2026 Sal’s NBL Free Agency Update: Volume 4

A Busy Week of Moves Adds New Firepower for the Airs, Nuggets, Hawks and Giants

Free agency momentum is building quickly across the Sal’s NBL, with a fresh run of announcements adding proven veterans, imports, returning locals and high-upside young talent ahead of the 2026 season. Taranaki have made a strong early statement with a mix of veteran experience and new faces to our shores; the Otago Nuggets have added firepower and a fan-favourite championship piece; Hawke’s Bay have locked in their early core; and Nelson have continued to invest in both depth and the future.

Read on for the latest updates, plus a recap of previously announced signings at the end of the article.

Sharks lock in local core and continuity as six more names are confirmed for 2026

The Southland Sharks have continued shaping their 2026 roster with a clear theme: keep the group together, keep building the culture, and give themselves every chance to get back to the big dance and Caleb Asberry at the centre of it all.

Asberry returns for a third season in orange after a standout 2025 campaign, in which he led the league in assists (7.5 per game) and delivered one of the season’s defining performances, exploding for 36 points in the Shark Tank playoff win over the Auckland Tuatara. Asberry said there is real belief in what the Sharks are building and that Invercargill has become a second home, while Head Coach Jonathan Yim highlighted how much it would mean to him to help bring a championship to the Deep South. With his ability to control tempo, create for others and take over when it matters, Asberry is shaping up as the key driver for a Southland chase of a return to the title game in 2026.

Around him, the Sharks have locked in a strong run of returning local and development pieces. Dane Bertinshaw is back after earning a roster spot following a productive Rapid League campaign, where he led the Sharks’ Rapid squad in scoring at 8 points per game. Bertinshaw said the team culture played a major role in his decision, and Yim expects him to take another step while continuing to bring energy and positive vibes to the group.

Gore product Jack Ramage returns for his second season after an impressive rookie year, with Yim saying what excites him most is that Ramage is “just getting started” given his work ethic and daily commitment to improvement. Long-tenured young Shark Quake Webster is also back for a fourth rostered season, with Webster speaking to the pride of representing Southland and Yim noting there is something special about watching local players grow within the programme — and that Webster embodies it.

Riley Snow returns for a fourth year as well, continuing his steady development within the local core. Snow pointed to the energy in the Shark Tank during last season’s playoff win over Auckland as a moment he won’t forget, while Yim praised his daily competitiveness and the way he pushes the group.

Southland have added another Wynyard to the mix, too, signing Tautoko Wynyard after his season with the Manawatū Jets. Wynyard said he’s looking forward to learning, challenging himself and improving every day, while Yim said he fits the Sharks’ identity- tough, competitive and team-first.

Rounding out the group is the return of Will Leger, who comes back after what Yim described as a major improvement curve the first time around in Invercargill. Leger said the fanbase and the feeling of the city as “home” made it an easy decision to return, and the Sharks will be backing his trajectory to keep rising into the future.

With more announcements still to come, including imports, the Sharks’ latest batch of confirmations reads like a team building the right way: continuity, local growth, and a lead guard in Asberry capable of steering them back to the title game as they aim to take things a step further in 2026.

Airs add experience and upside with Green, Cook, Vea and Jones

The Taranaki Airs have been active, bringing in a mix of international experience and domestic familiarity.

Xavier Green arrives as a 6’5” American shooting guard with a winning pedigree and global experience. The Airs highlight his scoring ability, defensive impact and versatility as a playmaker, while Head of Basketball Chris Anstey said the club had been fascinated with Green since taking over and was excited to finally bring him to New Plymouth to show the Taranaki fans what he can do on the court.

They have also added a steady floor general in Aaron Cook, who brings a high-level NCAA pedigree and growing international experience after collegiate stops at Southern Illinois, Gonzaga and Georgia. Cook has built his pro career in Europe, most recently in Germany and the Netherlands, and described himself as a two-way threat with creative playmaking on offence while offering hard-nosed defence at the point of attack.

Taranaki have also welcomed Luka Vea, a promising young forward originally from Auckland who has developed across both New Zealand and Australian basketball pathways. Vea has spent time in competitive Australian leagues, including NBL1, and the Airs see his athleticism and length as a base to grow into a multi-positional role. Vea said he is excited to represent Taranaki, noting family ties to the region through his mum’s side.

Finally, the Airs have confirmed the return of veteran forward Marcel Jones, a familiar frontcourt presence who has plied his trade all across the globe and is known for physicality, rebounding strength and interior scoring. Jones said he is grateful for the opportunity to come back to New Plymouth and wants the group to represent the toughness and resilience associated with the region, while Anstey described him as a key veteran whose lived experiences and skillset will help the team.

Hawks lock in a first trio as Burton returns, Kara re-signs, Allan continues his rise

The Big Barrel Hawks have opened their 2026 build with three confirmations.

Alonzo Burton returns as the club’s first confirmed player in a genuine homecoming for a player who was on the squad for the only championship in franchise history back in 2006. Raised in Hawke’s Bay and as a product of St John’s College in Hastings, Burton brings versatility, leadership and proven perimeter shooting, highlighted by a 42 percent three-point season in 2024. General Manager Jarrod Kenny called the signing meaningful for the organisation, while Head Coach Will Lopez was clear on the value Burton brings to winning basketball. Adding an extra storyline, Burton’s father, Willie Burton, is also returning as an assistant coach.

The Hawks have also re-signed Kobe Kara, retaining a dependable contributor who the club rates for professionalism, reliability and competitive edge. Kenny praised Kara for setting standards daily, while Lopez highlighted the trust and composure Kara brings in big moments as the Hawks chase a postseason opportunity in 2026.

Young shooter Isaac Allan will also be part of the 2026 group, continuing his rise as one of the Hawks’ most promising offensive weapons. The club is backing Allan’s shooting gravity and movement off the ball as a critical part of Hawke’s Bay’s offensive identity, with both Kenny and Lopez noting how floor spacing changes the geometry of the court.

Giants add depth and look to the future with Nickel and Rampton

The NBS Nelson Giants have added a pair of pieces that strengthen both depth and long-term upside.

Josh Nickel joins the Giants as a 1.9m swingman after time with the Canterbury Rams in 2024, where he gained valuable experience and celebrated a championship season. Nickel has represented Samoa internationally, including captaining the national team, and arrives with a reputation for leadership, rebounding tenacity and team-first competitiveness.

Nelson have also welcomed exciting young centre Zach Rampton, a 2.11m big man returning to New Zealand after growing up in China. The son of Tall Blacks and Giants legend Tony Rampton, and notable Nelson basketball figure Nicki, the 16-year-old stood out in China with his rebounding and interior scoring, and was part of the New Zealand team that finished third at the 2025 FIBA U16 Asia Cup. Now a Year 12 student and boarder at Nelson College, Rampton steps into a familiar pathway in a strong local basketball environment where he will look to build on a promising resume and gain valuable experience in both the NBL and Rapid League.

Nuggets bring back a champion and add firepower with Tuach and Rusbatch

The Otago Nuggets have added significant talent and experience with a mix of continuity and new arrivals.

Matt Bardsley returns as a familiar championship piece, entering another season with the club after playing all 21 games in 2025. Bardsley has been part of Nuggets’ title teams in 2020 and 2022 and continues to provide depth and reliability on the wing. The fan favourite will be a key cog on both ends of the court, where his inside-out versatility can create matchup headaches, all while his physical brand of defense at multiple positions can get under the skin of even the coolest of opponents.

Otago have also welcomed Buay Tuach, fresh off a season with the Auckland Tuatara where he averaged 16.2 points and 4.8 rebounds across 22 games, including a season-high 31 points against the Tauranga Whai. Tuach brings elite athleticism and spacing, with a resume that includes US college basketball, G League experience and professional stops across multiple countries. The high flyer will slash through defenses with his penetrating abilites while using those athletic skills to be a switchable force on the defensive end.

Finally, the Nuggets have added proven scoring and Tall Blacks experience with Ethan Rusbatch, who arrives after spending the past two seasons with the Franklin Bulls at the other end of the country. Rusbatch brings a long Sal’s NBL history and international pedigree, including 35 Tall Blacks appearances since debuting in 2016, and is known as an explosive scorer with deep range. Returning to his South Island roots, the elite shooter will stretch the floor for the Nugs while lifting the culture in the locker room and on the practice court as the squad looks to reclaim a spot on the post-season dance floor.

Tuatara confirm wing KC Ioane for 2026

The Jadcup Auckland Tuatara have confirmed KC Ioane for 2026. The 192cm wing played eight games for the Tuatara in 2025 and posted a season-best six points against the Southland Sharks. Ioane has strong school and representative credentials, including averaging a team-high 25.8 points per game for Dilworth School at the 2025 Secondary Schools National Championships, and touring China with the New Zealand U19 team in April 2025. A promising prospect, look for Ioane to take big minutes in the Rapid League while claiming more and more NBL minutes as the season goes along.

Jets add local connection with Ihaia Abbott

And to close out this edition of the Free Agency wrap, the Property Brokers Manawatū Jets have confirmed Ihaia Abbott as a new addition to their setup. The 20-year-old, originally out of Hawke’s Bay and now based in Manawatū, continues to build his game locally and adds another young, hungry piece to the Jets programme as the club keeps investing in the region.

More still to come

The season is less than five weeks away, and while plenty of key signings have already been locked in, there’s still more movement to come with big names still searching for a place to hang their hat in 2026.

Keep an eye here and across Sal’s NBL socials for the latest free agency updates as rosters continue to take shape.

Free agency movement so far

You can find the Free Agency Live Tracker Here

Free agency movement so far

Newly announced (Volume 4)

Airs: Xavier Green (new), Aaron Cook (new), Luka Vea (new), Marcel Jones (returning)

Hawks: Alonzo Burton (new), Kobe Kara (re-signed), Isaac Allan (returning)

Giants: Josh Nickel (new), Zach Rampton (new)

Jets: Ihaia Abbott (new)

Tuatara: KC Ioane (returning)

Nuggets: Matt Bardsley (re-signed), Buay Tuach (new), Ethan Rusbatch (new)

Sharks: Dane Bertinshaw (re-signed), Jack Ramage (re-signed), Quake Webster (re-signed), Riley Snow (re-signed), Tautoko Wynyard (new), Will Leger (re-signed), Caleb Asberry (re-signed)

Previously announced

Giants: Alex McNaught (re-signed), Liam Judd (re-signed), Kruz Perrott-Hunt (new), James Matthews (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), Nate Wilson (new), Hamza Zahran (new), Christian McDaniel (new)

Saints: Sam Gold (re-signed), Carlin Davison (new), Jordan Hunt (new), Akech Aliir (new), Aubrey Chunga (re-signed)

Sharks: Samuel Timmins (re-signed), Tukaha Cooper (re-signed), Tobias Cameron (new, from Bulls), Max Darling (new, from Rams)

Tuatara: Robert Loe (re-signed), Zach Riley (re-signed), Dylan Wilkie (re-signed), Sean Bairstow (new), Joshua Wyllie (re-signed)

Whai: Jayden Bezzant (re-signed), Nick Stoddart (new), Reuben Te Rangi (new)

Rams: Jack Andrew (new), Taylor Britt (re-signed), Mana Martin (development/returning)