Latest news with #NewZealandNationalBasketballLeague
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Nebraska player Josiah Allick named New Zealand National Basketball League MVP
A former Husker earned MVP for the New Zealand National Basketball League on Friday. Josiah Allick won the award following his strong rookie season with the Southland Sharks. Allick joined the Sharks back in February after serving as a graduate assistant for Nebraska this past season. He played a big part in the Huskers' 2023-2024 team, averaging 7.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Allick's command in the paint both offensively and defensively helped the fourth-seeded Sharks to the playoffs for the first time since 2019, earning him a spot on the Sal's NBL All-Star Five. For the Sharks, Allick posted regular-season averages of 18.9 points and a league-leading 11.2 rebounds per game. He also leads the league in offensive rebounds (81) and is second in the league in defensive rebounds (143). He is currently sixth in the league in both points scored (379) and free throw percentage (74.7%). His play helped the Sharks lock in home court for the elimination round and finish as one of the league's hottest teams. The team is now set to face the Canterbury Rams on Saturday afternoon, with the winner set to face the Wellington Saints or Tauranga Whai for the NZNBL Championship. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
08-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin basketball recruit named Nelson Giants Club Young Player of the Year
Wisconsin basketball commit Hayden Jones was named the Nelson Giants Club Young Player of the Year for the 2025 season on Friday. In addition to the Young Player of the Year honor, Jones pocketed Rapid League MVP nods for the Nelson Giants, which recognizes his efforts during a 4-minute quarter game played before the Giants' main contest in the New Zealand National Basketball League. As a 17-year-old, Jones averaged 9.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 20.6 minutes per game for the Giants. He did so off 44.8% shooting from the floor and 35.9% from 3-point range in 17 total games played. Jones added to his 2025 output during a wildly productive stint with New Zealand at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland. While his country earned a fourth-place finish, Jones often appeared as the most talented player on the hardwood. In seven games, the future Badger averaged a game-best 14.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per contest. He also notched 3.0 assists and 1.1 blocks in just under 29 minutes per appearance. Jones committed to Wisconsin's program back on July 25, 2024, just a few weeks after suiting up for New Zealand at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in Istanbul, Turkey. During the circuit, the class of 2025 product averaged nearly 12 points per game as the fourth-youngest player to ever debut for the country's senior national team. The future Badger now has three seasons with the Nelson Giants under his belt, plus further international experience at the 2023 FIBA U16 Asian Championship in Qatar. In just a few months, he will join sophomore guard Jack Janicki, senior guard Braeden Carrington, senior forward Elijah Gray, freshman forward Aleksas Bieliauskas, freshman guard Zach Kinziger, sophomore center Riccardo Greppi, sophomore guard Jack Robison and freshman center Will Garlock on UW's bench unit. Jones' place in the rotation will not be determined until Wisconsin begins its 2025-26 campaign this fall, but his development will be noteworthy. His ability to impact a game at such a young age is evident, and he will look to earn minutes when the Badgers begin the season with an exhibition against Oklahoma in October. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Two Wisconsin basketball commits to represent New Zealand at 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup
Two Wisconsin basketball commits to represent New Zealand at 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup A pair of Wisconsin basketball commits are set to represent New Zealand at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland, this summer. Class of 2026 shooting guard Jackson Ball and class of 2025 signee Hayden Jones will suit up for New Zealand's 12-man roster from June 28 to July 6 for an opportunity to clinch a gold medal for their country. Jones, who committed to Wisconsin's program on July 25, 2024, suited up for New Zealand at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in Istanbul, Turkey. There, he averaged nearly 12 points per game as the fourth-youngest player to debut for the senior national team. Jones and company fell to the United States, which rostered players such as Cameron Boozer and A.J. Dybantsa. The 6-foot-7 guard has also suited up for the Nelson Giants in the New Zealand National Basketball League for the past two seasons, plus previously registered 12.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists for New Zealand during its runner-up finish at the 2023 FIBA U16 Asian Championship in Qatar. Ball, who announced his pledge to Greg Gard's program on March 3, also laced up for New Zealand in the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup. At 6 feet, 4 inches, the 2026 prospect has showcased his offensive prowess for the Hawke's Bay Hawks in the NBL this spring, averaging over 22 points off 54.7% shooting from the field in 13 games through May 19. Jones and Ball join notable college signees on New Zealand's 2025 squad, such as Oscar Goodman (Michigan), Julius Halaifonua (Georgetown) and Tama Isaac (UC Irvine), an indication of how significant international basketball recruiting has become in the sport's landscape. The experience for both Ball and Jones is certainly encouraging for Badger fans. The development and professional exposure should prepare the duo even more for what they will encounter in the United States, regardless of where New Zealand places in the circuit. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
15-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Josiah Allick makes professional debut in New Zealand
Josiah Allick makes professional debut in New Zealand A former Nebraska basketball standout made his professional debut last week. Josiah Allick helped the Southland Sharks to a 98-70 victory over the Otago Nuggets in the New Zealand National Basketball League. Allick had 26 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals in 26 minutes of play. He most recently served as a graduate assistant for the Husker basketball team. The Lincoln native played in 33 games in his only season (2023-24) at Nebraska. He averaged 7.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. During his collegiate career, Allick totaled 1,246 points and 781 rebounds in 136 career games, including 111 career starts.
