The Australian stars who switched the 'L' for 'A'

• From Chris Anstey to Luke Travers, elite performances in the NBL can lead to the NBA
• Complete list of every Aussie in the NBA
• How to watch every 2025 NBL game LIVE and FREE

In pursuit of an NBA dream, some of the world’s top talent overlook NCAA basketball and the G League for a tougher assignment: the NBL.

Australia’s premier basketball league has been a launchpad — and continues to be — for players willing to bet on themselves.

Up against seasoned, ready-made professionals, these prospects have proven their worth — and converted that dream into a reality.

Chris Anstey — 1997 Season

Entering the 1997 season, Chris Anstey was riding the momentum of an exceptional campaign the year prior. In 1996, he was a part of a title winning South-East Melbourne Magic led by Brian Goorjian, also securing the Most Improved Award for his efforts that year — going from averaging three points and three rebounds per game in 1995, to averaging 12/8/1, with a steal and a rebound per contest.

He took his game to the next level in 1997, averaging a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds), with a steal and a half, and two blocks per outing. In his 1997 campaign, the South-East Melbourne Magic profited from 16 double-doubles by Anstey, with a period between June-August reaping eight consecutive double-doubles — he had three consecutive 20-point, 10-rebound performances in this time.

Also in August of that year was the Under-22 FIBA World Championships, where Anstey carried over his mid-season stardom to the tournament. He emphatically led his country to a gold medal, as he earned himself tournament MVP honours. While the South East Melbourne Magic couldn’t replicate their 1996 championship triumph, falling short in the 1997 Grand Final Series to Melbourne United, Chris Anstey’s superb showings with the Magic in 1997 correlated with reward.

Off the back of a stellar year, he caught the eye of NBA recruiters and became the first Australian ever drafted directly from the NBL to the NBA — selected at Pick 18 in the 1997 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.

By the Numbers (inc. playoffs): 33 Games; 30.5 MPG; 13.8 PPG; 9.8 RPG; 3.8 OFF. RPG; 0.8 APG; 1.6 SPG; 1.8 BPG; and 47.9% FG.

Season Highs (inc. playoffs): 30 points; 19 rebounds; 8 offensive rebounds (three times); 5 steals; and 7 blocks

Best Games:

• 30/15: 12-19 FG, 6-11 FT, 6 OREB., 5 STL, 2 AST, 3 BLK in a 127-100 win against the Sydney Kings
• 20/13: 8-13 FG, 4-5 FT, 8 OREB., 2 BLK, 3 STL in a 97-74 win against the Perth Wildcats
• 23/12: 10-17 FG, 3-4 FT, 3 OREB., 2 BLK, 3 AST, 2 STL in an 87-83 win against the Brisbane Bullets
• 19/16: 5-11 FG, 9-10, 5 OFF REB. 5 STL. in a 92-82 win against the Perth Wildcats

Nate Jawai — 2007-08 Season

When reflecting on Nate Jawai’s long tenured career, his NBA career doesn’t necessarily come to mind, but the NBL season that preceded it might be one of the best pre-draft campaigns the league has ever seen.

Jawai had an electric 2007-08 season, not only becoming the 2008 NBL Rookie of the Year but he also made the NBL All-Star Game in his first season. Piling on the accolades, Jawai won the Most Valuable Player in 2008’s rendition of the game, with 24 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block.

These accolades reflected Jawai’s dominance on Australian soil that year. In his 31 appearances with the Cairns Taipans, he collected 17 points and nine rebounds per game adding a few assists. He posted at least 20 points in a dozen matches, alongside 12 double-doubles, and seven 20 point-10 rebound matches. While Cairns were halted in the playoffs after finishing 6th with a 16-14 record in the regular season, Jawai’s season was a shining light for the ball club.

By season’s end, he was the Taipans’ season MVP and was recognised as an All-NBL second team member. The cherry on top was an NBA roster spot: Jawai was selected with the 41st pick in the 2008 draft by the Indiana Pacers, then traded immediately to the Toronto Raptors. Despite not being selected in the first round, Jawai’s selection brought more pride than a number one pick would, as it paved the way for him to become the first Indigenous Australian NBA player.

By the Numbers (inc. playoffs): 31 games; 31.6 MPG; 17.3 PPG; 9.4 RPG; 3.2 OFF. RPG: 1.9 APG; 1.0 BPG; and 56.6% FG.

Season Highs (inc. playoffs): 28 points; 18 rebounds; 8 offensive rebounds; 2 steals; and 3 Blocks (three times)

Best Games:

• 28/15/1: 13-16 FG, 5 OREB in a 120-113 loss against the Townsville Crocodiles
• 25/16/2: 11-19 FG, 4 OREB in a 93-89 loss against Singapore
• 23/15/4: 7-13 FG, 9-15 FT, 6 OREB., 3 BLK, in a 103-86 win over the Illawarra Hawks
• 22/18: 9-16 FG, 4-4 FT, 8 OREB., 3 BLK, in a 92-85 loss against the Sydney Kings

Josh Giddey — 2020-21 Season

Josh Giddey’s end to the 2024-25 season with the Chicago Bulls was resounding, posting at least a double-double in all but two of his last nine contests (four triple-doubles). This is exactly the nature of how Giddey’s lone season in the NBL went, as in the last month of the season, he experienced a run with three triple-doubles in four contests.

But those numbers only scratch the surface of Giddey’s floor dominance. Giddey was a double-double machine with eight such games, and he became the first Australian to record a triple double in consecutive games. He was also the youngest Australian to record a triple double in NBL history. Giddey’s campaign with the Adelaide 36ers was one that netted him NBL Rookie of the Year honours.

Whilst Giddey thrived and showcased his talent, it also served as an opportunity for scouts to home in on his weaknesses. Giddey was largely inconsistent with his three-point shooting and was questionable with his ball security. The run responsible for his triple-double accumulation was closely linked with a six-game stretch that had five matches of five or more turnovers.

However, this was a patch Giddey needed to endure developmentally, as this founded his play that Bulls fans have awed over in the last NBA season. Giddey has just come off a career high season in both three-point percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio, showing face as a more versatile and reliable asset for Bulls head coach Billy Donovan. Despite shades of flaws in his lone NBL season, Giddey’s upside couldn’t be disputed, as the Oklahoma City Thunder eyed him as a cornerstone of their rebuild. They would go on to select him with the 6th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

By the Numbers: 28 games; 32.1 MPG; 10.9 PPG; 7.4 RPG; 7.6 APG; 1.2 SPG; 0.4 BPG; 42.5% FG; and 29.3% 3PT.

Season Highs: 19 points; 12 rebounds; 13 assists (three times); 4 offensive rebounds (two times); 3 steals (three times); and 2 blocks (four times)

Best Games:

• 15-11-13: 5-9 FG, 1-4 3PT, 4-4 FT, 2 OREB., in a 101-79 win over the Brisbane Bullets
• 19-7-11: 8-12 FG, 2-5 3PT, 1 OREB., in a 109-104 loss over the Brisbane Bullets‍
• 13-6-13: 4-9 FG, 3-6 3PT, 2-2 FT, 1 STL, in an 83-68 win over the Perth Wildcats
• 14-8-13: 5-14 FG, 4-8 3PT, 2 STL, in a 97-88 loss over the Perth Wildcats

Alex Sarr — 2023-24 Season

Despite his high lottery selection in 2024, Sarr’s NBL campaign leading up to the draft was more low-profile than his draft night experience. His ability was shown more in glimpses, as he played under 20 minutes per game. The French big man entering the draft, was highly touted for his athleticism and elite defense, with his offensive potential holding a high ceiling — projecting him to be a beastly two-way force in the NBA.

Sarr’s best in the NBL had a winning effect, with his two-way impact often correlating with team success. Leading the NBL in block percentage, the seven-foot-one big demonstrated his ability to rim protect with a five-block showing against the South East Melbourne Phoenix — placing him on the map as one of the more promising, high up-side prospects of his draft class.

However, Sarr generated true buzz from exhibition matches against a G League Ignite opposition prior to the NBL 2023-24 season which did nothing but fuel his draft stocks.

Sarr’s Performances v the G-League Ignite:‍

• Game 1: Perth 105-124 G-League Ignite. Sarr: 17 points; 6-13 FG; 2-3 3PT; 3-4 FT; 7 REB; 3 OREB; 1 AST; 1 STL; and 6 BLK (29 Minutes)
• Game 2: Perth 127-112 G-League Ignite. Sarr: 26 points; 10-14 FG; 1-2 3PT; 5-7 FT; 10 REB; 3 OREB; 3 AST; and 6 BLK (36 Minutes)

Sarr’s first season in the NBA showcased his rawness but teased basketball fans about what Sarr’s final form could be. His stint at the Perth Wildcats was equally promising and he is a product of the benefit the NBL Next Stars program serves.

By the Numbers (inc. playoffs): 27 games; 17.3 MPG; 9.4 PPG; 4.3 RPG; 0.9 APG; 0.4 SPG; 1.5 BPG; 51.6% FG; and 28.6% 3PT.

Season Highs (inc. playoffs): 18 points; 12 rebounds; 5 offensive rebounds; 2 steals (twice); and 5 blocks

Best Games:

• 14/12/2: 6-9 FG; 5 OREB; 1 STL; 3 BLK in a 117-88 win against the Cairns Taipans‍
• 18/2/1: 6-8 FG; 6-6 FT; 1 OREB; 5 BLK in a 103-91 win against the South East Melbourne Phoenix‍
• 16/6/1: 6-10 FG; 2-3 3PT; 2-6 FT; 1 OREB; 1 AST; 2 BLK in an 82-75 win against the Adelaide 36ers‍
• 17/6: 5-11 FG; 1-4 3PT; 6-10 FT; 2 OREB; 1 STL; 1 BLK in a 102-95 win against Melbourne United

Luke Travers — 2023-24 Season

Luke Travers is different to the modern-day NBA prospect spending time in the NBL. He wasn’t headline-grabbing, but much rather a slow burn experiencing a steady emergence. The homegrown athlete spent three seasons in the NBL wearing a Wildcat uniform before getting drafted in the 2022 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers at Pick 56. However, Travers detoured from playing in the NBA immediately. He would return to the NBL seeking further growth in the Australian system, to ensure a premature entry into the NBA wouldn’t stunt his development.

Travers would play one more season at Perth before heading east to Melbourne United. This would be the season which etched himself in the Cavaliers’ plans to have faith in him long-term.  They would go-on to sign Travers to a two-way deal, allowing for exposure to both the NBA and the G League in another step of his development. Travers earnt six double-doubles over his 2023-24 regular season campaign for Melbourne United, but he left his best till last on Australian soil, playing a pivotal role in United’s early post-season successes - with a 24-point Game 1 performance a clear standout amongst many others.

Travers may not have followed the one-and-done route, but his evolution in the NBL bodes well for the next phase of his career as he enters his prime. His strong playoff performances showcase a player capable of delivering under pressure — and ready for the NBA spotlight.

By the Numbers (inc. playoffs): 33 games; 27.2 MPG; 12.3 PPG; 7.6 RPG; 1.8 OFF RPG; 2.0 APG; 1.1 SPG: 1.4 BPG; 51.5% FG; and 31.6% 3PT.

Season Highs (inc. playoffs): 24 points; 13 rebounds (twice); 5 offensive rebounds; 4 steals; and 5 Blocks

Best Games:

• 15/10/3: 5-7 FG; 3-3 FT; and 5 BLK in a 98-86 loss against the Sydney Kings‍
• 18/12/4: 7-14; 2-3 3PT; 5 OFF REB; 2 STL; and 2 BLK in a 105-93 win against the Sydney Kings‍
• 24/8/1: 10-16; 2-5 3PT; 2 OREB; 2 STL; and 3 BLK in a 115-106 Round 1, Game 1 win over the Illawarra Hawks

In the Playoffs:‍

• 24 Points, 8 Rebounds in Game 1, Round 1 (W)
• 15 Points, 11 Rebounds in Game 3, Round 1 (W)
• 17 Points, 11 Rebounds, 4 Assists in Game 3, Round 2 (W) – (only win in series v Jack jumpers)

As the years progress, the NBL will continue to make its presence known — and that’s in a form that goes beyond being a stepping stone for NBA prospects. With the Australian hardwood hosting ready-made professionals and quality competition, NBL fans will continue to bear witness to up-and-coming basketball talent, as the NBL solidifies its role in being a pathway to the NBA.

Despite being spread over time, the stories of Anstey to Sarr are living proof that ability and hard work possess no boundaries.