Hoops

State League players who could have played NBL

“How about the ones who shouldn't have?”

No. Just no.

You can never predict with 100% accuracy whose game can’t translate to NBL (or any other higher level).

If a player has worked their ass off through juniors and state/SEABL leagues and gets a shot at NBL, why would they not try to make the step up in league? Is there really any harm in an NBL team giving someone a go as a DP or 10-11 roster spot?

I’ve known a few people in this boat. I actually think that the NBLteams have some duty of care to these fringe level/outside chance guys. The duty of care is to make sure they have a fallback career. This is where the University/ further training/ part time traineeship pathways need to be. If player X kicks around for a few years without being able to forge a career in hoops, they also need to have worked on their fallback option/s. All NBL clubs should have some sort of relationship with Uni and VET providers. Players who don’t make it at NBL level should leave the league with at least a plan B, and ideally with their foot in the door of a career after their playing days are over. Even Boomers/ Opals level players need to be set up to give themselves a career post NBL/ WNBL.

Simply they didn't play nbl because they weren't good enough, most would have trained with local club and they would have seen what they were like. Big difference in state leagues to nbl. That's why 12th men dominate in off season.

Brogan (36ers 1998, Falcons 1999), Wheeler (36ers 1990), Fikes (Cannons, 1999), Bauer (36ers, 1998-1999) and Simons (Saints 1986, 36ers 1988, Giants 1991-1992) all played NBL.

There are a few Wollacott medallists who haven't played NBL:

Ron Nunnelly (3 Woollacotts)
Jeff Bickmore
Greg Olbrich
Chad Spady
Jason Dix (2)
Riley Luettgerodt
Alex Starling
Matthew Lycett

These are just names from a list of winners. I've no idea whether they could have made NBL. I don't follow SBL. I recall people saying Dix could have made it but he chose not to make basketball his career. There was at least one Advertiser article about him and that decision.

Jason Wheeler did play a few games for the 36ers.

Debuted before his brother Brett. 2 years older. More junior experience, but not as tall. Hence only a few games.

Joshua Chapman in waratah is a fine player with ALL the skills. Should get an NBL opportunity! Better than some of the BUMS in the league that's for sure

Roy Booker brings it on offence but fails on defence

Matt Lycett? NBL......Noooooooo
Way off the mark.

In more recent times I think Matt Lycett could have been snNBL player if he wanted to be.

Jason Dix the obvious one of the early 2000’s

I think Ah Matt & Ben Osborne the most glaring from the 90s.

Anyone got any others by era?

Is it still Heritage month? Some of the names dropped in this thread date back to the 90's.

Ok lads, put the cards down, finish your drinks and go home to your loved ones. You can start a thread next week "the best State Bank League/ABL/CBA/CBL/Premier league players who should be NBL coaches"

Ron Nunnelly and Jason Dix, thats about all you need to know.

Oh & Shane Ahmat certainly
Who else ?
Adrian Dartnell who I think is brother in-law of Darren Ng

Andrew Gooch
Who was the import who played for Murray Bridge Bullets, he was awesome

Jason Dix


The end

Lester Fonvile thanks heaps

Watched him play once

Looked dominant but also off with the faries

Only one game snap shot though

I know he went to Newcaste to try and get some more court time

Apparently he was starting ahead of their import and the team was winning.


Then management gave the word to Tom Wiseman to play the import

Long story short team started struggling

Second hand info from me though :)

Again in the right team could he have done more

Btw glad he didn't 2004 flag

Hey Wayno, Wasn't Dean Brogan part of the 36ers squad that cleaned up the title in 98? In the NBL?

I understand this award is always a difficult one and is going to be subjective and will never have everyone agreeing.

And obviously Tracey is a deserving winner by the fact that the coaches voted for her and she did a great job and this post is not to take away from her achievement at all, but maybe there is a better way to determine the award.

The fact that Andrew Simmons has never won this award is in my opinion an example of why maybe a review is in order.

If you were to look at his teams for each of the seasons he has coached and the results for each of these seasons you would have to think WOW, how is it possible this guy has never won this award.