Auckland Tuatara
Last season: Beaten finalists
The oil: Breakers centre Rob Loe is back and he will team up with star shooting guard Reuben Te Rangi, who returns to the NBL for first time since the 2020 showdown. It is a potent pairing, but the Tuatara will sorely miss American forward Chris Johnson. He dominated the paint and gobbled up rebounds. Guard Kruz Perrott-Hunt is a player to watch. He can be deadly from the outside.
Taranaki Airs
Last season: Beaten semifinalists
The oil: The competition’s leading scorer Anthony Hilliard returns, and will be joined by new imports Armon Fletcher and David Azore. Former Otago Nugget Richie Rodger is a quality distributor and Anzac Rissetto and Quintin Bailey will pack out the paint with some muscle. Veteran forward Marcel Jones returns for another stint. The Airs look strong on paper.
Nelson Giants
Last season: Beaten semifinalists
The oil: The Giants are still scratching around on the import market after some deals fell through. But they have a strong local crew. Forward Sam Dempster had a breakout in 2022 and guards Tysxun Aiolupotea and Tom Ingham return. American Jarrod West is a big loss. He was defensive player of the year last season.
Hawkes Bay Hawks
Last season: Eliminated in the preliminary finals
The oil: Jordan Ngatai, Jordan Hunt and Jarrod Kenny teamed up with the Nuggets to deliver glory for Otago in the 2020 showdown. This year they are all together again, but in the Hawks’ strip. Add in the likes of Derone Raukawa, Ethan Rustbatch and Hyrum Harris and you have a potent mix.
Wellington Saints
Last season: Eliminated in the preliminary finals
The oil: Australian point guard Kyle Adnam will try to stitch together a talented Saints roster which includes Kenneth Tuffin, Tom Vodanovich and Taane Samuel. Centre Tohi Smith-Milner shapes as a key player, with his ability to score from the outside and his strong presents inside. He will have to try to help fill the void left by the departure of star import forward Xavier Cooks, who was the league MVP last season.
Canterbury Rams
Last season: Seventh
The oil: Tai Wynyard has made the move south from Taranaki and will look to bolster the Rams’ defensive rebounding which was lacking last season. American forward Troy Baxter Jr should help out in the area, while fellow countryman Tevin Brown joins the Rams from the NBA G League and will bring some attacking prowess.
Franklin Bulls
Last season: Eighth.
The oil: No Corey Webster this season. But the Bulls have recruited Breakers forward Jamaal Brantley and American point guard Rickey McGill. Add in the likes of Dom Kelman-Poto, Tyrell Harrison and Dan Fotu and you have a recipe for some success. Harrison is a very hard man to get passed in the paint.
Southland Sharks
Last season: Ninth
The oil: Australian import Grant Anticevich looked sharp during the preseason and he joins Romaro Gill and Alonzo Burton in a useful three-punch combo. Brayden Inger is another key player, but Kelman-Poto’s departure to the Bulls will not help the cause.
Manawatu Jets
Last season: Last
The oil: The Jets have signed three new imports in Danny Pippen, Javion Blake and Mustapha Heron. They will carry a heavy load if the Jets are going to take flight.
