The 2025-26 NBL season is now within the books, and the total report card is in. From championship highs to rebuilding struggles, each membership had its personal story throughout a yr crammed with momentum swings, accidents, breakout performances and main speaking factors.
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Right here’s how every workforce stacked up, from the title contenders to the perimeters left trying to find solutions.
That is our NBL Report Card!
SYDNEY KINGS
LADDER: 1st (24-9)
GRADE: A+
SEASON REVIEW
They’re the 2025-26 champions, capping one of the crucial spectacular seasons in latest reminiscence.
The sluggish begin now feels overstated. With Kendric Davis and Matthew Dellavedova becoming a member of the roster, alongside import Tim Soares, time was at all times going to be wanted to construct chemistry. Early outcomes mirrored that, with the Kings opening the season 3-5 as questions shortly surfaced round Brian Goorjian and whether or not he may nonetheless lead a title contender.
These doubts didn’t final lengthy.
From November onwards, the Kings discovered their rhythm and by no means regarded again, going 21-4 to shut the common season. They led the standings from rounds 11 by way of 20, enjoying with management, depth and a transparent id that set them aside because the competitors’s benchmark.
The mid-season addition of Torrey Craig, introduced in after Bul Kuol’s season-ending damage, proved pivotal. The NBA veteran added steadiness, defence and expertise at precisely the proper time, and shall be remembered as one of the crucial influential in-season signings the league has seen.
Even so, the championship was hard-earned. Adelaide pushed the sequence to 5 video games, testing the Kings at each flip. In the long run, their expertise and cohesion held agency, delivering the membership’s sixth title.
Kendric Davis was on the centre of all of it. His season ranks among the many finest ever by an import, and his Finals MVP efficiency underlined his potential to take over when it mattered most. If he stays, he has each likelihood to turn out to be the league’s premier participant within the years forward.
Consideration now turns to retention. Conserving this group collectively shall be key if the Kings are to go back-to-back. For now, although, they sit alone on the prime after a season that shall be remembered for a very long time.
ADELAIDE 36ERS
LADDER: 2nd (23-10)
GRADE: A-
SEASON REVIEW
It was the most important low season transfer in NBL historical past, the arrival of then five-time MVP Bryce Cotton after 9 seasons with the Perth Wildcats.
Adelaide went all in on 2025-26. They fell wanting a primary title since 2002, however this marketing campaign must be seen as a real step ahead, one which factors to a stronger, extra constant future.
The season had no scarcity of noise. There have been on-court flashpoints, together with clashes with the Brisbane Bullets, and off-court distractions, with rival figures questioning the membership’s stability. By means of all of it, Mike Wells navigated a turbulent yr and nonetheless had his aspect inside a single possession of a championship.
Consistency was a trademark for a lot of the season. The 36ers by no means dropped beneath third and sat prime of the ladder throughout 11 rounds. A late dip noticed them go 6-6 to shut the common season, a stretch many hyperlink to the departure of Troy Brown Jr and the arrival of John Jenkins, which shifted the workforce’s steadiness.
Cotton delivered one other outstanding yr, claiming his sixth MVP and driving Adelaide into one of the crucial gripping Finals sequence in latest reminiscence. Tipped by many to be swept by Sydney, the 36ers refused to fold. Cotton’s game-winner in Recreation Two grew to become an immediate traditional, and a resilient Recreation 4 victory put them inside touching distance of the title.
They finally fell brief, however the greater image stays encouraging. For a workforce that handled fixed disruption and mid-season adjustments, this was a season of progress. With a extra settled low season, Adelaide looms as a severe contender to go one step additional subsequent time.
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
LADDER: third (22-11)
GRADE: B+
SEASON REVIEW
Coming into the season, the Phoenix have been extensively tipped to be stable, with out fairly breaking into the highest tier. It was set to be Josh King’s first full yr in cost, and an opportunity to form the workforce in his picture.
The beginning was something however easy. The signing of Vrenz Bleijenberg shortly unravelled, with chemistry points and on-court frustration resulting in his launch earlier than the season even started. It did little to construct early confidence.
What adopted informed a really completely different story.
The Phoenix regrouped, bringing in Hunter Maldonado, Wes Iwundu and Defensive Participant of the 12 months John Brown III. Alongside them, Nathan Sobey delivered a career-best season at 35, main a aspect that shortly grew to become essentially the most potent offence within the league. They set each franchise and league data for three-pointers, enjoying with tempo, freedom and confidence.
Whereas their place on the ladder shifted at occasions, they discovered consistency late. From spherical 15 onwards, they didn’t drop beneath third, establishing themselves as a real contender.
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There have been nonetheless adjustments alongside the best way. Maldonado departed after 16 video games and later joined the Brisbane Bullets. In response, the Phoenix signed NBA and NBL champion Ian Clark, including one other layer to an already harmful offence.
Total, it was a powerful marketing campaign. February was the one flat patch, however even then they held regular. A dominant 111–94 win over the Perth Wildcats within the Seeding Qualifier despatched them by way of to a semi-final conflict with Adelaide.
Their run ended there, falling 2-1 within the sequence. Even so, the season stands as a transparent success, with lots to construct on.
Consideration now turns to continuity. Sobey and Angus Glover are already locked in, whereas John Brown III is predicted to return. With Owen Foxwell heading to Wisconsin, there’s additionally a invaluable roster spot to fill.
The inspiration is in place. The following step is popping promise into one thing extra.
PERTH WILDCATS
LADDER: 4th (21-12)
GRADE: C+
SEASON REVIEW
Letting Bryce Cotton stroll shall be remembered as one of the crucial pricey choices the membership has made. Even so, amid ongoing requires a real level guard, the Wildcats managed to piece collectively a surprisingly stable season.
It didn’t start that approach.
The signing of Mason Jones, recent off a G League Finals MVP, was meant to set the tone. As an alternative, he lasted simply 5 video games earlier than being launched. Perth moved shortly, bringing in David Duke Jr, who confirmed promise earlier than an elbow damage sidelined him for 2 months and disrupted any continuity.
Regardless of the instability, there have been clear positives. Kristian Doolittle produced his finest season in Perth colors, averaging a career-high 16.6 factors and seven.4 rebounds. Alongside Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, the Wildcats constructed a powerful inside presence, whereas Dylan Windler stretched the ground together with his capturing.
Consistency remained a difficulty. Their highest ladder place got here early, sitting third in spherical 4, however they largely hovered between fourth and fifth for the remainder of the season. A robust end, profitable 10 of their final 12 video games, secured a top-four spot and constructed some late momentum.
Their finals run was combined. A 111–94 loss to the Phoenix within the Seeding Qualifier pressured a do-or-die conflict with Melbourne United, which they dealt with comfortably, profitable 95-77 behind a dominant 28-point efficiency from Lual-Acuil Jr.
That arrange a sequence in opposition to the eventual champions, the Sydney Kings. The consequence was a sweep, however it was tighter than it appears to be like on paper. Recreation One slipped away by a single level, and the lack of Windler to damage proved a turning level.
All informed, it was an uneven season, marked by roster turnover and off-court noise. Nonetheless, ending fourth and competing deep into finals provides the Wildcats one thing to construct on.
There may be work to do within the low season, however it’s removed from a rebuild.
MELBOURNE UNITED
LADDER: fifth (20-13)
GRADE: C
SEASON REVIEW
It was a story of two halves for the as soon as finest workforce within the league.
They opened the 2025–26 season 9-0 and regarded untouchable. By December, although, the whole lot had shifted. What many now name the ‘FIBA Curse’ coincided with a pointy and sudden drop-off.
The low season additions flew beneath the radar on the time. Tyson Walker and Jesse Edwards arrived as recent professionals, becoming a member of confirmed names in Milton Doyle and Finn Delany. Early on, the combo labored. United gained 13 of their first 15 video games and sat prime of the ladder from rounds 4 to 10, setting the tempo and controlling video games with confidence.
From there, the slide was arduous to elucidate. Dean Vickerman’s aspect closed the common season with a 7-11 run, and the title buzz light simply as shortly because it had constructed. Accidents performed their half. Shea Ili battled ongoing hamstring points, whereas Chris Goulding struggled to remain on the ground, disrupting rhythm and continuity.
Even so, United steadied late to complete fifth and located a spark within the Play-In Qualifier. Finn Delany delivered a standout 33-point efficiency to raise them previous the Tasmania JackJumpers and maintain their season alive.
It didn’t final. A 95-77 loss to the Perth Wildcats within the Play-In introduced the marketing campaign to an abrupt finish, closing the e book on a season that promised lots however fell brief when it mattered.
After back-to-back Finals appearances in earlier years, this felt like a turning level. A reset could also be on the horizon, with questions across the roster and even Dean Vickerman’s future. For now, although, the main target stays on what comes subsequent.
It shapes as a defining low season for the membership.
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS
LADDER: sixth (14-19)
GRADE: C-
SEASON REVIEW
It was a season of change, with key items from the 2024 championship aspect shifting on and a brand new trio of imports introduced in to hold the load.
Bryce Hamilton, Tyger Campbell and David Johnson arrived as recent faces and made a direct impression. Hamilton, particularly, pushed into early MVP conversations, setting the tone for a workforce that confirmed promise from the outset.
That momentum was checked early. Johnson suffered a calf damage and missed a number of weeks, resulting in the arrival of non permanent import TJ Starks. He performed seven video games however struggled to make an impression, averaging 4.7 factors, and his function diminished as different abroad commitments took precedence.
The JackJumpers had their moments. They climbed as excessive as third throughout two rounds early within the season, however consistency proved elusive. As a rule, they sat in sixth, a place they held for a lot of the yr. A below-par 8-9 file at residence didn’t assist their trigger.
There have been nonetheless clear positives. Debutants Nick Marshall and Josh Bannan each impressed, producing sturdy seasons regardless of the workforce’s total outcomes. They appear set to be key items because the membership builds ahead.
Because the season wore on, the reliance on Will Magnay grew to become more and more evident. With restricted frontcourt depth, he was central to the whole lot they did. When he went down after HoopsFest in January, it left a big hole. Quickly after, Hamilton suffered an ACL damage, compounding the injury.
From there, it grew to become a battle of attrition. Accidents mounted, rotations tightened, and gamers like Ben Ayre pushed by way of bodily setbacks simply to maintain the workforce aggressive. Regardless of all of it, they nonetheless discovered a approach into the Play-In.
That’s the place the run ended. A depleted line-up fell 82-68 to Melbourne United, closing the e book on a difficult season.
It wasn’t the yr they’d hoped for, however there’s essential context. With higher well being, this group regarded able to going deeper. The return of Sean Macdonald, who re-signed after lacking the whole season, provides one other layer of optimism.
Now the main target shifts to the low season. Choices across the roster, together with Will Magnay’s future, will form what comes subsequent. There may be uncertainty, but in addition real upside if issues fall into place.
NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
LADDER: seventh (13-20)
GRADE: D+
SEASON REVIEW
It was meant to sign a brand new period for the New Zealand Breakers beneath recent possession, with a transparent give attention to constructing round native Kiwi expertise.
Import Parker Jackson-Cartwright as soon as once more led the best way, alongside Sam Mennenga, who loved a standout season and earned a two-year extension, a significant win for the membership’s future.
The brand new imports, Izaiah Brockington and Rob Baker II, took time to search out their toes beneath head coach Petteri Koponen. Early outcomes mirrored that. The Breakers sat tenth between rounds two and 5, and whereas they steadily improved, they by no means climbed greater than sixth. Consistency remained a difficulty, with no profitable months throughout the season. Their finest stretch got here in December at 3-3.
There have been indicators of progress, however their ceiling wasn’t excessive sufficient to match the league’s prime sides.
A late addition helped. Tai Webster arrived after Izayah Le’Afa suffered a season-ending damage, offering a wanted prompt the bench. He mixed nicely with Carlin Davison, who took a powerful step ahead in his second season and delivered a career-best yr.
Strain continued to construct round Koponen. Some felt it was harsh, given the possession’s dedication to native expertise, however others questioned whether or not the proper items have been focused. Gamers like Yanni Wetzell, Finn Delany and free agent Flynn Cameron have been all seen as missed alternatives.
It wasn’t all adverse. The Breakers claimed the inaugural NBL Ignite Cup, defeating Adelaide and securing a $300,000 prize, a spotlight in an in any other case inconsistent marketing campaign.
Trying forward, there’s motive for optimism. Mennenga and Jackson-Cartwright are locked in for subsequent season, forming a powerful basis. Brockington completed the yr in glorious kind and made a case to return, although there is no such thing as a certainty round his future.
The precedence now could be appointing a brand new head coach. Judd Flavell had been the frontrunner earlier than choosing a transfer to Japan. Former coach Mody Maor is within the body, however prising him away from a profitable stint with Nagasaki Velca gained’t be straightforward.
There’s a path in place. The following step is getting the items proper.
ILLAWARRA HAWKS
LADDER: eighth (13-20)
GRADE: D-
SEASON REVIEW
The reigning champions returned for the 2025-26 season with a dramatically reshaped roster after the departures of Trey Kell III, Darius Days, Lee Hyun-Jung and Lachlan Olbrich, key figures of their title run.
On paper, the low season arrivals have been important. Headlined by three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee, the Hawks added measurement, pedigree and expectation in equal measure. McGee delivered individually dominant performances, however the match raised ongoing considerations, significantly round spacing, roles and defensive construction.
The guard rotation additionally noticed turnover. JaQuori McLaughlin arrived as an unknown amount however struggled to regulate to the NBL and departed after a handful of video games. He was changed by scoring guard Q.J. Peterson, who provided extra manufacturing however couldn’t regular a aspect already coping with inconsistency and rising on-court pressure.
Head coach Justin Tatum additionally welcomed again Sam Froling, getting back from a season-ending ACL damage suffered in the course of the finals marketing campaign. With a wholesome core in place, there was hope for a powerful reset and a push again up the ladder.
It by no means fairly materialised.
The Hawks failed to complete a spherical greater than seventh throughout the whole season. February supplied their solely profitable month at 3-2, however total it was a disappointing defence of their title.
The problem of repeating as champions within the NBL as soon as once more proved troublesome, significantly with a lot roster motion. McGee’s arrival regarded sturdy in isolation, however alongside Froling it created structural challenges that have been arduous to unravel evening to nighttime.
There have been particular person positives. Will Hickey continued his regular rise regardless of an early eye damage, whereas Tyler Harvey struggled to copy his normal impression in a reshaped roster.
With the season successfully slipping away, consideration turned to the longer term. Tatum and administration now face key choices round trimming the roster and reshaping the group round their core items.
It was a harsh fall from champions to also-rans, however not with out classes. If the proper changes are made, a rebound in 2026-27 remains to be firmly in play.
CAIRNS TAIPANS
LADDER: ninth (9-24)
GRADE: F
SEASON REVIEW
It was meant to be a brand new period for the Cairns Taipans, recent possession, new funding, and a push in direction of changing into a real championship menace after a troublesome 2024-25 marketing campaign.
The arrival of Jack McVeigh, the league’s marquee million-dollar man, set the tone early and despatched a transparent message that the membership was able to compete.
However the momentum stalled there.
Visa points pressured the Taipans to overlook out on import guard Ashton Hagans, resulting in a reshuffle that introduced in Andrew Andrews. The veteran guard carried heavy duty from day one. He led the league in assists alongside Bryce Cotton, but in addition topped the turnovers record, a mirrored image extra of workload than intent, as he was requested to do far an excessive amount of.
The second import, Admiral Schofield, struggled to make an impression. An NBA veteran on paper, his season by no means acquired going, with experiences of a lingering hip challenge probably explaining his restricted mobility and output.
On paper, there have been items to work with. Marcus Lee, Reyne Smith and Sam Waardenburg shaped a stable native core alongside the imports, however the puzzle by no means got here collectively.
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Cairns peaked early, sitting as excessive as fourth after spherical two, however shortly fell away. They dropped to tenth for seven straight weeks earlier than settling at ninth for many of the season. The losses have been heavy and frequent, with over a dozen defeats by 20 factors or extra. October was significantly brutal, ending 0-7, adopted by a 2-9 stretch to shut the yr.
Accidents didn’t assist. Waardenburg missed important time with foot points, whereas Alex Higgins-Titsha was dominated out for the season with a hand damage.
It marked one other troublesome yr for head coach Adam Forde, who’s but to verify his future. Given the Taipans’ 29-61 file throughout the previous three seasons, change could also be on the desk because the membership weighs up a recent path.
The one clear optimistic was McVeigh. He delivered an impressive season and justified his standing because the centrepiece of the rebuild. With him now locked in for one more yr, Cairns should construct correctly round him.
The problem now could be urgency. Final season’s 101-day hole with out a roster transfer can’t be repeated. If this group desires buy-in from followers once more, the response within the low season must be speedy and decisive.
BRISBANE BULLETS
LADDER: ninth (6-27)
GRADE: F
SEASON REVIEW
It was a season to overlook for the Brisbane Bullets, with little going their approach from the opening tip.
Issues emerged early across the appointment of Stu Lash as head coach, regardless of his lack of prior expertise within the function. These doubts solely deepened because the season unfolded, with the workforce typically missing clear construction and id.
Instability carried by way of the import rotation. Javon Freeman-Liberty signed, left, then returned inside weeks, solely to be restricted to a handful of video games on account of a persistent hamstring damage.
There have been some early positives from the membership’s younger core. Jacob Holt, Taine Murray, Alex Ducas and Tristan Devers all confirmed glimpses of promise when referred to as upon, offering power by way of troublesome stretches.
However the setbacks saved coming. Casey Prather was in sturdy early kind earlier than a season-ending knee damage, whereas Lamar Patterson additionally went down, additional depleting an already stretched roster.
Former MVP Jaylen Adams arrived as a marquee signing, however his stint ended after 13 video games amid off-court points, and he didn’t return to the league.
A 5–13 begin led to Lash stepping down, with assistant Darryl McDonald taking on in troublesome circumstances. Outcomes didn’t enhance, because the Bullets struggled to remain aggressive with a closely depleted rotation.
The season additionally featured a notable flashpoint in opposition to the Adelaide 36ers, the place import Terry Taylor was concerned in an incident that noticed 36ers ahead Nick Rakocevic put in a headlock. It grew to become one of many extra talked-about moments of the yr.
Accidents continued to pile up. Dakota Mathias managed solely a short stint earlier than a shoulder challenge ended his run, whereas Tyrell Harrison additionally battled concussion setbacks.
A late-season shiny spot got here with the arrival of Hunter Maldonado, who produced a powerful run of performances regardless of the workforce’s struggles. Even in a shedding setting, he confirmed he was greater than succesful at this stage.
From November by way of February, the Bullets went 2–21, enduring heavy defeats and lengthy shedding stretches that positioned them among the many most troublesome seasons in latest reminiscence.
Regardless of the whole lot, a reset is underway.
The appointment of Will Weaver as head coach brings real optimism. With expertise on the Sydney Kings and a powerful popularity, he affords construction and path to a bunch in want of each.
It has been a brutal yr, however the path ahead now feels extra secure.