Ten players to watch at the CODE Sports NBL Blitz

Fans will turn their attention to Canberra this week as the new-look squads hit the floor for the first time at the Code Sports NBL Blitz.

With the Hungry Jack's NBL26 Season shaping up to be one of the most memorable seasons yet, here are some key names to watch closely.

New faces

Javon Freeman-Liberty
The Brisbane Bullets guard arrives from the G League with a strong reputation as an elite scorer. Freeman-Liberty also impressed at the recent NBA Summer League for Chicago, backing up that reputation by averaging 21 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. With former MVP Jaylen Adams directing traffic, expect Freeman-Liberty to feature prominently among the league’s top scorers this season.

Bryce Hamilton
Tasmania fans have already had a brief taste of Bryce Hamilton from their two games against the Sydney Kings, and it should be enough to get them excited about what’s ahead. As a small forward who can shoot the three and get to his spots with ease, it’s his physicality that could see him thrive in the NBL. While Hamilton can score at a high rate, he also impacts the game defensively with his IQ, getting into passing lanes and blocking shots.

Tyson Walker
Melbourne United fans watched their new dynamic guard Tyson Walker light it up from beyond the arc last weekend against the Phoenix. The 24-year-old out of Michigan State is lightning quick with the ball in his hands, making quick decisions as their primary playmaker. If he can continue to knock it down from outside, as he has shown in the pre-season, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about what he could deliver this season.

Admiral Schofield
The new-look Cairns Taipans have many fresh faces, but Admiral Schofield might be the most intriguing to watch adapt to the NBL. The 28-year-old played three seasons for the Orlando Magic, carving out a strong role as a “3 and D” contributor who makes his mark defensively while spacing the floor offensively. Schofield’s frame and physicality should make him one of the premier defenders in NBL26, with Adam Forde hoping to unlock even more of his offensive potential.

John Brown III
With all the elite defensive talent around the NBL this season, few players bring a resume like John Brown III. The 6’8” forward arrives in Melbourne from Serbia, where he won the Serbian Cup. Brown III has been a defensive force for nearly a decade, and paired with Josh King’s coaching philosophy, it could be a match made in heaven.

John Brown III.

Old faces, new team

Jack McVeigh
Larry Sengstock Medallist and Olympian, Jack McVeigh, made headlines this off-season with his shock move to far north Queensland to join the Taipans. The Code Sports NBL Blitz will be Cairns fans’ first chance to see the superstar in his new jersey and take in what’s an incredibly exciting time for the club. McVeigh was just named to the All-Tournament Team at the FIBA Asia Cup after putting up big numbers at the NBA Summer League. His confidence is sky-high, and right now it seems the only person who can slow him down might be himself… but maybe not even that.

Bryce Cotton
If there’s one thing that will take some getting used to, it’s seeing Bryce Cotton in blue rather than red. The 5-time MVP will have his first opportunity to wear a 36ers jersey at the Blitz, and it’s sure to have every fan locked in. While Adelaide has added plenty of talent around their superstar, it’s safe to say this will always be Cotton’s team. If he picks up where he left off last season, after one of his best statistical years, could he add yet another MVP to his legacy by March?

Kendric Davis
Kendric Davis will feature prominently in many pre-season MVP predictions and for good reason. The Kings’ major off-season recruit put together one of the best debut seasons the league has seen last year with the 36ers. He finished runner-up to Cotton in both scoring and MVP voting, while leading the league in assists. Davis now teams up with Matthew Dellavedova in Sydney, creating what could be one of the most dominant backcourts in the competition.

Milton Doyle
Doyle showcased his brilliance last week in Melbourne’s pre-season hit-out against an undermanned Taipans team. It wasn’t just his scoring that impressed, but his decision-making as a primary playmaker at an incredibly high level. While the Tasmania champion comes off an up-and-down NBL25, a new system and fresh environment could be what unlocks the All-NBL calibre guard we know he can be.

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr
At one point this off-season, it seemed unlikely Jo Lual-Acuil Jr would return to the NBL. Fast forward to the Blitz, and the Wildcats’ new marquee big man is ready to show the Red Army why he was an MVP candidate for Melbourne just a few seasons ago. A front court pairing of Lual-Acuil Jr and Kristian Doolittle could be one of the most versatile and effective combinations in the league if it all clicks.

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.