The NBL's Top 20: Part 3

Thursday, September 15, 2022

Here we go on day three, as Pete Hooley names the players ranked 10-6.

By Pete Hooley for NBL Media

Saturday, October 1. Mark it in your calendar. The Hungry Jack's NBL is back!

It's been a long time coming, but this year's competition promises to bring more excitement than ever before.

The results from last year don't matter anymore. Every team has transformed in different ways, and when round one kicks off, every team will consider themselves well and truly in the mix for the championship.

A new year brings new superstars, and none are bigger in stature and in status, than Aron Baynes. That begs the question ... just how much of an impact will the big man have in NBL23? Does he have a claim as the NBL's top player?

And where do players like Rayjon Tucker, who had 28 points and 8 rebounds in pre-season action, or Craig Randall, who knocked down 29 on Sunday, stand among the league's best?

We threw the challenge to commentator and Melbourne United championship player Pete Hooley to pick his NBL Top 20.

Every day this week we'll be releasing another five players in the list, all the way down to number one, then providing fans the chance to have their say in the Fans' Top 20.

So here we go on day three, as Pete Hooley names the players ranked 10-6.

View the players ranked 5-1 on Thursday.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: 20-16 | 15-11

After losing last season’s MVP, Kings fans would have had every right to be concerned with what NBL23 might look like. Well, their prayers were answered with the signing of Derrick Walton Jr. After recently splitting time between the Detroit Pistons and their G-league affiliate, Walton Jr has all the tools to be one of the best point guards in the league. His physicality and high basketball IQ combined with his elite passing, means he's sure to flourish in Chase Buford’s system.

Walton Jr is the epitome of a true PG and is one that his fellow teammates are sure to enjoy having the keys to their offense. At just 27-years-old, Walton is yet another NBA-calibre talent that could be one strong NBL season away from another opportunity in the USA. Since December last season he’s been arguably playing at the best form of his young professional career, highlighted by his game winning nutmeg assist on New Years Day against the Spurs where he put up 11, 6, 6 and 4 steals.

What the numbers say
Walton Jr’s strong start to 2022 was capped off with his first G-league triple double where he dropped 20 points, 11 rebounds and a lazy 16 assists. He finished that season with the Motor City Cruise having led the entire league in dimes at 9.5 per game. Combining that with scoring over 16 points a game and the Kings have their leading weapon ready to be unleashed.

It might not take long for Walton Jr to become a fan favourite for the Kings on their quest to repeat as champions. The up-tempo style of play that Buford showcased last season should help their new leading man be able to transition into the NBL with ease, and show that he is here on a mission.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: 20-16 | 15-11

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Another look at Saddiq Bey's game-winning three...check out Derrick Walton Jr.'s pass to set him up! ? <a href="https://t.co/rOdLanHcsO">pic.twitter.com/rOdLanHcsO</a></p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1477475499232399363?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The NZ Breakers roster got a big overhaul during the offseason and with some exciting new talent on board, it’s all positive signs early. Jarrell Brantley is one of the new faces whose game should translate smoothly to the NBL. At 6’7”, he was undersized at times in the NBA, but that won’t be the case for his arrival ahead of NBL23. With Finn Delany’s departure, Brantley will slot into a very important role for the Breakers on both ends of the floor.

The 26-year-old has shown flashes of a very strong offensive game during his young professional career, but it’s perhaps on the other end where he will be most valuable. With the word coming out from the Breakers about the new style of play Coach Maor has implemented, a defensive focal point down low will be crucial. His versatility to use his strength to guard down low, but also his athleticism to be out on the perimeter, is going to be very important when you consider the likes of some of the best PF’s in the league in Xavier Cooks and Mitch Creek.

What the numbers say
As noted above, Brantley will have a heavy presence on the defensive end this season for the Breakers. What Coach Maor has stated previously, is that he believes he can unlock his full potential on the offensive end during his time in the NBL. The former Utah Jazz forward arrives from his previous stint in Puerto Rico where he put up 12.3 points per game and 5.5 rebounds. Before that, Brantley played for the Greensboro Swarm in the G-League and contributed 10 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in just 20 minutes of action.

It's not so much the numbers from Brantley himself that will be the barometer for his success, but rather the numbers he limits his opponents to every night. One slight question that will be a key to watch is how he adapts to the NBL in terms of staying out of foul trouble. His recent professional stints have seen him average over three fouls per game, and history tells us it takes some time for fresh faces to figure out the way things are officiated.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: 20-16 | 15-11

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jarrell Brantley hustles back for the big block ?<br><br>?: ESPNU <a href="https://t.co/vwA9bAyTxP">pic.twitter.com/vwA9bAyTxP</a></p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1423834208053641218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

If you ever needed any further evidence of just how important Chris Goulding is to Melbourne United, look no further than game three of the Semi Finals last season. Goulding has always been one of the most damaging players in the NBL and continues to do so with his ability to completely break a game open in seconds. The All-NBL second teamer from last season will be looking to get United back on top after their surprising exit in the final series.

Year on year, Goulding continues to be one of the best local talents we have seen for some time. He’s the type of player that thrives off adversity and enjoys nothing more than silencing an opposition crowd. Last season United struggled to find consistent offensive threats outside of himself and Jo Lual-Acuil, and that ultimately became their downfall when Goulding was hurt in game three. From the early look of one of Goulding’s new teammates, there should be plenty of clean looks for the sharpshooter, when Rayjon Tucker is making plays off the dribble.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. And there’s not too many more exciting players to watch in the league than CG43 when he gets in one of those moods.

What the numbers say
Goulding earnt those second team honours on the back of 15 points per game and helping lead United to a top of the table finish. What wouldn’t have sat too well with him throughout the offseason was his shooting clip from NBL22. Goulding shot just 35 per cent from three on over over attempts per game last season, which was his third worst across his incredibly successful 15 year career. As mentioned above, that was largely in part to the lack of offensive weapons around him at times, which caused him to essentially play entire games with a defender in his pocket.

Pre-season is never a reliable indicator on how Goulding is travelling, as he usually uses it to slowly build up to the real thing. Players are so often told of the old saying of not being able to just flick a switch when the lights go on. Well, Goulding’s one of the rare exceptions to that. He’s consistently shown over the course of his career that he can turn it on whenever he wants and when that happens – well, we know how that ends.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: 20-16 | 15-11

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Captain continues ?<br>We are very excited to announce that club Captain Chris Goulding, has extended his contract for a further 2 seasons.<br><br>The 2-year extension will keep CG43 with MU until the end of the 2024-25 NBL Season.<br>Full story ?? <a href="https://t.co/J9SqYrk8K3">https://t.co/J9SqYrk8K3</a> <a href="https://t.co/gQpGG11lqD">pic.twitter.com/gQpGG11lqD</a></p>— Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited/status/1562545342528487425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The reigning Best Defensive Player in the league has had a change of scenery ahead of NBL23, taking his talents to Adelaide on their quest for a championship. Atonious Cleveland was as dynamic as they come for the Hawks last season and showed that he is ready to accept any challenge. When the Hawks turned things around in the middle of last season, a lot of that could be traced back to the efforts of Cleveland himself. After the team struggled to find any sort of defensive identity, it almost seemed as if Cleveland decided that he would just lift his own level and hope the team followed. And they did.

Cleveland’s value on the defensive end was so much more than just steals and blocks. It was his presence off the ball and reading the play a step ahead, that earnt him the Damian Martin Trophy. Cleveland has stated that he’s heading to Adelaide for one reason, to win a championship. Adelaide fans should be ecstatic to know that not only do they have an already proven import arriving to their team, but one who brings nothing but excitement when he steps onto the floor.

What the numbers say
It was more than just an award-winning defensive season from Cleveland in NBL22. He also put up 14.2 points per game on 47 per cent shooting, to go along with 6.5 rebounds a game. There is still a concern about his ability to knockdown the three consistently, shooting just 21.7 per cent across the course of his 30 games last season. However, that was often a non-factor to his success because he was surrounded by enough pieces at the Hawks who could shoot the three at a high rate. The same should occur for Adelaide, and perhaps be even more beneficial to Cleveland due to the ability of Franks and Johnson to both step out and knock it down consistently.

Cleveland averaged 1.2 blocks and 1.9 steals a game and that energy I highlighted became an infectious winning contribution for the Hawks. Adelaide fans are sure to love the way he goes about it, and he will be a highlight waiting to happen. He’s also not shy of the moment, and with the “championship or bust” tag that has popped up for the 36ers, that’s exactly how he wants it.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: 20-16 | 15-11

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Antonius Cleveland left alone to tuck it home ?<br><br>? Watch the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL</a> live on ESPN <a href="https://t.co/Z8uHzz04IZ">pic.twitter.com/Z8uHzz04IZ</a></p>— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ/status/1482538543360917504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

At the midpoint of last season, Robert Franks was on MVP watch after his stellar start to his NBL career. With all the inconsistencies that the Bullets displayed, Franks was a standout and looked every bit of the superstar they so desperately needed. At one point in the offseason it looked as though Franks was heading across to the Euroleague, but thankfully for Adelaide fans, he’s in town and ready to get after it. “Championship or bust” was what he said after the 36ers' roster was put together, and whilst that could be added pressure for his squad, that’s something that he has shown to live up too.

Franks was a beast across his 27 games last season, being able to score in a variety of ways and rebound at a high level. His unique skillset allows him to play both on the perimeter as a stretch big and with his back to the basketl. His jump shot is pure and he is able to make some very quick moves off the dribble to create space for himself. Franks has headed down to the City of Churches, and the fact that it was closely reported that he nearly exercised that Euro-out clause, speaks of how highly talented his is. A refocused and reenergized Franks in NBL23 on a mission to win it all, could likely have him in All-NBL contention come season’s end.

What the numbers say
Franks' outstanding first season in the NBL was reflected by putting up 18.2 points per game on almost 50 per cent shooting and 8.9 rebounds. He shot just under 40 per cent from the three, which combined with fellow shooting big man Daniel Johnson, could prove to be very potent front court. Franks had 12 double-doubles for the Bullet, highlighted by his final performance of the season of 30 and 15 against the Taipans.

There’s no doubt that Franks knows how to score the ball, but as mentioned above, it’s the unique way that he can fill it up which makes him so hard to guard. Midrange step backs, quick pull up jump shots, fadeaways from the post or ripping it to the rim, Franks has the entire repertoire. He’s a big time competitor and if he’s gone out to add the “championship or bust” tag for Adelaide this season, you can be sure that he’s ready to back that up.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: 20-16 | 15-11

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Robert Franks picking up where he left off on Sunday ?<br><br>Perth and Brisbane are live on <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNAusNZ</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/kayosports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kayosports</a> now ? <a href="https://t.co/nbndaEh2aS">pic.twitter.com/nbndaEh2aS</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1471795926276599812?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>