Story is on espn. Hadn't realised that Sydney basically get a free swing with this rule. Doesn't count as an import, and the nbl is paying the salary. The article says that Sydney secured him by showing the most interest? Reading between the lines, does "interest" equate to guaranteeing court time?

3 imports + Asian Player Exception + Next Stars Exception + Tai Wesley Exception + Uncapped Spending.

Kestelman is getting closer and closer to his dream for the NBL: A league with only 5 teams, all spending $10M+ on salaries and only 2 Aussies per team. And it still wouldn't get a good TV deal.

Cram, is the Asian player rule not basically the Tai Wesley rule?

Obviously if the Next Stars program doesn't count these guys as a third import that's insane and needs to change.

But adding two more teams over the next season indicates he's not making the league smaller.

Felicity, lets see if he can add 2 teams without losing any.

Firstly, I think it's great that, if for nothing else, this gives the league exposure around the world, and may become a legitimate alternate path for prep to pros players in the future

It would have been great if some of the less well to do clubs (Illawarra, Cairns) have first chance to grab some of these players, as they would get exposure to strong coaching, potentially more playing time, without the distractions of a big city. Plus it could be a potential revenue stream in transfer fees in the future, which could really help with a cash injection

The the Asian player rule differs from the Tai Wesley rule. There's some conjecture over how exactly (because the NBL isn't into accountability) but there is a specific exception for Wesley.

Take into account Cram is still pretty butt hurt about the whole Tigers/United rebranding, so his views are massively tainted and negative to most things NBL

That's being a bit dramatic, Cram... Especially when the league is paying for the Next Stars players and there's no such thing as the Tai Wesley exception...

These kids are fresh out of high school that either don't want to or can't get into college, there's no way that they should count as an import... Argue the point of having three imports separately, but this is all for a different reason in bringing more eyes onto the NBL and it's already working it seems...

Whether the Kings should have gotten him or not is another story... I think it will be great experience for him to be involved in such a senior program but not sure how much he'll learn from the coach or amount of game time he'll get to show that he can shine...

WookieE, so much to go over here

1. There absolutely is a Wesley Exception
2. The "next star" guys are not Australian and therefore should ABSOLUTELY count as imports. The rest of their circumstances dont matter one bit.
3. 3 Imports is already absurd

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/melbourne-united-put-offers-to-goulding-wesley-as-free-agency-begins-20180416-p4z9x2.html

"Wesley was classed as a local player in his last contract under the now defunct "Oceania rule" which allowed the Guam international to play as a local but it's understood the league will give him another year as a local so he can begin the process of becoming naturalised."

Any other players being considered for next stars program?
Haven't heard much outside of Bowen.

Good for Sydney if they apparently showed the most interest.

It's too early to say the big money clubs are getting special treatment because we dont know what other New Star prospects there are. From memory the league was going to source out 8 and then offer them to the teams and maybe Sydney just liked this kid more than everyone else did. If he turns out to be the only kid to come through, then you can start talking about favouritism. But we still have a few months and I'd give it at least another month before I start thinking anything like that.

My apologies Cram, I meant more that to group that "exception" in with a cause for dramatics wasn't warranted as it was a league rule change, not favouritism towards him (or Melbourne) and some big conspiracy...

The Next Stars is a gimmick to get more exposure for the league, it's not like they're big stars or will demand a place from a local... If there are more players interested, I'm sure they can get distributed, but can't really say "only the Kings got one!" if there weren't the interest from players...

I seriously hope the NBL isn't desperate enough to get a Ball brother here... ugh...

Sorry but three imports, plus potentially a Next Star player is ridiculous.

It's not like the Next Star guys are mugs, whereas leaving the Asian player rule in accounts for the fact some of them could be mugs.


Given Australia probably has more players playing in the US college system than any other non North American country indicates we do need space on rosters for these guys to develop once they finish college. Plus our second tier system and the NZ NBL can develop NBL ready guys.


Potentially having an NBL starting 5 with no Aussies would not be good and that's including the fact that Kevin Lisch is counted as an Aussie.


If the NBL wants to drum up local interest having locals actually play helps. Simple as that.

"he Next Stars is a gimmick to get more exposure for the league, it's not like they're big stars or will demand a place from a local"

Bowen will be getting minutes that would otherwise have gone to Deng or Wilson. That is holding back the development of young Aussies for a gimmick and a little buzz.

LK is exactly thirsty enough to bring the circus that is the Ball family to the NBL.

Cram is correct about Wesley.

But of course, this has nothing to do with the Kings and nothing to do with anything really, because by definition it's a once off.

The exception being made for Wesley is entirely fair, btw. I support it.

Totally agree that Next Stars players like Bowen should be counted as imports. Because, well....they are imports. Considering them an exception is just opening the door to extend the number of imports in the league. Given we already have up to 24 per season, enough is enough.

This is a quality signing for Sydney. Just reinforces them as the hot favorite this year, even despite the question marks on age, injury and coaching.

Bowen will likely be the 11th man. Here is the lineup so far.

*Randle / Adnam
Lisch / Wilson
Newley / Bowen**
*Wear / Kickert / Pineau
Bogut / Deng (shared with Kickert)

Deng isn't a Centre....

Anyone who thinks that these "Next Stars", who are looking to push their draft stocks up are going to come to the NBL and be 11th man is dreaming. They're going to get minutes whether they deserve it or not.

Sydney still have a roster spot spare even with Bowen signing or they could use DP player/s in last spot.
Still can add import anytime which is a scary thought.

Do the "next stars" have to come directly from high school or are any undrafted college players eligible?

Waaah, Waah, Waah

If you have an issue with the fact young Aussies can't get a shot, I have some names for you:

Brendan Teys
Kevin White
Adam Doyle
Greg Hire
Mitch Young
Cody Ellis

For as long as they guys are still in the league, we clearly have enough spots for emerging Aussies. None of them should be in the NBL.

And so what if some young college American who is going to the NBA takes their minutes? Young Aussies will only get good in the best possible league, and this will improve the league.

Some people would prefer we go back to the dark ages, two shit imports and a bunch of Aussie scrubs on the bench who are at SEABL level. The progression of the league scares them for some reason.

And by the way, next season there will be two more teams so you can have all the Brendan Teys you need!

I'm with ME on this one give me Bowen over Hire for example.

Yes thats what I want to know....does every team get a 'Next Star participant?

What if the team already has 11 players?

I'm sure if a next star were coming on board for free, players like Hire, Teys and Doyle may be sweating?

Didn't the NBL say at the time these guys could be signed outside of the existing roster so effectively as a 12th man?

Then there is the question of who picks the next stars for each team?

Does a team who is wanting / needing a wing player get a wing player? Who gets the next 'pick'?

I don't even know if there are many candidates for this program

In the article it said that the Kings were the team that showed the most interest... I'm not sure if this is just a scam or whatnot, I would have thought logically, if he was on a smaller market team, he'd be able to get more play and learn from an actual good coach, so yes, some transparency would be good to see how the process worked and which teams were and weren't interested and what cases they put towards the NBL to be the one chosen...

To me, it's still a bit suss that he'd go to one of the bigger teams that is already fairly loaded with (over 30yr old) talent, and this sort of thing will always be on the nose when it's run by and decide by the NBL... Transparency will definitely fix any bad impression... But we all know how good the NBL is at transparency...

"HTF does anybody imagine this will lead to exposure for the league?
Even assuming the NBL had an international broadcast deal, who in hell from the USA is going to watch, besides the kid's Grandma?"

This move has nothing to do with viewership in the USA and it is hilarious to me that you think it does. Exposure in America helps grow the game, attract imports, and actually helps solidify respect within Australia. No one in the NBL realistically thinks the league is going to become a "thing" for US viewership so you can relax on that.

"We can only hope that there will be comparable players for all the teams, but at best JL has really mishandled the launch by announcing Sydney's first."

Or maybe, just maybe, Sydney was the first to make it official?

"When did the Next Stars program officially start? Why are the Kings the only team to sign one? Shouldn't it be fair for all teams? Not that I think we need it!"

Josh Green is set to become a Bullet most likely, and will be signed by the New Stars program. How has everyone slept on that?

Without LK the NBL would have been dead, and you whingers would have been on a dead thread.

Whatever brings more talent and excitement to the league is a plus.

Well done LK.

When did the Next Stars program officially start? Why are the Kings the only team to sign one? Shouldn't it be fair for all teams?