NBL Makes History at NBA Draft

It’s been an historic day for the Hungry Jack’s NBL at the NBA Draft with NBL Next Stars LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton both selected in the first round.
 
Ball was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with pick three after spending last season with the Illawarra Hawks where he won the NBL Rookie of the Year award. He becomes the highest selected NBL player in an NBA Draft, eclipsing Chris Anstey who was taken with pick 18 in 1997.
 
Hampton was selected with pick 24 by the Milwaukee Bucks and traded to the Denver Nuggets after his season with the SKY Sport New Zealand Breakers. Current Hawks Next Star Justinian Jessup was selected by the Golden State Warriors with pick 51.
 
Capping off a memorable day for Australian basketball, Sydney native Josh Green was also selected by the Dallas Mavericks with pick 18.

Hungry Jack’s NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said: “We congratulate LaMelo, RJ, Justinian and Josh on their selection and wish them every success for their careers in the NBA. They are not just very talented athletes but outstanding young men who are great ambassadors for the game.
 
“This is an historic day for the NBL and Australian basketball. To have LaMelo and RJ both selected in the first round is a tremendous endorsement of the NBL and its standing in global basketball.
 
“It’s also a fantastic endorsement of the NBL Next Stars program and shows the NBL is now a legitimate alternative pathway to the NBA. Both LaMelo and RJ made the choice to come and play in a professional league to develop their game. LaMelo’s draft stocks in particular rose off the back of his season in the NBL.
 
“Will Magnay (Brisbane Bullets) and Jae’Sean Tate (Sydney Kings) are also strong chances to be signed by NBA teams next season and we will also have a number of Next Stars in the NBL this season including Josh Giddey (Adelaide 36ers) and Mojave King (Cairns Taipans).”