This month, the arrival of NBA award-winner Montrezl Harrell to the NBL’s Adelaide 36ers has sparked a conversation about the league’s growing relevance to international basketball.
During the final days of the NBL off-season, the 36ers signed Harrell as one of their three available import and injury replacement players. Harrell, an NBA journeyman, won NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2020, whilst playing for the LA Clippers.
After playing 56 games for the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 5.6 points and 2.8 rebounds, Harrell sustained a ruptured ACL in August during the 2023 preseason, and was subsequently waived.
Harrell in action at RAC Arena, Perth (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Looking to return to form post-injury, Harrell has stated that the NBL is a conscious career shift to remain active during his rehabilitation journey.
“This team (the 36ers) understood where I’m coming from and where I want to get back to,” Harrell said during a recent interview with NBL media.
“They welcomed me with open arms and they want to help me get back to where I want to be, and that’s in the NBA.”
In his first game with the 36ers, Harrell put up 13 points and 13 rebounds in a loss to a Sydney Kings team led by Xavier Cooks, another former NBA reserve for the Washington Wizards.
This signing is not the first time former, current or future international talent has appeared in the NBL. Australian Josh Giddey has emerged as a young talent, playing for the 36ers before going on to compete for the NBA’s Orlando Magic.
According to Sports Industry Australia, the NBL saw a 15% attendance increase league wide and a 40% increase in viewership across platforms including ESPN, KAYO and Foxtel. This indicates the highest fan attendance the NBL has seen since 1996.
Therefore, Harrell’s signing is just another indication of the significant global growth that the NBL has been experiencing ever since the development and fan attention during NBA All Star’s Lamelo Ball’s career playing for the Illawarra Hawks.
With the recent emergence of international talent, professional leagues across the world have become better equipped to to accomodate American players talent, athleticism and provide a competitive environment akin to the NBA.
“It’s definitely respected,” said former 10-time all star, Carmelo Anthony in Perth on Thursday.
“The conversations are happening more and more, the topic of NBL is happening more and more (in the US).”
The NBL was even recently used as a strategic bargaining chip for young NBA prospect and son of star Lebron James, Bronny James Junior who threatened to go to the NBL if drafted by any team other than the Lakers.
“I would say that this league isn’t for everyone, but it is for great players,” two-time NBA Champion, Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith said.
“There are certain players that need to be pros tomorrow, and that’s what this league is for.”