Basketball Australia has named a youthful, NBL-heavy Australia Select team to compete in the 2024 Nissay Cup in Japan on June 22 and 23. The announcement comes on the heels of the National Basketball League (NBL) securing significant broadcast agreements to expand its reach.
The Australia Select team, set to be led by Breakers guard Mitch McCarron, Hawks center Sam Froling, and Bullets guard Mitch Norton, includes a mix of seasoned players and promising young talents. Next Stars Alex Toohey, Rocco Zikarsky, and NBL24 players Ben Henshall and Kyle Bowen are among the roster’s highlights. Incoming NBL rookies Tyler Robertson, Elijah Pepper, and Keli Leaupepe will also join the squad, alongside college talents Alex Condon and Reyne Smith. Melbourne United’s Dean Vickerman has been named head coach.
Following the Nissay Cup, a select group from the team will join Australia’s Olympic squad to prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Jason Smith, Basketball Australia’s EGM of High Performance, emphasized the tour’s importance in integrating young talent into the Boomers program.
Jason Smith: This tour of Asia helps bring us a broader group across our senior teams and reinforces they are part of the whole. Our aspiration continues to provide a multi-faceted system where every player feels supported in their journey as an Australian basketball player. This starts from their days as a junior representative onto the biggest stages in the world.
Smith also highlighted the organization’s commitment to communicating with all players and investing in their development. Tyrese Proctor and Johnny Furphy, notable absentees from the squad, were considered but unavailable due to commitments in the USA.
In related news, the NBL has extended its partnership with ESPN, secured a new free-to-air broadcast deal with Network 10, and renewed its agreement with News Corp Australia. These deals are designed to make the NBL more accessible to sports fans across Australia and enhance the league’s visibility.
ESPN, known as the home of the NBL, will continue to broadcast every game live, including finals. NBL programming will be available via Foxtel, Kayo Sports, and Fetch TV. For the first time in a decade, NBL games will also air on Network 10’s main channel in High Definition (HD), with a marquee 2:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon game.
“This broadcast and media deal with ESPN, Network 10, and News Corp Australia is a major endorsement of the league’s rapid growth and growing stature on the sporting landscape,” said NBL CEO David Stevenson. The NBL has seen a 26% increase in broadcast audience this season and record-breaking attendance figures, including over a million attendees and 40 sell-outs. “Combined with ESPN’s extensive coverage, returning the NBL to a main free-to-air channel in HD on 10 is a huge step forward and means we will be seen by even more sports fans around the country,” Stevenson added.
Key figures in securing the deal included ESPN’s Kylie Watson-Wheeler, Network 10’s Beverley McGarvey, and News Corp Australia’s Michael Miller. NBL Chief Strategic Partnerships and Investment Officer Brad Joyner emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum and hitting growth targets.
Watson-Wheeler expressed excitement about continuing to serve NBL fans and supporting the league’s long-term vision. Adam Cush of Paramount Australia and New Zealand and Michael Wilkins of News Sport Network echoed these sentiments, highlighting their commitment to providing extensive coverage and innovative programming.
Under the new broadcast deal, all NBL games will be available on ESPN, ensuring broad accessibility and engagement for basketball fans nationwide.
