22
Aug
Player List
10 players we’d love to see make NBL rosters as DPs
Biwali Bayles #27 of the New York Knicks handles the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 13, 2025 at the Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Brian Choi/NBAE via Getty Images
Listed: 10 men's basketballers who deserve a development player spot on an NBL team in 2025-26
- Listed: All 165 games of the 2025-26 NBL season
- HoopsFest 2026 will include five NBL26 regular season games in 2026
- 2025-26 NBL Team Lists and Roster Tracker
- Magnificent 7: Biggest must-see games of NBL26
The NBL season is fast approaching, with NBL team rounding out their rosters over the next couple of weeks.
There are still several development player spots up for grabs for young Australian and Kiwi talent.
Here are 10 guys we’d love to see in the NBL this season:
1. Tamuri Wigness
The former Brisbane Bullet has had an outstanding comeback campaign in the NBL1 North for Southern Districts Spartans. Wigness averaged 26 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists a night in Queensland, making him one of the top choices for a remaining.
2. Biwali Bayles
After a stint at NBA Summer League for the New York Knicks, Biwali Bayles is still eligible for a development player spot to return to the NBL. In the NBL1 East he had a stellar campaign for the Sydney Comets, averaging 29.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists. The status of his knee injury is unknown.
3. Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones
Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones is too good to be a development player, but with spots running out it might be the only opportunity the league has to get him. The Kiwi native is coming off the back of a Summer League stint with the Toronto Raptors and a collegiate career with UC San Diego. He averaged 19.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in his senior year.
4. Tana Kopa
The Willetton Tigers young gun Tana Kopa could be next in line for a DP opportunity. Kopa had 15 points and 3.6 rebounds a night in the NBL1 West and has been training with the Perth Wildcats.
5. Lloyd McVeigh
.png)
The brother of Boomer and now Cairns Taipan Jack, Lloyd McVeigh has been playing for the Taipans in their pre-season games against Phoenix and United and all signs are pointing to him being in orange at the start of NBL26. Prior to this stint, he’s been with the Buffalo Bulls in the NCAA. While his college numbers don’t jump off the page, he’s been averaging 16.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the South Adelaide Panthers in NBL1 Central this season.
6. Elias Cato
Central Arkansas forward Elias Cato had an outstanding senior season in the NCAA. The Queensland boy averaged 14.5 points and 5.3 rebounds a game before signing with the Sunshine Coast Phoenix in NBL1 North.
7. Harrison Hornery
.jpg)
Playing for the Tasmania JackJumpers in 2025 pre-season, Harrison Hornery spent the last four years at USC playing limited minuets for the power four school. He returned to Australia, playing for the Rockhampton Rockets in the NBL1 North. He averaged 13 points and six rebounds a game.
8. Alex Dickeson
Alexander Dickeson would make a great one-year DP before jetting off to college the following season. The sharpshooting guard recently represented Australia at the Under-19 World Cup, knocking down two clutch three pointers in a double overtime victory against Cameroon.
9. Jongkuch Mach
Jongkuch Mach might just been the tallest Australian on the planet. Standing at 7’6” at just 17, he could really develop into anything and a NBL team might aid him in that process. Read more about Mach here.
10. Che Brogan
Another member of the Emus 2025 World Cup team, Che Brogan could be one of Australia’s next great guards. The son of former WNBL player Michelle Brogan and nephew to former Adelaide 36er Dean Brogan, he has all the tools to compete at the highest level.
