Ahead of the upcoming National Basketball League (NBL) season and with the introduction of two new star attractions, we took a look at the top point guards heading into the 2019-20 season.
- Casper Ware – Sydney Kings
2018/19 NBL Stats: 18.8 PPG, 4.4 APG, 3 RPG, 2.5 TO, 40% FG, 35 3P%
If not the best player in the NBL, Casper Ware is in the top two or three. Ware was an NBL champion in 2018 and has been named in the first team for the past three seasons while playing at Melbourne United. He was runner-up in last season’s MVP and this year will be joining the only man who received more votes than him in Andrew Bogut at the Sydney Kings. Offensively, Ware is an explosive scoring machine who does not let his size (5’10”) get in the way of him putting points on the board.
- Bryce Cotton – Perth Wildcats
2018/19 NBL Stats: 21.8 PPG, 3.7 APG, 3.9 RPG, 1.8 TO, 40% FG, 35 3P%
Having joined the Wildcats midway through the 2016/17 season, Cotton has already achieved a long list of accolades in his time at Perth. The 27-year old has twice led the NBL in scoring and been All-NBL first team, won two championships, one of which he was the Grand Final series MVP, and he also was league MVP in 2018. Although he had a down shooting year last year, Cotton is still a deadly three-point shooter while also being able to get to the rim and finish strongly. He also excels at running the team and has been an integral part in the Wildcats recent success.
- Melo Trimble – Melbourne United
2018/19 NBL Stats: 22.5 PPG, 4.6 APG, 3.9 RPG, 3.2 TO, 45% FG, 42 3P%
Trimble burst onto the NBL scene last year after having spent the past three years playing college for Maryland where he averaged 15.9 PPG and 3.9 APG. He worked out for nine NBA teams but went undrafted before having short stints on both Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls Summer League rosters and also the Minnesota Timberwolves pre-season roster. In his first NBL season last year for the Cairns Taipans, Trimble showcased his shooting and playmaking ability and as a result was named in the All-NBL second team.
- Scott Machado – Cairns Taipans
2018/19 G League Stats: 16.4 PPG, 8 APG, 3.4 RPG, 44% FG, 29 3P%
A 29-year old veteran, Machado has spent a large part of his career in Europe, although he did play a total of 11 NBA games for Houston and Golden State in 2012/13 but couldn’t nail down a spot on a roster. He joined the G League’s South Bay Lakers for the 2017/18 season and impressed with his playmaking ability. He signed a 10-day contract with the Lakers late last season and appeared in four games. Having signed this season for the Taipans, Machado will have to shoulder the scoring load but can also provide a wealth of leadership for a young team which hasn’t made the playoffs since the 2016/17 season.
- Nathan Sobey – Brisbane Bullets
2018/19 NBL Stats: 16 PPG, 5.2 APG, 5 RPG, 46% FG, 33 3P%
Coming off his best season with the Adelaide 36ers, Sobey will suit up for the Bullets this upcoming season. Sobey was the league’s most improved player in 2017 and also has two All-NBL second-team selections to his name. He relies on his athleticism to get to the rim and is one of the most explosive guards in the NBL. Sobey also is a good defender and can catch fire from three-point range.
- John Roberson – South East Melbourne Phoenix
2017/18 EuroCup Stats: 15.8 PPG, 4.1 APG, 1.8 RPG, 47% FG, 51% 3P
At 30-years old, Roberson is a smart, experienced point guard who has spent his career plying his trade in Europe. Roberson is an excellent three-point shooter who holds records for most made threes in a game (10) and also most points scored in a game (39) in the FIBA Europe Cup. Roberson’s experience and basketball IQ will be crucial in leading the Phoenix into their first NBL season.
- Damian Martin – Perth Wildcats
2018/19 NBL Stats: 5.3 PPG, 3.9 APG, 3.4 RPG, 37% FG, 32% 3P
One of the most experienced players in the league, Martin has the reputation of being a tenacious defender with a mentality of doing whatever it takes to win. He is a six-time defensive player of the year and has also won five championships and was the Grand Final series MVP in 2016. He has also made five All-NBL teams in what has been a stellar 12-year career. Although Martin is now 34 years of age, any guard coming up against him is still always going to be in for a long night.
- Deshon Taylor – Adelaide 36ers
2018/19 NCAA Stats: 17.9 PPG, 5 APG, 3.7 RPG, 45% FG, 40% 3P
Taylor started his college career at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in the 2014/15 NCAA season. The next year, he transferred to Fresno State where he spent three years and averaged 16.0 PPG. Taylor has drawn comparisons to Patrick Beverly and his tough defense will hold him in good stead in his debut NBL season. He also has the reputation of stepping up in the clutch and being able to score from anywhere.
- LaMelo Ball – Illawarra Hawks
2018/19 HS Stats: 21.8 PPG, 8.9 APG, 8.8 RPG, 55% FG, 33% 3P
The biggest name coming into this season, all eyes will be on what Ball can do in his lone NBL season as part of the Next Stars program. Coming off the back of a Drew League campaign playing against men, Ball is well prepared. His playmaking and basketball IQ are his two biggest strengths, but questions still remain over his defense and his shot selection. It is unclear if Ball will be the Hawks starting point guard with Emmett Naar his competition. A good NBL season and Ball could be a very high lottery pick in the 2020 NBA draft but time will tell how he adjust to playing against seasoned professionals at just 18 years of age.
- RJ Hampton – New Zealand Breakers
2018/19 HS Stats: 32 PPG, 6.4 APG, 9.7 RPG
Like Ball, Hampton will be playing just the one NBL season as part of the Next Stars program. He was a five-star college recruit but decided to forgo college to play professionally for the Breakers. He is expected to start and at 6’5”, Hampton’s biggest strengths are his athleticism, finishing around the rim and his three-point shot. Being just 18 years old, Hampton only has a slight build so he may face some early struggles in such a physical league.
- Shea Ili – Melbourne United
2018/19 NBL Stats: 7.8 PPG, 2.8 APG, 2.4 RPG, 43% FG, 23% 3P
Having played his whole five-year career at the Breakers, Ili has crossed over to Melbourne for this season where he will come off the bench. Ili started every single game last season after having previously started just seven games in four years. He was named the leagues most improved player in 2018 and also has experience playing for New Zealand’s national team. Ili is best known for his work at the defensive end, where he is regarded as one of the better defensive guards in the league.
- Jason Cadee – Brisbane Bullets
2018/19 NBL Stats: 8.3 PPG, 4 APG, 2 RPG, 38% FG, 36% 3P
Cadee is an experienced point guard who has consistently proven his ability to play reliable minutes either starting or coming off the bench. Now in his second season at Brisbane, his fourth NBL team, Cadee will likely be the sixth man and utilize his shooting and playmaking ability against second units.
- Mitchell Norton – Perth Wildcats
2018/19 NBL Stats: 8.3 PPG, 2.5 APG, 2 RPG, 41% FG, 29% 3P
Like Cadee, Norton is capable of providing reliable minutes off the bench. Entering his ninth NBL season, Norton will again come off the bench for the Wildcats. He has previously captained the Townsville Crocodiles and possesses a great level of leadership qualities. Last year was the worst shooting year of his career beyond the arc, but he has shown in the past an ability the knockdown shots from deep.
- Emmett Naar – Illawarra Hawks
2018/19 NBL Stats: 4.2 PPG, 3.1 APG, 1.4 RPG, 41% FG, 39% 3P
Naar is Ball’s competition for the Hawks starting point guard position. He played for three years at college for Saint Mary’s where he broke the assist record previously held by Matthew Dellavedova. Naar last year played productive minutes off the bench but from all reports, has improved over the off-season and is ready to step up to a starting role.
- Jarrad Weeks – New Zealand Breakers
2018/19 NBL Stats: 10.1 PPG, 2.3 APG, 1.7 RPG, 44% FG, 40% 3P
Weeks is in his second year at the Breakers after averaging career highs in points, assists and rebounds last year. Across his seven-year career, which has spanned four teams, Weeks has never been a starter but is a handy contributor off the bench.
