Jessie Edwards confirmed to Cougars

That straight up is enough to put them back in the 8

Tom Atkinson to Giants, joining Malek and Garang and what is a pretty handy big man line-up.

This is now the only one. The others have a link to this one.

How many teams go to nationals. Top two?

let's be real here the tournament most likely will only be friday saturday sunday max, have to remember majority of players have work outside of playing and may not want to take a week off to play in a tournament

I can see similar formatting to above where

Friday - pool play
Saturday - semis
Sunday - finals

or even squeezed kind of like the coastal classic
Saturday - pool play
Sunday - semis and finals

as semis and finals most likely is just 2 games in one day for the winning team in semis

Teams are still only allowed 2 two restricted players - goodluck getting sports visas

NBL players to be restricted and depending on when seasons starts they may use 19/20 minutes but WNBL possibly using current minutes due to the hub format.

Which club will secure Sami Whitcomb - that team will be TOP 2

Back in perth awaiting birth of her baby with Kate Malpass. She is back at Lynx training this week in preparation to head to the WNBL hub with the team

Who knows but its a great opportunity to have a WNBA championship player in WA in OUR NBL1 West competition. hopefully she will stay and help inspire the junior girls

Bassett-Scarfe to Mandurah so not much talent left for the girls either

Bassett-Scarfe to Cockburn **

Thwaites quickly getting a reputation for poaching strong players off of other clubs that have spent years developing them and then calling them his own. Steady on that chequebook there TT, you may need it to save your job if you keep failing on court over the next 12 to 24 months. And am I the only one expecting a screwjob worse than what Vince McMahon did to Bret Hart, if Coach Cooper can't get the desired results with Andy 'just quietly sitting in the background' watching it all unfold? Don't act shocked when it plays out

All aboard the Thwaites hate train again. And to think NBL1 might have forced everyone to play nice online again? Clearly wrong.

What's wrong with step families

Its not hating on a guy if it's the truth. He's his own worst enemy and is literally on interested in people so long as he can use and abuse them to get what he wants. Again, not hating - it's the truth. The only thing the guy loves more than his own voice is his reflection in the mirror

Hunt has been linked with the rest of the former Magic men to a move to the Giants. Huge loss for Trahair if true and also strong rumours that several clubs are circling for the services of very promising young point guard Riley Parker from the Magic too. Maybe it's time to seriously look at a Magic / Slammers merge in the not too distant future

Anon 102 - you actually have no idea..

Anon 103, OK Tyrone

Never change WA, never change

Interesting, what incentive is it for local clubs to develop 'local' junior players when clubs continually poach young ones - Thwaites at Cockburn, Nix at Wolves, Mansfield at Suns, Allen at Redbacks??

Maybe BWA should look to introduce a similar concept used in Melbourne whereby each age group team are only allowed to have 2 'imports' in an age group, this would remove 'stacking' of teams and increase competitiveness at a junior level which in turn will increase the skill development that will hopefully ensure a more competitive NBL1 competition.

I think that the inequality of players dispersed in all teams may see a noncompetitive NBL1 competition until some experienced 'imports' arrive and at a WABL level a weaker competition delivering juniors not ready for the big leagues.

I can personally comment here that a number of junior players WANT to stay, however are pushed out at dleague/sbl level due to coaches wanting to bring in 'bought' players as they are unable to or dont want to provide the development that they need, despite all the years invested in them as juniors and their loyalty to the club.

Many juniors then move clubs with the promise of 'development' which coaches are unable to do so they then seek the assistance of external coaching programs which simply do not align with the clubs playing style, therefore they are 'moved' along to the next promise land of development and minutes to be played

Coaches honesty is getting lost and the integrity of some coaches is letting our game down all to win a premiership.. this is why player loyalty no longer exists

Hilarious 113

Because they don't market well, they do it better?

A lot of tall poppy syndrome around

Yeah right. Have a look at Joondalups juniors performance this season.

112 is partially right, surely the majority of juniors would prefer to stay at their original club, but the pathway bottlenecks so much after u18s. Every year another crop of juniors all age out and the next step is D league/SBL, where there is usually limited opportunities. It means strong junior clubs will always get raided. Watch the current crop of u16 girls at willo, they had 2 teams in champ division this year and finished 1,2 which means they must have the majority of talent in that age group. In a couple of years time, how the hell could willo possibly keep them all and give them opportunities in D league/SBL?

Agreed, they need to follow the boys WABL program and put in a Under 20 competition. There are alot of great players who can play 20's but not D/league/SBL ready and this would keep alot of girls in the program, especially as it aligns with the Under 20 state program

All that does is shift the same problem by two years.

Why not expand D league and let clubs enter as many teams as they want? BWA's job is to grow the sport. If you end up with too many teams for one comp, then grade it D1 & D2

Why not expand D league and let clubs enter as many teams as they want? BWA's job is to grow the sport. If you end up with too many teams for one comp, then grade it D1 & D2

I think what started this discussion was kids not necessarily wanting to move, but having no option because the pathway was clogged. Mandating parity is a bit counterproductive, it gives clubs no incentive to grow their own, because if they get a big strong crop like those willo girls then their reward is watching them being forced to head elsewhere. WOuldn't it be better a better reward for willo to have a few D league teams and if they were graded then they might have all 3 in D1 if they are good enough. Kalamunda struggled to field a team for the D league GF, but other clubs probably could've fielded a couple of teams for the season. NBL1 can be open slather as there is potentially money involved, but being forced to move clubs that aren't near where you live when you're paying to play is a good way to lose participants

Kalamunda struggled to field a team for the D league GF

Great concept but takes a lot of resources. These other Instagram hero leagues like Underground & AUBL have gone down that path. An u23 league is a good idea, although getting numbers at all clubs may be hard. I guess then we go back to the multiple teams from same club idea. All I know is that right now we have a system with lots of opportunities for juniors but the minute they turn 18 those opportunities evaporate and too many end up leaving the sport. Or maybe we are happy just hearing about yet another footy player who has a basketball background

[quote]But if a team wins the SBL/NBL west championship and cant afford to travel interstate to play in the national championships or what ever you call it, who foots the bill??[/quote]

National Champs travel will be paid by BWA.

An u23 league is a good idea, although getting numbers at all clubs may be hard.

So abolish NBL1 in favour of just giving each NBL team a meaningless trophy every August?

You are missing the point of #cougarfamily. They are not talking to you and I am sure have no interest in what you think about it. It's appropriate for their audience.

What is their audience? - Families

Who knows, but with NBL1 hopefully more clubs will provide a better game night entertainment experience. Wolves, Redbacks, Rockingham did a good job this year so if clubs are marking to their 'local' family market, then provide a product they can go watch

Watching Anons taking marketing slogans at their literal word is hilarious.

That's. Not. How. It. Works.

Do you really think the intent of #cougarfamily was to have an all-australian 20-contract strong Cougar team every year. Kudos to those anons that are that silly/unrealistic.

Start being good for the sport instead of chopping down clubs every chance you get. Cougars are getting better every year, as other clubs have over the years, and it's just standard now that you get slammed online when you do.

Go embrace mediocrity elsewhere, seems to be all Anons care about. It certainly isn't clubs improving to make the sport better that you care about.

TBH anons are probably parents who didn't get their way, or coaches who didn't hit the mark. They always shout the loudest.

The whole Australian basketball system/infrastructure from the grass roots level to the NBL is a joke and needs a wrecking ball put through it.
Ground up rebuild is the only way.
Now groan dinosaurs!!

Interesting view on the wrecking ball.

Would like to hear your thoughts why it is a joke and your suggestions on improvements.

The alignment of state leagues and NBL is great. It may take a while but the NBL1 will be fantastic for Aust bball and is a major step in the right direction in my opinion.

There are bound to be issues along the way and different levels of 'performance' in the off court activities but we must keep in mind that each club has a different approach and infrastructure setup. Some will nail it, others will struggle but hopefully in the next 3-5 years we have a really solid 2nd tier competition that will improve NBL and also pathways and link back to grassroots.

I believe the biggest issue was the 2nd tier aspect should've been resolved with all states properly and to proceed as one rather than this stagnant approach, there really needs to be higher ups in Basketball Australia having a real look at how the BNSW is running things and to really get them to push to move into the NBL1 bracket.

It really reflects poorly on how its run when all other states were able to hash things out but one and the one is trying to milk upwards of 300% increase in league rego fees for clubs

Just want to say hello, I'm a new here.

AUSTRALIAN MENS BASKETBALL TEAM

RANKED 3 2020

JOINED FIBA- 1947

OLYMPIC GAMES
APPEARANCES- 14
MEDALS- 0

FIBA WORLD CUP
APPEARANCES- 12
MEDALS- 0

Keep defending a system/infrastructure that clearly doesn't work if you are happy with our results on the world stage.

If you can't see for yourself the Structural problems the ground up rebuild that is required and the possible solutions then I am not about to write the essay that it would take to explain it to you here on this forum.

To continue on in the exact same fashion and expect a different result/outcome is complete insanity.

Defend it if you must.

exactly, 2BALLZ you have claimed it is broken twice now and offered no solutions or options.

Easy to throw stones...

It's fun to watch Aussie bball Neanderthals beat there chest over nothing more than a name change and the addition of a national semi pro tournament.

If you can't see for yourself the changes that need to be implemented from the ground up by looking at the way things are done in the US and more recently in Europe then I'm afraid you are part of the problem.

There are many amongst the Australian basketball community that agree that as a nation where basketball is the fastest growing sport we have clearly built the system from the ground up incorrectly.

It is only prehistoric dinosaurs such as yourself that continue to pretend all is well, and defend BA to the death Inspite of the obvious lack of performance internationally.

Denial is not a river in Egypt.

I guess that's why all professional or semi professional leagues in Australia continue to contract players out of the US to play in Australia.

Let's face it, if it wasn't for the quality of the US players coming out of the US system hardly anyone would watch professional Australian basketball and it would be financially unviable.

Once again I've awoken a dinosaur hell bent on defending the honour of BA and a losing track record.

Keep purchasing top dollar US Kids
To keep your jobs.

Exactly,and how many of those 10 Australians are truly home grown products?

Most of them have to pursue their path through the US college system.

But nevertheless the dinosaurs will point to them as a prime example of the great job BA us doing.

Claiming them as our own when they are clearly US products.

Went through centre of excellence then went to the US as the level of competition in Australia is shit.

New youth league packed with under performing, under trained local talent with minimum opportunity for elite level experience, sounds like more of the same old strategy to me.

Same pig but with lipstick on it.

Ah yes, the bball trainers and academy's for those 5ft untalented kiddies with no potential who's parents can afford to buy them moderate success resulting in numerous plastic wabl trophies,
And a season or two in d league if they're lucky.

I don't blame those trainers they are merely filling the hole in a market that has been created by BA's hopeless system/structure.

Don't hate the players hate the game.

Forgot to list the best individual development coach in WA Warren Kuhn- he's the only actual coach who knows what it takes, the guy doesn't get enough respect and accolades.

%100 agree with tyrell.
Warren Kuhn is the best individual development coach in WA.

Would say Cougars have more to add than that. That's just imports and this year’s group,

@2BALLZ, half the coaches here still living in the 90s, Coach Kuhn pioneering and leading the way!

Giants with a few key signings

Gold Capital of Australia + Record Gold Prices = Plenty of Jobs = $$$$$

and get drunk.

Hello, nice to finally join this fine community :)

There is no better place to play in the SBL then Kalgoorlie when the team is winning and the community is behind them! Hopefully with these recent signings this will see the Giants get back on track and become a top 4 team!

Aaaaand Josh Hunt to Cougars.

Cue the haters.



Mandurah can't keep anyone it seems?

So the only player Trahair has left of any note is youngster Parker. You can't see him staying long and you almost wonder if a Slammers or even Flames make a major play for him in the near future

With the Magic hoping to have Ben Smith and Jerami Grace back next year (along with two imports), maybe Atkinson and Hunt saw the writing on the wall.

That said, they will find it very difficult to get any imports, so that idea has backfired. Smith, Atkinson, Hunt, Parker and Grace would have been a handy all-Aussie line-up.

You heard it here first, expect Riley Parker to sign with the Cairns Marlins for NBL1 North in 2021. Very close with Taipans assistant Lennon Smart and it is believed he is currently finalising a deal whilst over in Cairns visiting Smart. Fire sale at Mandurah is complete, and the old battle of Magic vs Slammers for the Wooden Spoon is well and truly alive in 2021

You heard it here second... Riley Parker has signed with Mandurah.

are they going to stream all NBL1 games? that's just a rumour I heard, anyone got any credible info?

Lennon loves a good position. Marshall Nelson needs a gig somewhere surely.

"Why does marshall nelson need a gig?" - You are kidding right?

I have a question - who is Coach Glossop? Did he play in Perth? I never remember seeing him play or anything?

Pozoglou to Cougars.

Big move.

Haters gonna hate, but Thwaites and Cooper making moves that make sense.

Big movers in 2021.

Kiwi centre Dion Collins to the Giants.

worse kept secret Ellyce Ironmonger to Suns.. whos next from Lakeside, Courtney Mansfield, Mia Jacobs...

Tom Jervis signs with Rockingham! What's their starting five look like down there?

Hussey, Godfrey, J Beard, Hire, Jervis

Wonder when the last time Jervis touched a ball was?

They'll have a sweet deal, and probably train once a month.

HOW GOOD.

Cougar women sign Molly Mathews. She's moving over with boyfriend Nic Pozoglou to the club.

Makes sense and makes the girls pretty handy in 2021.

Cockburn Cougars Women 2021 motto "Congrats on your NBL1 contract and welcome to the Cougar Family, unless you actually are a prior member of the Cougar Fam through our WABL program then no sorry we don't have any spots for you'

Straight from the online roster tracker

https://nbl1.com.au/news/nbl1-2021-womens-roster-tracker/

Pretty sure the same mob that were there last year (or years prior to that) are still there.

Cowan, De Sousa, Morgan, Dunhill, Muir, Roberts, Graham, Morgan (Tia), Benn.



Does anyone have any Cougars who have missed out because of these signings? Don't think there is any. Please don't say the Taylor sisters.

They've been mediocre for too long (AKA forever), pretty sure it's time to build some depth in that program.

Someone had to do it, and whoever did, was always going to get criticised because there are enough out there who enjoy Cougars being terrible.


But anyway, keep throwing shade because that's what we do on here..

If 823029 isn't TT himself. Make it less obvious mate and we look forward with the new signings to you finally proving you know how to coach rather than ride one medal winning performance with 3 future Australian reps for the next ten years with little to no return. Is there actual skill there or has the mouth / ego just got you everything with very little talent, 2021 will show us all now won't it.

Rintala and M Jacobs to both join Knowles at the Flames in 2021

Again, no shame in going for good players.
It's just probably not a great branding exercise to have every second word out of the place 'family’ etc.
Live and learn. New, young passionate people in charge, going to trip up some a long the way.

823068 - your argument doesn't make sense?

TT is terrible because he only won when he had good athletes.

But now you said 2021 is the chance to actually prove if he has talent because he has good athletes.

Which one is it?

Pretty sure Flames were using the term 'Family' long before Cougars, but like other coaches offenses - it's not like TT to come up with his own slogan / plays / fashion sense.

HA! You mean the FlamesFamily slogan that's run for 18 months?

Cougars been running it for 5 years.

Try 2014 when it was widely used by the women's team in their inaugural Championship run. TT was a men's player for the Flames then so makes sense it's something he "borrowed" too. Maybe the Rocko heirarchy should pay Mad Dog McClennan a contract to KO old mate TT again - who can't come up with his own ideas and slogans, just like he did back in 2014 in front of the Flames bench

wow^^

Mia Jacobs is following Ironmonger and Courtney to Suns..