Free agency continues to roll on across the Sal’s NBL, with clubs mixing continuity with fresh talent as 2026 rosters start to come into focus. The Jets have continued adding to their group, the Giants have made another major move with a proven leader returning to the Trafalgar Centre, the Rams have landed a major frontcourt piece, and the Whai have doubled down on their culture with a key re-signing and a new addition. In Wellington, the Saints have announced the return of a homegrown talent with Tall Black experience as they continue building toward 2026 and their championship defense. Read on for all the details.
The Property Brokers Manawatū Jets have continued to add pieces as they shape their squad for 2026 in their pursuit of the post-season, announcing two new signings in Nate Wilson and Hamza Zahran.
Wilson arrives as a product of Basketball Auckland and Mount Albert Grammar, coming through one of the country’s strongest development pathways. He helped lead MAGS to a third-place finish at the 2019 Secondary School Nationals before stepping into the Sal’s NBL environment with the Auckland Huskies during the covid affected Showdown in 2020. From there, Wilson took his game to the American collegiate system and has recently returned home after competing at Oklahoma Baptist University (NCAA Division II), adding valuable college experience to his tool box to help the Jets in '26.
Zahran adds a different dimension on the wing. Standing 6’6”, he joins the Jets as a forward/wing known for physicality, versatility and shooting ability. His journey includes time at the prestigious Oak Hill Academy in the United States, before a successful spell at Utah Prep where he was recognised as a 2025 McDonald’s All-American Game nominee. The Jets say he has attracted significant interest from NCAA Division I programmes, underlining his talent and upside as he arrives in green for the 2026 campaign, before a possible return to the NCAA collegiate system.
The NBS Nelson Giants have paired experience and leadership with development in their latest announcements, signing Kruz Perrott-Hunt while confirming the return of local James Matthews.
Perrott-Hunt will be a familiar name to Giants fans, having made his Sal’s NBL debut with Nelson in 2019 before heading to the United States to complete his university career. He starred at the University of South Dakota, leading the Coyotes in scoring across his final two seasons and captaining the side as a senior. Since returning from the NCAA, Perrott-Hunt has built further international experience in Slovakia, Finland and Serbia, before returning home to spend the past two Sal’s NBL seasons with the Tauranga Whai, captaining the side while leading the team to a surprising semi-final berth a season ago. He has also represented the Tall Blacks at the 2022 Asia Cup, bringing high-level skill, leadership and competitiveness in his return to Nelson.
Matthews returns as one of the country’s top young prospects and a key local piece for the Giants. The 17-year-old was part of the history-making New Zealand U17 team that finished fourth at the FIBA U17 World Cup in Türkiye, has come through the Nelson pathway via Nelson College and the Nelson Basketball Association age-grade system, and was a key member of the Giants’ championship-winning Rapid League team in 2024. With another year of experience under his belt, the current Nelson College Head Boy will again be one to watch as he pushes for a bigger role.
The Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams have added a major frontcourt piece for 2026, signing 6’10” Kiwi big man Jack Andrew.
Entering his seventh Sal’s NBL season, the 24-year-old has built his résumé with the Otago Nuggets and Taranaki Airs, and arrives in Christchurch off a career-best campaign in 2025. Playing for the Airs, Andrew posted career highs across the board, averaging 13.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.8 offensive rebounds (second in the league) and 2.2 blocks (second in the league) as he manned the middle for the Final 6 team.
Head Coach Quinn Clinton said Andrew’s hunger to continue improving aligns strongly with the club, while also highlighting how his game fits the Rams’ identity. Clinton pointed to Andrew’s ability to get out and run, apply consistent rim pressure, and impact the game as an elite possession winner.
Andrew is also a current New Zealand Breakers development player, with three years of Australian NBL experience, and a freshly anointed Tall Black, making his national team debut at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup. While 2026 will be his first season in Rams colours, Andrew already has strong ties to the city, noting he has plenty of family in Christchurch and around the South Island. This signing dulls the confirmed loss of Max Darling, as the Rams look to refill their talent depth up front in their quest to return to the championship circle.
The Northern Group Tauranga Whai have made a major early priority official, re-signing Jayden Bezzant for his third season in Whai colours, while also welcoming Australian guard Nick Stoddart as a new addition for 2026.
Bezzant’s return keeps a key guard and local leader in place after an impactful 2025 campaign that helped drive the Whai to their first-ever semi-final. Head Coach Matt Lacey said bringing Bezzant back was a big offseason priority, describing him as the heart of the team, while Bezzant spoke about what it means to play for the Whai in his hometown, in front of friends and family. With the loss of Perrott-Hunt Bezzant may be in line for more minutes as the lead guard, a position where he can excel with the ball in hand, as multiple possessions late in games of the 2025 season had proven. Off the floor, Bezzant continues to invest in the next generation through his role with the Whai Academy coaching team, helping to cement the Whai programme in the local basketball ecosystem.
Stoddart arrives with strong NBL and NBL1 experience and a reputation for an elite work rate and professionalism. The 25-year-old grew up in Brisbane and made a major impact in NBL1 North in 2021, earning Youth Player of the Year honours while putting up big numbers for the Capitals. Injury limited him over the next two seasons, but a move to the Ballarat Miners in NBL1 South in 2024 helped him re-establish momentum, playing a key role in a run to a Grand Final. That form helped open the door to an opportunity with the Tasmania JackJumpers as a development player, and he has since been elevated to a full roster spot for NBL26. Head Coach Matt Lacey said Stoddart brings strong habits, strong development experience, and a real hunger to grow for a Whai squad looking to return to the postseason.
The Mills Albert Wellington Saints have added a significant local boost, signing Jordan Hunt as the Hutt Valley product returns to the club where he began his basketball journey.
Hunt brings a wealth of experience back to Wellington after playing professionally in England and representing New Zealand internationally as part of the Tall Blacks programme, including selection in last year’s FIBA Asia Cup squad. Saints CEO Jordan Mills shared it is always great to bring home local talent, describing Hunt as a proven Sal's NBL contributor, a floor-stretching big man and a high IQ player, while noting the club is excited about the year ahead as Hunt works back to full health and form.
Head Coach Aaron Young said bringing Hunt home was an exciting move from the moment discussions began, adding that the club understands the impact he can have and respects what he has achieved in the league. Young said Hunt’s passion to return home, where it all started, will help bring out the best version of him as a player as the Saints continue supporting his development as a high-level professional.
Free agency is far from finished, with further roster announcements expected as clubs continue to fill remaining spots for the 2026 season.
Giants: Kruz Perrott-Hunt (new, Tauranga Whai), James Matthews (re-signed)
Jets: Nate Wilson (new, College), Hamza Zahran (new, Prep School)
Rams: Jack Andrew (new, Taranaki Airs)
Whai: Jayden Bezzant (re-signed), Nick Stoddart (new, Australian NBL)
Saints: Jordan Hunt (new, Franklin Bulls)
Giants: Alex McNaught (re-signed), Liam Judd (re-signed)
Jets: Dontae Russo-Nance (re-signed), William Heather (new), Byron Mullens (import), Kazlo Evens Jr (new, from Saints), Ngor Nai (new import), Kaden Sand (new import)
Saints: Sam Gold (re-signed), Carlin Davison (new)
Sharks: Samuel Timmins (re-signed), Tukaha Cooper (re-signed), Tobias Cameron (new, from Bulls)
Tuatara: Robert Loe (re-signed), Zach Riley (re-signed)
