Steph Curry's brother Seth is over there as well, averaging 23 PPG and 9 APG.

He is merely in the d-league waiting for a swingman to go down in the nba so he can shoot for a contract

Doubt any NBL teams would take a risk on him. He's 33 and often injured.

In saying that he'd look good in a Hawks uniform.

Doesnt need the money, wants to be close to his kids.Invested his money wisely!!!

Quoting anonymous * "Every NBL team would sign a former NBA all-star in Josh Howard if they could afford to, they can't."



Err... he just signed D league for 25 thousand?

Brendan Teys probably gets more.

A lot of assumptions there... Maybe he wouldnt mind taking the kids on a 6 month stay to Australia?

All I am saying is... it doesn't hurt to ask the question.... Assuming players are out of your league is a self fulfilling prophecy

recent times in the NBL has shown that, we CAN get genuine NBA talent here that would otherwise be in europe... So coaches and clubs need to keep this in mind before cancelling out options.

We could have had Dennis Rodman play for the Dragons for an exhibition game at one point if people werent so small minded at the time

I actually agree with you youknowme.

In the first article that Jesse Sanders wrote for the NBL he mentioned that he didn't even know Australia had a professional basketball league, and appeared to imply that neither did his agent...

Surely when looking for budget imports, not all NBL coaches are presuming they can't attract players of border line NBA caliber? I certainly hope not.

Id imagine that a border line NBA player might be reluctant to sign with a team in a virtually unknown league (to players) based on very little factual information. Many might neglect to even entertain the idea.

Just a thought - also based on very little factual information.

Also, most Americans are stupid when it comes to anything outside of America

Mo, I agree completely the the league could do more to put the NBL out there as an option. Even promotional material put in front of players at late-high school and college level if not D-League to explain the leagues in Australia, the standard, names of past players (Stephen Jackson, Rick Brunson, etc), ballpark salaries, what's expected, advantages (English-speaking, safe, etc).

Don't have them thinking NBA only or D-League as their only fallback. Make them keep NBL and ABL in mind.

Case studies and testimonials of players who've played and settled here. Timeframes of when the leagues run, when pre-seasons start, what crowds are like.

I've often thought of trying to build a site that did this for the hell of it, but as with everything just never have the time.

add together

Strong australian dollar,
Short seasons,
Warm climate,
English language,
NBA out clauses,
Possibility of dominating,
Lifestyle off the court,
Low crime rates,

reasonably attractive place to play a season or two as young player or end your career as an old veteran IMO.

Isaac that's a great idea, creating awareness of the league and what to expect to players before they are pro's would likely create the next wave of talented imports coming to the NBL.

Mystro, could throw in NZ NBL too which is not a terrible deal if you play in between other seasons, are a lower level player or use it as a chance to tour around. Play a season and then do two weeks in each island and that would be a great life experience. Loved the South Island!

The general concept could even be built as a wiki given information would need to come from a range of administrators and players to get the scope of payments, lifestyle, etc.

Isaac & Mystro. You both make valid points, Some of the best suggestions I've seen voiced in along time. You'd think the NBL would be doing those type of things.... Hell the NBL should employ you guys.

NBL kind of irritates me with their inability to think of something new, or a different way to approach things. I think Isaac's site absolutely should happen now. But if it did, how will it become known and available to these American players?

The idea is great I think... There are guys who would be thinking their options are a lot smaller then they really are.

On the upside, I think slowly they are learning there is a league here. Some articles pop up semi regularly of so and so, from NBA, or a college star, now playing in Australia.... the momentum must continue to build and I hope we keep getting Ennis types here.

About them not knowing there is a league in Australia.. I will agree with Mystro.. they are not aware of much outside of there own country...

I remember when I use to play American's online on NBA 2k9 I think it was... they would ask... "Australians play Basketball?"....

I would answer with.... "errr, yeah? We are kind of everywhere in your college game and we had the number one draft pick just a few years ago... DURRR!!!!"

Great point Isaac re: NZ NBL.
Another way for them to top up their Down Under income.

Yeah the south island is amazing, I go for a snowboarding holiday every year and still buzz out on how awesome it is.

I think it could have been a case of "oh it's too hard" or "they won't like us" doubt creeping in as to why it hasn't been done before, but isn't this what Steve Dunn is supposed to be doing now that the NBL has a proper CEO?

I think they've proven so far that they're open to new ideas and at least listening more than the old administration, so hopefully something like this can progress...

The idea of a website really sounds like a great one and would certainly need a lot of contributors. As a way of getting it out there, surely targeting agents and colleges would be the way to go? They'd certainly be more aware of situations like Young and Flynn, even if not aware of Ennis himself, they'd appreciate that a Miami draft pick took this path instead of the D League.

I know agents would be all about getting their players in the most lucrative deals, something we've seen in our local talent being taken over to Europe, but if it could work in our favour compared to the D-League, surely not ALL top NBADL players would be that close to an immediate call up that they'd have to be within a few hours flight? (which I assume would be a key factor in not coming so far)

Lol @ white women... Yep plenty of them here!

Our problem is that we have Americans like Green, Bruton, Loggins, Grace, Copeland, Carfino etc. that come over here, love the place and become naturalized Australians and don't go home and spread the word about how great the country/league is!

Nah seriously, it will be fascinating to see what the clubs try and do with imports in coming seasons especially if we are to get a substantial increase in teams

if a youngish Sam Young cant shine in the NBL
a mature Josh Howard cant do nothing