NZNBL Wrap (April 2, 2024)

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

The New Zealand National Basketball League is stacked with more NBL talent than ever before.

A battle of two of the premier local NBL bigs headlined the NBL’s contributions in New Zealand in the opening round of the NZNBL, as Brisbane’s Tyrell Harrison and Illawarra’s Sam Froling locked horns when Manawatu hosted Taranaki.

Manawatu’s Harrison was a beast on the boards and pulled down a ridiculous 24 rebounds to supplement his 16 points and two steals, but Froling’s Taranaki side proved too strong and ran out as five-point winners.

Froling ended the clash with a game-high 29 points and 14 rebounds, while teammate Mitch McCarron registered an 11-point, 11 assist double-double.

The Nelson Giants were the first team of the season to take on an opening week double-header, and although they suffered defeats to both Canterbury and Franklin, Illawarra’s Dan Grida impressed on his return to action from a knee injury suffered in NBL24, while New Zealand’s Dan Fotu starred for the Giants.

Fotu top-scored for the Giants with 18 points in their defeat to the Rams, in which Lachlan Olbrich (15 points, 10 rebounds) and Max Darling (15 points, eight rebounds) proved to be imposing interior presences.

Grida then registered a 22-point, 12 rebound double-double in Nelson’s second game, however 34 points from American import Luther Muhammed led the Bulls to victory.

Hyrum Harris, Ben Ayre, Lat Mayen and Tohi Smith-Milner look set to form a deadly quartet for Wellington this season, and the NBL trio starred in the Saints’ 30-point beatdown of Auckland Tuatara.

Harris top-scored for the game with 28 points and added 11 rebounds, while Ben Ayre also passed the 20-point mark in the victory.

Mayen finished the game with 19 points, while Adelaide’s Smith-Milner added 22.

The Perth Wildcats have continued their partnership with Otago this season, and Ben Henshall and Jack Andrew both turned out for the Nuggets in their opening win over Southland.

Henshall starred with 21 points in the seven-point win, while Andrew dominated the interior with 18 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks.

Tai Webster and Dontae Russo-Nance are also set to link up with the side.

Keanu Rasmussen – 23PTS, 5REB, 4AST vs Whai
Mitch McCarron – 11PTS, 11AST, 7REB vs Manawatu
Tohi Smith-Milner – 22PTS, 6REB vs Auckland

Tyrell Harrison – 16PTS, 24REB, 2STL vs Taranaki

Josh Roberts – 14PTS, 9REB vs Whai
Lat Mayen – 19PTS, 5REB vs Auckland

Lachie Olbrich – 15PTS, 10REBS vs Nelson
Dan Grida – 15PTS, 8REB, 3BLK vs Canterbury, 22PTS, 12REB vs Franklin
Sam Froling – 29PTS, 14REB vs Manawatu

Max Darling – 15PTS, 8REBS vs Nelson
Alex McNaught – 11PTS, 3 AST vs Canterbury, 13PTS, 5REB, 3STL vs Franklin
Dan Fotu – 18PTS, 7REB, 2BLK vs Canterbury, 19PTS, 5REB vs Franklin
Carlin Davison – 8PTS, 5REB, 3STL vs Manawatu
Cam Gliddon – 13PTS, 5REB vs Wellington

Ben Henshall – 21PTS, 5REB, 3AST vs Southland
Jack Andrew – 18PTS, 16REB, 3BLK vs Southland
Hyrum Harris – 28PTS, 11REB vs Auckland
Corey Webster - 18PTS, 7AST vs Wellington