In this special edition of Kiwi Ballers Worldwide – which showcases the range of basketball pathways our Kiwi ballers choose to pursue around the world – we hop across the ditch to the NBL1 competition in Australia.
With the NBL1 Women’s League underway since the beginning of April, there has been an impressive number of Kiwis appearing in all five divisions of this competition. As at today, 35* Kiwis are currently plying their trade in this league – with half these players (17) having appeared for the 2degrees Tall Ferns, and nearly all of them coming through the New Zealand age group pathways.
For many Kiwi professional athletes, NBL1 is a great way to keep in shape prior to the tipoff of GJ Gardner Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa league in October, while for the younger players it provides an opportunity to develop their game by battling it out against their Australia peers and seasoned veterans of the sport.
Let’s dive into each conference:
NBL1 NORTH
12 Kiwis are currently playing in NBL1 North across six of the Conference’s 14 teams, the highest concentration of New Zealanders out of the five divisions.
Logan Thunder, long a popular team destination for Kiwi athletes, sees four New Zealanders on their roster; led by ex-Tall Fern veterans Chevannah Paalvast (15ppg & 8rpg) and Ash Taia, NZ U17 national team player Annika Scott and Jade Kirisome – who last season suited up for Whai in the GJ Gardner Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa league. Jade is currently averaging 16ppg and 6rpg for the Thunder this season.
The North Gold Coast Seahawks count Kiwis Kendell Heremaia and Jessie Whinwray as teammates, while the Southern District Spartans rely on the duo of veteran Tall Fern Kalani Purcell and Gia Vukona, the latter being is the daughter of Tall Blacks legend Mika Vukona. Gia is currently in the mix to represent New Zealand at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup in Mexico later this year, while Kalani averages 12ppg and 9rpg for the Spartans this NBL1 season.
The Gold Coast Rollers have a pair of talented young Kiwi ballers in Layla-J Cameron – daughter of Tall Blacks Hall of Famer Pero Cameron – and Chanel Enriquez-Paea, who helped secure Silver for New Zealand at last years FIBA U16 Asian Champs. Meanwhile, Chanel’s U16 teammate Keriana Hippolite suits up for rivals Brisbane Capitals, while ex-Tall Ferns and Whai athlete Makayla Daysh appears for Ipswich Force.
NBL1 SOUTH
Nine Kiwis are playing in NBL1 South conference across five teams this season.
Similar to the Logan Thunder in NBL1 North, the Casey Cavaliers team boast a quartet of Kiwi ballers including three current Tall Ferns in Lauryn Hippolite, Esra McGoldrick and Sharne Robati, all of who appeared in the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers in China earlier this year. Joining them in the squad is former Tall Ferns Ashleigh Udesike, who helped the Northern Kahu win the title in Tauihi last season. Unsurprisingly, these Kiwis athletes are averaging almost 45ppg for the Cavaliers between the four of them.
Keilor Thunder boast some serious Kiwi firepower in the form of Tall Ferns Penina Davidson and Tera Reed, who were both instrumental in New Zealand’s fourth-place finish at last year’s FIBA Asia Cup. Penina has been dominant this NBL1 season with 15ppg and 8.5rpg so far – including a 35 point effort versus Ballarat earlier this week – while Tera is averaging a healthy 13ppg of her own.
Another current Tall Fern, Zoe Richards, plays for the Hobart Chargers while NZ U17 women’s national team hopeful Taia McMechan is training with the Nunawading Spectres. The Melbourne Tigers includes Cantabrian Tylah Hooper in their squad, who in 2022 was named to the Tournament Team of the 2022 U19 National Championships.
NBL1 WEST
Six Kiwis are based in the NBL1 West conference, with a trio of New Zealanders suiting up for the East Perth Eagles in Cantabrians Mary Goulding and Tessa Morrison, alongside Otago’s Dre Whaanga. Mary – a beloved former Tall Fern who returned to the court following a devastating car accident last year – has been impressive in her return to the NBL1 this season, averaging 16ppg and 9rpg per game, including an scorching 25 points and 16 rebounds against the Hawks.
For the Kalamanda Eastern Suns, former Tall Fern Olivia Berry and current 3×3 Tall Fern athlete Ella Fotu are lighting it up; the Kiwi teammates combining for over 20ppg for the Suns. Current Tall Fern McKenna Dale – who appeared in the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers in February – is also with the Mandurah Magic squad, but is yet to suit up this season.
NBL1 EAST
Six New Zealanders are active in this conference, including arguably the NBL1’s hottest performer in Tahlia Tupaea. A key performer for the Tall Ferns at the FIBA Asia Cup last year, Tahlia has been pouring in almost 26ppg and 5.5rpg for the Penrith Panthers; including a 37 point effort against the Hills Hornets last month.
A trio of youngsters are spread across three other teams in this region. Summer Faleafa – who appeared in last year’s D-League for Auckland Dream – suits up for the Maitland Mustangs – while Awatea Leach is averaging nearly 10ppg for the Albury-Wodonga Bandits. Centre Jennifer Mailei, who played a key role for the U16 Women’s national at last year’s FIBA U16 Asian Champs, is part of the Bankstown Bruins squad, while Wellington’s Dalen Pilitati is with the Sutherland Sharks and Olivia Hastings is with the Norths Bears; both Jennifer and Olivia hoping to be in the U17 Women’s national team at this year’s U17 World Cup.
NBL1 CENTRAL
Last but not least is the NBL1 Central conference, which includes a pair of Kiwis in Eva Langton and Ashlee Strawbridge. Eva played for the Tokomanawa Queens in Tauihi last season and is averaging 15ppg, 4rpg and 3.5apg for the Norwood Flames; including a 25 point, 7 assist performance against the Warrior on 4th May.
Ashlee – who in 2019 won silver (twice) for New Zealand at the U18 3×3 World Cup and FIBA U17 Oceania Champs – is part of the West Adelaide Bearcats squad.
Kiwis Playing In NBL1 (2024 season)
NBL1 North
Brisbane Capitals – Keriana Hippolite
Gold Coast Rollers – Layla-J Cameron, Chanel Enriquez-Paea
Ipswich Force – Makayla Daysh
Logan Thunder – Jade Kirisome, Chevannah Paalvast, Annika Scott, Ashley Taia
North Gold Coast Seahawks – Kendell Heremaia, Jessie Whinwray
Southern District Spartans – Kalani Purcell, Gia Vukona
NBL1 South
Casey Cavaliers – Lauryn Hippolite, Esra McGoldrick, Sharne Robati, Ashleigh Udesike
Hobart Chargers – Zoe Richards
Keilor Thunder – Penina Davidson, Tera Reed
Melbourne Tigers – Tylah Hooper
Nunawading Spectres – Taia McMechan
NBL1 WEST
East Perth Eagles – Mary Goulding, Tessa Morrison, Dre Whaanga
Kalamanda Eastern Suns – Olivia Berry, Ella Fotu
Mandurah Magic – McKenna Dale
NBL1 EAST
Albury-Wodonga Bandits – Awatea Leach
Bankstown Bruins – Jennifer Mailei
Maitland Mustangs – Summer Faleafa
Norths Bears – Olivia Hastings
Penrith Panthers – Tahlia Tupaea
Sutherland Sharks – Dalen Pilitati
NBL1 CENTRAL
Norwood Flames – Eva Langton
West Adelaide Bearcats – Ashlee Strawbridge
* If we’ve missed anyone form this list, please let us know! bbnz@nz.basketball
