A big week for signings! Perhaps even the biggest thus far. Melbourne United bring one of Australia’s all-time greats back to the league. The Tasmania JackJumpers recruit a local product to be their new team leader. The New Zealand Breakers pick up a former Best Sixth Man who aspires to take the logical next step of being an MVP. The Brisbane Bullets add some local depth.

Two coach signings also take place. The Breakers sign arguably the most highest profile coach in league history with Gordon Herbert who has won championships across Europe and led Germany to the gold medal in the FIBA World Cup only three years ago. The Adelaide 36ers sign one of the most credentialed coaches in league history with Trevor Gleeson for what is surely to be a match made in heaven. The signings leave United and the Cairns Taipans as the only teams with head coaching vacancies.

1. Taran Armstrong to Tasmania JackJumpers
2. Joe Ingles to Melbourne United
3. Lat Mayen to Brisbane Bullets
4. Kouat Noi to New Zealand Breakers
5. Team overviews
6. Remaining free agents
   1. Locals
   2. Imports

Taran Armstrong to Tasmania JackJumpers

Position: Guard
From: Dubai Basketball (United Arab Emirates – ABA League / EuroLeague)
2025–26 statistics: 2.8 points, 1.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, .1 blocks, .5 steals, 38.2% field goal, 0.0% free throw
Announcement link

The Tasmania JackJumpers make the signing they should have made a long time ago by adding Taran Armstrong on a one-year deal with an option for a second. The 6’4″ point guard began his NBL career with the Cairns Taipans from 2023 to 2025 and attempted to pursue an NBA career. Armstrong spent last season with Dubai Basketball where he was a seldom-used reserve with limited statistics in his sparse appearances. With the NBA dream on hold for the moment, Armstrong makes the right decision to come back to Australia where he will actually get playing time – and it could be done in no better place than with his hometown Tasmania JackJumpers. The JackJumpers’ signing announcement makes this the main claim (“First Ever Born and Bred Tasmanian Rostered to the Tasmania JackJumpers” could literally be anyone) which sort of minimises the impact Armstrong will be expected to have (they also had to add the “Bred” to distinguish from the Hobart-born, Adelaide-raised Sam McDaniel). The last time Armstrong was in the league during the 2024–25 season, he averaged 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game with the Taipans. This is a bonafide talent who has the potential to be one of the premier guards in the league. It is a great signing for the JackJumpers as well who were again forced to find a replacement for the oft-injured Sean Macdonald and do this without having to use an import slot. Huge signing and a great return.

Joe Ingles to Melbourne United

Position: Forward
From: Minnesota Timberwolves (United States – NBA)
2025–26 statistics: 1.5 points, .7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, .1 blocks, .3 steals, 59.3% field goal, 100.0% free throw
Announcement link

Everyone has been talking about it for years and Melbourne United finally make it come true. One of Australia’s all-time great basketball players (and the finest product to ever come out of Happy Valley), Joe Ingles, signs a two-year deal. The last time Ingles played in the NBL, the 21-year-old won a championship with the South Dragons. In between that time, Ingles spent five seasons winning championships across Europe and then spent 12 seasons in the NBA with the Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves. His peak days were with the Jazz where he was their starting forward on teams that made consecutive conference semifinals appearances and emerged as one of the best shooters in the NBA. Ingles saw his role diminish over the last two seasons with the Timberwolves but he proved to be a valuable veteran presence who could still deliver when required; his last regular season appearance was the final game of the 2025–26 season when he recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists. It is a beautiful thing when the Australian legends choose to extend their careers by playing at home. Ingles may be 39-years-old when the season starts but he has never needed athleticism to be effective; instead, he uses his intelligence, shooting and playmaking to make an impact that will place him above many of his competitors.

Lat Mayen to Brisbane Bullets

Position: Forward
From: Perth Wildcats
2025–26 statistics: 2.4 points, 1.5 rebounds, .2 assists, .0 blocks, .1 steals, 35.9% field goal, 57.1% free throw
Announcement link

The Brisbane Bullets bolster their forward depth with the signing of Lat Mayen who was made a free agent by the Perth Wildcats last month after his option was mutually declined. It was a tough year for Mayen who saw his role completely diminished in the lowest minutes of his career since his rookie season with the Cairns Taipans in 2022–23. Mayen will be joining the Bullets with something to prove and the prospects of a lengthy career to salvage. The ability is there and the opportunity should present itself.

Kouat Noi to New Zealand Breakers

Position: Forward
From: Sydney Kings
2025–26 statistics: 11.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, .8 assists, .1 blocks, .6 steals, 42.9% field goal, 81.7% free throw

Nobody believes in Kouat Noi more than Kouat Noi. The Best Sixth Man of 2025 emerged as one of the larger personalities in the league last season through his outspoken lobbying for a consecutive award in 2026; the disappointment was tremendous when it instead went to Angus Glover of the South East Melbourne Phoenix. Noi realised that his greater goals are better to be achieved elsewhere and he decided to part ways with the Sydney Kings prematurely after four seasons with two championships. He signs with the Breakers as the second of spurned former Kings alongside Dejan Vasiljevic for what will be one of the top shooting duos in the league. Make no mistake either: Noi is not coming to the Breakers to get another Best Sixth Man award in a reserve role. He is instead “locked in on an MVP-calibre season.” Who knows what will happen? Noi will let the world know anyway.

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, Lat Mayen, Harry Rouhliadeff
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, Joe Ingles, Fabijan Krslovic, Sam Waardenburg
DP: Christian D’Angelo
Needs: Import point guard, import center, local center

New Zealand Breakers
G: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (I), Izayah Le’afa, Dejan Vasiljevic
F: Carlin Davison, Sam Mennenga, Kouat Noi, 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), Elijah Pepper, 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, Tanner Krebs, Nathan Sobey
F: Akech Aliir, Hunter Goodrick
C: Jordan Hunter
DP: G Patrick Ryan
Needs: Running it back, retaining John Brown, local back-up center

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

Tasmania JackJumpers
G: Taran Armstrong, Ben Ayre, Sean Macdonald
F: Josh Bannan, Majok Deng, Nick Marshall, Kobe Williamson
C: Will Magnay
DP: F Archie Woodhill
Needs: Retaining Bryce Hamilton, center as insurance for 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

• 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
• 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
• 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
• Tohi Smith-Milner (F, Brisbane Bullets) – 28 games, 4.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.8 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
• Tom Wilson (G, Melbourne United) – 25 games, 2.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, .6 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