Off Season Update - 9 July 2024

Starting overseas, Tyrell Harrison and the New Zealand Tall Blacks stunned Croatia, 90-86 in game one of their Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Greece. Needing to pick up another win to keep their Olympic dream alive, the Tall Blacks fell to Luka Doncic’s Slovenia, 104-78. Despite the loss, Harrison had an efficient outing, with eight points and seven rebounds in 13 minutes of play.

Closer to home in the NBL1 North, there were plenty of Brisbane Bullets players on court in the penultimate round of the regular season.

Isaac White and the Mackay Meteors defeated the Cairns Marlins 129-75. It was a 46-6 third quarter which saw the Meteors stamp their authority over the visiting Marlins. White had 31 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals, while shooting 67% from the three-point line. For the Marlins, Josh Kunen added six points and five rebounds.

The Southern District Spartans, featuring Mitch Norton and Sam McDaniel’s Brisbane Capitals also played on Friday night. In the absence of Tyrell Harrison, Norton had 15 points, six rebounds and five assists. While McDaniel led the Capitals with 19 points and six rebounds.  

The following night, McDaniel and the Capitals made amends for their Friday night loss, defeating the Gold Coast Rollers in another tight contest. In the 105-98 victory, Sam McDaniel led his team with 27 points, six rebounds and six assists.

Josh Kunen and the Cairns Marlins were back on court on Saturday night in Rockhampton but were narrowly defeated 94-91. Kunen had nine points and eight rebounds in the outing.

In the final round of the regular season, Kunen and Cairns face Ipswich, Norton, Harrison and Southern Districts play Rockhampton and McDaniel’s Brisbane Capitals are against Northside Wizards on Friday 12 July. The following night, Southern Districts back it up against the ladder leading Mackay and Isaac White on Saturday 13 July.

In the NZNBL, the Wellington Saints defeated the Tauranga Whai 100- 94 to cement their position in the top four heading into finals. Smith-Milner had an efficient 11 points and six rebounds while shooting 71% from the field. In their last round of the regular season, Smith-Milner and the Saints face the Southland Sharks on Sunday 14 July.