Photo Credit – Anthony Furina (Via Adelaide University)
3-Minute Read
The Adelaide Waatu have been around in the UBL since 2022 and have progressively made strides year in year out. The league shifting to a August-October calendar for the first time in it’s existence will lengthen then talent pool sitting in the sweet spot between the end of the NBL1 season and beginning of district preseason and other basketball opportunities.
Coach of the previous teams in 2024 Scott Freer shared on the SA Shotclock earlier this week it’s an opportunity for those who don’t take the college route to still play in a high quality competition. “UBL is designed for this – a lot of major universities got together and said we may have a lot of kids who don’t get the opportunity to go overseas to play college in the US – effectively it’s a elite level league designed to cater for the experience on both sides of the floor.” Freer shared with the podcast this week.
“It’s a stepping stone to elite basketball with all the important aspects included – it’s a great league and getting stronger every year.”
Here’s the run down of what to look forward to from our teams this season in the 2025 season including all our home games at the State Basketball Centre this season.
Round 1 – Tuesday August 5 vs University of Newcastle [NU] (Home)
Round 1 – Wednesday August 6 vs University of Sunshine Coast [USC] (Home)
Round 2 – Wednesday August 13 vs La Trobe University [LTU] (Away)
Round 3 – Wednesday August 20 vs Federation University [FED] (Away)
Round 4 – Wednesday August 27 vs Victoria University [VU] (Away)
Round 5 – Bye
Round 6 – Tuesday 11 September vs UWA Maali (Away)
Round 7 – Tuesday 16 September vs UNSW (Away)
Round 8 – Tuesday 23 September vs UTAS (Home)
Round 8 – Wednesday 24 September vs University of Sydney (Home)
Quarter Finals – Week of October 6
Semi-Finals – Week of October 13
Grand Finals – Week of October 20
Women
History
The Women grabbed their first home win in UBL history last year in their home game at the State Basketball Centre marking a turning point in overall competitiveness – then putting in solid showings against powerhouses such as Sydney Uni. With most of the core returning and some key NBL1 Central pieces added this season under returning coach Lachlan Coppick looks another step in the right direction.
Returning
The Norwood Flames duo of Alice Sabine and Jemima Whitton will return along with experienced Meaza Otto from the Southern Tigers. Sabine coming off the MVP for last season for the Waatu will be another key figure again this season finishing with multiple doubles – all these three have had limited NBL1 Central minutes and will be raring to go for the new season.
“Having the three girls comeback this year really gives a core we can continue to build around for the coming season ahead.” Freer summarised the returning players for the Waatu.
Recruited
With already two Norwood Flames – joining the Waatu will be another two who have been starters for the NBL1 Central 2025 side in Caitlin Shillabeer and Annika Uzcategui Montenegro.
“We still don’t have the combined university players just yet as that comes next year – Caitlin coming into the group is a really talented player as is Annika joining us this year with Scarlett Miles back as well.” Freer shared about the additions to the Womens team.
These will be two of the strongest with Shillabeer stringing together four consecutive double figure games for the Flames this past season plus an eight point performance for the club in the 2023 Grand Final. The Eastern Mavericks Claire Hunter joins averaging 5.8 points in NBL1 Reserves as will a host of other faces to support the core of the Women’s squad.
Men
History
The Men have been exceptionally close to progressing to the next stage of the UBL finals falling agonisingly short to UTS and MU after finishing eight in consecutive seasons of the UBL. There best chance to progress was blown on the road up at Alexandria – this season grabbing as many wins at home before pinching a few on the road will be go.
Returning
Hungry for more floor action Harry Bruce of the West Adelaide Bearcats will be back to back up his 26 points per game last season coming off 18 points per game in the NBL1 Reserves. Joining him will be Mitch Cretan (Woodville Warriors), Emil Kourani (Sturt Sabres), Isaac Hampel (Southern Tigers) as well as current finals bound Central Districts Lions Ayual Garang averaging a healthy 13 points per game. Bailey Nathan also makes his return after playing in the England college system with Tottenham after his tremendous finish to last season.
Recruited
An impressive core also sees some new faces for the Waatu this season from several NBL1 Central lists including Woodville Warriors Charlie Knowles, North Adelaide Rockets Angus Crosby and Central Districts Lions Makai Dornford. Adding to that is Under 19 Egypt national Ahmed Nawasany is one to watch with his game style.
Head Coach Scott Freer shared that even though plenty of these players features on NBL1 lists – spots are up for grabs and likely will have to leave out a few during the season.
“Looking going into week one we are going to have to turn around and say to someone who is on an NBL1 roster and say you’re not making our ten this week – we are very privileged position right now.”
The Scout – Who to watch incoming for at our Home Games
Women
Newcastle may be one of the newest editions to the league but they won’t be short on NBL1 East talent including Falcons Charlotte Cougle and Sophie Brennan who averaged 10.8 points per game and scored 20 plus multiple times this NBL1 season. A host of Waratah Youth Stars for the Central Coast Waves are led by Chloe Fraser averaging 17 points per game.
UNISC bring back a couple of familiar names including NBL1 North Sunshine Coast Phoenix Esther Fleming and Ava Nason while bringing in NBL1 North Georgia Berry and Zoe Drane as well from the Phoenix. A homecoming for a familiar face in Forestville Eagle Terran Wright also is on the cards in the squad for this season.
Up the top no doubt once again will be two powerhouses of the competition led by UTAS. Anthony Stewart’s group will be lead by Norwood Flames Championship player of 2023 in Sharna Thompson and Emmerson Wells with a group that’s been together for multiple seasons. The same can be said for USYD led by WNBL DP for the Sydney Flames Caitlyn Martin along with dynamic guard Alex Kayrouz.
Men
Newcastle Mens will be lead by the NBL1 East Central Coast Crusaders Jamal Shoaib with Newcastle Falcons Jude Jennings (28 ppg in WL) and a host of talented Waratah League players involved in their first match in the league.
It’s a fairly new UNISC lineup with the most recognisable Riley Spicer from the NBL1 North Sunshine Coast Phoenix – the team however is filled with talented youth players from the QSL and pair Ola and Oyin Oguntoyinbo.
Again two powerhouses of the competition will feature in the Men’s home fixtures led by Mark Nash’s UTAS. He’ll have Central District Lions 2025 Grand final player in Jack Stanwix and Archie Stewart at his disposal along with several key players that have featured on Tasmanian NBL1 South rosters. USYD make their first appearance in Adelaide led by NBL1 East North Bears Matthew Wacher and former Sydney Kings DP Ignatius Mitchell.
Catch all the action from this Tuesday August 5 from 10:50am ACDT on the UBL website and stay tuned to the crossoverdribble for match reports and features throughout the season.
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