The Graduates: Your team's returning college stars

After gaining valuable experience in the college system overseas, these are the emerging youngsters heading back to Australia to ply their trade in the NBL.

Who can follow in the footsteps of the college crop of NBL24? The likes of Olbrich, Armstrong, Mennenga, Cameron, Bowen and Bannan all playing key roles in their team's rotation. 

Check out the list of returning college prospects below:

Sean Bairstow - New Zealand Breakers (Forward/Guard)

College: Utah State/Virginia Commonwealth University - 10.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists (most recent season)

What to expect: 
Bairstow is the younger brother of Aussie big man, Cam Bairstow, and comes to the Breakers after a successful collegiate career. The 23-year-old’s versatility to play numerous positions will be key for New Zealand, using his length and athleticism to score in a variety of ways, including above the rim.

He averaged 10 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists last season, including a 14-point, 12-assist double-double against La Salle.

Bairstow knocked back significant European interest to join New Zealand and is a promising young local piece.

What they said:
“Sean is a long, athletic wing who can play multiple positions and gives us options in the rotation in what will be a very demanding season. He is not afraid to put the ball on the floor and drive to the rim but is also comfortable on the block and from the perimeter.” – Breakers coach Petteri Koponen.

Ben Griscti - Adelaide 36ers (Center)

College: Incarnate Word Cardinals/UC Riverside - 7.6 points, 3.1 rebounds

What to expect: 
Ben Gristci is a local talent that former coach Scott Ninnis had been watching for some time.

Griscti impressed during last year's 36ers Development Player Camp and is a promising young big man who has had a standout NBL1 Central campaign with the Sturt Sabres.

The long-term deal shows the faith the 36ers have in the rookie, sighting his improvement from year-to-year in college as a major reason to lock him away at the club for three years.

The 211-centimetre big man is a unique prospect, with his ability to step out and hit the three, shooting it at 38 per cent from beyond the arc.

What he said:
“To be coming home is a surreal feeling and I can’t wait to get started.”

Keli Leaupepe - Sydney Kings (Forward/Center)

College: Loyola Marymount - 10.2 points, 5.7 rebounds

What to expect:
The eye test doesn’t always tell the story, but for Keli Leaupepe it might. The Kings rookie may be one of the strongest players in the league, before he has even played a game.

What he may lack in height as an undersized big man, he certainly makes up for with his strength and utilises that in unique ways to effect the game.

From hard screens to a determination on the glass, Leaupepe is one of those players who Goorjian knows will always be ready to get his nose dirty and do whatever it takes to win.

Throughout his college career and more recently with the Emerging Boomers, he continues to show a willingness to step out and space the floor, whilst also making his presence felt each and every time he steps on the floor.

What he said:
“I feel I can bring a personality and flair to the club, not to mention a guy who is willing to dive on the ball and do the dirty work with toughness, rebounding and setting hard screens.”

Elijah Pepper - Perth Wildcats (Guard)

College: UC Davis Aggies - 20.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists

What to expect:
Elijah Pepper was one of the most sought-after college graduates in recent times and when you look at his last two seasons of play, it’s easy to see why.

Pepper is a dynamic scorer at all levels and was rewarded by being named the Big West Player of the Year. The 193-centimetre guard moved to America as a child, and proved through his growth year-on-year that his hard work pays off, jumping from 15 points per game as a sophomore to back-to-back 20-point seasons before he graduated.

Pepper is an incredible, exciting talent who is going to be pushing John Rillie to find meaningful and impactful minutes from the opening tip of NBL25.

What he said:
“I pride myself on working as hard as I can and getting into the gym, getting up the reps so that I am ready to work on the court when it comes to game time.”

Tyler Robertson - Sydney Kings (Forward)

College: Eastern Washington Eagles/Portland Pilots - 16.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists

What to expect:
Tyler Robertson returns to Australia after a standout college career for the Portland Pilots.

The 6’6” swingman showcased his consistent ability to fill up a box score regularly throughout his five years abroad and capped it off with a dynamic senior year, where he led the team in scoring at almost 17 points per game. Robertson was rewarded with an All-WCC second-team selection in his junior season and brings something unique to a Kings lineup that bolsters many different weapons. Robertson has also represented Australia at the junior level and is one to watch with his high IQ on the floor and making those around him better.

What he said:
“I feel I bring a high IQ to our group, as well as being a team-first player who is committed to winning at all costs.”

Development players

Josh Kunen - Brisbane Bullets (Forward)

College: San Francisco Dons - 2.0 points, 1.8 rebounds

What they said: “Josh is an athlete we have known for many years and his potential is what excites us most about this signing. He has great daily habits, high IQ and is a versatile player with his ability to play off the bounce and stretch the floor. We look forward to him coming into our group and impacting winning every day, while helping him achieve his own goals.” - Brisbane coach Justin Schueller. 

Brody Nunn - Tasmania JackJumpers (Guard)

College: Seattle Redhawks - 1.7 points

What they said: “Brody has shown since coming back from college his commitment to improving himself both on and off the court. His determination and passion for the game are exactly what we look for in a JackJumper. Brody embodies the gritty, relentless, selfless attitude we pride ourselves on as JackJumpers.” - General Manager Mika Vukona said.

Jason Spurgin - Sydney Kings (Center)

College: Southern Utah Thunderbirds/Bowling Green Falcons - 11.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.8 blocks

What he said: “I'm coming in as someone that's willing to work hard every day, as well as a positive attitude and good vibes - while being a great teammate and doing what I can to help us succeed as a group," Spurgin said.

"I still have a long way to grow as a player, especially in terms of getting my body right to withstand playing at the professional level and developing my game by becoming more of a threat off the bounce, instead of just being a catch-and-shoot threat and down low in the post.”

What they said: “He was a player that we identified early in the process that we'd love to have, thanks to his versatility and ability to shoot the ball. I see a lot of potential in Jason, as he's a player that improved every year at college and can continue to do so, solidifying himself as a player that can play in the league for a long time.” - Coach Brian Goorjian.