With the season less than 4 weeks away, the latest wave of free agency announcements added a mix of proven players, emerging talent and key returns across the competition. The Whai have landed a high-quality guard with deep ties to the coaching staff, the Otago Nuggets have reinforced with two imports and a high-upside forward as they look to return to the post-season, Auckland have continued to add depth with three additions in a mix of old and new, Hawke’s Bay have kept stacking their their squad as push forward with overseas talent and key local cogs, the Saints have locked in a homegrown cornerstone guard and a young local, the Franklin Bulls have made a major statement with an import scorer and significant size to reinforce the frontcourt while the Jets have welcomed back one of the most accomplished scorers in league history.
The Northern Group Tauranga Whai have made a major addition to their guard rotation with the signing of Taine Murray. Murray arrives off his rookie professional season with the Brisbane Bullets in the Australian NBL while bringing experience across every level of the New Zealand pathway.
A former Breakers development player, Murray played four seasons at the University of Virginia , appearing in 96 games and serving as captain his senior year. Locally, he previously starred for the Auckland Huskies in 2020, and has Tall Blacks experience dating back to his debut at just 17 years of age.. Head Coach Matt Lacey, who coached Murray during his Rosmini College years, said Murray’s toughness and habits will lift the Whai standards instantly as they continue to assemble the pieces for 2026 as they look to return to the postseason.
The Night 'n Day Otago Nuggets have added speed and playmaking with import guard Alain Louis, described as a dynamic ball-handler who can break down defences, push the pace and make big plays when it matters. Louis brings a decorated Canadian résumé from Carleton University, where he won three consecutive national championships and was named Finals MVP. He has also made his mark in the CEBL (Canadian Elite Basketball League) with the Montréal Alliance, earning Defensive Player of the Year while adding overseas experience from Spain and Great Britain as well.
Otago have also secured forward Isaac Miller-Jose, a high-motor, versatile big who arrives after a strong season with the Jets in 2025, averaging 9.2 points and 5.7 rebounds, including a career-highs of 25 points against the Giants and 17-rebounds against the Nuggets. Miller-Jose brings further experience from NBL1 Central in Australia following a Canadian college career at the University of Manitoba. His above the rim athleticism and ability to switch defensively will make him a perfect compliment to whatever lineups Otago chooses to put him in and his aerial acrobatics will be sure to pump up the the Edgar Centre crowd.
Rounding out the newest additions is import centre Michael Henn, who brings size and interior presence after playing professionally in Japan and most recently in Indonesia, where he averaged 13.3 points and 7.8 rebounds. Henn also has a four-school NCAA background and is billed as a physical inside option capable of anchoring both ends, an area that was in need of improvement following the '25 season.
The Jadcup Auckland Tuatara have continued building their 2026 roster with three additions that cover immediate impact and development upside over the long term.
Import guard Josh Dilling arrives as a proven shooter and creator, joining the Tuatara in what will be his rookie pro season after finishing his collegiate career at Northern Kentucky. Dilling led his team in three-point makes with 100 threes at 41%, while ranking second on the team in both scoring and assists, giving Auckland a clear spacing and scoring threat on the perimeter who can also take on lead guard duties.
Auckland have also welcomed Tall Black Isaac Davidson, a familiar figure in New Zealand basketball after five seasons with the Franklin Bulls and time with the New Zealand Breakers. Davidson signed a multi-year deal with the Breakers in late 2020, played as a development player before being elevated, and has continued to build an overseas résumé — including time in Finland and the Czech league — while most recently suiting up with Sluneta Ústí nad Labem. Davidson debuted for the Tall Blacks at the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup, where New Zealand claimed bronze, and returns to the Sal’s NBL with professional experience, perimeter versatility offensively and defensive value.
On the development side, the Tuatara have confirmed young forward Mattie Dalton for 2026. A North Harbour product and Rosmini College standout, Dalton has already gained Sal’s NBL minutes and has a strong age-grade résumé, including leading North Harbour scoring at U18 nationals and producing at secondary school nationals. Dalton also comes from a hoops family, with sister Tayla a Tall Fern and brother Charlie a former Tuatara player now in the American collegiate system.
The Big Barrel Hawke’s Bay Hawks continue to build with intent, adding four more pieces to a roster that is trending firmly toward “win-now” mode for the '26 season in the Hawks Nest.
Keanu Rasmussen returns fresh off a Tall Blacks debut and a dominant 2025 run in Australia’s NBL1 Central, where he averaged 23.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists, winning both a championship and MVP honours. With time in the Australian NBL and recent international experience, Rasmussen brings another layer of edge and shot-making to the Hawks group. His playmaking from the perimeter and aerial finishes at the rim will be a welcome return to the Bay after a one-year hiatus.
Local wing Clifton Bush III is also back, bringing athleticism, rim pressure and a deep connection to the Bay, continuing the Bush family’s long-standing links to the organisation. The young talent has just begun to scratch the surface of his potential following a his return from injury a season ago. He'll be looking to build on that promising season with his rim attacks and versatile defensive abilities.
The Hawks have also welcomed back Balin Casson, returning after an ACL rehab year. Casson adds wing versatility, energy and depth, and the club has backed his resilience and commitment through the recovery process.
And in one of the headline announcements of the week, Hawke’s Bay have confirmed the return of import swingman Dan Grida, bringing his energy, athleticism and winning pedigree back to the Bay. Grida was one of the league’s most impactful players last season, averaging 23.4 points and 8.8 rebounds, and arrives with Australian NBL experience and a reputation for relentless motor on both ends of the court that combines with high level defensive intensity. The fan favourite brings the heat every time he laces em up and 2026 could be his, and the Hawks, best year yet.
The Mills Albert Wellington Saints have secured a major piece of their championship defence, confirming the return of Izayah Le’afa for 2026. A champion and leader, Le’afa was named the 2025 Sal’s NBL Most Outstanding NZ Guard, and averaged 15.6 points and 5.9 assists across the Saints’ title run. His return keeps elite competitiveness, defence and leadership at the heart of Wellington’s identity. Le'afa is on the short list of premiere perimeter defenders in the league and combines that with a mercurial offensive game that can heat up at any moment. The hometown hero will be a key piece of the Saints chase for back to back chips.
The Saints have also confirmed young gun Hassan Munir will be back in 2026 after gaining experience in the championship environment last season. Munir adds local development and backcourt depth as the Saints continue shaping their rotation. Look for him to capitalise on chances in the Rapid League while waiting for his NBL chance.
The Franklin Bulls have been active in key areas, adding frontcourt experience, local size, and backcourt firepower as they shape their 2026 roster.
The return of Matt Freeman is a significant one for Franklin. Freeman originally signed with the Bulls in 2021, but injury sidelined him and saw him contribute around the programme in support staff and mentoring roles before he made his on-court debut in 2023, appearing in 10 games. Since then, Freeman has built a strong professional résumé in Europe following a standout college career that began at the University of Oklahoma before finishing at UC Santa Barbara. His pro journey has included stops in Germany, Romania and most recently Hungary, and the Bulls believe his shooting ability, basketball IQ and leadership will be invaluable for a young squad. The club has also highlighted his willingness to invest locally through its “Loyal, Local and Committed” philosophy, connecting players back into Franklin basketball clubs and the community.
Franklin have also welcomed home Ellis Biggar as a local-eligible centre for 2026, marking his Sal’s NBL debut. Biggar arrives after time in the South East Melbourne Phoenix environment, progressing from training player to an NBL26 development contract, and brings rebounding, defensive presence and a high motor. The Bulls see his size and work ethic as a major boost in the paint, with Head Coach Dan Ryan noting his enthusiasm and tangible improvement, and the club backing Biggar to anchor defence and protect the rim against the league’s quality bigs.
On the perimeter, the Bulls have added American import guard Derrin Boyd, who arrives from the NBA's G League as a strong, skilled scorer expected to be a major offensive weapon. Franklin have emphasised Boyd’s three-level scoring and competitiveness as key ingredients, with the guard set to join the team once the G League season concludes.
And to finish the weekely roundup we have a big one. The Manawatū Jets have landed one of the biggest names in New Zealand basketball with the return of Corey Webster. A NZ hoops legend and multiple-time champion and highly decorated player with deep Tall Blacks experience, Webster brings proven scoring, leadership and big-game pedigree back to Palmerston North. Webster returns following a strong rehab journey after suffering an achilles injury that shortened a banner year last season, reconnecting with the region through basketball camps over summer and now ready to “finish what was started” in green.
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The 2026 season tips off on April 9th, find the schedule Here
