There are currently 53 Australians (and two New Zealanders) currently playing in the American college basketball system. I’m sure all of them are having the time of their lives, trading baskets with some of the best young basketballers in the world. Hopefully for some, after their collegiate career is over they can come back to Australia and find a roster spot on an NBL team. It sure would be having a normal, nine to five job in the real world. Here are my top ten players who I would love to see pull on an NBL jersey in the near future.
1. Matthew Dellavedova, Saint Mary’s, Junior, 193cm, 86kg, Guard
37.0 minutes, 15.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.1 blocks, 0.9 steals
The recently anointed West Coast Conference Player of the Year, Dellavedova has been a star since the first time he stepped on the Gael’s court. Already a member of the Boomers side and an emphasis on quality point guard play in the NBL, I’m sure there will be many teams knocking on his door when he graduates from Saint Mary’s.
2. Brock Motum, Washington State, Junior, 208cm, 104kg, Forward
32.3 minutes, 17.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.4 blocks, 0.5 steals
In the tough Pac-12 conference which includes the likes of Arizona, UCLA, Stanford and Washington, Motum has devoured them all. At a healthy 6 foot 10 he has the skills to be a great power forward/centre in this league, a luxury for the big man starved teams around. I could see him doing wonders in Wollongong or in a new Brisbane team where he grew up.
3. Ryan Broekhoff, Valparaiso, Junior, 201cm, 98kg, Guard-Forward
32.2 minutes, 14.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.6 blocks, 1.3 steals
A versatile small forward, Broekhoff has broken out this year. He has eleven double doubles this year which is crazy for a swingman and leads all Australians in rebounding by a wide margin. The Frankston native has increased his production every year at Val so next season should be very exciting.
4. Anthony Drmic, Boise State, Freshman, 198cm, 91kg, Guard-Forward
30.1 minutes, 12.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.2 blocks, 1.2 steals
The younger brother of NBL player Frank Drmic, Anthony is already carving out his own path at mid-major Boise State. For a freshman to average over 30 minutes per game in the competitive Mountain West Conference is astounding and his numbers are very good as well. Keep a look out for Drmic in the next three years as he will be very sought after when he leaves college.
5. Hugh Greenwood, New Mexico, Freshman, 191cm, 95kg, Guard
22.0 minutes, 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.4 blocks, 0.9 steals
A combo guard that can do most things, Greenwood made a name for himself while representing Australia in the junior championships; he is also turning heads for the Lobos of New Mexico which is a good team. Those numbers are very rounded and as a freshman has plenty of time to refine his game and take charge in the future.
6. Jackson Aldridge, Butler, Freshman, 183cm, 82kg, Guard
14.4 minutes, 4.0 points, 1.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.0 blocks, 0.4 steals
Aldridge may not have the numbers like the rest of the players on this list but he does play for Butler, a perennial tournament piece. At only six foot he is a little on the short side but he also was a part of the Australian junior squad and should get his chances in the next year or two.
7. Jeromie Hill, UTSA, Sophomore, 203cm, 104kg, Forward
30.7 minutes, 12.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 blocks, 0.9 steals
The first response I had was, “where is UTSA?” When I found out (San Antonio) I saw that Hill is leading his team in rebounds and third in scoring and I decided that he is someone to keep an eye on. Only a second year player he is very consistent, putting up similar numbers in his freshman year. Hopefully he continues to grow into an NBL calibre player.
8. Jordan Vandenberg, North Carolina State, Junior, 216cm, 117kg, Centre
11.9 minutes, 2.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.7 blocks, 0.0 steals
He’s over seven feet tall. That would be enough for most teams in the NBL to at least have a look at Vandenberg because his numbers aren’t eye popping. However, when you take into account that he is in the arguably best conference in America which includes juggernauts like Duke and North Carolina I sit up and listen. Any player who can get on a team in the ACC and get nearly twelve minutes a game is talented enough to give a roster spot to. Hell, Ater Majok did nothing when he was at UConn or even Perth or Gold Coast and he got drafted into the NBA!
9. Corey Maynard, Bryant, Sophomore, 191cm, 84kg, Guard
34.5 minutes, 11.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.1 blocks, 1.1 steals
I haven’t seen much of Maynard in his two years at Bryant University but when a sophomore averages nearly a full game of basketball my ears perk up. He isn’t the best shooter (only 41% from the field and 60% from the line) and his team was a mind boggling 2-26 for the season but I’m going to keep base with Maynard to see if his numbers aren’t just stat padding.
10. (tie) Clint Steindl (Senior), Jordan Page (Sophomore), Mitchell Young (Junior), Saint Mary’s
The other Australians on the Aussie overloaded Mary’s team can make an NBL side if the put in the work. Their numbers are down all across the board to last season as other players are filling in their spots but I’m sure at least one of these players will be on an Australian basketball team in the near future.
There are more prospects out there (Cody Ellis, Joel Naburgs) and with more and more Australians going over to America to get experience the future looks bright for the NBL. I hope your brackets this year aren’t too bad like mine was season.
No comments:
Post a Comment