The NBL is in persistent motion. There is only a few weeks between the crowning of the season’s champion and the inevitable immediate exodus as players look for better opportunities elsewhere. There is barely any time to process! Free agency started on 17 April so I am combining what was the launch day with the following week for the encapsulation of week 1.

Christian D’Angelo re-signs with Melbourne United

Position: Guard
Announcement link

Melbourne United elevate Christian D’Angelo from training player to development player for what will be his first opportunity at the NBL. The 22-year-old guard is presently in his sixth season with the Nunawading Spectres of the NBL1 South where he was chosen as the Youth Player of the Year in 2025 when he averaged 19.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. His breakout performance led to a training player contract with United for the 2025–26 season. D’Angelo excels at scoring but also possesses the ability to play at point. Head coach Dean Vickerman considers D’Angelo as someone who can challenge for a main roster spot in the years to come.

Bul Kuol to Adelaide 36ers

Position: Guard
From: Sydney Kings
2025–26 statistics: 6.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, .1 blocks, .9 steals, 51.7% field goal, 84.6% free throw
Announcement link

If you can beat them, join them. Such is the mantra for Bul Kuol who defects to the Adelaide 36ers after his Sydney Kings defeated them in the championship series. This is truly taking the hard road for Kuol who decided to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Kings. The move was somewhat less unusual as Kuol saw no action in the postseason because he injured his ACL in January. Prior to that, Kuol had established himself as one of the premier defenders in the league with his tenacity and aggression. It was a major role redefinition for Kuol who had arrived on the Kings in 2024 after being one of the Cairns Taipans’ primary offensive options. Kuol accepted his role as a point-of-attack defender amongst the Kings’ stacked scoring options and subsequently thrived. No better example is how he stifled Bryce Cotton throughout their match-ups last season; Kuol was a major factor in Cotton’s sole single-scoring output in their first meeting. It is a great signing for the 36ers who struggled mightily after losing their only tall wing in Troy Brown Jr. midseason and carried the sizable hole in their roster for the rest of the year. Kuol will miss the start of the season and is not expected to return until November at the earliest but he will be worth the wait. Cotton rejoiced.

Keli Leaupepe re-signs with Sydney Kings

Position: Forward
2025–26 statistics: DNP
Announcement link

The Sydney Kings re-sign their incumbent bench bodyguard who will eventually return to be one of the most unusual archetypes in the league. Keli Leaupepe is retained on a two-year contract that demonstrates the Kings’ belief in his ability. He was 19 games into his rookie season with the Kings in 2024–25 when he was ruled out for the rest of the season in December 2024 after averages of 6.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Leaupepe returned to play three games at the 2025 NBL Blitz when he tore his ACL and was ruled out for the entire season. Two major injuries could not keep the superhuman strength of Leaupepe away; in some incredible display, he apparently repaired his ACL without requiring surgery. Leaupepe was a visible presence on the sidelines throughout the Kings’ run to the championship and was present with the team throughout the season. Despite standing at only 6’6″, Leaupepe is a force in the front court and has a build unmatched across the league. The Kings will be stronger with Leaupepe returned; metaphorically and literally.

Sam McDaniel re-signs with Brisbane Bullets

Position: Guard
2025–26 statistics: 6.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, .2 blocks, .6 steals, 49.1% field goal, 45.5% free throw
Announcement link

The Brisbane Bullets grasp at any semblance of being able to maintain consistency by re-signing Sam McDaniel. It has been a difficult two seasons for McDaniel who missed almost the entirety of the 2024–25 season and all but 10 games of the 2025–26 season due to injury. When McDaniel does play, he is one of the top defenders in the league and is an important piece for the Bullets. McDaniel cited incoming head coach Will Weaver as an incentive in him staying; remember this is someone who has chosen to stay with the Bullets after being put through the Stu Lash Experience of ’25.

Sam Waardenburg to Melbourne United

Position: Forward
From: Cairns Taipans
2025–26 statistics: 15.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, .8 blocks, .5 steals, 56.6% field goal, 80.0% free throw
Announcement link

Sam Waardenburg makes the same move that many of his Cairns Taipans predecessors have followed: going to a major team after showing and proving for the local team. Melbourne United sign one of the premier free agent locals who will immediately bolster the gap left by the departure of Finn Delany. Waardenburg only appeared in eight games with the Taipans last season due to ankle injuries yet showcased his abilities when he did appear as a stretch four with defensive abilities. The most telling part of Waardenburg’s desires is in his quotes for United’s announcement piece: “I want to experience the playoffs, I want to experience a championship series, I want to experience winning a title. I just didn’t think it was anywhere better than Melbourne United to do that.” Does that mean the Taipans will be undergoing another rebuild next season?

Jesse Wagstaff re-signs with Perth Wildcats

Position: Forward
2025–26 statistics: 3.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, .8 assists, .1 blocks, .5 steals, 42.9% field goal, 92.9% free throw
Announcement link

For as long as Jesse Wagstaff desires, there will be a roster spot waiting for him on the Perth Wildcats. He signs on for one more year which will mark his 18th season with the Wildcats as their longest-tenured player in league history. Despite exiting his 30s and being a form 40-years-old for the upcoming season, Wagstaff still finds ways to contribute in meaningful minutes as the Udonis Haslem of the NBL.

Team overviews

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

Adelaide 36ers
G: Flynn Cameron, Ben Cotton, Bul Kuol, Isaac White
F: Zylan Cheatham (I), Nick Rakocevic (I)
C: Ben Griscti, Isaac Humphries
Needs: Import defensive-minded forward, local guard depth, veteran presence

Brisbane Bullets
G: Tristan Devers, Sam McDaniel, Taine Murray, Mitch Norton
F: Jacob Holt
C: Tyrell Harrison
Needs: Import point guard, import forwards, letting Will Weaver shape the team

Cairns Taipans
G: Reyne Smith
F: Jack McVeigh
Needs: Everything… again

Illawarra Hawks
G: Tyler Harvey (I), William Hickey, Kobe McDowell-White
F: Todd Blanchfield, Daniel Grida, Mason Peatling, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk
C: Sam Froling
Needs: Return of a Gary Clark-esque power forward import, import scoring wing

Melbourne United
G: Dash Daniels, Chris Goulding, Shea Ili
F: Kyle Bowen, Fabijan Krslovic, Sam Waardenburg
DP: Christian D’Angelo
Needs: Import point guard, import small forward, import center, local center

New Zealand Breakers
G: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (I), Izayah Le’afa
F: Sam Mennenga, Reuben Te Rangi
Needs: Moving away from the exclusively New Zealand player search, return of G Izaiah Brockington (I), import center, local everything

Perth Wildcats
G: Ben Henshall, Jaron Rillie
F: Kristian Doolittle (I), Jesse Wagstaff, Dylan Windler (I)
C: Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.
DP: F Cameron Huefner
Needs: Finding the right import combo guard, more Jaron Rillie, local back-up center

South East Melbourne Phoenix
G: Ellis Biggar, Daniel Foster, Owen Foxwell, Angus Glover, Nathan Sobey
C: Jordan Hunter
DP: G Patrick Ryan
Needs: Running it back, retaining John Brown, local back-up center

Sydney Kings
G: Matthew Dellavedova, Tyler Robertson
F: Xavier Cooks, Jaylin Galloway, Keli Leaupepe, Kouat Noi
C: Jason Spurgin
Needs: Retaining Kendric “My Time” Davis, return of Torrey Craig

Tasmania JackJumpers
G: Ben Ayre, Sean Macdonald
F: Josh Bannan, Majok Deng, Nick Marshall, Kobe Williamson
DP: F Archie Woodhill
Needs: Retaining Bryce Hamilton, moving on from Will Magnay, injury-free Sean Macdonald

Remaining free agents

Players who were contracted during the 2025–26 season. Statistics are from last season. Strikethrough names mean player has signed signed elsewhere.

Locals

• Elijah Pepper (G, Perth Wildcats) – 33 games, 10.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists
• Dejan Vasiljevic (G, Adelaide 36ers) – 33 games, 10.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists
• Tanner Krebs (F, Melbourne United) – 33 games, 8.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists
• Kyrin Galloway (F, Cairns Taipans) – 33 games, 7.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, .7 assists
• David Okwera (F, Perth Wildcats) – 33 games, 5.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists
• Carlin Davison (F, New Zealand Breakers) – 33 games, 5.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists
• Matt Kenyon (G, Adelaide 36ers) – 33 games, 2.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, .5 assists
• Finn Delany (F, Melbourne United) – 31 games, 10.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists
• Makuach Maluach (G, Sydney Kings) – 31 games, 8.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, .8 assists
• Alex Ducas (G, Brisbane Bullets) – 30 games, 8.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists
• Robert Loe (C, New Zealand Breakers) – 29 games, 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists
• DJ Mitchell (F, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix) – 29 games, 4.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, .8 assists
• Hunter Goodrick (C, Sydney Kings) – 29 games, 2.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, .6 assists
• Tohi Smith-Milner (F, Brisbane Bullets) – 28 games, 4.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists
• Lat Mayen (F, Perth Wildcats) – 28 games, 2.4 points, 1.5 rebounds, .2 assists
• Jack Purchase (F, Brisbane Bullets) – 28 games, 1.7 points, 1.1 rebounds, .2 assists
• Shaun Bruce (G, Sydney Kings) – 27 games, 2.4 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists
• Biwali Bayles (G, Illawarra Hawks) – 27 games, 2.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists
• Lachlan Barker (G, Cairns Taipans) – 26 games, 4.5 points, 1.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists
• Sunday Dech (G, Perth Wildcats) – 26 games, 3.5 points, 1.2 rebounds, .6 assists
• Akech Aliir (F, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix) – 25 games, 4.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists
• Tom Wilson (G, Melbourne United) – 25 games, 2.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, .6 assists
• Will Magnay (C, Tasmania JackJumpers) – 24 games, 10.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists
• Dontae Russo-Nance (G, Perth Wildcats) – 24 games, 2.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists
• Kody Stattmann (G, Cairns Taipans) – 23 games, 6.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists
• Sean Bairstow (G, New Zealand Breakers) – 23 games, 1.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, .7 assists
• Mojave King (G, Cairns Taipans) – 22 games, 11.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists
• Tom Koppens (F, Melbourne United) – 22 games, 1.9 points, .8 rebounds, .3 assits
• Malith Machar (G, Melbourne United) – 22 games, 1.5 points, .5 rebounds, .1 assists
• Max Darling (F, New Zealand Breakers) – 21 games, 2.8 points, 1.4 rebounds, .4 assists
• Nicholas Stoddart (G, Tasmania JackJumpers) – 21 games, 2.0 points, .8 rebounds, .9 assists
• Taylor Britt (G, New Zealand Breakers) – 19 games, 1.4 points, .8 rebounds, 1.1 assists
• Kyle Adnam (G, Cairns Taipans) – 18 games, 2.5 points, 1.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists
• Johny Narkle (G, Illawarra Hawks) – 18 games, 2.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, .4 assists
• Tai Webster (G, New Zealand Breakers) – 16 games, 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists
• Mawot Mag (G, Cairns Taipans) – 16 games, 2.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, .5 assists
• Callum Dalton (F, Brisbane Bullets) – 16 games, 1.2 points, 1.6 rebounds, .7 assists
• Michael Harris (G, Adelaide 36ers) – 15 games, .7 points, .5 rebounds, .2 assists
• Anthony Drmic (G, Tasmania JackJumpers) – 14 games, 5.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, .7 assists
• Harry Froling (C, Illawarra Hawks) – 14 games, 3.4 points, .9 rebounds, .6 assists
• Jensen Bradtke (F, Brisbane Bullets) – 13 games, .7 points, .8 rebounds, .1 assists
• Luca Yates (C, Illawarra Hawks) – 13 games, .5 points, .5 rebounds, .1 assists
• Lueth Awan (G, Sydney Kings) – 12 games, 1.6 points, .4 rebounds, .2 assists
• Keanu Rasmussen (G, Adelaide 36ers) – 12 games, .6 points, .5 rebounds, .2 assists
• Jackson Ball (G, Illawarra Hawks) – 11 games, 1.8 points, 1.2 rebounds, .5 assists
• Jacob Richards (G, Tasmania JackJumpers) – 11 games, .8 points, .9 rebounds, .0 assists
• Lloyd McVeigh (G, Cairns Taipans) – 10 games, 1.3 points, 1.0 rebounds, .1 assists
• Alex Higgins-Titsha (F, Cairns Taipans) – 9 games, 6.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists
• Gorjok Gak (C, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix) – 9 games, 3.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, .2 assists
• Campbell Blogg (G, Melbourne United) – 9 games, .9 points, .1 rebounds, .1 assists
• Jonah Bolden (F, Illawarra Hawks) – 8 games, 4.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, .5 assists
• Jack Andrew (F, New Zealand Breakers) – 8 games, 2.0 points, .6 rebounds, .3 assists
• Goc Malual (F, Sydney Kings) – 8 games, 1.9 points, 1.0 rebounds, .0 assists
• Brody Nunn (G, Tasmania JackJumpers) – 8 games, .9 points, .4 rebounds, .9 assists
• Jonah Antonio (G, Illawarra Hawks) – 6 games, .8 points, .3 rebounds, .0 assists
• Thomas Gerovich (F, Perth Wildcats) – 4 games, .0 points, .5 rebounds, .3 assists
• Luke Rosendale (G, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix) – 3 games, .3 points, .0 rebounds, .0 assists
• Jed Richardson (F, Cairns Taipans) – 3 games, .0 points, .7 rebounds, .0 assists
• Tukaha Cooper (F, New Zealand Breakers) – 2 games, 3.5 points, .5 rebounds, .0 assists
• Liam Judd (G, New Zealand Breakers) – 2 games, 1.5 points, 1.0 rebounds, .0 assists
• Blake Jones (F, Adelaide 36ers) – 2 games, 1.0 points, .5 rebounds, .0 assists
• Alex McNaught (G, New Zealand Breakers) – 2 games, 1.0 points, .5 rebounds, .0 assists
• Austin Foxwell (G, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix) – 1 game, 2 points, .0 rebounds, .0 assists
• Lachlan Dent (G, Sydney Kings) – 1 game, .0 points, 3.0 rebounds, .0 assists
• Ryley Haywood (G, Tasmania JackJumpers) – 1 game, .0 points, 1.0 rebounds, .0 assists
• Tad Dufelmeier (G, Cairns Taipans) – 1 game, .0 points, .0 rebounds, .0 assists
• Deng Manyang (G, Adelaide 36ers) – 1 game, .0 points, .0 rebounds, .0 assists
• Che Brogan (G, Adelaide 36ers) – 0 games, .0 points, .0 rebounds, .0 assists
• Kian Dennis (G, Cairns Taipans) – 0 games, .0 points, .0 rebounds, .0 assists
• Magok Manyang (G, Adelaide 36ers) – 0 games, .0 points, .0 rebounds, .0 assists
• Henry Sewell (G, Melbourne United) – 0 games, .0 points, .0 rebounds, .0 assists
• Nicholas Tata (C, Melbourne United) – 0 games, .0 points, .0 rebounds, .0 assists

Imports

• Kendric Davis (G, Sydney Kings) – 33 games, 24.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists
• Milton Doyle (G, Melbourne United) – 33 games, 16.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists
• Tim Soares (C, Sydney Kings) – 33 games, 11.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists
• John Brown (F, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix) – 33 games, 10.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists
• Tyger Campbell (G, Tasmania JackJumpers) – 33 games, 10.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists
• Marcus Lee (C, Cairns Taipans) – 33 games, 6.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists
• Izaiah Brockington (G, New Zealand Breakers) – 32 games, 15.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists
• Tyson Walker (G, Melbourne United) – 32 games, 14.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists
• Jesse Edwards (C, Melbourne United) – 32 games, 13.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, .8 assists
• JaVale McGee (C, Illawarra Hawks) – 31 games, 19.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists
• Andrew Andrews (G, Cairns Taipans) – 31 games, 14.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 7.6 assists
• Karim López (F, New Zealand Breakers) – 30 games, 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists
• Admiral Schofield (F, Cairns Taipans) – 30 games, 8.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists
• Wes Iwundu (F, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix) – 28 games, 12.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists
• Bryce Hamilton (G, Tasmania JackJumpers) – 27 games, 18.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists
• Quentin Peterson (G, Illawarra Hawks) – 26 games, 15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists
• Rob Baker (F, New Zealand Breakers) – 25 games, 10.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, .7 assists
• Malique Lewis (F, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix) – 25 games, 7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists
• David Johnson (G, Tasmania JackJumpers) – 22 games, 12.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists
• Terry Taylor (F, Brisbane Bullets) – 17 games, 12.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists
• David Duke Jr. (G, Perth Wildcats) – 15 games, 12.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists
• Noa Kouakou-Heugue (F, Perth Wildcats) – 15 games, 1.8 points, 1.1 rebounds, .1 assists
• Ian Clark (G, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix) – 14 games, 12.9 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists
• Jaylen Adams (G, Brisbane Bullets) – 13 games, 12.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists
• Troy Brown Jr. (F, Adelaide 36ers) – 13 games, 4.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists
• Casey Prather (F, Brisbane Bullets) – 12 games, 24.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists
• Hunter Maldonado (G, Brisbane Bullets) – 10 games, 17.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists
• Javon Freeman-Liberty (G, Brisbane Bullets) – 9 games, 13.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists
• John Jenkins (G, Adelaide 36ers) – 9 games, 11.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists
• Lamar Patterson (F, Brisbane Bullets) – 9 games, 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists
• Torrey Craig (F, Sydney Kings) – 8 games, 13.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists
• Dakota Mathias (G, Brisbane Bullets) – 8 games, 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists
• TJ Starks (G, Tasmania JackJumpers) – 7 games, 4.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists
• Mason Jones (G, Perth Wildcats) – 5 games, 11.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists
• JaQuori McLaughlin (G, Illawarra Hawks) – 3 games, 7.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists