He is nowhere near an NBA calibre player. What does Brad do that NBA players can't? He can't jump better, he can't shoot better, and he certainly can't defend better. He would be a dime a dozen over there. Just because players excel in our league, does not mean they can cut it OS. Just like Jason Dix, great ABA player but would struggle to hold his own in the NBL. What can he do that players aren't already doing? That's what it comes down to.

I don't think he's close to NBA. Whether he is a freak talent or a great player will take a bit of time to tell. Last season was all freak talent with no great expectations. This season I think he's having trouble adjusting to the expectation to be a great player. No doubt he'll get there, but at the moment there is way more sizzle than sausage.

Playa

Dont you think that if Jacob Holmes and Oscar Forman can play NBL surely Jason Dix could, without too much trouble... He would probably do a lot better coz he is mentally tougher.

Jason Dix has been chased by NBL teams for sooo many years. But he has knocked them back because of the job that he has atm, he earns so much more than he would playing for the 36ers.

Other people would choose basketball but hey there is more to life than basketball.

LONG LIVE BRENTON CAMPBELL,

If Brad Newley played college basketball i think he would have developed much better and would have a grasp on the type of game they play in the states because it is vastly different from the game here!!! It is coached differently and certainaly played much different!!! Way more structured which i dont think he would handle too well!!! If he played college basketball he might be more attractive to pro teams in the states................

Yeah, the college ball thing is the difference. At the start of last season there were all the comparisons/competition between Newley and Kendall. They were worlds apart while not necessarily better or worse than the other. Newley was showing freak talent/skill off the bench. Kendall was showing an extraordinary level of maturity for a rookie, starting at point for the top team in the League and doing a perfect job of it. Kendall couldn't take over a game like Newley, but Newley couldn't lead a team, let alone in such a cool calm way, like he'd been playing in the League for a decade already. College experience is the difference there.

Everyone is forgetting that Brad had an outstanding World Championship against athletes his own age bracket. Scouts were extreamly impressed and this is what they will be really going off, since this will be the draft class he will be going up against. In talking to Townsville coaches they have still been getting regular phone calls from NBA scouts and teams, so even though his year hasnt been as collectively impressive (numbers still better than last year though) chances are he will get picked up, and be sent else where to improve, much like CJ.

I think he will look back and regret not going to college. I read that he recieved offers to play at Arizona and Utah, but declined as he would rather be in Oz playing and earning money.
Had he gone to Utah, him and Bogut could've gone to at least the final four, and then how much more exposure would he have gotten.
I think his best path now is to sign with an NBL club(36ers!!) for one year, try and improve some more, than put himself up for the draft.

He still has a long way to go. I just don't see what he has in his game that isn't already over there.

And Freddy, Oscar has lived and died by his 3 point shot this season and this is obvious in his stats. Jacob has a much better build than Dix would at the same position, and Jake can defend and rebound extremely well for his height. I think Jason Dix is a great ABA player.

Not NBA calibre, yet. SIMPLE.

anon, i didnt say it turned out great for them, im saying thats what i think will happen. it will be upto him to make it turn out differently

Kendall 6'3' point guard 24 years old Newley 6'7' shooting guard 20 y.o. check Newley out in 4 years time there is really no comparrison.
Is there anyone talking about Kendall as an NBA prospect outstanding not really young NBL player. By the time Newley reaches 24 he will be set financially, could be now if he chose to follow Markovics disloyal path. By the way
Markovic one of the most sought after players at world champs, didnt
go to college. The infatuation with college as the best path for all is very interesting and in many cases misguided in my opinion.

Misguided? Have you played college basketball in the US anonymous? I don't think so.

'Misguided by playing in College', well I guess that's your opinion anon (tip for the future, quit crack!!!), but I definately disagree.

Do NBA scouts really give a toss about a cheap product (I'm mean the NBL) in some distant land, no not really. Is there any young player more enticing to a NBA franchise playing in the NBL that doesn't play NCAA???? Sorry, Rudy Gay/Josh McRoberts/Adam Morrison would totally school Newley.

Do you think Bogut would of gone number 1 if he didn't play at Utah. No chance in hell, at the best a late second rounder, and best, upper second round if he played here in Australia.

Lets be honest, the best way to make it to the NBA for some young star is most def NCAA regardless if you come from Scotland, Australia, Indonesia, US or where ever.

I remember reading an article in Slam magazine a couple of years ago written by Kenny 'The Jet' Smith where he said something about each player in the NBA having something unique about their game. He used Darvin Ham as an example. Most people saw Ham as a uselesss benchwarmer, but Smith correctly pointed out that he'd be among the top 5 in the league in terms of athleticism. What Newley needs to do is learn to specialise in something to differentiate himself, because even though I think he's a great player and certainly one of the top young talents in the league, 6'6" athletic swingmen who aren't outstanding at any one thing are just too common in the US.

3,

That's exactly what I've been saying. That's no disrespect to Brad what-so-ever, just realistic.

It's unfortunate that in the fickle world of the NBA that a guy like Newley who can do some good things will 9 times out of 10 be passed over for some 7 foot stiff who can do nothing but clog the lane (a la Scot Pollard)

Interesting debate if he is good enough he will make it, time will tell many NBA greats from o/s didnt go to college. Which of the more recent aus greats developed their game in college (cj vlahov rillie spring to mind) probably others but many didnt (maher, bradke, gaze, heal, anstey,black. saville, and others) 4 of these guys actually played in the NBA different strokes for different folks. Longley and Bougut the obvious standouts with college the right decision for them. Probably 100 plus ozzy kids in ncaa some to Europe some home to nbl or wnbl, most have a great experience, an education and basketball becomes something in the past.

Hmmm, maybe, but out of the players above you mention when you say Maher, Bradtke, Gaze, Heal, Anstey, Black and Saville how many were drafted???

One. Anstey. There is a huge difference between drafting and free agency.

Gaze, Bradtke, Heal and Grace all got picked up via free agency after good performances and solid reputations on the international scene for many years.

Australian hoops just doesn't get the exposure for the young kids to put their names in front of NBA scouts. Why did you think Markovic nominated for the NBA draft, and then pulled his name and went to a far stronger league. To get exposure to make the NBA.

In all honesty, I don't think we will ever see a young kid (after Anstey, Pepper and CJ) drafted by the NBA straight from the NBL.

Is it really that hard to work out???

Darko played in Europe, hence a much better league than the bullshit NBL. Nearly all NBA teams have permanent European scouts watching games. How many NBA scouts reside in Australia???

Darko got exposure and during the era Darko was drafted NBA scouts had a love affair with big 7 foot SF/PF Euro's hoping to pluck the next Dirk.

Why would a NBA scout come to Australia to see a 6'7 SG/SF when they are a dime-a-dozen in their own backyard.

Good for him, but if he played in College he could have scouts watching each and every game.

Hope he has a great Jan, and does crack it. Another Aussie youngster in the big league would be great.

I hope he lifts his form in January, he is having a goods season numbers wise. Like 18-5-4, but his FG % just lacks, he's had a fair few games where he's gone like 1-7 3ptFG 7-19 FG, he has to lift above that when the scours are there!

Good luck Brad and hope to see you in the NBA!

52-Cans he has lifted his form over the past 5 games 22ppg, 8rpg, 6 apg. Your point about FG% is taken but last year he was over 50% i think he is still learning the game and how to cope with extra defensive attention.

Make no mistake this kid is the biggest Australian talent to come into the league since Gaze.

He is only 20, needs and extra 10kg on his frame, needs to improve his D and 3pt consistency. But the ball is completely in his court in regards to getting a chance in the NBA.

College probably would have been his best path, but he's on the NBA radar so he should be OK.

It would be great to have another Aussie in the NBA.

My question is, would Brad start for any of the top Div 1 college teams?

Wouldn't matter if he did. Brad has those mysterious words surrounding him, 'potential' and 'up-side'.

The same words got Marvin Williams to number 2 in the draft. Stats based Marvin was average in College, but played for a great College that got him the huge exposure and those two words NBA GM's love to hear, 'potential' and 'up-side'.

BTW 'anonymous' post #63520, Gaze did go to college.

Gaze played for Seton Hall back in '89 when they made it all the way to the final but lost to Michigan in OT

Yo can not compare Newley with Gaze. It isn't a contest. Gaze was the best player for Australia ever, he is a legend. Good luck to Newley, but he isn't NBA material. Possibly a good College player, only time will tell.