Bogut calls NBL a destination league

Whether it be the likes of Jack White and Matthew Dellavedova earning NBA contracts, Ousmane Dieng, Luke Travers and Hugo Besson fulfilling their dreams of getting drafted, or exceptional talents like Tyler Johnson, Jarrell Brantley and Alan Williams coming to the league in an attempt to launch themselves back into the NBA, the quality of the NBL has surged in recent years.

It almost seems like an age ago when Andrew Bogut returned to our shores to pull on the purple and gold of the Sydney Kings, with an NBA championship ring packed into his carry-on, and the former NBL MVP turned part-owner is bullish on the potential for the NBL to become the destination league for high-quality import players.

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Prompted by reigning NBL MVP Jaylen Adams’ recent release from EuroLeague side Red Star, Bogut says players should consider the quality of life when weighing up whether to come to the NBL or pursue other overseas contracts.

“The NBL season runs during the Australian summer. There are lots of pros, it’s an English-speaking country, western, you don’t need a driver,” Bogut said on the Rogue Bogues podcast.

“I had friends play in Russia where they had to have security guards and drivers with them at all times. [It’s] the same with China.

“The living standards are very good [and] I think a lot of players are starting to appreciate that."

Not so long ago the opportunities for Australian players to make the NBA were limited. While there had been players who made the jump directly from the NBL to the NBA  – most notably Chris Anstey and Andrew Gaze – most players, Bogut included, travelled the college route to pursue their NBA dreams.

Whether it be Jack White, Jock Landale, or established NBL Next Stars LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey or RJ Hampton, the NBL is now positioning itself as a prime destination for those looking to reach the big show.

Bogut says it shouldn’t just be young players who look to the NBL for potential future NBA opportunities.

“More and more imports are starting to realise the NBL is a pretty good competition,” he said.

“It’s got ties to NBA scouts – NBA scouts are here on a regular basis, and it’s a good place to live in summer.

“We’ll see if we can get more [quality imports] over here.”