The NBL Blitz is just a week away, but several clubs and players are facing some late off-season hurdles, with the reigning Finals MVP stuck in the United States, the Adelaide 36ers moving to add an injury replacement and a former Taipans forward dealt a major setback in his return to college basketball.
All of this and more in the latest edition of NBL Daily.
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CHAMPION STRANDED IN THE US
The NBL’s reigning champion and Finals MVP is stuck in the United States, with a passport issue delaying his return to Australia just a week out from the NBL Blitz.
Kendric Davis, 27, was due to arrive back in Sydney and begin training several weeks ago, but the passport issue has left the Kings working to get their star guard back into the country, CODE Sports revealed.
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The club has since confirmed the issue stems from the US, with a Kings representative describing it as an “administration issue that we are working through as quick as we can”.
Davis is coming off his second season in the NBL, where he led the Kings to a championship after averaging 24.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists during the regular season.
He is expected to arrive in Australia this week, although an exact date for his return is yet to be confirmed.
The delay meant Davis missed last night’s pre-season clash against the Illawarra Hawks, although he didn’t miss much, with the game abandoned midway through the second quarter due to a wet court.
For now, Davis is expected to suit up at the Blitz, where the Kings will take on the South East Melbourne Phoenix at Red Energy Arena on Wednesday, September 2 at 8pm
36ERS TO LAND INJURY REPLACEMENT
After securing the signing of one of the league’s best defensive players in Bul Kuol, the Adelaide 36ers are taking no chances with his return from an ACL injury.
Kuol suffered the injury against the 36ers back in Round 15 last season and has continued working through his rehabilitation ahead of his first campaign in Adelaide.
While an exact timeline for his return is yet to be confirmed, Kuol isn’t expected to suit up until late December, prompting the club to bring in an Injury Replacement Player (IRP).
The 36ers are signing former Adelaide forward Jacob Rigoni, sources told Fox Sports Australia.
Rigoni, 27, played 12 games for the 36ers between 2023 and 2025 and is coming off his fourth season with the Sturt Sabres in NBL1 Central, where he averaged 22.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
The forward will provide the 36ers with additional depth while Kuol continues working his way back to full health. Rigoni is one of the toughest players available on the market and is considered a strong culture guy within the club’s ecosystem having spent several years with the team.
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Under new head coach Trevor Gleeson, who has a history of getting the most out of role players, Rigoni should fit seamlessly into Adelaide’s system. He is a mature body who knows the league, which provides the 36ers with a player who can plug-and-play if called upon.
Adelaide will take on the Illawarra Hawks in its first game of the NBL Blitz next Thursday at 8pm.
FORMER TAIPAN’S COLLEGE JOURNEY OVER
Former Cairns Taipans forward Akoldah Gak has had his NCAA eligibility denied after joining the Oklahoma men’s basketball program back in April.
Gak, 24, has 68 NBL games to his name between 2020 and 2025 and was hoping to continue his career in the United States after committing to Oklahoma.
He most recently played for the Capital City Go-Go in the NBA G League, where he averaged 7.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 16.6 minutes across 23 appearances.
The decision leaves Gak as a free agent as he weighs up the next step in his career.
With most NBL teams having already completed their rosters for the upcoming season, a return to Australia for the 2026-27 campaign appears difficult, although the talented forward could become an intriguing option should opportunities emerge throughout the season.
It is understood Oklahoma won’t contest the NCAA’s decision, leaving Gak without a team for now as he searches for his next opportunity.