In this edition of Kiwi Ballers – Backyard Edition – we look at the many athletes playing professional basketball on New Zealand soil.
The Sal’s NBL provide a place for many Kiwi ballers to both hone their craft and raise their basketball profile. With five rounds remaining in the Sal’s NBL competition, let’s take a look at five Kiwi athletes – all aged under 25 – who are putting up some big numbers this season.
Flynn Cameron, Taranaki Airs
15.3ppg | 5.3rpg | 3.6apg | 38% 3P% | 49% FG% | 11 games played
Since joining the team in Round 3 – his first season in the Sal’s NBL – 23-year-old Cameron has been a steady hand for a stacked Taranaki Airs squad this season. In 11 games, the 6’3” guard is averaging 15.3ppg and 5.3rpg in 31 minutes of action, while converting two triples per game on 38% shooting.
Flynn’s best game came against the Saints in Round 4, with the lighting-quick guard racking up 22 points – included 4 triples – along with 9 rebounds and 3 assists. Playing alongside brother Tobias, Flynn has been a big reason why Taranaki sits fourth on the Sal’s NBL ladder with a 9-4 record.
Cameron spent five seasons in US college, playing for the DePaul Blue Demons from 18/19 and 19/20 seasons before transferring to UC Riverside Highlanders for three seasons. He has played 22 games for the Tall Blacks, including a star run at the FIBA Asia Cup in 2022, and was part of last year’s Tall Blacks FIBA World Cup squad. Flynn will soon travel with to Greece for the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers, where the Tall Blacks will fight for a place at the Paris Olympics in July.
Carlin Davison, Taranaki Airs
15.3ppg | 6.5rpg | 2.5apg | 0.9bpg | 1.3spg | 51% FG% | 12 games played
At just 20 years old, Carlin has established himself as a high-flying force for the Taranaki Airs, in his fifth Sal’s NBL season. In 12 games this season, the 6’6” forward is averaging a career-high 15.3ppg and 6.5rpg on 51% shooting – in under 27 minutes per game. His offense has directly impacted on the Air’s 9-4 record too; Taranaki winning all four games where he has scored 20+ points.
Carlin’s best effort came in Round 10, with the youngster racking up 27 points, 10 rebounds and 4 steals in a rousing win over the Otago Nuggets. And while Davidson is known for his aerial ability – his driving dunks regularly shown on highlight reels – his other efforts should not often overlooked; with his 1.3spg and almost 1 block per game signalling him as a disruptor on the defensive end.
Born in New Plymouth where he played for NPBHS, Carlin’s didn’t play at age group national team level and to date has make a solitary Tall Blacks appearance – a friendly game versus Japan in 2022. In addition to his five seasons in Sal’s NBL, last September Carlin signed a two-year contract with the BNZ Breakers as a development player.
Dan Fotu, Nelson Giants
18.1ppg | 5.9rpg | 2.2apg | 1.7spg | 52% FG% | 14 games played
Following a breakout Sal’s NBL season last year with the Franklin Bulls (17.9ppg, 6.9rpg), 24-year-old Fotu has continued his solid run of form with the Nelson Giants this season.
Fotu is averaging a career-high 18.1ppg (on 52% shooting) across 14 games this season, along with 5.9rpg and 1.7spg. He’s scored 20+ points six times and in double figures in all but one game; arguably his best game coming in a huge Round 7 win over the Saints – in Wellington – where he dropped 25 points and dished out 5 assists.
The former Rangitoto College athlete, who played four seasons at Saint Mary’s Gaels in US College and recently completed his second season with the NZ Breakers, also suited up for the Tall Blacks for the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in February this year – averaging 13.5ppg and 6rpg across both games. He is the third Fotu to play for the New Zealand national team, joining sister Ella and older brother Isaac in the black jersey.
Liam Judd, Manawatu Jets
12.1ppg | 5.5rpg | 1.6apg | 40.8% 3P% | 45% FG% | 14 games played
22-year-old Judd has been a revelation for the Jets in his second season with the team; in increased minutes (31.7) the 6’5” forward has poured in a career-high 12.1ppg, 5.5rpg and 1.2spg, while hitting 2.1 triples per game at a 41% clip.
Showing an added consistency that comes with experience, Liam has scored in double figures in 10 of his 14 games played this season. He has pulled down a team-best 38 offensive boards this season, with his 2.7 offensive rebounds per game placing him equal 9th-best in the league.
Judd’s best game this season came in a Round 6 loss to the Saints; scoring a career-high 30 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals, while hitting 6-9 from downtown in a thrilling display.
Hailing from Auckland’s Rangitoto College, Judd represented North Harbour at the U23 National Championships in both 2022 and 2023. He was named to the Tournament Team last year, after scoring 27 points in the Grand Final loss to Taranaki.
James Moors, Manawatu Jets
19.8ppg | 9.6rpg | 1.6apg | 50% 3P% | 52% FG% | 5 games played
Although Moors has only suited up for five games this season after joining the Jets midway through the campaign, his numbers during this stretch have been eye-opening.
In his first Sal’s NBL season, The 24-year-old 6’8” forward is boasting averages of 19.8ppg and 9.6rpg in 35 minutes per game, while shooting an efficient 52% from the floor – including 50% from outside. He’s currently the Jets leading rebounder on the team, and is second in scoring behind import Mustapha Heron.
A stand-out game for Moors came in Round 11, when he racked up 30 points and 6 rebounds in a loss to the Saints; hitting 3-5 from outside the arc.
A former North Harbour and Westlake Boys product, Moors graduated from Colorado State University in 2023, linking up with the Brisbane Capitals in NBL1 North before joining Dutch club LWD Basket Leeuwarden in the 2023-24 European season.
