The new class: Former college players going pro in NBL24

Saturday, September 9, 2023

There is more top-level collegiate talent taking their first steps in the professional game than ever before in NBL24.

Featured in photo: Sam Mennenga

A new and exciting class of players have come to the NBL from various American colleges ahead of this season, and with the bulk of them hailing from Australia and New Zealand, this could be the most exciting crop of young talent ever seen in the league.

College basketball used to be the main path to a professional career in basketball, and while the basketball recruiting landscape has changed with the introduction of initiatives, including the NBL Next Stars program, NBA G-League Ignite and Overtime Elite, playing collegiately is still a major player in the development of international hoops talent on a global scale.

Cairns forward Sam Waardenburg was the pick of last year’s class, that included the Junior Madut, Grant Anticeivich, Brady Manek, Dan Fotu and Lat Mayen and was named as the NBL’s inaugural Next Generation Award Winner.

How this year’s crop of emerging collegiate talent takes to the rigours of the professional game remains to be seen, but some of international basketball’s top prospects will be calling the NBL home this season.

*All playing statistics taken from ESPN
*Players listed in alphabetical order

Taran Armstrong - Cairns Taipans
Recruited from – California Baptist Lancers (NCAA Div I)
Final season stats – 11.3 PTS, 4.5 REB, 5.0 AST, 44.8 FG%

In an arriving class packed to the brim with high-level collegiate talent, Taran Armstrong could well be the jewel in the crown of the next generation.

The former Lancer was heavily recruited by the bulk of teams across the NBL, but elected to take his talents to Far North Queensland under, noted talent developer Adam Forde.

Armstrong attended California Baptist for two years and elected to return to Australia rather than transfer to a more notable program, however his metrics between year one and year two with the Lancers remained steady.

He experienced minor increases in points (10.5 to 11.3) and reduction in turnovers (3.4 to 3.2) per game, but also played fewer minutes, pulled in fewer board and dished fewer assists.

The jump in his shooting percentage from under 40 per cent to almost 45 per cent will be pleasing for Taipans fans though, who are expecting to see the 21-year-old handed the keys to the car in NBL24.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Get excited, Snakes fans - because Fordey is ?<br><br>Just how good will Taran Armstrong be in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL24?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL24</a>? ? <a href="https://t.co/o4J8kx2WRV">pic.twitter.com/o4J8kx2WRV</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1659068142872846336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Josh Bannan - Brisbane Bullets
Recruited from – Montana Grizzlies (NCAA Div I)
Final season stats – 15.0 PTS, 8.5 REB, 3.6 AST, 49.9 FG%

Prior to linking up with Brisbane Josh Bannan conducted pre-draft workouts with the Indiana Pacers. That’s the level of talent we’re talking about when discussing the 22-year-old. He has genuine NBA-level upside.

Bannan’s responsibilities on-court grew across his three years at Montana. In his sophomore season he almost doubled his scoring output (8.6 to 15.1) and three-point percentage (23.5-35.2 per cent), when compared to his freshman campaign.

His junior year saw him play more minutes and become more of a distributor. He jumped from 1.1 assists per game in his freshman season to 3.6 in his junior year – all while bumping up his three-point percentage and field goal numbers.

In the space of three years, Bannan improved his game from a talented if raw crasher in the paint to a genuine outside and passing threat that should be defended from half-court.

Should Bannan progress his career alongside Next Star Rocco Zikarsky, the Bullets could have one of the most exciting young frontcourt pairings in the NBL for the next few seasons.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Get used to seeing Josh Bannan in yellow and blue, Bullets fans ??<br><br>The 22-year-old sat down with <a href="https://twitter.com/Pacers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Pacers</a> Media after his first NBA pre-draft workout with the club ??<br><br>Read more: <a href="https://t.co/429AIUFlvb">https://t.co/429AIUFlvb</a> <a href="https://t.co/4J0PZfonHN">pic.twitter.com/4J0PZfonHN</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1666280643670704133?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Kyle Bowen - Melbourne United
Recruited from – Saint Mary’s Gaels (NCAA Div I)
Final season stats – 5.3 PTS, 7.1 REB, 1.7 AST, 41.4 FG%

He’s the latest in a production line of Australian talent to emerge from Saint Mary’s, and Kyle Bowen will link up with fellow alumni Matthew Dellavedova and Tanner Krebs in his debut professional season.

Bowen was a part of the travelling side that took on Melbourne in the NBL23 pre-season, and he was so impressive that head coach Dean Vickerman earmarked him as a potential recruit for his team there and then.

Like former Melbourne forward Jack White, Bowen’s contributions to his team tend to go far beyond the box score, and he established himself as the go-to option in a variety of roles for college coach Randy Bennett across his four seasons in California.

With Jo Lual-Acuil Jr injured for the opening parts of the new season, Bowen could well be pressed into service as an undersized backup five, behind Next Star Ariel Hukporti.

He also played four games for Perth as a development player prior to his stint at Saint Mary's.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congratulations to our three seniors Kyle Bowen, Alex Ducas, and Matt Van Komen for graduating this weekend! Thank you for everything you given to our school and our program! <a href="https://t.co/KqMHcwMhfe">pic.twitter.com/KqMHcwMhfe</a></p>— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/saintmaryshoops/status/1660013946575933440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Flynn Cameron - Melbourne United
Recruited from – UC Riverside Highlanders (NCAA Div I)
Final season stats – 13.6 PTS, 5.4 REB, 3.5 AST, 42.7 FG%

New Zealand-born Flynn Cameron is in the strange position of having represented his country on the world stage before even playing a single game as a professional basketballer.

Cameron is heading into his debut season fresh off the back of the Tall Blacks’ recent FIBA World Cup campaign, and he exhausted his college eligibility following two years at De Paul University and three seasons at UC Riverside.

His improvement has been a slow burn through his college career, and after averaging just 9.6 minutes and 1.8 points per game in his freshman season at De Paul, Cameron, ended his career at UC Riverside averaging over 13 points per game in almost 30 minutes per contest.

The Cameron name already carries an exceptional pedigree in basketball across Australia and New Zealand. Flynn’s father Pero won nine NZNBL titles as a player and represented the Breakers and Blaze in the NBL.

Pero has often been noted for his sheer strength and physicality, and while Flynn plays point guard rather than his father’s power forward position – there are elements of that pure strength and power that seep through his game.

Flynn Cameron drives past America's Paolo Banchero at the FIBA World Cup.

Bobi Klintman - Cairns Taipans
Recruited from – Wake Forest Demon Deacons (NCAA Div I)
Final season stats – 5.3 PTS, 4.5 REB, 0.8 AST, 40.7 FG%

While fellow Next Stars Alex Toohey, Trentyn Flowers and AJ Johnson all decommitted from college to come to the NBL, only Bobi Klintman experienced what it’s actually like to play collegiately.

Klintman has already been declared “the prototype” by head coach Adam Forde, and while he struggled early for Wake Forest last season, his late-season form offered a glimpse into the star power he possesses.

RELATED: MORE ON THE NEXT STARS PROGRAM

He became the first Wake Forest freshman to record a double-double (17 points, 11 rebounds) in the AAC tournament since future five-time NBA champion and two-time MVP Tim Duncan in 1994, and he pulled out of the 2023 draft in an attempt to boost his stock and positioning in the 2024 edition.

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Sam Mennenga - Cairns Taipans
Recruited from – Davidson Wildcats (NCAA Div I)
Final season stats – 15.2 PTS, 6.7 REB, 1.3 AST, 50.6 FG%

Centre Sam Mennenga will be hoping to follow the example set by his namesake and countryman Sam Waardenburg, and he’s elected to do so alongside fellow rookie pros Bobi Klintman, Taran Armstrong and Josh Roberts at Cairns.

The signing of Klintman and Armstrong to the side for the new season has seen the quality Mennenga will bring to the team fly under the radar this off-season. The Taipans are getting a strong inside body who also has the capability to step outside and hit the three when required.

He experienced a breakout campaign in his third and final season with Davidson, to average over 15 points per game – however his 46.7 per cent three-point percentage from the 2021-22 season was an exceptional mark that’s worth noting, as he steps into the professional game.

Cairns’ entire class of bigs this season in Mennenga, Roberts, Waardenburg, AK Gak and even Klintman is filled with young players looking to make their way in the professional game, and the early impression the New Zealand international makes on Forde will be crucial to see if he can earn a starting place in Round 1.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Cairns Taipans made Kiwi big-man Sam Mennenga a priority going into NBL Free Agency.<br><br>Today’s episode of The Marketplace is here: <a href="https://t.co/Kju8kQmehN">https://t.co/Kju8kQmehN</a> <a href="https://t.co/C593TjN1ZP">pic.twitter.com/C593TjN1ZP</a></p>— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlgunUluc/status/1643923185749073921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Lachlan Olbrich - Illawarra Hawks
Recruited from – UC Riverside Highlanders (NCAA Div I)
Final season stats – 11.4 PTS, 6.1 REB, 1.4 AST, 47.9 FG%

Former South East Melbourne coach Simon Mitchell had a first-hand look at Lachlan Olbrich before the new Illawarra big headed to college, and he’s only grown since that initial strong first impression.

Olbrich played alongside Melbourne guard Flynn Cameron for the UC Riverside Highlanders, and prior to that was a development player with the Adelaide 36ers where he played three games without registering a statistic.

He was the only freshman in the Big West to rank in the top six for both rebounding an field goal percentage in his solitary collegiate season, and was named the conference’s Freshman of the Year as a result.

His pathway into the NBL is incredibly similar to Illawarra’s first-choice centre Sam Froling – who played just one season with Creighton, prior to going pro with the Hawks.

If Olbrich’s first few seasons as a professional can emulate that of his now 23-year-old teammate, that’s nothing for the emerging star to sneeze at.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lachlan Olbrich is your men’s <a href="https://twitter.com/Nbl1Central?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Nbl1Central</a> Finals MVP ?<br><br>2?2? points, ? rebounds and 8? assists to give West Adelaide the title ? <a href="https://t.co/HFitfFtA2m">pic.twitter.com/HFitfFtA2m</a></p>— NBL1 (@NBL1) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL1/status/1690345655548645376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Keanu Rasmussen - Adelaide 36ers
Recruited from – California Baptist Lancers (NCAA Div I)
Final season stats – 1.7 PTS, 0.3 REB, 0.0 AST, 60.0 FG%

Adelaide’s Keanu Rasmussen is one of just two 2023 college talents who will take to the floor as a development player this season.

He played alongside Taran Armstrong at California Baptist, however Rasmussen found on-court opportunities hard to come by. He didn’t play in his first campaign in the 2021-2022 season.

He’s proved himself to be an effective scorer and floor general while playing for the Sturt Sabres in NBL1 Central and looks likely to earn his chance on a deep Adelaide guard rotation this season.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Some highlights of our new man, Keanu Rasmussen!<br><br>Read about it ? <a href="https://t.co/ks9CMuEY2i">https://t.co/ks9CMuEY2i</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreSixers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreSixers</a> <a href="https://t.co/4SQQUk5F3B">pic.twitter.com/4SQQUk5F3B</a></p>— Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Adelaide36ers/status/1653183531777167360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Joshua Roberts - Cairns Taipans
Recruited from – Manhattan Jaspers (NCAA Div I)
Final season stats – 12.2 PTS, 9.8 REB, 0.4 AST, 70.2 FG%

Inside beast Josh Roberts looks set to add some extra grit to Cairns’ front-court this season.

Roberts utilised all five years of eligibility with Manhattan and swept up a host of records and awards in his final season.

He was named the MAAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, was named to the All-MAAC Third Team, led the conference in all of field goal percentage (70.2 per cent), blocks (1.9) and rebounds (9.8) per game and set the school record for best field goal percentage in a single season.

Out of the entire rookie clash of former college players making their professional bows in NBL24, none are as physically ready for the crash and bash of the open age game as Roberts.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">??????????????? ?? ??? ????-?? ???? ???'? ?????????? ??-????????? ?????? ?? ??? ????<a href="https://twitter.com/JaspersMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JaspersMBB</a> Josh Roberts <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAACHoops?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MAACHoops</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maAChoops23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#maAChoops23</a> <a href="https://t.co/Vb0r4wEchp">pic.twitter.com/Vb0r4wEchp</a></p>— #MAACHoops (@MAACHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/MAACHoops/status/1633494471634722822?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Luca Yates - Illawarra Hawks
Recruited from – Barry University Buccaneers (NCAA Div II)
Final season stats – 0.7 PTS, 0.7 REB, 0.0 AST, 50.0 FG%

Like Rasmussen, the best metric to utilise when looking at the impact development player Luca Yates could have on the NBL is his NBL1 form – in his case, the NBL1 North form he showed with Townsville.

The Hawks have invested in Yates with a three-year contract despite the big never having stepped foot in the NBL, but the attributes he has shown while playing for Townsville make him an interesting prospect.

He averaged over 15 points and almost 10 rebounds per game across 17 appearances for the Heat this past NBL1 season and shot an impressive 57.3 per cent from the field.

The extraction of the 19-year-old’s talent by the Hawks is likely to be a slow burn, so it would be unfair to expect Yates to play a starring role this season as a development player, however he has all the physical tools to become a genuine talent in the NBL as he progresses.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Day 1 ? of Luca Yates in Hawks colours! ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hawknation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#hawknation</a> <a href="https://t.co/yad9IJ4W4I">pic.twitter.com/yad9IJ4W4I</a></p>— Illawarra Hawks Basketball (@illawarrahawks) <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks/status/1684019751222411264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>