NBL1 South superstar returns home

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Lachlan Barker of the Jackjumpers runs out during introductions ahead of the round seven NBL match between Tasmania Jackjumpers and South East Melbourne Phoenix at Silverdome, on November 01, 2024, in Launceston, Australia. Photo: Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images

NBL1 South superstar Lachlan Barker will return home in 2025

After six years with the NBL1 South’s Frankston Blues, Lachlan Barker will return home for the winter season to play with the North West Thunder in 2025.

The Tasmanian-born NBL1 star has been the face of the Blues since the league started in 2019. During his time, the team made multiple finals appearances and were runners-up in the inaugural National Finals in 2022 – being named to the All-Star Five for the tournament.

In this past NBL1 season, Barker averaged 16.6 points, 2.4 assists and made nearly three triples per game for the second-placed Blues. Their season ended in heartbreak during the Preliminary Finals, where Eltham’s Angus Glover hit a game-winning three to prematurely end Frankston’s season.

Lachlan Barker of the Jackjumpers shoots during the round five NBL match between Tasmania Jackjumpers and Sydney Kings at Silverdome, on October 18, 2024, in Launceston, Australia. Photo: Steve Bell/Getty Images

Between his time at the Blues, Barker has played in four NBL seasons – most recently as a nominated replacement player for the Tasmania JackJumpers. With injuries to Sean Macdonald, Barker has already played in eight games for the JackJumpers, averaging 2.1 points in 8.4 minutes per game.

The impressive combo guard has been banging on the door for an opportunity in the NBL for the past four seasons, joining the Tasmania JackJumpers in 2023-24.

Barker grew up in the northern Tasmanian town of Somerset, where he started his basketball with the Penguin Basketball Club and has continued to impress in the NBL1 competition.

Lachlan Barker of the JackJumpers cuts the net after winning game five of the NBL Championship Grand Final Series between Melbourne United and Tasmania JackJumpers at John Cain Arena, on March 31, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

He played 14 games for the South East Melbourne Phoenix in '21-22 and 15 for Melbourne United in '22-23. At the Phoenix, he averaged 2.6 points in eight minutes and for United, 2.9 points in 10.3 minutes.

Before joining the JackJumpers for NBL24, he had an impressive NBL1 South season playing at the Frankston Blues where he delivered 21.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists a game while shooting at 52 per cent from the field.

Barker will be joined by Kye Savage and Archie Woodhill on the 2025 North West Thunder roster.