THE National Basketball League (NBL) has been able to go ahead with the majority of fixtured games so far this season, despite interruptions related to COVID-19. There have been some cracking contests around the competition in the opening six rounds, and in these matches there have been some outstanding individual performances. The year has also provided the opportunity for the NBL’s brightest young stars to make a name for themselves on the biggest stage this country has to offer.

In this article, we take a look at three of the competition’s young guns, and with the Australian basketball factory pumping out more talent than ever, the recognition for this strong play will be reaching around the globe.

Hugo Besson (New Zealand Breakers)

The first player on this list is one who may have taken many by surprise, with much of the attention heading into the season around teammate Ousmane Dieng. However, it has been Besson who has impressed the most so far this season, announcing himself as one of the competition’s premier young talents and has surely boosted his draft stock moving forward, as scouts begin to take notice of his work in one of the world’s strongest Basketball leagues.

Besson has scored more than 20 points on multiple occasions this season, and has emerged as a legitimate offensive option for the Breakers. He has shown the capability to score at will, from both inside the paint and behind the three-point line. In what has proved a troublesome season for the Breakers, Besson has been a shining light, with averages of 15.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. This season has provided the opportunity to boost his draft stock, and the French guard has taken this chance with both hands.

Luke Travers (Perth Wildcats)

Next up is Perth Wildcats guard Travers, who has been highly touted as one of the competition’s best young talents for the last few years. After making his way on to the primary list, the guard has impressed with his mature level of play in the opening weeks. As the season has progressed, the buzz around the 20-year-old has only grown as many call for the youngster to make the call to declare for the NBA Draft later in the year.

The Adelaide native has been a spark off the bench for his side, consistently delivering energy on a weekly basis as he continues to stake his claim towards NBA draft scouts. He has delivered averages of seven points and 7.7 rebounds per game as he proves his worth as one of the league’s best products. Given he has developed his game almost entirely through the NBL, he is extremely marketable for the competition. If he continues to produce such strong performances, the world should begin to take even more notice.

Ariel Hukporti (Melbourne United)

The final player on the list is United big man Hukporti, who has also been quietly putting his name forward for a selection in the upcoming NBA Draft. Hailing from Germany, Hukporti was announced as one of the competition’s Next Stars prior to the commencement of the 2021/22 season, and so far, he has not disappointed. Like Travers, the big man has provided some serious production off the bench for the reigning champions, and will be a valuable piece in their quest for consecutive titles.

With United holding the talent of Jo Lual Acuil, it is unquestioned that Hukporti must come off the pine, given the talent the team possesses. However, this has not stopped the 19-year-old from catching the eye of both fans and scouts in the opening six rounds. He has terrorised rims around the country, with his defensive work something to be marvelled at. His work on the offensive end of the court is also improving on a weekly basis, and in his most recent match, he finished with 11 points and six rebounds in a promising outing.