College restrictions force two NZNBL player swaps
TWO players initially drafted in last Thursday’s New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) Player Draft have been replaced by their respective teams due to college basketball restrictions.
Taranaki Mountainairs’ Will Heather and Manawatu Jets’ Tom Power have both been ruled of the 2020 Sal’s NBL season due to their respective colleges wanting to hold them back from competition ahead of their respective seasons later in the year.
Heather was the first official change announced on Saturday, with Doug Courtney‘s side opting to pick up Zach Easthope as a direct swap. Whilst Easthope initially had not nominated for the draft, the Airs were permitted to make the swap under the like-for-like rules.
“The like-for-like player replacement is within the rules and late today the NBL Independent Panel has approved this submission,” NZNBL General Manager Justin Nelson told the NZNBL website. “Effective immediately, Zach Easthope will join the Airs as their ninth ranked player.”
The second announcement came early this morning at the close of the Trade Window, with the Jets having a similar situation with Power. The 11th round pick was unable to play this season despite initially believing he would be available, and it forced the Jets to re-select a player. That player was the undrafted Nelson Kirksey.
Kirksey is in the unique situation of being based in Australia at present and is waiting to fly to New Zealand, but under quarantine rules, Kirksey will need to remain in isolation for two weeks and miss the start of the season. The rules state that Kirksey must play in four of the team’s 14 home and away matches to qualify for finals. In other words, the latest Kirksey could take the court for his first game and play the remaining games is Sunday, July 19.
“Kirksey is a proven player, it is a very astute move by the Jets, however they know there is no guarantee he will be able to get into the country in time to participate in the Showdown, so it is a bit of a gamble,” Nelson said in the announcement today. “But, under the rules he is available as an undrafted player and should he arrive in time to play and qualify for the finals I have no doubt the Jets will be very happy with the gamble they are taking.”
NZNBL teams prepare for massive final month
ONLY five rounds remain in the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) with the final third of the season getting underway tonight. Ahead of Round 11 tipping off between the Otago Nuggets and Canterbury Bulls, we look at how each of the 10 teams is shaping up in the run home. Auckland Tutatara Position: 1stWin-Loss: […]
Queens rule to claim inaugural title
AFTER an action-packed season, Tokomanawa Queens have taken out the 2022 Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa title, defeating Northern Kahu by nine points at The Trafalgar Centre on the weekend. The Queens finished second behind the Kahu on the ladder coming into the finals series, but headed into Saturday’s decider with plenty of confidence, having defeated them […]
Queens match to victory in second half
A STARRING second half performance of 56 points to 34 has resulted in the Tokomanawa Queens securing their place in the 2022 Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa Grand Final. The Queens knocked off Mainland Pouakai by 24 points, storming to victory off the back of an international trio. Though the Pouakai – who have caused headaches for […]
Kahu back up minor premiership with semi-win
A DOMINANT first term and then finishing with a wet sail allowed minor premiers Northern Kahu to book their spot in the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa Grand Final. The top of the table Kahu defeated fourth placed Mid-North Whai by 15 points at the Trafalgar Centre, largely built off a 23-6 opening stanza. Though the Whai […]
Kahu cruise to final round win over Pouakai
MINOR premiers Northern Kahu capped off the remarkable inaugural 2022 Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa season with an impressive 13-point win over Mainland Pouakai last night. The Kahu were locked into top spot courtesy of their 9-2 season, but still managed to run out the final game strongly, overcoming an early headache to seize control of the […]
Whai end regular season with win
AFTER being the only side to go down to Southern Hoiho during the season, the Mid-North Whai set the record straight in the final round, defeating the wooden spooners ahead of an important finals series. The Whai were on the back foot in the middle of the game, but steadied to run out 10-point victors […]
Pouakai wins thriller; secures third spot
THE Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa finals series matchup are locked in despite a couple of regular season matches to go, following Mainland Pouakai‘s thrilling victory over Mid-North Whai. The Whai were in with a chance to snatch third spot had they won this match, and did have great form over the Pouakai, defeating them in their […]
Queens pip Kahu to lock up second spot
FOR the second time this season, Tokomanawa Queens had the answers for the otherwise unbeatable Northern Kahu, defeating the top of the table side by a point to secure a top two position on the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa ladder. After accounting for the Kahu a few weeks back, the Queens ground out a one-point win […]
Finals-bound sides set sights on last round
ONE round remains in the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa season, with the best of New Zealand’s women’s basketball set to come to a head on Saturday, August 26-27. Though the final round takes place this weekend, fans will be doing the calculations ahead of the Final 4 weekend. The four sides are already decided in the […]
