Basketball: Top five Aussies to look out for in the NBA

The 2023/24 NBA season will get underway in October and once again there are a host of Australians who will be looking to shine in the US.

In the 2022/23 season there were 10 Australians plying their trade in the NBA, a record number, and they will be well represented once again in the forthcoming campaign.

Basketball is one of the fastest growing sports in Australia and that is no doubt being helped by the amount of players now heading to the NBA.

Let’s take a look at some of the Aussies who will be looking to have a big season in the NBA.

Ben Simmons

It is fair to say that Simmons is the most famous Australian to play in the NBA, and he will represent the Brooklyn Nets in the 2023/24 season.

The Nets are priced at 41.00 to win the NBA Eastern Conference and Simmons will have a big role to play.

Simmons has had his issues with injuries but bounced back well in the 2022/23 season, and the point guard will be looking to kick on in the season ahead.

Patty Mills

Mills is one of the most famous Australian basketball players and represented the Boomers as an 18 year-old at the 2006 FIBA World Cup.

He has also enjoyed great success in the NBA, playing in back-to-back finals in 2013 and 2014, helping San Antonio Spurs win the Championship in the latter season.

In the season ahead, Mills will be playing for Atlanta Hawks who are 26.00 to win the NBA Eastern Conference.

Josh Giddey

Giddey produced some career-best form for the OKC Thunder last season and will be keen to take that in to 2023/24.

Regarded as one of Australia’s top young talents, the boy from Melbourne is catching the eye in the NBA and it will be interesting to see what he can produce in the new season.

He scored 25 points in the Thunder’s surprise win over the Boston Celtics last season, and more of the same would be nice for him and his team. The Thunder are priced at 51.00 to win the NBA Western Conference.

Giddy will represent the Boomers at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Matisse Thybulle

Thybulle was born in America, but emigrated with his family to Sydney when he was two and went on to represent the Boomers at the 2020 Olympics - helping them win the Bronze medal.

He will also be a part of the Boomers squad that will aim to pick up a medal at the FIBA World Cup for the first time in their history.

Thybulle will then play his basketball with the Portland Trailblazers in the NBA, and they are priced at 61.00 to win the NBA Western Conference.

Dyson Daniels

Daniels has been referred to as one of the most promising defenders in the NBA and will be looking to live up to that tag for the New Orleans Pelicans in the season ahead.

The youngster has been handed some big defensive assignments, which goes to show the amount of faith the Pelicans have in him.

The Pelicans are priced at 26.00 to win the NBA Western Conference.