Three weeks to go! Rosters almost completed. The NBL Blitz – what I consider the true beginning of NBL preseason – starts this week. Great times. Happy all over. Summer now gone in UK. Still relieved for basketball later this month. Final roster signings!!!

Shoutout to Tyler Harvey as well for earning his Australian citizenship after six years with the Illawarra Hawks. It is always super cool when imports find a home here and Harvey is a quality individual in addition to being one of the premier shooters.

1. Will Johnston to Sydney Kings
2. Malique Lewis to Cairns Taipans
3. Jacob Rigoni to Adelaide 36ers
4. Harvey White to Adelaide 36ers
5. Archie Woodhill to Brisbane Bullets
6. Team overviews
7. Remaining free agents
   1. Locals
   2. Imports

Will Johnston to Sydney Kings

Position: Guard
From: Richmond (United States – NCAA Division I)
2025–26 statistics: 9.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, .1 blocks, .5 steals, 38.6% field goal, 86.9% free throw

My theory of the Sydney Kings not having someone in their organisation who can compose website articles for their roster signings is confirmed again by the hush which should have instead been the announcement of Will Johnston on a one-year deal. The Sydney native has spent the last six years in the United States playing college basketball, starting with the junior college level at South Georgia Technical College and then moving up to Division I stints at UTRGV, Loyola Marymount and Richmond. What is most impressive about Johnston’s career was that he was a starter every place he went; he peaked with 14.5 points per game at UTRGV during the 2022–23 season. Johnston looks like another strong local guard signing for the Kings.

Malique Lewis to Cairns Taipans

Position: Forward
From: South East Melbourne Phoenix
2025–26 statistics: 7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, .6 blocks, 1.2 steals, 45.5% field goal, 80.0% free throw
Announcement link

Malique Lewis joins the Cairns Taipans on a two-year deal as their second import and final roster piece. He spent the last two seasons as a Next Star with the South East Melbourne Phoenix, was selected as the final pick of the 2026 NBA draft, spent the NBA Summer League with the Milwaukee Bucks and now returns to the NBL with a new team. Lewis will have the potential to be the defensive focal point of the Taipans and will ideally possess a larger role than he did at the Phoenix. The last few months where he has gone through the NBA experience could provide him with the development for a breakout season.

Jacob Rigoni to Adelaide 36ers

Position: Forward
From: Sturt Sabres (NBL1 Central)
2026 statistics: 22.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, .3 blocks, .9 steals, 41.8% field goal, 86.4% free throw
Announcement link

The Adelaide 36ers go for a local with history as their nominated replacement player by signing Jacob Rigoni. He has spent two seasons with the 36ers as a development player from 2023 to 2025 in the midst of multiple tenures in the NBL1 Central with the Sturt Sabres. Rigoni averaged 1.8 points in 3.5 minutes during his previous 36ers stints but could be relied upon more heavily while waiting for Bul Kuol to rehabilitate.

Harvey White to Adelaide 36ers

Position: Guard
From: Colorado Mesa (United States – NCAA Division II)
2025–26 statistics: 10.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, .3 blocks, 1.0 steals, 50.4% field goal, 82.9% free throw
Announcement link

The Adelaide 36ers go for a second local with history as a development player by signing Harvey White. He was a development player for the 36ers during the 2023–24 season as a high school student and then spent two years in the United States playing college basketball at Colorado Mesa. White was poised to transfer to Washburn but instead returns to his hometown for a second development player stint.

Archie Woodhill to Brisbane Bullets

Position: Forward
From: Tasmania JackJumpers
2025–26 statistics: 1.1 points, 1.4 rebounds, .1 assists, .1 blocks, .1 steals, 50.0% field goal, 100.0% free throw
Announcement link

Archie Woodhill gets a lifeline from the Brisbane Bullets by joining them as a nominated replacement player for the season. He was released as a development player by the Tasmania JackJumpers in July and now finds himself in an upgraded position in Brisbane. Woodhill has four seasons of NBL experience behind him and will be a reliable piece when required.

Team overviews

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

Adelaide 36ers
G: Flynn Cameron, Ben Cotton, John Jenkins (I), Matt Kenyon, Bul Kuol, Keanu Rasmussen, Isaac White
F: Zylan Cheatham (I), Nick Rakocevic (I)
C: Ben Griscti, Isaac Humphries
NRP: F Jacob Rigoni
DP: G Harvey White, G Deonte Williams

Brisbane Bullets
G: Nate Hinton (I), Max Mackinnon, Sam McDaniel, Taine Murray, Mitch Norton, Arnas Velička (I)
F: Jacob Holt, Lat Mayen, Harry Rouhliadeff, Jaylin Williams (I)
C: Tyrell Harrison
NRP: F Archie Woodhill
DP: G Rio Bruton, G Joshua Duach, G Billy McRae

Cairns Taipans
G: Jaylon Brown (I), Walter Brown, Shaun Bruce, Sunday Dech, Luke Paul, Reyne Smith
F: Jonah Bolden, Jaylin Galloway, Kyrin Galloway, Malique Lewis (I), Jack McVeigh, Keanu Pinder
DP: G Lloyd McVeigh, G Brody Nunn, C Luca Yates

Illawarra Hawks
G: Milton Doyle (I), Tyler Harvey, William Hickey, Johny Narkle
F: Todd Blanchfield, Darius Days (I), Daniel Grida, Kelan Martin (I), Mason Peatling, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk
C: Sam Froling
NRP: G Kyle Adnam
IRP: F Lamar Patterson (I)
DP: F Amarco Doyle, F Fletcher MacDonald, G Brodie McGregor

Melbourne United
G: Cole Anthony (I), Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Luke Travers, Tom Wilson
F: Kyle Bowen, Joe Ingles, Fabijan Krslovic, Malith Machar, Josh Oduro (I), Sam Waardenburg
NRP: G Sean Macdonald
DP: F Jensen Bradtke, G Christian D’Angelo, C Harry Neilson

New Zealand Breakers
G: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (I), Izayah Le’afa, Dejan Vasiljevic
F: Carlin Davison, Josiah Jordan-James (I), Sam Mennenga, Kouat Noi, Reuben Te Rangi
C: Charles Bediako (I)
DP: G Tukaha Cooper, G Kazlo Evans, F Kael Robinson
Needs: Local everything

Perth Wildcats
G: Anthony Dell’Orso, Elijah Pepper, Jaron Rillie
F: Kristian Doolittle (I), Alex Higgins-Titsha, Jesse Wagstaff, Dylan Windler (I)
C: Angus Brandt, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.
NRP: G Jimmy Whitt (I)
DP: F Cameron Huefner, G Tana Kopa, F Blake Nielsen, G Marley Sam
Needs: Finding the right import combo guard, more Jaron Rillie

South East Melbourne Phoenix
G: Ellis Biggar, Daniel Foster, Angus Glover, Tanner Krebs, Skylar Mays (I), Nathan Sobey
F: Akech Aliir, Hunter Goodrick, Yannis Morin (I), D’Shawn Schwartz (I)
C: Jordan Hunter
DP: G Patrick Ryan

Sydney Kings
G: Kendric Davis (I), Matthew Dellavedova, Will Johnston, Makuach Maluach, Tyler Robertson, Jayden Stone
F: Torrey Craig (I), Xavier Cooks, Keli Leaupepe
C: Jason Spurgin, Harry Wessels
NRP: F Andrew Carr (I)

Tasmania JackJumpers
G: Taran Armstrong, Ben Ayre, Anthony Drmic, Bryce Hamilton (I), David Johnson (I), Dakota Mathias (I)
F: Josh Bannan, Majok Deng, Nick Marshall
C: Ben Gold, Will Magnay
IRP: G Nicholas Stoddart
DP: G Ryley Haywood, F Jed Richardson

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

• David Okwera (F, Perth Wildcats) – 33 games, 5.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists
• Finn Delany (F, Melbourne United) – 31 games, 10.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists
• Ben Henshall (G, Perth Wildcats) – 30 games, 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists
• Alex Ducas (G, Brisbane Bullets) – 30 games, 8.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists
• Tristan Devers (G, Brisbane Bullets) – 29 games, 4.9 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.1 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
• Owen Foxwell (G, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix) – 28 games, 11.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.5 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
• 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
• 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
• Max Darling (F, New Zealand Breakers) – 21 games, 2.8 points, 1.4 rebounds, .4 assists
• Taylor Britt (G, New Zealand Breakers) – 19 games, 1.4 points, .8 rebounds, 1.1 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
• Archie Woodhill (F, Tasmania JackJumpers) – 15 games, 1.1 points, 1.4 rebounds, .1 assists
• Michael Harris (G, Adelaide 36ers) – 15 games, .7 points, .5 rebounds, .2 assists
• Harry Froling (C, Illawarra Hawks) – 14 games, 3.4 points, .9 rebounds, .6 assists
• Lueth Awan (G, Sydney Kings) – 12 games, 1.6 points, .4 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
• 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
• 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
• Kobe Williamson (F, Tasmania JackJumpers) – 7 games, .0 points, .7 rebounds, .0 assists
• Jonah Antonio (G, Illawarra Hawks) – 6 games, .8 points, .3 rebounds, .0 assists
• Kobe McDowell-White (G, Illawarra Hawks) – 5 games, 1.0 points, .8 rebounds, .2 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
• 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
• 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

• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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