WITH the 2022/23 National Basketball League (NBL) season just around the corner, teams are beginning to complete their rosters with preparations beginning to ramp up a month ahead of opening night.

Most of the big signings are all but complete as sides look to build team chemistry ahead of the Blitz pre-season competition later this month. However, there are still a few development players being added to lists, as clubs add some young talent and depth, which is likely to come in handy throughout the course of the season.

Most recently, the Illawarra Hawks added a couple of new faces in the form of William Hickey and Harry Morris, with the duo being signed as development players with the opportunity to impress under new head coach Jacob Jakomas.

Hickey has been a serious weapon in the NBL1 South competition in 2022, producing an eye-catching 18 points per game for the Casey Cavaliers, who recently wrapped up their campaign for the year. In his most recent outing for the Cavaliers, ‘Davo’ Hickey came off the bench and delivered a seriously impactful 28-point performance, so it is no surprise to see him end up on an NBL list.

Jakomas said the club was impressed by Hickey’s skillset and believes he can make a big impact on the squad.

“Davo (Hickey) is a player we have watched with interest over the years,” Jackomas told the club’s website.

“He is an exciting talent with a unique feel for the game, and we look forward to continuing to develop and refine his skillset.”

Morris has been a member of the Hawks’ NBL1 list for the 2022 season in the NBL1 East competition, averaging 17 points and six boards per game, with a season-high total of 40 points.

He has the ability to knock down a shot from behind the arc, and at 6″6′, can drive into the paint and push through contact and conjure a bucket inside.

Jakomas said the club was impressed by Morris’ NBL1 campaign, and he had “more than earned his spot on the roster”.

The second signing of note in the last couple of days was the addition of New Zealand big man Anzac Rissetto to the SEM Phoenix, who announced the change earlier this week.

Rissetto recently spent time on the Franklin Bulls in the NZNBL, and averaged 10.4 points and 5.2 rebounds in season 2022. At 208cm, he has the ability to punish the opposition inside the paint and score through lay-ups and post hooks.

He was long rumoured to make the move to the NBL at the end of the NZNBL season, and says the Phoenix were an easy choice.

“I think the direction the club is moving in and the work that the club is doing in the community was a big attraction for me,” Rissetto told the club’s website.

“As well as being able to learn from coach Mitchell and banging bodies with players like Reuben Te Rangi, Alan Williams, and Mitch Creek every day is why I wanted to come to South East Melbourne.”

The Phoenix fell short of making the finals last year, so the club will be hoping Rissetto’s presence in the paint will help turn their fortunes around.