McDowell-White to Head International?

What’s the next step for Will McDowell-White? In NBL23 he showed the ability to mix it with the best players the competition has to offer, and has he hits free agency his next decision could define the next few years of his career.

The 24-year-old thrived under Mody Maor to help lead the Breakers to the Championship Series, but with Jarrell Brantley signing a ten-day contract with the Utah Jazz, and Barry Brown and Dererk Pardon still currently unsigned for next season the future of the current Breakers group is murky at best.

NBL General Manager of Next Stars Recruitment Liam Santamaria believes McDowell-White should look to add to his international experience before NBL24.

“I’d like to see him back at Summer League,” Santamaria said on NBL Overtime. “We saw him there in 2019 but he was a bit banged up and wasn’t quite able to do his thing.

“He’s a breakout star of the competition … … he had some huge performances but it still comes and goes a little bit.

“If we see that for a full 40 minutes game in, game out, that’s the next evolution for him in his game. He’s taken some huge leaps already but that’s the next one.

“He’s got the game to go to the next level.”

McDowell-White’s NBL23 teammate Jarrell Brantley is looking to not only go to the next level, but stay there following his recent ten-day contract signing with the Utah Jazz.

Brantley previously spent three years on the Jazz’s books as a two-way player from 2019-2021, and following his departure from the side has embarked on a globe-trotting journey before finding his way back to Salt Lake City.

Former NBL MVP Corey Williams believes Brantley’s signing to the NBA is a symptom of having so many exciting talents in the NBL.

“At one point there were 20 executives – different levels of executives – over here,” he said.

“You’re looking at a Next Star, you’re looking at Xavier Cooks - his direct matchup was in the league.

“You outplay him in the way he did and wins the game – there is no way they’re not going to look at you.

“He had a hell of a run when those scouts were there, balling and high-octane at the right time. Well deserved.”

NBL Free Agency kicks off on March 30 with all team, player and mutual options required to be announced by March 27.