'Best we've seen': Champion lauds point guard class

16 Sep 2026

Mark Worthington breaks down why NBL27 boasts its best-ever point guard class, from Bryce Cotton, Kendric Davis and Parker Jackson-Cartwright to rising stars like Taran Armstrong.

By

NBL.com.au

Heading into the Hungry Jack's NBL27 Season, much has been made of the renewed rivalry between Bryce Cotton and Kendric Davis and the looming battles with Cole Anthony.

As mouthwatering as those clashes will be, they only make up a small part of the NBL's incredible guard class.

This week, 451-game NBA talent Brandon Knight was added to that group, which also includes fellow imports Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Skylar Mays, Arnas Velička, Milton Doyle and Jaylon Brown.

Then rounding out the elite group is local stud Taran Armstrong, who is the heartbeat of the JackJumpers' offence.

On Wednesday's episode of NBL Now, presented by CODE Sports, 2009 NBL champion Mark Worthington called it the League's top point guard class in years.

"It's hard to remember a better point guard class across the board," Worthington said.

"There's been some outstanding talents throughout the years that we've been able to witness and enjoy.

"Every club has gone through imports they really loved and wish they still had one of them at their club, but if you go down the board with all 10 teams, there are some really exciting prospects.

"[That includes] people who people aren't really talking about, such as Taran Armstrong. I saw him at the Boomers Camp in Perth, and the way that he was going against [Tyrese] Proctor and Bryce, I thought to myself, he's really geared up to have a really huge season in Tasmania.

"He's someone that we're not really talking about in the top five point guards at the moment, but someone that I rate really highly.

"Arnas, as I continue to say, is going to be unbelievable this season, [in terms of] what he brings to the table.

"Jaylon Brown up in Cairns is a really exciting guard that will bring the crowd to their feet every time he rises up for a dunk.

"Then PJC, who continually gets overlooked year after year, but continues to put up great numbers in the NBL.

"There's just not too many weaknesses in the guard position this season.

"Every game becomes must-see just for the point guard matchup alone."

One of those must-see blockbusters will tip off the NBL27 season on Saturday night at John Cain Arena, when Cole Anthony's Melbourne hosts Bryce Cotton's Adelaide.

While many pundits believe Anthony will take the League by storm, Worthington still believes the NBL belongs to six-time MVP Cotton.

"Bryce is the ultimate professional who just gets it done," he said.

"He doesn't talk much; he's not outlandish. He has continually proven to get the job done year in and year out, as long as he's been in the NBL."

Saturday's Round 1 blockbuster at John Cain Arena tips off at 7.30pm AEST, live on ESPN via Disney+, 9Go! and 9Now.