assists
• Kuany Kuany (F, Illawarra Hawks) – 5 games, .8 points, .0 rebounds, .0 assists
• Callum Dalton (F, Brisbane Bullets) – 4 games, 3.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, .0 assists
• Tad Dufelmeier (G, Cairns Taipans) – 4 games, 2.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists
• Tai Wynyard (F, New Zealand Breakers) – 4 games, 1.0 points, .5 rebounds, .0 assists
• Alex Starling (F, Adelaide 36ers) – 4 games, .5 points, 2.3 rebounds, .3 assists
• Patrick D’Arcy (G, Adelaide 36ers) – 3 games, .0 points, .0 rebounds, .3 assists
• Luke Fennell (G, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix) – 2 games, .0 points, .0 rebounds, .0 assists
• Brad Ballinger (G, Illawarra Hawks) – 1 game, .0 points, 1.0 rebounds, .0 assists
• Fiston Ipassou (F, Adelaide 36ers) – 0 games, .0 points, .0 rebounds, .0 assists
• Tom Kubank (F, Adelaide 36ers) – 0 games, .0 points, .0 rebounds, .0 assists
• Henry Lau (F, Sydney Kings) – 0 games, .0 points, .0 rebounds, .0 assists
• Ngor Nai (C, Adelaide 36ers) – 0 games, .0 points, .0 rebounds, .0 assists

Imports

• Ian Clark (G, Melbourne United) – 36 games, 14.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists
• Matt Hurt (F, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix) – 34 games, 19.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists
• Marcus Lee (C, Melbourne United) – 34 games, 6.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, .9 assists
• Joe Wieskamp (G, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix) – 33 games, 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, .7 assists
• Darius Days (F, Illawarra Hawks) – 33 games, 10.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, .6 assists
• Trey Kell III (G, Illawarra Hawks) – 32 games, 17.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists
• Cameron Oliver (F, Sydney Kings) – 30 games, 12.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists
• Matthew Mooney (G, New Zealand Breakers) – 29 games, 16.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists
• Milton Doyle (G, Tasmania JackJumpers) – 29 games, 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists
• Bryce Cotton (G, Perth Wildcats) – 28 games, 28.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists
• Montrezl Harrell (F, Adelaide 36ers) – 28 games, 20.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists
• Keandre Cook (G, Brisbane Bullets) – 28 games, 16.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists
• Jordon Crawford (G, Tasmania JackJumpers) – 28 games, 16.0 points, 1.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists
• Jaylen Adams (G, Sydney Kings) – 27 games, 18.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists
• Rob Edwards (G, Cairns Taipans) – 26 games, 19.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists
• Pedro Bradshaw (F, Cairns Taipans) – 24 games, 10.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists
• Tanner Groves (F, Cairns Taipans) – 22 games, 13.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists
• Jarell Martin (F, Adelaide 36ers) – 22 games, 8.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, .5 assists
• Parker Jackson-Cartwright (G, New Zealand Breakers) – 21 games, 18.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists
• Derrick Walton Jr. (G, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix) – 18 games, 11.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists
• Craig Sword (G, Tasmania JackJumpers) – 15 games, 6.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, .9 assists
• Todd Withers (F, Perth Wildcats) – 14 games, 5.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, .4 assists
• Ian Hummer (F, Tasmania JackJumpers) – 12 games, 4.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, .4 assists
• Josh Adams (G, Brisbane Bullets) – 9 games, 10.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists
• Freddie Gillespie (F, New Zealand Breakers) – 9 games, 6.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, .6 assists
• Deshon Taylor (G, Cairns Taipans) – 3 games, 3.0 points, 1.3 rebounds, .3 assists