{"id":476314,"date":"2026-02-13T01:47:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T01:47:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/476314\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T01:47:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T01:47:17","slug":"this-nbl-star-should-be-in-the-nba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/476314\/","title":{"rendered":"This NBL star should be in the NBA"},"content":{"rendered":"

With 16 seasons and 981 games to his name, Illawarra Hawks\u2019 JaVale McGee knows what it takes to play and succeed in the NBA.<\/p>\n

That impressive stint in the United States also included three NBA championships, two with the Golden State Warriors and one with the Los Angeles Lakers.<\/p>\n

Now having competed in the NBL for 20 rounds, he\u2019s got a gauge on who from the competition could compete in the world\u2019s number one league.<\/p>\n

While he believes Adelaide\u2019s five-time MVP Bryce Cotton \u201ccould definitely make a name for himself in the league\u201d and New Zealand\u2019s NBL Next Star Karim Lopez \u201ccould make a run for it\u201d, the 38-year-old says another Breakers star is the most suited to make the jump – Sam Mennenga.<\/p>\n

“I look at him, and I’m like, ‘you should definitely be in the league,” McGee said to the Illawarra Mercury<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“I look at guys in every position, but in my position, Mennenga is the best chance to make it in the NBA and actually make an impact.<\/p>\n

“His athleticism and speed and his shooting ability, I think he has NBA ability.”<\/p>\n

During his 26 games in NBL26 before sustaining a season-ending wrist injury, Mennenga averaged 17 points, 7 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.<\/p>\n

McGee and his Hawks host NSW rivals Sydney from 7.30pm AEDT on Thursday, live on ESPN.<\/p>\n

Read the full story here >> This is the player McGee says should be in the NBA, but it’s not a Hawk<\/a><\/p>\n

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