High 10 gamers accessible as season nears finish

With the 2025–26 NBL common season coming into its ultimate 5 rounds, the battle for finals positioning is intensifying – however throughout entrance workplaces, consideration is already shifting to what looms subsequent. A deep and numerous free-agent class is rising, that includes rising stars pushing towards the NBA, established veterans nonetheless acting at a excessive stage, and function gamers whose worth has by no means been higher.

Watch stay protection of NBL and WNBL 2025-26 seasons with ESPN on Kayo Sports activities | New to Kayo? Be part of now and get your first month for simply $1.

From confirmed championship contributors to high-upside skills in search of their subsequent alternative, these are the gamers set to form the NBL’s upcoming low season.

1. SAM MENNENGA | FORWARD | 206cm/109kg

AGE: 24
YEARS PRO: 3

CURRENT TEAM: NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS

Sam Mennenga has emerged as one of the crucial intriguing gamers of NBL26. At simply 24 years of age, the New Zealand huge man returned house to the New Zealand Breakers in NBL25 and has since established himself as one of many league’s premier frontcourt gamers, posting profession highs this season in factors, rebounds and assists.

Enjoying alongside Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Mennenga has developed right into a extremely efficient pick-and-roll risk, utilizing his energy and contact across the basket to punish opposing defences. Whereas his perimeter taking pictures has been much less constant, the Breakers teaching employees has leaned into his inside presence, maximising his influence nearer to the rim.

Throughout the newest offseason, Mennenga travelled to the US to compete within the NBA Summer time League with the Los Angeles Lakers. Though his alternatives had been restricted, the expertise additional bolstered the rising perception across the league that his NBA prospects are official, with a two-way or full roster alternative showing more and more life like.

Mennenga’s leap this season has not gone unnoticed. He’s broadly considered because the main contender for the NBL’s Most Improved Participant award.

If he can proceed his upward trajectory and end the season strongly, he might discover a possibility with an NBA staff in the US. Ought to that not materialise, he’s anticipated to draw vital curiosity globally, in addition to from rival NBL golf equipment wanting to safe high-level native frontcourt expertise.

NBL26 STATISTICS: 16.6 factors, 6.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 50.3% FG in 27.2 minutes per recreation.

– Josh Higgins

2. WILL MAGNAY | CENTRE | 208cm/111kg

AGE: 27
YEARS PRO: 9

CURRENT TEAM: TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS

Will Magnay has constructed a formidable NBL profession, highlighted by an NBL championship with the Tasmania JackJumpers in NBL24.

Throughout that title-winning season, the athletic centre averaged 10.8 factors, 7.2 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.1 assists per recreation, whereas taking pictures an elite 66.5 per cent from the sphere.

Throughout his 9 NBL seasons, Magnay has constantly progressed, incomes the league’s Most Improved Participant award in 2020 throughout his time with the Brisbane Bullets. His growth has additionally attracted NBA consideration, signing a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2020 and later suiting up for the Memphis Grizzlies within the 2025 NBA Summer time League, the place he got here near securing a full NBA deal.

Accidents have been the first impediment all through Magnay’s profession, with recurring foot and toe points limiting his availability. In NBL25, he was restricted to simply 13 appearances from a potential 29 video games. Regardless of these setbacks, Magnay stays one of the crucial impactful huge males within the league when wholesome.

That was on full show in a current profession evening in opposition to Melbourne United, the place he completed with 27 factors on 12-of-18 taking pictures. He additionally recorded 13 rebounds, together with six offensive boards, together with three blocks and two steals in a dominant two-way efficiency.

Together with his mixture of measurement, athleticism and defensive presence, Magnay is anticipated to draw vital curiosity this offseason each domestically and internationally.

Whereas he’s more likely to stay with the JackJumpers, ongoing NBA curiosity – notably after his near-miss with Memphis – means a return to the US can’t be dominated out.

Magnay went down with a foot damage throughout Tasmania’s loss to Melbourne United at HoopsFest. Whereas the extent of the damage stays unclear, his historical past suggests there’s a sturdy risk he may very well be sidelined for a number of weeks.

NBL26 STATISTICS: 10.4 factors, 7.0 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 53.4% FG in 27.4 minutes per recreation.

– Josh Higgins

3. SAM WAARDENBURG | FORWARD | 208cm/100kg

AGE: 26
YEARS PRO: 4

CURRENT TEAM: CAIRNS TAIPANS

At simply 26 years of age, Sam Waardenburg stays one of the crucial intriguing and versatile prospects within the NBL.

The New Zealand ahead gives uncommon positional flexibility, able to working as a contemporary huge whereas additionally dealing with playmaking duties as a degree ahead.

The Cairns Taipans’ season has fallen in need of expectations, however the distinction between the staff with Waardenburg on the ground and with out him has been stark. His presence elevates Cairns at each ends of the courtroom, offering construction, decision-making and flexibility that few gamers within the league can replicate.

Availability, nevertheless, has been the most important setback. Waardenburg appeared in simply eight video games after an ankle damage sidelined him for the opening 16 video games of the season. In additional unlucky information, he rolled his different ankle in Cairns’ most up-to-date outing, casting doubt over his availability shifting ahead.

Regardless of the damage interruptions, there may be widespread recognition throughout the league of Waardenburg’s expertise and the extent he’s able to reaching in any competitors all over the world. The timing is lower than superb, notably in an offseason the place he will likely be in search of long-term safety following a season disrupted by setbacks.

Waardenburg signed a one-year cope with the Taipans for NBL26 and can now reassess his future, whether or not that is still in Cairns, elsewhere within the NBL, or in one other worldwide league.

One membership to watch is the New Zealand Breakers, with Waardenburg becoming each the nationwide identification and long-term imaginative and prescient of constructing a powerful New Zealand core.

A Subsequent Era Award winner, Waardenburg additionally brings NBA Summer time League expertise with each Dallas and Minnesota. Even with an damage historical past, his mix of measurement, ability and basketball IQ is anticipated to make him one of the crucial sought-after free brokers this offseason.

Waardenburg has additionally been declared out for the rest of the season after struggling an ankle damage final week.

NBL26 STATISTICS: 15.5 factors, 5.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 56.6% FG in 27.8 minutes per recreation.

– Josh Higgins

4. ANGUS GLOVER | GUARD | 194cm/90kg

AGE: 27
YEARS PRO: 8

CURRENT TEAM: SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX

Angus Glover is shaping as one of the crucial intriguing free brokers heading into the upcoming low season, with the 27-year-old at present taking part in the perfect basketball of his profession with the Phoenix.

A two-time NBL champion with the Sydney Kings in 2022 and 2023, Glover requested for a launch from the ultimate 12 months of his contract to pursue a bigger function and additional develop his recreation. He subsequently signed a two-year cope with the Phoenix – a call that’s proving to be the most effective of his profession.

Now averaging a career-high 11.2 factors per recreation off the bench, Glover has emerged because the clear frontrunner for the NBL Sixth Man of the Yr award. The chance offered by head coach Josh King has allowed him to flourish inside the staff’s system, and regardless of taking part in simply 22.2 minutes per recreation, he ranks sixth within the league for three-pointers made with 52.

Wing guards like Glover who can shoot are extremely valued within the NBL, which means his asking worth is more likely to be at an all-time excessive.

There will likely be no scarcity of curiosity in his companies. Whereas there is no such thing as a indication but of the place Glover desires to play, it might be essential for the Phoenix to safe him on a multi-year deal and lock in his skills for the foreseeable future – earlier than another person does.

NBL26 STATISTICS: 11.2 factors, 3.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 43.5% FG in 22.2 minutes per recreation.

– Jai Shadlow

5. SEAN MACDONALD | GUARD | 188cm/86kg

AGE: 25
YEARS PRO: 4

CURRENT TEAM: TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS

Sean MacDonald shapes as one of many extra intriguing free brokers heading into the NBL27 offseason.

After lacking your complete NBL26 season with an ACL damage, the 25-year-old Australian level guard stays extremely regarded throughout the league, having quietly established himself as one of many competitors’s best native guards when wholesome.

MacDonald has spent all 4 of his NBL seasons with the Tasmania JackJumpers, steadily progressing from a growth participant right into a dependable and impactful flooring normal. His progress has been marked by effectivity, composure and a capability to regulate video games at each ends of the ground.

In NBL25, MacDonald’s momentum was disrupted by an ankle damage suffered within the lead-up to the season, limiting him to simply 9 appearances. Regardless of the restricted marketing campaign, he nonetheless averaged 11.2 factors, 3.8 assists and a couple of.9 rebounds per recreation, underlining his worth when accessible.

Whereas coming back from a big damage and prolonged time on the sidelines will naturally immediate warning from suitors, MacDonald remains to be anticipated to draw curiosity throughout the league. Nevertheless, given his sturdy ties to Tasmania and the function he has constructed inside the JackJumpers’ program, a transfer away from the membership seems unlikely.

NBL25 STATISTICS: 11.2 factors, 2.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 47.4% FG in 27.5 minutes per recreation.

– Josh Higgins

6. TANNER KREBS | FORWARD | 198cm/95kg

AGE: 30
YEARS PRO: 6

CURRENT TEAM: MELBOURNE UNITED

Now 30 years previous, Tanner Krebs is producing the perfect basketball of his profession, averaging a career-high 8.7 factors per recreation in his third season with Melbourne United.

Krebs started his NBL journey with the Brisbane Bullets from 2020 to 2023 earlier than becoming a member of United, the place he has constantly offered a scoring punch off the bench, largely constructed on his three-point taking pictures.

Coming into free company, Krebs profiles as a dependable wing who isn’t afraid to tackle robust defensive assignments. When paired together with his career-best taking pictures from deep (40.0%), he’s positive to be on the radar of a number of groups.

Whereas there is no such thing as a indication but from both celebration, it might be useful for either side if United can re-sign him to keep away from dropping him to a rival.

A neighborhood, skilled wing who can shoot is gold within the present market, and given his kind, Krebs’ asking worth is anticipated to rise.

NBL26 STATISTICS: 8.7 factors, 3.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 46.7% FG in 17.9 minutes per recreation.

– Jai Shadlow

$3m sacrifice and Giddey inspiration behind landmark transfer; season hinges on damage replace — NBL Speaking Pts

7. ELIJAH PEPPER | GUARD | 193cm/91kg

AGE: 24
YEARS PRO: 2

CURRENT TEAM: PERTH WILDCATS

After Perth exercised his membership possibility for NBL26, Elijah Pepper will grow to be a free agent within the post-season. Broadly thought to be one of the crucial deadly scorers in Australia – notably in NBL1, the place he recorded a number of 50-plus level performances with the Warwick Senators – Pepper is now proving he can produce on the NBL’s largest stage.

With 56 NBL video games to his title, Pepper is starting to know what’s required at this stage: a scoring guard with lightning-quick reflexes who isn’t afraid of defensive contact, utilizing his highly effective 91kg body to his benefit.

Identified for his streaky taking pictures, he can catch hearth straight away and swing video games on their head. His growth has been evident this season, with three of his career-high scoring performances coming beneath an expanded function with elevated minutes beneath John Rillie.

As he approaches free company, Pepper is anticipated to draw loads of curiosity, each domestically and overseas, notably in Europe the place his ability set could be extremely valued.

Whereas it stays unclear what Perth and Pepper will finally resolve, one factor is definite: at simply 24 years previous, Pepper has a really brilliant future within the league.