Basketball stars Thomas Abercrombie and Krystal Leger-Walker will soon be moving from the hardwood of the court and into the Sky Sport commentary box for the 2024 Sal’s National Basketball League season, coming together as part of 13-person team that is currently preparing to call up to 16 live games each week.
The core of the experienced commentary team will feature Andrew Mulligan, Casey Frank, Justin Nelson, Glen Larmer, Taylah Johnson and Brook Ruscoe, with Abercrombie and Leger-Walker joining to help cover the 225 games across the Sal’s NBL and Sky Broadband Rapid League 2024 seasons.
Nelson Giants fans will be treated to the popular commentary of Huw Beynon and Phill Jones for all home games, while in Christchurch another new face, Maia Williamson, will join Nick Bewley to cover Rams games. Former Tall Black Miles Pearce will cover games in Wellington and Palmerston North across a selection of the schedule.
Every Sal’s NBL and Sky Broadband Rapid League game will be broadcast live on Sky Sport, with Sunday afternoon games also live on Sky Open from 3pm, while global coverage will again include every Sal’s NBL game being beamed into the United States on ESPN and worldwide on FIBA YouTube.
Andrew Mulligan says, “It’s always a privilege to be given the opportunity to call games and working on the Sal’s NBL is something I cherish every season. To see the league grow and watch the talent come through on the floor as well as into the commentary booth is always exciting and this season is no exception.”
For Leger-Walker, who enjoyed lifting last year’s Tauihi championship with the BNZ Northern Kahu, a move into commentary for the men’s season can’t come soon enough.
“I’m super excited to be a part of this year’s team on Sky. It’s awesome to be involved with the game in different ways, especially right now with how much the coverage of basketball is growing in New Zealand,” said Leger-Walker, adding “I’m honoured to be part of New Zealand’s elite basketball leagues and watch our nation’s best players competing night in and night out. I can’t wait to get behind the microphone for the Sal’s NBL season.”
At just 19, Cantabrian Maia Williamson is the youngest member of the team and is pinching herself at the opportunity to learn from a number of seasoned professionals on the Sky commentary team.
"I feel fortunate to be offered this opportunity to pursue my broadcasting ambitions and I can’t wait to get on the mic and talk hoops.
"I have so much ahead of me and look forward to learning from my very experienced colleagues – they have been doing this for years and I’m just starting out, so I’ll be making sure I’m a sponge and soaking it all up. Talking and basketball are two of my main passions in life, I love Kiwi hoops, so I feel extremely blessed to be joining the Sky team,” said Williamson.
This years game coverage will again be bolstered with the return of Sal's Hoop Heads airing weekly on Sky Sport to provide highlights, insight and access that you can't find anywhere else. This year's lineup will be regularly hosted by Brook Ruscoe and a rotating panel of regular guests featuring Andrew Mulligan, Casey Frank, Thomas Abercrombie, Krystal Leger-Walker and Justin Nelson.
Sal’s NBL
Wednesday March 27 – Sunday July 14
Sky Broadband Rapid League
Wednesday March 27 – Sunday July 14 one hour prior to Sal's NBL tip off
Sal's NBL Final 6
Wednesday July 17 – Sunday July 28
