Australia to the world: Why timing is everything for NBL stars, clubs

Puerto Rico is emerging as one of the biggest off-season destinations for NBL players, with the league’s continued growth and the country’s vibrant lifestyle proving an attractive proposition.

That two-for-one prospect - playing two seasons in one year - is just as appealing for clubs, who are now using it as a recruiting tool to both attract and retain top talent. 

“A lot of clubs, when they’re talking to imports who are potentially getting paid a lot more overseas, are using different selling points,” Pete Hooley said on The Marketplace.

“(Teams are saying)... if you come down here and perform at a high level (in Australia), it’s a six-month season, so we can then line you up in China or in Puerto Rico, which is paying unbelievable money right now.”

In the current season of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional, 14 players from the NBL25 season have featured.

That includes five-time MVP Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Ian Clark, Nathan Sobey, and Milton Doyle.

The NBL season is unique in many aspects compared to others around the world, but its length and timing have become a major benefit for players.

There’s upside for clubs too—from a roster-building point of view and in keeping their players in top shape during the off-season.

“That’s the big selling point of the NBL,” ESPN's Olgun Uluc added.

“It’s a seven- or eight-month season. You can earn your money here and then go and earn a whole salary somewhere else.”

The top-tier Puerto Rican league has been around for nearly 100 years, but with some big-name local investors in recent years, it has seen a massive influx of talent and is now considered one of the premier off-season leagues globally.

The league’s attendance reportedly more than doubled between 2018 and 2023, largely thanks to high-profile investors like music star Bad Bunny buying into teams.

That local support has helped drive an incredible fan base and a thriving basketball product that continues to boom.

With such a strong NBL presence in the league this season, it’s no surprise that some teams are seeing this as an opportunity to leverage.

“All of a sudden, 12 months of earning potential looks really good—and you also have NBA eyes on you here in the NBL,” Hooley said of the league’s appeal.

It’s not just Puerto Rico and China, either. The structure of the NBL season also opens NBA doors, as seen with Xavier Cooks and, more recently, Taran Armstrong, who signed a two-way deal with Golden State following the season.

“That is starting to be a package point to bring in some of that elite-level talent in the world,” Hooley added.