Illawarra might be a good fit.
Probably Melbourne though...

Yeah I'd say Melbourne, or cairns if he wants to be closer to home

'Mutual' release. Hmmm.
Possible red flags?

I suspect him and Scott Roth didn't get along. Just speculation though. JJs certainly haven’t had luck with the Next Stars program yet, their first attempt was that Russian who lasted half a season.

His an absolute elite talent but there has been rumours for a year or so that he didn't exactly have the best attitude going around. apparently jack jumpers had it organised for him to finish his year 12 studies in Tasmania but after signing said he was staying in Brisbane to finish school which means he would miss the majority of preseason which didn’t exactly go down well

"but there has been rumours for a year or so that he didn't exactly have the best attitude going around"

Sounds like a 36ers signing right there

Hopefully the jack jumpers are on the phone to tre Armstrong still living in Tassie the kid is a great talent be sad if he doesn't return to basketball

Agreed Baller, 2 DP spots for them now to fill and Tre totally deserves one

If he wants to finish school in Brisbane then he won't be playing NBL until mid November

Qld year 12 exams are 21 Oct - 12 Nov

Would fit best at United- they need someone exactly like Siulepa.

Not so in Illawarra, they're stacked at the 3.

There is a pathway to starting at SF for the Adelaide 36ers - very stable environment with NBA connections. It's a no brainer, Roman

He also wants to finish his rugby commitments with his high school and is injured apparently. Doesn't appear the kid knows what he wants.

Can't see another NBL team touching him despite the face saving spin from Olgun. There had been rumblings Roth was unhappy with his attitude and lack of commitment.

It's probably Cairns in my eyes Stith is more a 4 than 3 but can play 3 and it's near home for him.
Adelaide will screw him up somehow in my eyes.

Tre Armstrong is to old to be a DP I think but also like know it was 12 months ago but didn't he walk out on JJs last year

United have talked bout getting a 5 as a next star and probably still want after missing out Almansa

yeah Tre signed for the JJs last year before stepping away as he said he needed a break from basketball.

For any player, they need to commit to the team, the way it trains and the way it plays. They also need to be able to play with the self-discipline that the coach and the team require.

If Roth is a tough coach demanding discipline and commitment from his players, Vickerman wouldn't be too far behind. I can’t see Melbourne picking this kid up until he grows up a bit mentally, not even as a project player.

I know when he signed the next star contract there were a number of super rugby teams trying to get him I imagine they would be offering substantially more money his more than likely had a change of heart

Another red flag with Roman. Not that you'll see Moldovan's boy Olgun getting into the detail on this one.

Broncos got their man

Yeah Hoopie, I just meant from a needs and fit perspective. But agreed, it's hard to see United picking him up. If there's any sniff of an attitude issue United won't go near him.

As for super rugby, this guy should be aiming for the NBA and their tens of millions. Have some aspiration son

was playing GPS rugby just a few days ago

Would suggest Cairns or Adelaide if this staying in next star programme.

The jack jumpers just released a statement basically stated before roman had headed back to Brisbane for school was told he was not play rugby it was also in his contract he obviously went back and did the complete opposite

You would think there would be multiple US players on the NBA 2025 mock draft that would give their right arm for this sort of opportunity particularly with the proven high level player development outcomes of the JJs system. The next star program only seems to be producing benefits for some NBL clubs. Looks a bit odd IMO.

If his agreement said no rugby and he played rugby well... he's just a kid, but those around him need to do better.

Sounding more and more like rugby was the main thing behind this.

At his age he should not have that thrown at him, it's hard on kids and their parents, you are hearing dollars every where. Easy to say but he should have walked from the JJs contract if uncertain, as I said easy to say. It’s like the afl, basketball lose players to them, some go on to have long careers, Pendlebury, gets paid a lot, yes it’s not nba money but really how many go onto get that mega nba money . Rugby and league, you can make a nice living if good enough.

The NBA drafts and pays on potential look at Dante Exum. He never amounted to much in the NBA but he's made almost $50 million USD so far. The hype generated by being a Next Star, no matter how he performs on the court, could've seen him be a first-round pick in next year's draft and that's about $10 million USD guaranteed right there.

It's silly money in the NBA even if you end up being a bust and it's only going to get crazier when their new $76 billion TV contract kicks in.

How many first round picks have come out of nbl, that would be very interesting. In the end he has to do what he loves.

How many first round picks have come out of nbl, that would be very interesting. In the end he has to do what he loves.

AJ Johnson struggled badly in the NBL last season and he was just picked in the first-round by Milwaukee.

The point is you can struggle at NBL level like Johnson or a Terrance Ferguson before him but if just 1 of the 30 NBA teams sees a glimmer of something they like they'll blow a first-round pick on the guy.

Look at Thon Maker made $12 million USD in a few years before NBA teams realised he was hype, lasted 2-3 games in Israel before he was cut and now plys his trade in mediocre leagues.

AJ Johnson might have been the most athletic player at the Combine and blew everyone away in the Combine scrimmage.

That's great and all good luck to him but he struggled badly in the NBL.

26 games - 2.8 ppg @ 36.7% FG, 30% 3p, 53.8% FT

Exactly Zodiac, in few blokes that have gone to the nba was on hype and who you know. Exum, ended up a very good player but took long time for a 5 pick. Thon, hype machine in overdrive, never got anywhere near good enough. Even Simmons, had contacts all the way through, number one pick. Markelle Fultz, I watched him play in Australia and I thought they were kidding as he was going to be number one. Again hype.

Yeah it's the business of hype. I remember one year a college team came out here to play some games and I watched a game they played against a SEABL team might've been Dandenong or something and the commentators were raving about this new kid for them Mo Bamba who they said could be the #1 pick in the draft. He's struggled in the NBA and bounced around a number of teams since.

I just hope this Siulepa kid is getting some good advice because as I understand it he's around 6'7" and quite athletic and NBA teams fall over themselves for guys like that regardless of if they can actually play or not. You only need to find 1 sucker out of 30 and you're set for life.

Haven't really looked at this story too much apart from comments here.
But shows the difference between Tassie and Adelaide. Exciting prospect does something wrong, JJs get rid of the distraction. Adelaide sacks it's umpteenth coach weeks into preseason based on gibberish said in a press conference by a couple of Muppets.
This is why Jack jumpers have a million times more credibility in a couple of years existence and reigning champs compared to Sixers mediocrity. The kids probably already getting promised the starting job without Wells knowledge going by track record. Cue another sacking when it doesn't happen.

Seems like Roman's family and/or manager have really dropped the ball on this one. Way to f*** things up.

Yeah, he’s a 'kid’. But if anyone behind him any sense, they’d have gotten him to Tassie quick smart and babysat him there whilst he finished his schooling and prepped with the Jacks. Golden opportunity missed with McVeigh gone.

If he's been surrounded by people telling him how good he is, and generally excelled in whatever sports he plays ... sounds like Simmons and Giddey and a number of AFL players.

And then we wonder why they make dumb decisions or can’t accept reality when it comes down hard on them?

This is why Jack jumpers have a million times more credibility in a couple of years existence and reigning champs compared to Sixers mediocrity. The kids probably already getting promised the starting job without Wells knowledge going by track record. Cue another sacking when it doesn't happen.

"We're not prepared to wait around for people to decide if they want to play for our basketball club."

A source told this masthead, Adelaide is intrigued by the supremely talented young gun.

The 36ers had planned to go into the season without a Next Star but could change tact with Siulepa’s renewed availability.

Veteran Adelaide point guard Jason Cadee has been a long-time mentor for Siulepa, helping him navigate the pressures and pitfalls of being a highly-recruited teen.

Siulepa has long had battles with homesickness and Cadee’s presence could help Siulepa acclimatise in the City of Churches.

RS8 tees incoming.

Yea screw it. Get Roman, Adelaide, I want to see this season go full sideshow attraction.

I know from experience private schools can be absolute pricks to deal with when it comes to sports as well my son plays club basketball but would probably miss half his games a season due to having to be available for his school's team first , I’ve heard stories of them threatening to suspend kids if don’t play for their school

He's an extremely talented kid, but I'm just going to put it out there that he's not going to make it as a high-level professional in hoops.

JJs have signed their last 2 DPs- Archie Woodhill and Nick Stoddart. Neither really a direct replacement for Roman but that's the Tassie roster complete.

RS8 tees incoming.

Baller, I'll second that.

I’ve coached kids where the schools tried the threat of suspension, and the parents were so desperate to keep their kids at those schools that they caved in. I guess that the schools take advantage of this, even though the schools have no legal basis to dictate it or enforce it legally. (Unless it’s buried in the fine print somewhere.)

Is Archie Woodhill the most experienced development player in NBL history?

Wouldn't mind Siulepa at the 36ers if no promises are made re minutes. Could help them in the 3/4 spot.

AngusH, Issac Whites injury replacement contract with Tasmania in NBL23 was converted into a DP contract just before the season began. At the time of the conversion White had played 55 games for Illawarra

Joining the 36ers would be another sign Matt Weston is full of it given he said they had no intentions of adding a Next Star to the roster since they were "takers" and he wanted to build the culture for a few more years before adding those types back into the team.

Can anyone open this article

https://www.themercury.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TMWEB_MRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.themercury.com.au%2Fsport%2Ftasmania-jackjumpers-coach-scott-roth-focused-on-people-that-want-to-be-here-in-wake-of-roman-siulepas-departure%2Fnews-story%2F5b1b0118d119cddb46e305e0bd68edc4&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium

Peter, this story has at least some of the quote from Siuelpa's father
https://nbl.com.au/news/father-stands-to-defend-roman

Are the NS contracts outside of the salary cap?
What size contract would they be talking about? It could be quite significant?

i want to know were does the aj johnson release money go

I understood the NBL pay NS salaries and receive any buyout money.

The clubs are able to pay additional if they want to attract the NS, but not sure if that counts towards their cap.

i am hoping the nbl changes that and give the money to the team 500,000 US is a lot of money to help keep nbl stars

The NBL splits the buyout money with the team that hosted the player.

Ask yourself if there was nothing in it financially for an NBL team why would they bother having to take on a kid and play them x amount of minutes.

Good point Zodiac, I thought the team just got a free player

Next Stars are more of a pain in the arse than they're usually worth. Probably why the Sixers didn't bother with one after the Flowers stuff last season.

I remember reading in an article on the NBL website a few years ago that NBL teams do get some of the buyout money for a NS but can't find it now.

Spatialjam says this:

"A Next Star contract is a two-year deal, with the idea being they will be bought out by an NBA team once drafted (or by any other international team) - the buy-out profits being split between the league and the club."

https://spatialjam.com/contracttracker

I think the NBA's buyout policy is $400k for first-round picks, $200k for second-round picks and $100k for undrafted players.

Next stars are fine as long as a decent fit for player and club.

One thing I will say is a lot of next stars don't and should use 2-3 years like Hukporti. A few would’ve benefited with an extra year or 2. Could also play nbl1 or nznbl as an import in the off-season.

Zodiac. You don't have to play them X amount of minutes.

Why would they risk injury and thus their potential for being drafted by playing in semi-pro leagues like the NZNBL or NBL1?

FSTOS,

What I meant was the team usually agrees to give the NS a certain amount of exposure/playing time. Why do you think Mojave King left Cairns for Adelaide in the second year of his NS contract? Because he wasn't happy with the amount of minutes he was getting in Cairns. Tom Digbeu at Brisbane was another who wasn't happy about his lack of minutes so left early.

You can develop your game by playing at lower levels and having more opportunities in the offseason. You could easily get injured in a workout or scrimmage.

How would Rocco have gone at nbl1?

Zodiac. Teams offering minutes or specific roles to a player to entice them to their club is not only a next star thing. The Hawks hardly played AJ Johnson but potentially picked up some cash and had another decent player for practice with the added potential of him being a decent rotation piece IF he was good enough.

If the club isn't paying the bills there is a much higher chance of some benefit than there is a chance of a distraction as far as next stars go I think.

No update on Siulepa? Man's MIA

Seems to justify the JJ's dropping him if no one else has bitten the bullet.

AngusH, fair to say there's an argument both ways on that. JJ's haven't exactly been setting the world on fire, probably a few games where his skillset could have proved useful. Would have been able to earn decent minutes on this roster so the flipside is he could have really bolstered his stocks. Guess we'll never know.

Yeah, it's an unfortunate coincidence in hindsight that MacDonald has been injured and Sword hasn't been as impactful as the JJ's hoped, and the Forde was heavily courting Siulepa, subsequently Armstrong and Bradshaw have been injured.

The team teams he was most closely linked to are the teams who could've used him the most.

Yet none in hindsight went back and signed him in their time of need....

Yeah, clearly there's reasons. Oh well, looks unlikely he'll continue with basketball based on that.