"Strongest ever": Gaze, Goorjian back blockbuster NBL26

With just two weeks until the Hungry Jack's NBL26 Season tips off, Andrew Gaze is convinced the stage is set for one of the most competitive seasons the league has ever seen.

“I’m super excited,” he said on NBL Now. “The parity amongst the teams… I know we say this year in, year out, but this year it’s very hard to split ... and talent wise, it’s going to be very even.”

A view shared by arguably the greatest NBL player of all time is echoed by coaching legend Brian Goorjian.

“This is the strongest the league has ever been. The deepest the league’s ever been. The most competitive it’s ever been,” Goorjian told Fox Sports.

While it’s been the biggest off-season in history, with player movement and incoming talent, there’s one name that has Gaze more excited than any other.

“JaVale McGee… now is there a better credentialed import ever to play in the NBL?,” he challenged. 

“Three-time NBA champion, shot blocker, rim protecter… he’s been playing with some of the all-time greats in Lebron… Steph in those championship runs… but he’s keen to show that there’s more to his game than just the defensive end.

“It’s going to be fun to see how it evolves with him.”

McGee links up with the reigning champion Illawarra Hawks as they chase back-to-back titles under Justin Tatum this season.

While Gaze praises the recruitment and roster builds across the league, he’s cautious about making any bold predictions just yet.

“I think the big question for some of these teams is going to be all about chemistry,” he said.

“We know when you’ve got some good tools to work with, that’s a great start, but you have to get everyone on the same page.”

The Hungry Jack's NBL26 Season tips off on September, with every game live on ESPN and Sundays live and free on 10.