Australian NBL

[rikhardur]

Gibson returns to Gold Coast

Following much speculation, Australian Boomers point guard Adam Gibson has re-signed with the Gold Coast Blaze for the next two seasons.

The Blaze are incredibly happy to have secured Gibson, whose value in the NBL has been made evident in past weeks, as multiple clubs have vied for his attention.

Blaze CEO Paul Pamenter believes Gibson is key to future success for the club.

“We made no secret that Adam was our primary focus,” said Pamenter.

“It’s no coincidence he has won two Championship rings already, despite only being 24 years of age. Knowing that we have one of the best point guards in the country, we can now concentrate on acquiring the right import mix to help complement the rest of the squad.”

Six years into his NBL career and three years into his time with the Blaze, Gibson is eagerly anticipating Season 2011-12 with a very similar looking outfit to last season.

“I’m very happy to be back with the Blaze this year,” said Gibson.

“We’ve got a really good bunch of guys here at the moment and I wanted to come back and be a part of that again.”

“I think we definitely have a shot at the championship with the line-up we’ve got.”

Gibson is also looking forward to playing under Blaze Head Coach Joey Wright, the man who recruited him into the NBL six years ago.

“We know each other pretty well by now. It’s rare to be able to play for the same coach for so long so I’m definitely happy to be back again.”

Gibson has been a standout for the club over the past two seasons, taking out the Blaze MVP Award in Season 2009-10, and Blaze Best Defensive Player in Season 2010-11.

He will be the eighth returning player for the club.

http://www.nbl.com.au/news/article/2011/may/gibson-returns-to-gold-coast/

[CKR13]

Newcastle Expansion?

Former Australian Boomers and Hunter Pirates Dr. Adrian Hurley is pushing for a Newcastle expansion team for the NBL and the Women's NBL by next year, which is the 2012-2013 NBL / W-NBL Seasons.

http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/basketball/tinklers-nbl-push-goes-for-the-doctor/2157692.aspx

[rikhardur]

The Townsville Crocodiles promoted assistant Paul Woolpert to the head coaching position.

[Lowman]

The Free Agent List was posted on Friday afternoon. Lots of big names on the list. It will be interesting to see how many of these players actually move teams.

http://www.nbl.com.au/news/article/2011/may/nbl-free-agency-period-officially-begins/

[CKR13]

Melbourne Tigers signings

The Melbourne Tigers signed returning forward Liam Rush, who spent two seasons in Sweden and the Tigers signed guard Daniel Dillon.

While the Tigers released center Wade Helliwell and Helliwell will be a free agent.

[CKR13]

Newcastle hunting free agents

It seems Newcastle is seeking commitment from NBL Free Agents to form a competitive roster come 2012-2013 where the Newcastle is hoping to make its re-entry into the league.

Newcastle has contacted point guard Damian Martin of the Perth Wildcats as Martin welcomes the idea of playing for Newcastle, but said also that his focus is within the Perth Wildcats, his current team.

http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/basketball/newcastles-nbl-bid-takes-big-hit/2164828.aspx

[CKR13]

CJ Bruton / Melbourne Tigers

CJ Bruton is set to play one more year with the New Zealand Breakers and retire after the 2011-2012 Season.


Meanwhile, the Melbourne Tigers have signed the following players:

Ayinde Ubaka
Ronald Dorsey
Lucas Walker

Melbourne Tigers 2011-2012 roster so far:

Matthew Burston
Daryl Corletto
Daniel Dillon
Ronald Dorsey
Tommy Greer
Bennie Lewis
Liam Rush
Cameron Tragardh
Ayinde Ubaka
Lucas Walker

[CKR13]

Sydney Kings signs Aaron Bruce

The Sydney Kings have signed point guard Aaron Bruce. Bruce is expected to share generalship alongside the two Lukes: Luke Martin and Luke Cooper for the Kings.

[CKR13]

Shaq in down under?

Townsville Crocs "Interested" in Shaquille O'Neal.

http://tvnz.co.nz/basketball-news/breakers-may-face-shaq-attack-4205043

[CKR13]

NBL's Second Female CEO

The Adelaide 36ers have appointed Leeanne Grantham as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Team. Grantham is the second woman to be appointed CEO in NBL history after Juanita O'Brien, of the Cairns Taipans some years back held the position.

[CKR13]

Kings sign Bose

The Sydney Kings have signed the following players:

F Anatoly Bose (Nicholls State University)
F Alex Gynes (Nova Southeastern University)

[sinobball]

Rumors have it there will be another team in Melbourne.

NBL is a great league in terms of level, but my impression is it's quite poor in terms of public interest.

[CKR13]

Sydney Kings inks import

The Sydney Kings have signed forward Kevin Ratzsch as their first import signing this off-season. Ratzsch played in Spain's LEB team, Oviedo Spain.

[CKR13]

Melbourne Camouflage

Rumors have it there will be another team in Melbourne.

NBL is a great league in terms of level, but my impression is it's quite poor in terms of public interest.

The Melbourne Camouflage are optimistic that they will be making their maiden season in 2012-2013.

[dxjayrock2008]

Crocs snap up Eddie Gill - Jul 15, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

Following hot on the heels of yesterdays signing, the Townsville Crocodiles have announced Eddie Gill (183-G-78, agency: Priority Sports, college: Weber St.) as their final import player and the eighth player signed to the roster for 2011/12.

The 32 year-old, 6-foot point guard has significant NBA experience, with more than a full season with the Indiana Pacers from 2006 -2008 and highlights that the Crocs are serious about getting to the finals this season.

His accolades are impressive with numerous stints in the NBA (New Jersey Nets, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks & Seattle Supersonics) plus multiple workouts and camps with NBA teams (Memphis Grizzlies & Orlando Magic)

He was also drafted by the CBA team Sioux Fall Skyforce a year before Coach Paul Woolpert took the reins in 2001 and has been on his radar since.

Woolpert could not be more excited about the talented recruit that the Crocs have secured.

Hes the type of player that you take notice of, he said,

Since his NCAA days through to when I coached against him in 2008 in the D-League when I was at Tulsa, he definitely is a guy I knew would be a good fit for us and looking for a team, with the NBA in lock out.

The dynamic point guards ability in the DLeague certainly didnt go unnoticed making the All-D-League 1st Team in 2008 and winning Impact Player of the Year in 2009.

Woolpert says hes going to be the scorer and the decision maker that the Crocs need if they are going to go deep into the play offs this season.

Gill is going to make the right decisions on court, hes not only an aggressive and fast player, but hes got great percentages when he shoots the ball, he said.

Crocodiles CEO Ian Smythe says the signature of Gill is a big win for the Crocs before the team even takes the court and that the NBL will really benefit from a player of Gills strength in the league.

To be able to attract a player of Eddie Gills quality to the Crocs and the NBL will lift the overall standard of the league, Smythe said,

Hes a real find, hes had big offers from Europe, but we have really sold him on how solid the league is here and how great the lifestyle is that he and his family will enjoy in Townsville, Smythe said.

The Crocs can now breathe a bit easier with two big signings in two days, and will now focus their energies on securing Australian talent for the final two spots in the team.

With the ABA heading into finals in the coming weeks, consistent and talented players are not in short demand with the heat on for NBL teams to fill their final spots.

Courtesy of NBL (www.nbl.com.au)