Hoops

Bevo wants U24 rule dumped

I thoroughly agree with Beveridge. NBL level is not the level you should be developing a youngster. I don't know if the Academy team still exists in Adelaide as I haven't heard much about it lately, but that was a good place to develop the youngsters to the next level. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money for them to travel interstate to compete. How about 3 or 4 games a year against the same state's NBL team? That way it gives them an idea of what they have to strive for. Also how about just having 3 or 4 or your state's best development players just being part of the NBL team's training squad without actually holding a spot on the team? How about they do this whilst also studying in Uni to become Physical Education teachers so at the same time they also have a long term career option?

I doubt players would appreciate a further tax on their salaries. This would also make it harder to get imports.

I think a second-tier competition should be marketable and viable. But the finances would need to be worked out.

I would structure a second-tier league like this:

1. Under 26 league only.
2. 6 teams: SA, WA, VIC, NSW, QLD and AIS.
3. ABL-sized salary cap.
4. 15 week season at same time as NBL, each team playing once a week (each team plays each other three times).
5. Play all games on weekends to allow players to hold down week day jobs.
6. Preferably play all games as curtain-raisers to NBL games.
7. Put in place rules to encourage transfers/call ups to the NBL in season for injury waivers etc.

I would go watch those games with interest. The only question is how to pay for it all?

With the NBL still looking at the D-League options, this rule may eventually be scrapped if it gets up in any case..time will tell.