Liam Badkin

Best of NBL23 – Individual Performances
THE 2022/23 NBL season is well and truly into the postseason, with just a few games remaining before a winner is crowned. In one of the best and most exciting fixtures in recent memory, there was plenty to enjoy as the competition reached new heights of quality and continued to gain international attention. With that […]

WNBL Ones to Watch – Semi-Finals
THE REGULAR season of the WNBL has wrapped up, with just four sides remaining in the hunt for the championship in the 2022/23 fixture. In what was an exhilarating race for the finals, it all went down to the last few weeks of the season, and now four of the best teams remain eligible for […]

George granted top gong at WNBL Awards
SUNDAY night saw the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) awards handed out on the league’s night of nights, and the highest individual award went to Cayla George of the Melbourne Boomers. George was a straightforward selection for the Suzy Batkovic Medal, having led the league in rebounding, finished second in scoring, and led the Boomers […]

X marks the spot – Cooks books NBA contract
AFTER rising to stardom in the NBL over recent years, Sydney Kings forward Xavier Cooks has achieved his dream of landing a spot on an NBA roster. The 2021/22 Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) and 2022/23 Andrew Gaze Trophy winner has been open about his quest to join the world’s most prestigious league, and that […]

Defensive demon helps Kings square series
DESPITE losing their two best players to injury over the course of the match, the Sydney Kings downed the New Zealand Breakers on the road to tie up the Championship Series at one game apiece on Sunday afternoon. The Kings were stunned at home on Friday as the Breakers produced an upset and took the […]

Ellis excels as USC tames Buffaloes
THE USC Trojans cruised to a comfortable 19-point triumph over the Colorado Buffaloes on Friday afternoon, led by an excellent offensive performance from guard Boogie Ellis. The Trojans came into the match in excellent form, with 19 wins and eight losses next to their name, while Buffaloes have been dangerously close to breaking even this […]

2022/23 NBL Team Wrap – Melbourne United
WITH A significant roster change over the offseason, Melbourne United struggled to match the towering heights of their last regular season campaign, missing the finals in heartbreaking fashion. Coming into the 2022/23 season, United were the NBL’s reigning minor champions, but lost the likes of Jo Lual Acuil, Jack White and Matthew Dellavedova to overseas […]

Boomers thump Bahrain in FIBA Qualifier
THE AUSTRALIAN Boomers delivered a commanding performance at State Basketball Centre, downing Bahrain to the tune of 33 points on Thursday night as part of a FIBA World Cup Qualifier. It was a matchup that the Aussies were expected to win, given the opposition currently sits at the bottom of Group F, while the Boomers […]

Shelly’s stirring showing helps Cornhuskers to big win
THERE was plenty of NCAAW action to enjoy on Thursday, including the Nebraska Cornhsukers’ 33-point win over the Illinois Fighting Illini. Despite coming into the game being unranked and facing the 25th-seeded Fighting Illini, Nebraska was too good, breaking away in the second term. The Cornhuskers continued to build their lead over the final two […]

Southside flies into top two in blockbuster clash
IN ONE of the most important games in the WNBL fixture, the Southside Flyers have secured a spot in the top-two after defeating the Melbourne Boomers 81-67 at State Basketball Centre on Wednesday night. The latest instalment of the Melbourne Derby had plenty of anticipation, given the stakes for both sides on the eve of […]

PODCAST | Got Next Episode 18
THE Got Next Podcast is back in your life for another episode, here to unpack the week’s action in Australian basketball. Episode 18 has plenty to touch on, including the NBL semi-finals, Simon Mitchell’s departure from the South East Melbourne Phoenix, and a blockbuster match in the WNBL. Host Michael Alvaro and Analyst Liam Badkin […]

Taylor’s 25 leads A&M to upset win
THE NCAAM has witnessed yet another boilover result, with the 25th-seeded Texas A&M Aggies taking down the Tennessee Volunteers, who are ranked 11th in the nation. Reed Arena was stunned earlier on Wednesday, with the underdog claiming a five-point triumph and producing a terrific second half that had an excellent mix of explosiveness and composure. […]