Will he or won’t he? NBL clubs circle McDowell-White

Will McDowell-White is firmly on the radar of multiple NBL teams, with the Brisbane Bullets leading the push to bring the Aussie guard home.

NBL analyst Peter Hooley and ESPN’s Olgun Uluc suggest a return to the league remains a strong possibility for the former Breakers guard.

“There’s enough smoke around Will that it’s worth talking about,” Uluc said.

“It’s not like the past few years where he’s kept us guessing. He’s under contract with Alba Berlin, but there’s flexibility.

“NBL teams, especially the Brisbane Bullets, are chasing him hard. He’s open to the idea. A decision will likely come in the next week.

“Europe is still his focus, but if the right opportunity presents, a return to the NBL isn’t off the table.”

“The percentage is growing,” Hooley continued.

“I'm starting to get really optimistic of it, because I'm hearing the similar things that Olgun is. And I don't like to go with it too soon because you get people's hopes up. But I put out there a couple of months ago that Yanni Wetzell and Will McDowell-White both had interest in returning home.”

McDowell-White averaged 9.2 points, 4.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds in his most recent season locally, two years ago, following a breakout campaign during the Hungry Jack’s NBL23 season.

According to Hooley, three teams stand out as likely landing spots for the talented guard.

“You start to think about who's in the hunt for a marquee-level point guard,” he said.

“There's only three teams really left. The Brisbane Bullets are one, which would make sense to kind of try and bring him back home.

“We're waiting to see what's happening with the Cairns Taipans obviously over the next few weeks. And the Perth Wildcats need a marquee as well.

“There are marquee spots available and every other team is spending money bolstering their roster. You're starting to get to a point where it's like, ‘Hey Will, what's it gonna take? … if you are really keen on coming home, if the door’s open even slightly, how do we blow that door open and bring you in as part of the team?’”

Former MVP Derek Rucker says the Bullets loom as the perfect destination.

“Last season, I wasn’t sold on Brisbane as a fit. This year, it makes sense,” he said.

“Also, it opens up the import selection if they can get Will into the lineup. And similar to how you see some teams sign an Aussie big and it provides more lineup and recruitment flexibility, when you sign an Aussie or a local point guard like Will McDowell-White, it again provides that ability to vary and diversify what you're looking for.

“I like the basketball fit at Perth better for Will than at Brisbane, but the romantic, the basketball purist in me wants to see Will go and play for the Brisbane Bullets.”

Rucker signed off with a simple message for the Australian star.

“Will, come home. Lead the Bullets. Be the guy. Brisbane needs you and the Bullets can provide you an opportunity to show that you're a first-team All-NBL type player.”

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