NBLxNBA Links Headline Opening Night in the Association

While much of the anticipation ahead of NBA tip-off tomorrow (Wednesday) centres around the debut of Josh Giddey with Oklahoma City, the wunderkind is just one on a long list of NBL connections set to make a huge impact.

There are nine former NBL players set to begin the season with Giddey to make his debut against Joe Ingles’ Utah Jazz on Thursday.
 
Giddey won the 2021 NBL Rookie of the Year award after his sensational season with the Adelaide 36ers and was later selected with the 6th pick in the NBA Draft by the Thunder.
 
His NBA debut comes against his long-time mentor, Ingles, who won the NBL Rookie of the Year award in 2007.
 
Five-time NBL champion and 2021 NBL Coach of the Year with Perth, Trevor Gleeson, will help lead the Toronto Raptors’ offence in his new role as the club’s assistant, while former Victoria Titans forward, Jamahl Mosley, is now head coach of the Orlando Magic.
 
Australian Boomers’ hero, Patty Mills, makes his Brooklyn Nets debut against the Milwaukee Bucks tomorrow with the game live on ESPN at 10:30am (AEDT).
 
ESPN’s coverage of the NBA season is sponsored by Hungry Jack’s with 11 live matches to be broadcast during opening week.

NBLxNBA connections
 
Players
Patty Mills (Brooklyn) - Melbourne Tigers, 2011
Torrey Craig (Indiana) - Cairns Taipans, 2014-16 and Brisbane Bullets, 2016-17
LaMelo Ball (Charlotte) - Illawarra Hawks, 2019-20
RJ Hampton (Orlando) - NZ Breakers, 2019-20
Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City) - Adelaide 36ers, 2021
Joe Ingles (Utah) - South Dragons, 2006-09
Jae'Sean Tate (Houston) - Sydney Kings, 2019-20
Didi Louzada (New Orleans) - Sydney Kings, 2019-2021
Jock Landale (San Antonio) - Melbourne United, 2021
 
Coaches
Jamahl Mosley (Orlando – Head Coach) - Victoria Titans, 2001-03
Garrett Jackson (Boston – Assistant Coach) - Melbourne United, 2015 and Sydney Kings, 2016-17
Trevor Gleeson (Toronto – Assistant Coach) - Perth Wildcats, 2013-21 and Melbourne Tigers, 2011-12 and Townsville Crocodiles, 2006-2011
Damian Cotter (Chicago – Assistant Coach) - Sydney Kings, 2013-15
Mike Dunlap (Milwaukee – Assistant Coach) - Adelaide 36ers, 1994-96
Chris Jent (Atlanta – Assistant Coach) - North Melbourne Giants, 1995
Phil Handy (LA Lakers – Assistant Coach) - Melbourne Tigers, 2000-01 and West Sydney Razorbacks, 2002-03
Will Weaver (Houston – Assistant Coach) - Sydney Kings, 2019-20
Matt Nielsen (San Antonio – Assistant Coach) - Sydney Kings, 1995-2004 and Perth Wildcats, 2015-19