The NBL Blitz began this week and it is the beginning of teams finally showing what their components will look like. Of course, it is still a particularly early beginning; many teams have chosen to sit out a selection of their more pivotal pieces while other imports have other international duties to fulfil. Another factor for this time being an incomplete exhibition is that three teams still remain in the quest of finalising their rosters. The Perth Wildcats still need the import point guard of their highest fantasies, the South East Melbourne Phoenix need to find a local who is the closest equivalent to a European and the Illawarra Hawks still need two players to bolster their chances of going back-to-back. Signings this week were made by the Adelaide 36ers with a development player and a nominated replacement player while the Cairns Taipans secure their two development players.

1. Che Brogan to Adelaide 36ers
2. Blake Jones to Adelaide 36ers
3. Lloyd McVeigh to Cairns Taipans
4. Jed Richardson to Cairns Taipans
5. Team overviews
6. Remaining free agents
   1. Locals
   2. Imports

Che Brogan to Adelaide 36ers

Position: Forward
From: Centre of Excellence (NBL1 East)
2025 statistics: 13.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, .2 blocks, 2.0 steals, 42.9% field goal, 74.2% free throw

The Adelaide 36ers get their third development player in Che Brogan who is coming off of an impressive all-around season in the NBL1 East. The 36ers have gone for a familial theme for their three defensive players; first, they sign the Manyang brothers and now they add the son of a former championship player. Brogan’s father, Dean, was on the 1998 title team before he instead embarked on a football career. Basketball runs in the family as his aunt, Michelle, also had success and played for the Opals at two Olympics. Brogan’s talent, particularly his defensive awareness and good assist numbers for a forward, imply there is much potential to be realised here. Of course, only if he does not follow the pathway of his father; he has already chosen the same jersey number that Dean wore during his tenure.

Blake Jones to Adelaide 36ers

Position: Forward
From: Southern Districts Spartans (NBL1 North)
2025 statistics: 15.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, .7 blocks, .8 steals, 53.3% field goal, 51.9% free throw

With an abundance of guards able to provide support in case any fellow guard requires substitution, the Adelaide 36ers make the right decision in making their nominated replacement player a forward: Blake Jones. He spent time as a development player with the Brisbane Bullets during the 2020–21 season. Jones then went to the United States to pursue a collegiate career where he spent three seasons split between George Mason and Montana; his limited court time meant he accumulated career averages of 1.2 points and 1.2 rebounds. Back in Australia, Jones put up some serious numbers with the Southern Districts Spartans in NBL1 North and demonstrated he is capable of much more. Jones takes over the nominated replacement player role from Tom Kubank; he only appeared in one game for less than 30 seconds of playing time.

Lloyd McVeigh to Cairns Taipans

Position: Guard
From: South Adelaide Panthers (NBL1 Central)
2025 statistics: 16.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, .4 blocks, .4 steals, 42.8% field goal, 76.4% free throw

The Cairns Taipans show their gratitude to their biggest signing of all-time by also signing his brother: Lloyd McVeigh. The younger brother of Jack has now forged a resemblance of the pathway laid for him; both brothers went to the United States where they had limited playing time, returned to strong NBL1 performances and then secured an NBL contract. McVeigh went to Buffalo where he averaged 3.1 points and 2.3 rebounds in 11.7 minutes. He departed prematurely for an offseason with the South Adelaide Panthers where he gave a better representation of his abilities. McVeigh’s path now ventures away from that of his brother as he begins his NBL career as a development player; Jack was a fully-contracted player when he joined the Adelaide 36ers in 2018. At least he will be there with the confidence of his brother to guide him to wherever he needs to go. The pairing of the McVeighs means that there are three active sets of brothers in the league as teammates; the Illawarra Hawks have the Frolings while the Adelaide 36ers have their pairing in the Manyangs as development players.

Jed Richardson to Cairns Taipans

Position: Center
From: Northside Wizards (NBL1 North)
2025 statistics: 11.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, .7 assists, .6 blocks, 1.2 steals, 62.2% field goal, 60.7% free throw

I had predicted Lachlan Barker joining Lloyd McVeigh as the Cairns Taipans development players in my breakdown of the first week of preseason; instead, the opportunity goes to Jed Richardson. It is a wise decision seeing as the Taipans presently only have one true center on their roster in Marcus Lee and it will be beneficial for a replacement to be there for some runtime. Richardson has spent the last three seasons with the Northside Wizards in the NBL1 North and showed a major leap in 2025 by tripling his points per game and doubling his rebounds per game.

Team overviews

G: Guard / F: Forward / C: Center / I: Import / NS: Next Star / IRP: Injury Replacement Player / NRP: Nominated Replacement Player / DP: Development Player

Adelaide 36ers
G: Flynn Cameron, Bryce Cotton (I), Michael Harris, Matt Kenyon, Keanu Rasmussen, Dejan Vasiljevic, Isaac White
F: Zylan Cheatham (I), Montrezl Harrell (I)
C: Ben Griscti, Isaac Humphries
NRP: F Blake Jones
DP: G Che Brogan, F Deng Manyang, F Magok Manyang
Needs: General stability

Brisbane Bullets
G: Jaylen Adams (I), Alex Ducas, Javon Freeman-Liberty (I), Sam McDaniel, Taine Murray, Mitch Norton
F: Jacob Holt, Casey Prather (I), Jack Purchase, Tohi Smith-Milner
C: Tyrell Harrison
NRP: Callum Dalton
DP: F Jensen Bradtke, G Tristan Devers

Cairns Taipans
G: Kyle Adnam, Ashton Hagans (I), Reyne Smith, Kody Stattman
F: Kyrin Galloway, Alex Higgins-Titsha, Mawot Mag, Jack McVeigh, Admiral Schofield (I), Sam Waardenburg
C: Marcus Lee (I)
DP: G Lloyd McVeigh, C Jed Richardson

Illawarra Hawks
G: Tyler Harvey (I), William Hickey
F: Todd Blanchfield, Jonah Bolden, Daniel Grida, Mason Peatling, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk
C: Sam Froling, JaVale McGee (I)
NRP: C Harry Froling
DP: G Jackson Ball, G Kobe McDowell-White, G Johny Narkle, G Luca Yates
Needs: Gary Clark/Darius Days-type import forward

Melbourne United
G: Dash Daniels (NS), Milton Doyle (I), Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Tanner Krebs, Tyson Walker (I), Tom Wilson
F: Kyle Bowen, Finn Delany, Fabijan Krslovic, Malith Machar
C: Jesse Edwards (I)
NRP: C Nicolas Tata
DP: G Campbell Blogg, F Tom Koppens

New Zealand Breakers
G: Taylor Britt, Izaiah Brockington (I), Parker Jackson-Cartwright (I), Izayah Le’afa
F: Sean Bairstow, Robert Baker (I), Max Darling, Carlin Davison, Karim López (NS), Reuben Te Rangi
C: Robert Loe, Sam Mennenga
DP: G Kaia Isaac, F Liam Judd, G Alex McNaught

Perth Wildcats
G: Sunday Dech, Elijah Pepper, Dontae Russo-Nance
F: Kristian Doolittle (I), Ben Henshall, Noa Kouakou-Heugue (NS), Lat Mayen, David Okwera, Jesse Wagstaff, Dylan Windler (I)
C: Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.
DP: F Thomas Gerovich, F Cameron Huefner, G Jaron Rillie
Needs: Bryce Cotton clone / import point guard

South East Melbourne Phoenix
G: Owen Foxwell, Angus Glover, Hunter Maldonado (I), Nathan Sobey
F: Akech Aliir, Vrenz Bleijenbergh (I), John Brown (I), Malique Lewis (NS), DJ Mitchell
C: Gorjok Gak, Jordan Hunter
DP: C Ellis Biggar, G Daniel Foster
Needs: Local any position

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: Tim Soares (I)
DP: G Lueth Awan, F Goc Malual, C Jason Spurgin
Needs: A return to 48-minute games so the quality of players receive enough minutes

Tasmania JackJumpers
G: Ben Ayre, Bryce Hamilton (I), David Johnson (I), Nicholas Stoddart, Sean Macdonald
F: Josh Bannan, Majok Deng, Anthony Drmic, Nick Marshall, Kobe Williamson
C: Will Magnay
IRP: Tyger Campbell (I)
DP: G Brody Nunn, F Archie Woodhill
Needs: Injury-free Sean Macdonald

Remaining free agents

Players who were contracted during the 2024–25 season. Statistics are from last season. Strikedthrough names mean that player has signed elsewhere for the 2025–26 season.

Locals

• Jack White (F, Melbourne United) – 35 games, 13.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.5 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
• Lachlan Olbrich (F, Illawarra Hawks) – 29 games, 8.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.6 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
• 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
• Deng Adel (F, Brisbane Bullets) – 10 games, 4.7 points, 1.5 rebounds, .8 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
• Kaia Isaac (G, New Zealand Breakers – 8 games, 2.6 points, .5 rebounds, .8 assists
• Jarred Bairstow (F, Brisbane Bullets) – 8 games, 2.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, .1 assists
• Kye Savage (G, Brisbane Bullets) – 8 games, 1.3 points, .0 rebounds, .3 assists
• Joel Foxwell (G, Melbourne United) – 8 games, 1.1 points, .3 rebounds, .8 assists
• Walter Brown (F, Tasmania JackJumpers) – 8 games, .8 points, .5 rebounds, .1 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
• 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
• Klairus Amir (F, Sydney Kings) – 0 games, .0 points, .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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Tacko Fall (C, New Zealand Breakers) – 18 games, 11.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, .5 assists
• Derrick Walton Jr. (G, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix) – 18 games, 11.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists
• James Batemon (G, Brisbane Bullets) – 16 games, 15.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.8 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