Olgun Uluc

ESPN Basketball Insider.

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

Was great to get out to Redfern this afternoon to check out the Blackmores Health & Hoops community basketball clinic, which was held as part of the joint NBL and WNBL Indigenous Rounds. There was a smoking ceremony, before Tyson Demos & Amarco Doyle (Illawarra Hawks) ran the clinic for the ~40 children in attendance.

Of course, all of the Indigenous Round jerseys for #NBL27 and #WNBL27 were on show.

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

@MickRandallHS Unfortunately, the two players in question did not, in fact, achieve symbiosis.

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

Josh King was asked (indirectly) about an officiating decision from tonight’s game: “I plead the fifth.”

That response, of course, comes on the back of the NBL sending a memo to all teams cracking down on criticism of referees (https://t.co/CosB4bVlry).

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

Illawarra Hawks head coach Justin Tatum opened this evening’s post-game press conference with an apology for some of the comments he made a few days ago (below), where he had singled out an NBL referee.

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

Here's Illawarra Hawks head coach Justin Tatum's post-game reaction to this incident: "It's unfortunate what the result was... Every time we find a way to get momentum... the league sends us [referee] Chris Reid..."

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

I flagged this in my season preview before #NBL27 began. I’m not so sure the defensive personnel on the South East Melbourne Phoenix (now 4-8) match the defensive identity/philosophy of Josh King; square peg in a round hole stuff. A 140.1 DRtg in tonight’s 120-110 loss to ILL.

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

Here is my giant team-by-team preview going into the 2026-27 NBL season. It’s a breakdown of all 10 teams: depth charts, what to like, some of the question marks, and what’s worth tracking.

It’s ~6000 words on @ESPNAusNZ, to prime you for #NBL27.
https://t.co/bwyaTdjdKW

[ESPN Australia & NZ @ESPNAusNZ]

Has Cole Anthony finally figured out the NBL? 🏀

@OlgunUluc and @JasonCadee5 break down Melbourne United's strategy during Cole Anthony's near-perfect 32-point explosion against Brisbane.

Full Aussie Hoops Hour EP 📺 : https://t.co/OFlHdcJ4H3

#NBL #ColeAnthony #MelbourneUnited

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

On how the NBL’s Next Stars program - still a proven NBA pathway - has broadened its scope in the NIL era + why Luke Paul’s journey is instructive.

“There’s always a desire to evolve and stay flexible within the global landscape,” @Liam_Santa told ESPN.
https://t.co/xEk2ks7tql

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

New podcast, w/ @JasonCadee5.

• The Kings’ strong start to #NBL27.
• A live reax to news of Parker Jackson-Cartwright’s season-ending injury.
• My Skylar Mays reporting (I report it in real time).
• Cole Anthony’s near-perfect game.
• Perth’s slide.
https://t.co/CgeaYaK6q2

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

New @ESPNAusNZ story on the South East Melbourne Phoenix parting ways with import Skylar Mays. He was informed today. Over 11 games in #NBL27, Mays averaged 11.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, and 4.0 apg, shooting 38.6% FG and 31.5% 3PT.
https://t.co/qHjnKCzPQc

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

The South East Melbourne Phoenix have parted ways with import Skylar Mays, sources told ESPN.

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

New Zealand Breakers guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright will miss the remainder of the 2026-27 NBL season, the team says. He underwent scans that revealed a stress fracture in his tibia that now “requires immediate rest and rehabilitation”.

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

Here’s the NBL’s explanation on why Makur Maker was disqualified in the 4th Q of Saturday’s Adelaide-Illawarra game for his role in the on-court scuffle. This is from today’s media conference with NBL head of basketball ops Vince Crivelli and GM of referees Scott Butler.

Stay tuned for more from that media conference.

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

Last thing I’ll say on this: I’m not sure what Makur Maker did that warranted both a technical foul AND a flagrant foul. Felt like we could’ve just had a tech each to him and Rakocevic + a flagrant (or tech) on Hickey, and that’s it. Maker’s role in the incident was one dimensional enough that it should’ve just been the one tech; being disqualified from the game felt quite excessive. We’ll ask Scott Butler about the incident in next week’s press conference.

#NBL27

[ESPN Australia & NZ @ESPNAusNZ]

BREAKING: The NBL has issued a memo to all clubs in an effort to crack down on public criticism of referees, according to a document obtained by ESPN.

ESPN's @OlgunUluc writes 📝: https://t.co/R4hWWdJwFV

#NBL

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

The memo sent by the NBL states players, coaches, and staff must not “criticise, or express disapproval of” referees or their decisions, or convey criticism indirectly.

One example the memo gives of what’s not allowed: “just look at the free-throw count.”
https://t.co/CosB4bVlry

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

The NBL sent a memo to all 10 teams this morning in an effort to crack down on public criticism of referees, according to a document obtained by ESPN.

Full details + key portions of the memo on @ESPNAusNZ.
https://t.co/CosB4bVlry

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

The NBL sent a memo to all 10 teams this morning in an effort to crack down on public criticism of referees, according to a document obtained by ESPN.

Full details + key portions of the memo on @ESPNAusNZ.
https://t.co/CosB4bVlry

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

@smellyheadz The striking is the initial push, yeah.

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

Here are the penalties handed out by the NBL’s Game Review Panel for Saturday’s on-court scuffle involving Adelaide and Illawarra.

• Nick Rakocevic: $1,550 fine (early guilty plea option of a $1,165 fine).
• Makur Maker: $775 fine (early guilty plea option of a $585 fine).
• Will Hickey: One-game suspension (with an early guilty plea option of a $1,550 fine).

[NBL Communications @NBLComms]

The Game Review Panel (GRP) has made determinations on three players following the on-court incident in Q4 during the Round 8 Adelaide v Illawarra game on Saturday 7 November.

Adelaide (ADL)
- Nick Rakocevic has been charged with Unsportsmanlike Behaviour, a Fixed Financial Offence. As this is his second Fixed Financial Offence within the current or previous two NBL seasons, the increased second offence penalty applies automatically. The base penalty is a $1,550 fine, with an early guilty plea option of a $1,165 fine.

Illawarra (ILL)
- Makur Maker has been charged with Engaging in a Melee / brawl / scuffle, a Fixed Financial Offence. The base penalty is a $775 fine, with an early guilty plea option of a $585 fine.
- William Hickey has been charged with Striking, a Classifiable Offence. The GRP has classified his conduct as intentional, medium impact, and body contact. The base penalty is a one-game suspension, with an early guilty plea option of a $1,550 fine.

Adelaide and Illawarra have been issued with Charged Offence Notices and have the option to accept the early guilty plea or appeal.

[ESPN Australia & NZ @ESPNAusNZ]

That's the Giddey we want to see! 🔥 🔥

Josh Giddey put up 19 points, 15 assists and 7 rebounds in the Bulls' narrow loss to the 76ers.

#NBA #JoshGiddey #ChicagoBulls

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

Good to see Alex Toohey back on the floor. He just dropped 18 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block for the Santa Cruz Warriors - Golden State’s NBA G-League affiliate - in a win over Stockton; he was 7/12 FG (1/2 3PT, 2/3 FT) and a +29.