You mean third import.
Really can't see anything wrong with this.
Ranked #81 on big board yet Louzada was drafted early in second round.

If other teams have a grievance then what's to stop them attempting the same thing?

It's annoying when the rules continue to change,
and when they seem to make less sense, seem to increasingly overlap the general definition of an import, and seem to go against the whole rationale for Next Star.

And for those saying "oh other teams can just go and do it" no, that's not how rules are supposed to work.
Teams set out to build their rosters in accordance with the rules as they stand. Maybe even looking at and overlooking players based on those rules. Changing the rules at the last moment is disadvantageous to other teams.
If, after everyone else has finalised their rosters, Perth signs another 3 imports because of changes to the rules. (Because Wani now qualifies as a NS, and Cotton & Plumlee qualify as locals under the "near-enough" clause), id that fair "cos other teams can do it"???

Besides the whole purpose of the program was to showcase our league using high-profile draft prospects. Now you;re talking about a guy who won't be drafted and will attract absolutely zero attention next season.

The honest truth in all this is the NBL will do what it can to bring talent into the NBL.

The rules are the scope to create the opportunity, if someone falls outside of it they'll amend the rules.

The more talent the better.

It forces other teams to get better and makes a more enjoyable product... why the push back?

Giving the Kings a leg up last season by allowing them to sign a Louzada as a NS was bad enough when draft and stash guys were always counted as imports (James Ennis, DeAndre Daniels, Devon Hall etc) but this guy Jessup is a regular import just coming straight from college rather than already being a pro like Deshon Taylor at the Sixers last season.

If the league just allows teams to circumvent the NS situation just to sign a third import (fourth import in future) that doesn't count against the roster it opens up a pandora's box as not all teams will be competing on a level playing field. It was difficult late last season watching the Kings with effectively four imports at times.

They've probably changed the rules and told the teams but haven't done some big press release about it. Fact is, to keep the concept alive they're going to have to keep evolving it. You have to remember that college rules and G League opportunities changed as of this season. Of course the NBL was going to respond.

The plus for Jessup is he hasn't played pro ball yet unlike Ball and Louzada.

With the draft in mid October and the NBA and NBL both projected to start in December that could influence these kind of signings.

I would give an 18/19/20 yo a maximum of 2 years as NS.

Any older players should be strictly 1 year like Jessup.

I would give an 18/19/20 yo a maximum of 2 years as NS.

Any older players should be strictly 1 year like Jessup.

Now that the cheap little Hawks are bending the rules, all the rich teams have a whinge.

It was just ridiculous seeing the Kings run with 4 imports last season and all the while with Smith denying they have used their third import spot.

I am OK with these NS changes providing they are done early and all teams can take advantage of them.

"It's got nothing to do with which team is bending the rules. It's the fact that the league is still making it up as they go along."

Yep, agree. Even when it benefits the Kings ala Didi, it's one of a couple of things that makes the NBL continue to look amateurish despite all the other improvements.

True

Just clean up the rules and it'll be fine.

Just clean up the rules and it'll be fine.

I guess the Wildcats can get two more imports (Machado, Oliver) after all.

Imagine the response on here if Perth got a player of Jessup's calibre as a next star.

Lot of complaining here haha.

Next Stars initiative was fantastic for the league. High viewers, large crowds, more exposure for the league. What more could you ask for.

Sydney having 4 imports was not the end of the world, yes I agree it takes away roster spots for our talented Aussie and Kiwi players, but isn't our league called the "National Basketball League." If the league wants to get stronger and expand, I’m all in the NBL having stronger rosters for the International stage.

But clearly the NBL need to work on the Next Stars rule. I am not clear if NBL teams could have 5 imports on a team last season. 3 imports, 1 Next Star which Sydney had. For example was Sydney allowed to sign Speical restricted player from Asia because they take a local spot?

Anyway having extra import spot is great because it makes each teams rosters stronger. I would like to see NBL try and expand a team in Asia again. There’s much more exposure of basketball in Asia now compared too when the Singapore Slingers were playing in the league. Internet has improved a lot since then which helps having a team. The biggest issue is travel and when will covid end??

International league I mean, my bad...

I want NBL to compete with NBA even though our league is so behind. Probably would rate Spanish league over the NBL. I want to see every NBL rosters to be stacked and even. I know most teams now are stacked. I think NBL should increase to 2 more import spots but only if NBL can get to 12 to 14 teams like how the 90's were. They need to simulate how Spanish league is run, only issue is money and that is the reason why NBL is probably 3rd best league.

NBL should also consider a rule were one to two Aussies or Kiwis have to be on court at all times so then we don’t get Sydney Kings issue like last season.

If NBL has Asian teams join for expansion then their rosters should contain best players from the Asian region. CBA all star team always competed well against our semi professional NBL All Star team.

Yeah, still struggling with this, especially given Perth signing Mooney.

Mooney's year older, but they both just finished 4 years at College, and neither is that highly rate.

Jessup named 2nd team in the Mountain-West conference,
Mooney 1st team in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
(I don't follow college ball so got no idea of the relative strengths)

So please explain, what is the definition of a "Next Star" that includes Jessup but excludes Mooney?