THE NATIONAL Basketball League (NBL) is home to a number of talents both domestic and international, with players from all over the world heading down under to play in one of the strongest competitions in the world.

Each year, NBL teams are allowed three imports on their roster as they look to help nurture some of the most enticing talents across the globe. Imports often dominate headlines, given they come into the competition as established players with some playing in the world’s best competitions.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be keeping an eye on how the fresh imports for 2022/23 are faring on a weekly basis, and what they are bringing to their respective teams.

Finally hitting his straps after a quiet start in the NBL, Tasmania JackJumpers recruit Milton Doyle delivered a match-winning performance against the Breakers on Sunday afternoon. He was a man possessed in a must-win match for the JackJumpers, finishing with a round-high 32 points (12/22 FG, 8/11 2PT) to go with six rebounds and four assists. Doyle looked like a go-to player for Tassie, highlighted by JackJumpers coach Scott Roth benching Josh Magette in the closing stages of the game in favour of the team’s new import. If he can maintain this sort of confidence moving forward, it may help the side fill the void of Josh Adams.

Derrick Walton Jr. had a mixed bag in Round 2, with a strong opening performance (21 points, eight assists) backed up by a quieter showing against United. Despite a low statline, he was still extremely impactful and should continue to do so over the course of the season.

New Brisbane Bullets recruit Tyler Johnson delivered his best NBL performance against the JackJumpers, going 6/7 from downtown on his way to 24 points. He looked his best as a spot up shooter rather than a shot-maker off the dribble, and proved why he has 350 games of NBA experience under his belt.

The newly appointed captain of the New Zealand Breakers Jarell Brantley was impactful in the win against Tasmania on Friday night. With a number of his teammates out of form, the big man took the game by the scruff of the neck and simply outworked the JackJumpers in the paint. It was a leader’s performance on his way to 19 points and six rebounds.

The final import who caught the eye in Round 2 was Cairns Taipans big man D.J. Hogg, who makes his second consecutive appearance in this series. Continuing to emerge as a genuine two-way player, Hogg was great over the weekend, particularly against the SEM Phoenix, where he had 18 points and eight boards.