2026 NBL Mock Draft
Ranking the Seniors against a fictional draft order. Who goes #1...?
There many reasons a Draft has never been part of the NBL calendar, and why it wouldn’t work. However taking a step back and ignoring all the reason why not, it’s possible to imagine what it might look like and how great it would be to add a Local Draft to the NBL calendar.
One of the reasons why there is no NBL Draft has always been the different directions guys can go regarding their careers, where they want to play, if they enter NBA draft or leave College early to come home and play Pro. But with the current NIL opportunities available it’s highly likely most Aussies will be looking to exhaust all their eligibility prior to returning home to carve out an NBL career, or go pro overseas. With that as the new norm, it’s possible Australia and New Zealand have a class of returning mature Seniors each year that is 10-20 deep. What might it look like for those athletes to go into a draft pool for NBL teams to Draft?
Currently the NBL has a few different types of contracts beyond regular roster and import spots. Specifically 3 for DP’s or Development Players. These roles were traditionally used for young players before going to College, but lately have been utilized for returning College players. Perth currently have Jaron Rillie who was at Northern Colorado, and Cam Hurfner from Sam Houston State as DP’s. The Sydney Kings used a DP spot for Bowling Green’s Jason Spurgin. It makes sense for clubs have a couple of DP roles for young guys who are getting ready for College, but could one or two of the DP contracts be converted to “Rookie contracts”, reserved for the Draft? Subsidized by the league and protected from the salary cap?
The NBA Draft pays Rookies on a scale depending on Draft position. That’s problematic for the returning Aussies given the relatively smaller pool of athletes and inability to negotiate their market worth. But if the salaries are negotiable, but somehow protected from, or separate to the Salary cap, or maybe only a portion was to hit the cap, perhaps clubs and players could get on board with the idea.
Taking a reverse order ranking from the previous seasons NBL ladder would give us the Draft Order. There may be a need to disincentivize tanking, with a lottery system similar to the NBA?
Let’s assume for 2026 the draft order is reverse of the Ladder. The returning Seniors could opt into the draft, and the rights go the drafting club for 2 seasons, with the benefit to the clubs being a break in salary cap and possibly partial salary covered by the league? It opens up the idea of trading or selling draft picks and other incentives that could come from the structure. At a minimum it gives the league something to focus on other than free agency in the long offseason, and marks the line between College and the Pros, which should be more of an event as more Aussies go for the full 4 year career.
So there’s the premise. What might the Mock draft might look like for 2026. The Seniors are listed below, and there’s a ton of talent to go around. The following Mock Draft is a work of pure fiction, but does it have any legs?
Pick Number 1- Brisbane Bullets - Anthony Dell’Orso | Arizona
While the Bullets are torn between hometown stars Max Mackinnon and Oscar Cluff, they love the big time shooting and Defensive chops of Dell’Orso who has spent the last 2 years locking down Lottery Picks like AJ Dybantsa from BYU and Flemings from Houston. Dellys a true 3 and D threat that is plug and play. This of course only works if Delly isn’t in the NBA… which is looking more and more likely by the game.
Pick Number 2- Cairns Taipans - Oscar Cluff | Purdue
The Taipans could also use help across the board from talented locals, but opt for the stability, rebounding, toughness and size of Cluff over the scoring of Mackinnon and Stone. With Jack McVeigh and Reyne Smith on deck, the Snakes feel like their biggest weakness is size inside to bang the boards and bring physicality to opposing bigs. Cluff could also easily end up with some lucrative overseas offers, but i’d love this outcome and to see him at the Snakes.
Pick Number 3- Illawarra Hawks - Jayden Stone | Mizzou
The Hawks struggled to defend their title after losing Trey Kell and their sharp shooter Lee. Jayden Stone is a sharp shooting, athletic off guard with a Pro ready game, and could slot in alongside, or as a backup to Tyler Harvey. The would enable the Hawks to have high level shooting and offense on the floor at all times. Mackinnon would be tempting, but the Hawks can’t go past Stone at the third pick.
Pick Number 4- New Zealand Breakers- Ben Gold | Marquette
The Breakers shock everyone by doubling down on their homegrown philosophy and select center Ben Gold. At 6’11 his size bolsters the massive Kiwi front court, adding rebounding and defensive presence. Gold is a solid big man anchoring a good Marquette team with 8.5 ppg and 5.5 rpg
Pick Number 5- Tasmania JackJumpers - Max Mackinnon | LSU
The Jackys score a huge pick up with Mackinnon at pick 5. His polished offensive package is NBL ready and he represent a much needed local talent to add shooting and scoring. Scott Roth has to be happy grabbing such a talented player at the 5th pick.
Pick Number 6- Melbourne United - Tuburu Nalavarua | Oakland
United swoop in to select the athletic Swiss Army knife Buru. The super athlete is a highlight reel waiting to happen, and dynamic on both ends of the floor. He took on a leadership role at Oakland and has grown into an incredible player. United love the ability to throw Buru out next to an aging Chris Goulding to help overcome his decreasing athleticism, and tip dunk any missed threes.
Pick Number 7- Perth Wildcats - Harry Wessels | Saint Mary’s
Perth grab their hometown boy Harry Wessels with the 7th pick. After missing out on Kyle Bowen and Alex Ducas over the last couple of seasons they can’t pass up the big body Wessels. Harry will provide the Wildcats a solid back up Center and reinforce their front line. They love Achor Achor as well, but ultimately chose the big WA product.
Pick Number 8- SEM Phoenix - Achor Achor | MS State
SEM can’t believe their luck with Achor Achor still in the board at the 8th pick, reflecting the strong depth of this Senior class. Phenomenal athlete, great rebounder, defensively strong, Achor fits the current SEM player profile perfectly. His energetic style and great attitude make him a no brainer at the 8th pick. He probably should have gone higher, and might not even be available to come back to the NBL if he cracks an overseas big dollar contract somewhere.
Pick Number 9- Adelaide 36er’s - Will Johnston | Richmond
With the 9th pick Adelaide scoop up Point Gurad Will Johnston. A mature floor leader with elite passing, especially in the pick and roll. Will is also a strong shooter who can explode from outside. His specialty is taking the big shot at the big moment, and you can never have too many of those guys. Adelaide are stacked with talent, but Will is a high level local Point Guard and an excellent shooter. Adelaide can’t let him slip. A steal at the 9th pick.
Pick Number 10- Sydney Kings - Blake Nielsen | St Edward’s
The Kings shock everyone by dipping into the D2 ranks and making Blake Nielsen the 10th Pick in the first ever NBL Draft. Sceptics will look at this as a nostalgic pick, and a homage to his dad Matt, the greatest King of all time. But those in the know see this as a savvy pickup of a 6’7 wing who can shoot and defend. Blake’s choice to commit to a career in D2 at St Ed’s is more a reflection on his intelligence than his ability. Blake spent his entire career at the Hilltoppers, making them one of the top D2 teams in the country. Elite talent no doubt, and the Kings are rewarded for their deep analysis of the College Ranks.
Pick Number 11- Sydney Kings - Harry Rhouliadef | Hawaii
Kings are up again with the first pick in the second round, as we go snake order. They grab 6’9 Harry Rhouliadef from Hawaii. Another career guy who played all 4 years on the Islands and got better every year. Hawaii are an elite defensive team, playing man coverage with the least help in D1. The Kings see this as a huge positive and what a great defender Harry has become. Harry’s length could allow him to defend 2-5, and make him an interesting stretch 4 option next to the undersized Leaupepe at the 5.
Pick Number 12- Adelaide 36er’s - Caleb Van De Griend | Idaho State
Adelaide go for size and rebounding with the 12th pick, landing double double machine Caleb Van De Griend. A big strong frame allows the one year D1 player an advantage over smaller opponents. His nose for the ball and strong positioning enables him to rebound at an above average rate for his height.
Pick Number 13- SEM Phoenix - Charles Johnston | Furman
The Phoenix feel like thier guard and shooting rotation is well established right now, but love the idea of bolstering the center position with good size and rebounding. There is good options between Johston and Harvey, but ultimately love the rebounding of Johston.
Pick Number 14- Perth Wildcats- Kael Robinson NZ | Northern Kentucky
Perth added their target back up center with Wessels in the first round, so elect for some wing depth with the length of Kael Robinson. The 6’7 Kiwi forward shot 40.3% from deep, and the Wildcats value his versatility. A strong scoring option off the bench makes Kael a no brainer for the Cats.
Pick Number 15- Melbourne United - Keegan Harvey | Bryant
Keegan had a relatively quiet College Career for his first few seasons, but exploded in his final couple of months for Bryant, becoming the focal point for the Bulldogs offense. An Enticing combination of size and footwork make him a solid back up center option, while the starting spot will continue to be filled with an import.
Pick Number 16- Tasmania JackJumpers - Joseph Locandro | UMES
The JackJumpers select Joseph Locandro out of UMESS with the 16 th pick. The 6’9 big can hold down the middle, but his elite skill is his three point shooting and ability to spread the floor. The JackJumpers see value in a stretch big back option, especially after the year of injuries they have just come off.
Pick Number 17- New Zealand Breakers- Tafara Gapare | Villanova
The Breakers are ecstatic to have another Kiwi High Major fall to them in the second round. 6’9 Tafara gives them even more size and they double down on their homegrown talent philosophy.
Pick Number 18- Illawarra Hawks - Lewis Rowe | Incarnate Word
Another back up big option, Lewis has bounced between D1 and D2 in his career. At 6’10 Lewis has shown flashes of being a strong rebounder and interior presence in limited minutes at Incarnate Word and prior to that Sam Houston State.
Pick Number 19- Cairns Taipans - Riley Parker | Portland
Riley is a strong rebounder back up Point Guard, who transferred into the West Coast Conference after leading Saint Francis PA to the NCAA Tournament. It’s most likely he gets a medical redshirt and ends up back at Portland next season, so the Taipans may need to wait for his services.
Pick Number 20- Brisbane Bullets - Nate Deer | Oakland
Deer is an athletic 6’8 forward with some upside. However his limited minutes at Oakland and previously Texas State make it difficult to truly evaluate his talents. The Bullets could still likely use his skills. Greg Spurgin is likely to be back in College next year, so the Bullets go for Deer instead with the final pick in the second round.