NBL1 2025: The Ultimate Preview

Every division. Every conference. All the contenders and players to watch ahead of a huge 2025 NBL1 season.

Photo credit: Taylor Earnshaw

The 2025 NBL1 season is upon us!

It’s talent galore, with plenty of stacked teams and young guns ready to make their mark as they look to push for an NBL or WNBL contract.

We’ve got you covered this year with the contenders and players to watch in each division around the country, plus a big call for each conference.

Here is your ULTIMATE preview for NBL1 2025…

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SOUTH

Women

Past champions: Waverley (2024), Bendigo (2023), Ringwood (2022), Kilsyth (2019)

Contenders

As always the women’s division in the South is STACKED.

Last year’s winners Waverley have brought back the core of their championship side ,and with professional winners like Bec Cole and Carly Ernst, they will once again be in the mix.

As will Keilor, who are to reload and fire again under coach Kristi Harrower. Maddy Rocci and Issie Bourne are back, while Kasey Burton is a handy recruit. The Tigers have had a serious recruiting drive, bringing in Issy Borlase and Indi Bowyer who will play alongside the likes of Hannah Giddey and Sara Blicavs.

Knox will be a genuine chance of doing the women’s/men’s double, with Al Westover leading a strong side that includes Alicia Froling, Saffron Shiels, Paige Burrows, and Kiera Rowe. While Diamond Valley could be the big mover in the pack with players like Steph Reid and Lara McSpadden joining Abbey Ellis in a team that finished 12th last season.