Analysis: Fresh Faces To Watch

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

While we've seen the departure of some big names during this off-season, there's also been an influx of incredible talent ready to hit the floor.

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By Pete Hooley

While we've seen the departure of some big names during this off-season, there's also been an influx of incredible talent ready to hit the floor.

Almost every team has elected to go with three imports and it’s just about time to strap yourself in for a season full of memorable moments.

Of course, we are still fortunate to have some of the league’s brightest stars ready to shine once more, with Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Xavier Cooks and a health Nathan Sobey just to name a few. Then there are the up-and-coming youngsters poised to have breakout campaigns.

But today, we're celebrating the new guys - let's look at five of the fresh faces who are set to excite!

Jarrell Brantley
There are many ways to look at the season ahead for the Breakers and all of them are exciting. They’re back home where they belong, they’ve had some big off-season changes and they’re ready to get back on track to being the powerhouse they have been in years past. What they needed was some big import signings, and they got that with Jarrell Brantley.

The 26-year-old arrives in New Zealand after starting every game for the Clippers in this year's Summer League and has shown an ability to score in a variety of ways. With the departure of Finn Delany, Brantley will slot into a major role for coach Maor, who believes this season will see him unlock his full potential.

Standing at 6’7” Brantley may have been undersized at times in the NBA, but with his physicality, his arrival gives him all the tools to be a tough matchup across the NBL. There are still some questions around his consistency to knock it down from outside, but he has shown that he won’t shy away from taking and making that shot, if the defence allows it.

With all he can produce on the offensive end, it’s perhaps on the other end where Brantley can make his presence felt most and become one of the best two-way players in the league. With the versatility to use his strength to guard down low in the post and then his athleticism to switch onto smaller guards on the perimeter, Brantley is a terrific find for the Breakers and could prove to be the real deal.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fresh off an impressive NBA Summer League with the LA Clippers, the <a href="https://twitter.com/NZBreakers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NZBreakers</a> have signed import forward Jarrell Brantley<a href="https://twitter.com/jstuntbrantley?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jstuntbrantley</a> will bring plenty of versatility, NBA experience, and competitiveness to the Breakers in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> <a href="https://t.co/fahL9sxIYu">pic.twitter.com/fahL9sxIYu</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1552051042476429312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Brady Manek
If recent history has shown us anything out west, it’s that the Wildcats need strong pieces down low to help them succeed. From the likes of Nick Kay to John Mooney, it’s a tough act to follow for any new big man arriving in Perth. The Red Army can sleep well after their off-season additions, with not one, but two key pieces to bolster up their front court.

But let’s talk about Brady Manek.

Fresh off a successful college career at UNC, Manek will be a unique piece in the puzzle for John Rillie. The 23-year-old is lights out from the perimeter, shooting just over 40 per cent during his senior season as a Tar Heel. What’s more impressive is how quickly Manek can get his shot off and still knock it down at a high rate, which could prove to be tough to defend, if you imagine the pick and pop game with the likes of Bryce Cotton.

What Manek may lack in athleticism, he well and truly makes up for in effort and hard work on the floor. A trait that previous Red Army favourite Nick Kay became contagious for at the Wildcats. With a high basketball IQ, Manek finds himself in the perfect place to begin his promising professional career.

His arrival at Perth doesn’t come without concern for me, though. The Red Army already have their cult hero sorted in young gun Ollie Hayes-Brown and now along comes Manek ready to challenge for that crown. Can there be room for two?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">? Putting the ??? in ??A?Y ?<br><br>New <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PerthWildcats</a> trio, Corey Webster, TaShawn Thomas, and Brady Manek, got their paws on their new red threads today ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> <a href="https://t.co/ujVAEXGSwR">pic.twitter.com/ujVAEXGSwR</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1559103388851515392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Justin Robinson
The Hawks have no doubt been hit by a tough off-season, losing many of their key pieces from last year. They have needed to replace those guys with high-level talent who can make a big impact, and they may have got their man in Justin Robinson.

Robinson arrives in Illawarra with three years of NBA experience and should slot in nicely alongside Tyler Harvey in the backcourt. A true PG, Robinson has shown he can lead a team in whatever area is needed to lead to wins. Whether that’s a big scoring night or facilitating and defending, he will be heavily relied upon for Jacob Jackomas in the new campaign.

Robinson clearly has NBA level talent on the offensive end of the floor and will be out to prove that amongst some of the elite point guards across the league. He will also be one to watch in terms of overall assist leaders this season.

When was the last time we saw a full lefty sharpshooting import backcourt in the NBL? With Robinson capable of some big nights and Harvey’s signature floater ready to deploy, hand me the popcorn when they begin to light it up.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">THIS JUST IN...<br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@illawarrahawks</a> BIG week of Free Agency continues with the announcement that NBA calibre point guard Justin Robinson (<a href="https://twitter.com/5Alive_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@5Alive_</a>) has been locked in for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> <br><br>Full details at <a href="https://t.co/EDdk5II1UR">https://t.co/EDdk5II1UR</a> <a href="https://t.co/m9l5GOvpPA">pic.twitter.com/m9l5GOvpPA</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1557141170345889792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Tyler Johnson

Speaking of lefty NBA talent, the Bullets have made quite the splash across the country this off-season, acquiring the services of experienced NBA guard, Tyler Johnson. Add the previous history Johnson and Aron Baynes have and the Bullets have laid a strong foundation for an exciting campaign.

Johnson, who has bounced around the NBA since his days at the Miami Heat, is a proven scorer at every level. Being able to put the experience of Johnson alongside Baynes and a healthy Sobey, they are some serious weapons for James Duncan do deploy.

Johnson has shown over the course of his career that he can score in a variety of ways and can knock down the three at a very high rate. However, what is perhaps most exciting for a Bullets fan is his athleticism. At 30-years-old and just 6’3”, Johnson still has plenty of spring left in those legs, and when you put him alongside Sobey running out in transition … hello NBA Beau!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tyler Johnson will be bringing over 350 games worth of NBA experience and a WHOLE LOTTA highlights to the <a href="https://twitter.com/BrisbaneBullets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrisbaneBullets</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> ? <a href="https://t.co/QvoI10UxFC">pic.twitter.com/QvoI10UxFC</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1553205254279180288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Rayjon Tucker
Rayjon Tucker been touted as a highlight machine and they’ve gone as far as to say Melbourne United will be known as “Dunk City” in NBL23.

This guy comes with a big reputation.

It’s not often you can call someone a freak and it be endearing, but that’s Rayjon Tucker. His athleticism is truly next level, and he has shown that many times throughout his young career. The ability to not only finish above the rim, but to live there, will have fans in awe this season. Whether it’s out on the break or through traffic, there’s nothing sneaky about his bounce.

Tucker has shown he can score in a variety of different ways, most noticeably with his signature quick spin move to blow by defenders and finish with either hand. With Tucker’s athleticism also comes his incredible strength, having shown he can finish through contact and crash the boards at a high rate.

The last new NBL import to arrive fresh off a stint with the Milwaukee Bucks went on to be an absolute stud, who won the league MVP and led the Kings to a title. Is Tucker poised to keep that trend going? It seems like he will have every chance.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rayjon Tucker putting the HIGH in highlights ? <a href="https://t.co/drqiAkm6db">pic.twitter.com/drqiAkm6db</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1554379871513587713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>