2025 brings a few new faces to the Sal's NBL Sky Sport commentary team and before we tip off the season and a brave few have been kind enough to share a their thoughts on where the hardware will be landing come the end of the season. Editors note: all predictions were handed in prior to season tip off
Q: Who will win the League Rising Star?
Andrew Mulligan: Jackson Ball (Hawks)
Judd Flavell: Carter Hopoi – he has a new level of confidence and the Whai are going to be relying on Carter to play a bigger role this season. Jackson Ball will also be right there. Similar to Carter his increased role will see Jackson with more opportunity. If the blitz is anything to go off then these 2 are going to have great seasons.
Natu Taufale: Jackson Ball
Maia Wiliamson: Call me a one eyed Cantab but it's hard to go past recent Tall Black Debutant Tama Isaac. Tama played serious minutes as the backup PG for Tay Tay Britt in Sal's NBL last year and kept up with the pace and physicality, showing maturity and poise well above his page.
Justin Nelson: Jackson Ball (Hawks). Case closed ... though keep a close watch on Hayden Jones (Giants), Tama Isaac (Rams), Troy Plumtree (Saints) and Carter Hopoi (Whai).
Casey Frank: Jackson Ball. Got my eye on Hayden Jones, Carter Hopoi Tama Isaac and Troy Plumtree as top performers as well.
Q: Which Player’s will make the Rapid League All-Star 5?
Andrew Mulligan: Too Tough to pick from all these youngsters. Plus I don’t know who’s starting yet.
Judd Flavell: Tama Isaac, Hayden Jones, Lachie Crate, Mac Stodart, Te Tuhi Lewis. I anticipate Carter Hopoi and Jackson Ball not to be playing so much RL this year otherwise lock them in!
Natu Taufale: Lachie Crate, Tutuhi Lewis, Kazlo Evans Junior, Matt Bardsley and Christian Vano
Maia Wiliamson: These questions get harder every year! My All-Star 5: Hayden Jones, Kaia Isaac, Carlin Davidson, Jayden Bezzant and Jackson Ball (he could seriously get a starting spot but thats a convo for another day).
Justin Nelson: Tama Isaac (Rams), Te Tuhi Lewis (Whai), Jackson Ball (Hawks), Troy Plumtree (Saints), Kaia Isaac (Rams)
Casey Frank: Kaia Isaac (Rams), Te Tuhi Lewis (Whai), Jayden Bezzant (Whai), Josh Aitcheson (Nuggets), Lachie Crate (Giants)
Q: Who will win Most Outstanding Guard?
Andrew Mulligan: Shea Ili
Judd Flavell: 1 - Shea Ili – he’s just very good at basketball. 2 - Sean Macdonald – This guy gets it done at ANBL! Working against Sean will be his backcourt running mate Taylor Britt as they’ll potentially be splitting votes
Natu Taufale: Shea Ili
Maia Wiliamson: Thinking Will Hickey here as I just love Hickey's energy so much, think this will be uncontainable in Sal's NBL.
Justin Nelson: Jose Perez (Nuggets) will do as he pleases in Dunedin. I also like Davo Hickey (Tuatara), Flynn Cameron (Bulls) will have a big season, and I'm always a big fan of Taylor Britt (Rams).
Casey Frank: Davo Hickey (Tuatara)
Q: Who will win Most Outstanding Big (F/C)?
Andrew Mulligan: Rob Loe
Judd Flavell: 1 - Rob Loe. 2 – Hyrum Harris. 3 – Sean Bairstow – Sean is a great pick up and really fits what the Whai are all about
Natu Taufale: Rob Loe
Maia Wiliamson: Is it boring to answer Rob Loe every year?
Justin Nelson: Brice Johnson (Giants) is my outside-the-square pick, but you just know Rob Loe (Tuatara) will be in the mix. A player nobody will mention is Josiah Allick (Sharks), I think he will be one to watch as well.
Casey Frank: Rob Loe (Tuatara), and hoping he gets pushed by Harry Froling (Airs)
Q: Who will win Most Outstanding Kiwi Guard?
Andrew Mulligan: Shea Ili
Judd Flavell: 1 - Shea Ili. 2 – Taylor Britt. 3 – Flynn Cameron. If Corey is able to carry his Jets into the top 4 then he climbs into the list.
Natu Taufale: Shea Ili
Maia Wiliamson: Shea Ili. No ifs, ands, or buts. I'm a big fan
Justin Nelson: Flynn Cameron (Bulls) - I think he's going to go to the next level this season.
Casey Frank: Corey Webster, Shea Ili and Flynn Cameron my favs. I’ll lean Cameron as he’ll be a little bit more motivated by youth.
Q: Who will win Most Outstanding Kiwi Big (F/C)?
Andrew Mulligan: Rob Loe
Judd Flavell: 1 – Rob Loe. 2 – Hyrum Harris. 3 – Sam Timmins (pending on how many games he plays). Watch out for Max Darling and Carter Hopoi
Natu Taufale: Rob Loe
Maia Wiliamson: Is it still boring to answer Rob Loe every year?
Justin Nelson: Rob Loe (Tuatara) ... others in the mix include Hyrum Harris (Saints), Max Darling (Rams), Tom Vodanovich (Tuatara).
Casey Frank: Rob Loe and Hyrum Harris are my favs, but I’m going Rob Loe again.
Q: Who will be the Defensive player of the year?
Andrew Mulligan: Izayah Leafa
Judd Flavell: 1 - Shea Ili – Most disruptive defender in the game. 2 - Rob Loe - No one alters your game planning offensive attack more than Rob does, he is that influential. Shout out to Izayah Leafa and Owen Foxwell – these ball hawks will create havoc for any opposing match up.
Natu Taufale: Shea Ili
Maia Wiliamson: If Shea Ili wins ANBL DPOY, he's gotta take the cake here! If not him, his teammate Izzy.
Justin Nelson: Shea Ili (Saints) to win, but expect Rob Loe (Tuatara), Izayah Le'afa (Saints), Walter Brown (Rams) and Davo Hickey (Tuatara) to be in the conversation.
Casey Frank: Hard not to pick Shea Ili, but I gotta stick with 2x defending DPOY Rob Loe.
Q: Who will win the League MVP?
Andrew Mulligan: Rob Loe
Judd Flavell: IMO, MVP should come from the best teams and the Tuatara, Saints and Rams will all be in that mix. 1 - Rob Loe. 2 – Shea Ili. 3 – Sean Macdonald.
Natu Taufale: Shea Ili
Maia Wiliamson: This is an incredibly tough question to answer, but Brice Johnson is a massive signing. If he can stay healthy and quickly adjust to the league, an accolade could be coming his way.
Justin Nelson: So much depends on availability, especially early in the season, and of course we often go in blind on the imports. I’m really high this season on Hyrum Harris (Saints) – I think if he stays injury free he’ll be in the mix, Rob Loe (Tuatara) is a proven MVP winner and always a chance, I really like Hawks duo Dan Grida and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, and Flynn Cameron (Bulls) will star this season. Jose Perez (Nuggets) looks like he’ll have a green light, and I think Caleb Asberry (Sharks) will be right in the mix as well. But if I’m forced to pick one, I’m going with Brice Johnson (Giants) – he’s 31yo and comes with a heap of Euro experience, and he’s an NBA first round draft pick, so we know the talent and credentials are there. It’s a completely blind pick, I believe he’s coming off an injury, but let’s live on the edge a little.
Casey Frank: Going with Rob Loe again.
