Great to see a team go with a next star big.

Wow. Great signing. This guy already a starter in the Lithuanian league last season

Great signing but apparently now even playing pro doesn't exclude you from being a next star.

His nickname is The Little Mermaid.

I think just being draft eligible counts you as next star. Hukporti is born in 2002.

The rules seem to vary.
I have seen him on some draft boards in the second round.

Why are these Euro prospects opting for the NBL?

Great signing but apparently now even playing pro doesn't exclude you from being a next star.

Of German-Togolese descent.

"The rules seem to vary." = NBL in a nutshell. Not really complaining because I'm happy to see talent in the league, but it would be good to see a definition of 'Next Star' put on paper and a little more transparency around how they end up on the teams that they do.

JLA/Hukporti(NS)
White(Inj)/Barlow/Peatling
Import/Newley
CG/Prewster
Delly/Ili

DP: Triplett. Short?

Will United sign an injury replacement for White I wonder

With White injured and Hukporti a next star that still leaves 3 spots on roster.
A starting small forward
A Starting power forward
A fifth guard?

Looking good.

I don't mind a bit of flexibility on next stars signings.
The G-League adapted to counter us and draw some of that young talent so why shouldn’t we adapt too?
I think sometimes we need to get down off our high horses and remember the NBL is a business. Putting young exciting talent on the floor (regardless of where it comes from - US high schools, local junior stars, graduating college seniors or young European talent) shouldn’t matter. It is a central part of the leagues success moving forward.

So you get 12 not 11 with a next star?

I knew NBL pays (some?) Salary but had forgotten that

re; "... but it would be good to see a definition of 'Next Star' put on paper", then we would not be able to chop and change to suit or even, to overcome obstacles that are placed in our way.

You are master of what is not said (written), a slave to what you have.

Didnt liam say hopson was pretty much back at United?

" I don't mind a bit of flexibility on next stars signings.
The G-League adapted to counter us and draw some of that young talent so why shouldn't we adapt too?
I think sometimes we need to get down off our high horses and remember the NBL is a business. Putting young exciting talent on the floor (regardless of where it comes from - US high schools, local junior stars, graduating college seniors or young European talent) shouldn’t matter. It is a central part of the leagues success moving forward."

Completely agree - the league is becoming very savvy and it’s delivering incredible talent, investment, attention and overall competition.

FWIW we see rich and super professional leagues like the AFL adapt and make business decisions frequently - they make rule changes mid season, they favour clubs with tv slots, they make venue decisions based on what’s best for AFL. They’re incredibly business oriented and they’re not even in a position to have to be so agile or savvy (save for Covid) unlike the NBL where they had to adapt to survive and thrive.