The NBL's record connection to the NBA

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

There will be a record 30 former NBL players/coaches involved in the 2025-26 NBA season.

With the 2025-26 NBA season tipping off on Wednesday, the NBL's connection has never been stronger.

During opening week, 30 players and coaches have ties to the NBL, headlined by former Adelaide 36ers Next Star turned Chicago Bulls superstar Josh Giddey.

Giddey is one of 11 NBL Next Stars to be on NBA rosters during opening week, joined by Charlotte's LaMelo Ball (formerly with the Illawarra Hawks), Washington's Alex Sarr (Perth Wildcats) and AJ Johnson (Illawarra Hawks), Golden State's Alex Toohey (Sydney Kings), Minnesota's Rocco Zikarsky (Brisbane Bullets), New York's Ariel Hukporti (Melbourne United), Oklahoma City's Ousmane Dieng (New Zealand Breakers), Portland's Rayan Rupert (New Zealand Breakers), Detroit's Bobi Klintman (Cairns Taipans) and Chicago's Trentyn Flowers (Adelaide 36ers).

Joining those 11 are six former NBL players, including veteran and Olympic bronze medallist Joe Ingles (formerly with the South Dragons and now with Minnesota), Jock Landale (Melbourne to Memphis) and Duop Reath (Illawarra Hawks to Portland), as well as Luke Travers (Perth/Melbourne to Cleveland), Lachlan Olbrich (Illawarra to Chicago) and Jae’Sean Tate (Sydney to Houston).

Those 17 former players are joined by 13 current coaches with connections to the NBL.

Headlining that group is former Victoria Titan and now head coach of the Orlando Magic, Jamahl Mosley.

The other 12 individuals are current NBA assistant coaches, including Ross McMains (Melbourne to Boston), Chris Jent (North Melbourne to New York), Rick Brunson (Adelaide to New York), Damian Cotter (Sydney to Chicago), Adam Caporn (Wollongong/Perth to Washington), Chase Buford (Sydney to Denver), Scott Morrison (Perth to Utah), Phil Handy (Melbourne/West Sydney to Sacramento), Garrett Jackson (Sydney/Melbourne to Houston), Darnell Lazare (Sydney/New Zealand to Memphis), Brett Brown (Sydney to San Antonio) and Matt Nielsen (Sydney/Perth to San Antonio).

Catch all these guys in action on the NBA App and NBA TV, which now features NBL matches for US and Canada viewers.