Australia’s National Basketball League delivered a full-spectrum news cycle on Thursday, December 18, spanning executive leadership, high-stakes Round 13 storylines, an in-season tournament race, and the NBA’s growing NBL pipeline.
Off the court, the NBL Group elevated senior executive Alex Hamilton into the newly expanded Chief Product Officer (CPO) role—an appointment designed to tighten the link between product, fan growth, marketing, technology, government engagement, and events. [1]
On the court, the Perth Wildcats entered the spotlight from two angles at once: two-time champion Andrew Parkinson challenged import forward Kristian Doolittle to “step up,” while fellow champion Damon Lowery questioned whether Perth has a real leader at all. [2]
Meanwhile, Melbourne United and the Illawarra Hawks prepared to renew their rivalry in a Championship Series rematch with a major late change—Chris Goulding ruled out through illness—while Brisbane confirmed a head-coaching shake-up and Sydney’s resurgence continued to gather momentum. [3]
NBL Group promotes Alex Hamilton to Chief Product Officer, expanding product and growth portfolio
The biggest off-court move of the day came from NBL Group’s executive ranks, with Alex Hamilton promoted to Chief Product Officer. The role comes with a broadened remit across product development, fan growth, marketing, technology, government relations, and events—a consolidation the league is positioning as key to its next phase of commercial and audience growth. [4]
In a statement published Thursday, Hamilton described the appointment as an opportunity to help “shape the next phase of growth” across the league and its stakeholders, pointing to a unified approach across departments that traditionally sit in different corners of a sports business. [5]
The timing is notable: Hamilton’s new CPO title was also used in the NBL’s HoopsFest Perth community announcement on the same day, underlining that her expanded role is already being linked publicly to major events and fan-facing initiatives. [6]
Why the CPO appointment matters for fans (not just the boardroom)
While “CPO” can read like internal corporate shorthand, the portfolio signals where the modern NBL is putting its chips: the intersection of digital experience, event-led growth, and day-to-day fan engagement.
That’s reflected directly in Thursday’s launch of the HoopsFest Perth Adopt‑A‑Club program, which Hamilton framed as a community-wide moment—not simply a weekend of games. [7]
Perth Wildcats: “Leader” debate erupts as Kristian Doolittle faces a defining night
Perth’s Round 13 matchup with the South East Melbourne Phoenix already carried ladder consequences. By Thursday afternoon, it also carried a storyline the Wildcats didn’t necessarily ask for: who leads this team—and is its most important import doing enough right now? [8]
Andrew Parkinson: Wildcats need more from Doolittle—immediately
Two-time NBL champion Andrew Parkinson zeroed in on Kristian Doolittle’s recent production, noting that across the past two games the forward totaled 13 points on 5-of-18 shooting, with one assist and no steals or blocks—numbers that don’t match Perth’s reliance on him. [9]
Parkinson’s bottom line: Perth needs Doolittle to “bounce back” against the Phoenix, particularly with the Wildcats facing a demanding road stretch ahead. [10]
Damon Lowery: “Best player” doesn’t automatically mean “leader”
If Parkinson’s critique was performance-based, Damon Lowery’s was cultural—and sharper. Lowery questioned whether Perth has a genuine leader at all, pushing back against the idea that the team can simply anoint its top performer as the emotional and tactical compass. [11]
The debate played out publicly after NBL personality Pete Hooley argued Doolittle functions as Perth’s on-court leader; Lowery disagreed, pointing to other league examples of “leading by example” and challenging what leadership is supposed to look like in tight finishes. [12]
Tonight’s stage: Wildcats vs Phoenix, redemption vs resistance
The Wildcats host South East Melbourne at RAC Arena on Thursday night in a fixture the NBL described as having “big ramifications” on the ladder. [13]
The league’s preview highlighted a sour point for Perth supporters: a recent home game in which the Wildcats surrendered a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter, turning a would-be statement win into a warning sign. [14]
South East Melbourne, for its part, arrives with a clear identity—defensive consistency that travels—and the confidence that comes from knowing its style can survive hostile arenas. [15]
Injuries to note
- Perth: Jaron Rillie (hamstring) listed out until January. [16]
- South East Melbourne: Malique Lewis (pneumothorax) and Owen Foxwell (corked thigh) listed as TBC. [17]
Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks: Championship rematch gets a late twist as Chris Goulding ruled out
The other marquee item on Thursday’s schedule was the Championship Series rematch between Melbourne United and the Illawarra Hawks, with Melbourne forced into a key change just hours before tip-off: Chris Goulding out (illness). [18]
Goulding’s absence removes a major offensive engine and a late-game shot-maker, with Campbell Blogg named as his replacement in the squad. [19]
There was better news for Melbourne on the injury front: big man Jesse Edwards passed a game-day fitness test and was set to play, after an eye injury kept him out previously. [20]
Melbourne’s “rough patch”: four straight losses after a 9–0 start
United’s broader context is almost as dramatic as the matchup itself. Coach Dean Vickerman acknowledged frustration after back-to-back overtime losses in Round 12, and Melbourne’s form line has now swung from a perfect start to a four-game losing streak, even as the club remains second on the ladder at 13–6. [21]
Vickerman’s message was forward-looking: the team believes the adversity can build the habits needed later in the season, and that recent performances were closer to “winning efforts” than the raw results suggest. [22]
Illawarra’s defining stretch: four games in 13 days with finals hopes on the line
For the Hawks, the rematch is the first step in a brutal run. Illawarra entered Round 13 at 6–10, with coach Justin Tatum describing the schedule as a “doozy” but insisting the reigning champions can’t hide from the standard that comes with defending a title. [23]
After Thursday night, the Hawks’ upcoming slate was framed starkly: Adelaide, Sydney on Christmas night, and Tasmania on New Year’s Eve—opportunities to reshape the season quickly, or fall away just as the calendar tightens. [24]
Brisbane Bullets coaching change: Stu Lash steps down, Darryl McDonald takes over immediately
One of the day’s most significant structural moves happened in Brisbane, with the Bullets confirming Stu Lash stepped down as head coach. [25]
Assistant coach Darryl McDonald will lead the team immediately, while the club said it is in “advanced discussions” regarding a permanent head coach appointment. [26]
Brisbane CEO Mal Watts said the club is actively engaged in the search process, while Lash described the decision as one made after “a lot of thought and discussions,” adding he would continue to support the Bullets. [27]
On-court urgency adds weight to the timing: Brisbane is 5–13 and heading into an away game, with the league confirming McDonald will take charge straight away. [28]
Sydney Kings: Brian Goorjian says the surge is bigger than Kendric Davis
Sydney’s rise has become one of the most compelling threads of the early season narrative, and Thursday’s coverage leaned hard into a central point: yes, Kendric Davis has been brilliant—but this is not a one-man revival. [29]
Culture and defence at the centre of the turnaround
Coach Brian Goorjian described culture as priority number one, pointing to Xavier Cooks and Bul Kuol as pillars of the new standard. [30]
The Kings’ recent run was framed with a specific inflection point: a damaging October 26 loss to Tasmania that became a catalyst for change. Since then, Sydney has won seven of its past nine games, including two wins each against ladder pacesetters Melbourne and Adelaide. [31]
Cooks’ influence has also been quantified: he posted 27 points, eight rebounds and four blocks in the overtime win over Adelaide referenced in Thursday’s reporting, with Goorjian emphasizing leadership standards beyond the box score. [32]
And Kuol’s defensive role was described as so essential that his scoring is “almost secondary,” with Goorjian likening his impact to a defensive specialist role that can tilt big games. [33]
Ignite Cup update: Kings’ win hurts Adelaide, Breakers lead the race, big money awaits
The Ignite Cup—this season’s in‑season tournament—also moved sharply on Wednesday night’s results and Thursday’s standings update.
Sydney’s win over Adelaide was described as the Kings’ first-ever Ignite Cup win, and while Sydney has now completed its four games, the result may have inflicted real damage on Adelaide’s chances of reaching the inaugural final. [34]
Key details from Thursday’s Ignite Cup update:
- Adelaide was listed fourth on the Ignite Cup ladder with eight points, with two games remaining. [35]
- The New Zealand Breakers were listed first with 18 points from three wins in three games. [36]
- The points system: three points per win, plus one point per quarter won. [37]
- The Ignite Cup Final is scheduled for February 22 at the Gold Coast Entertainment Centre, with $300,000 for the winner and $100,000 for the runner-up—described as the largest prize pool in NBL history. [38]
NBL Now: blockbuster double-header preview and the key debates driving Round 13
Thursday’s edition of NBL Now (presented by CODE Sports) positioned the day’s biggest narratives into one frame: Sydney’s overtime statement, the double-header spotlight, United’s slide, and the questions circling Perth and Brisbane. [39]
The show’s description singled out:
- Melbourne United looking to halt a four-game skid in the championship rematch. [40]
- A deep dive into Kristian Doolittle and the Perth spotlight. [41]
- Reaction to Brisbane’s Stu Lash decision. [42]
It’s a useful snapshot of where the league’s conversation sits right now: not just wins and losses, but identity—how teams close games, who sets standards, and what happens when pressure rises.
Next Stars and NBA watch: Karim Lopez climbs draft boards, Josh Giddey posts another triple-double
The NBL’s global recruiting and development pipeline also had a strong Thursday.
Karim Lopez ranked No. 11 in ESPN’s 2026 NBA mock draft
New Zealand Breakers Next Star Karim Lopez was listed at No. 11 in ESPN’s latest 2026 NBA mock draft, with the NBL noting improved shooting splits and increased offensive output as key reasons for the rise. [43]
The league reported Lopez is on a minutes restriction after an off-season back concern, yet is averaging nearly 11 points and six rebounds, while shooting 39% from three—a profile that continues to validate the Next Stars pathway. [44]
Josh Giddey’s sixth triple-double of the season lifts Chicago
In the NBA, Australian guard Josh Giddey recorded another triple-double—his sixth of the season—posting 23 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls beat Cleveland 127–111. [45]
The NBL’s “Aussies Abroad” wrap noted Chicago’s win snapped a difficult stretch and marked a rare home success, while also adding historical context to Giddey’s triple-double tally in a Bulls uniform. [46]
Fan and community initiatives: HoopsFest Adopt‑A‑Club launches and Spalding opens a design competition
Thursday’s news cycle wasn’t only elite competition and personnel decisions. The league also pushed hard on community participation and fan experience.
HoopsFest Perth Adopt‑A‑Club program announced for January 2026
The NBL and WNBL launched the HoopsFest Perth Adopt‑A‑Club program, inviting WA basketball associations to align with NBL or WNBL clubs for HoopsFest in January 2026. [47]
The initiative—delivered with Basketball WA—promises ticket access, player appearances, junior engagement opportunities, and in-venue recognition, designed to connect grassroots hoops directly to the festival atmosphere. [48]
Spalding “design your own basketball” competition
On the fan-engagement side, Spalding launched a competition giving supporters the chance to design a basketball using NBL/WNBL templates, with two winners to receive 10 basketballs featuring their design. Entries close January 30, 2026. [49]
What to watch next
If Thursday’s headlines have a unifying theme, it’s pressure—pressure on executives to accelerate growth, on coaches to stabilise seasons, and on star players to answer scrutiny with performance.
Tonight’s games carry both narrative and ladder weight:
- Perth vs South East Melbourne: can the Wildcats deliver a complete home performance, and will Doolittle answer the public challenge? [50]
- Melbourne vs Illawarra: can United stop the slide without Goulding, and can the Hawks turn a brutal schedule into a season reset? [51]
And beyond the hardwood, the league’s broader direction—now under a newly defined CPO portfolio—suggests the NBL wants these moments to be more than games: they’re touchpoints in a bigger plan to build, package, and grow basketball’s audience year-round. [52]
References
1. ministryofsport.com, 2. nbl.com.au, 3. www.nbl.com.au, 4. ministryofsport.com, 5. ministryofsport.com, 6. www.nbl.com.au, 7. www.nbl.com.au, 8. www.nbl.com.au, 9. nbl.com.au, 10. nbl.com.au, 11. www.nbl.com.au, 12. www.nbl.com.au, 13. www.nbl.com.au, 14. www.nbl.com.au, 15. www.nbl.com.au, 16. www.nbl.com.au, 17. www.nbl.com.au, 18. www.nbl.com.au, 19. www.nbl.com.au, 20. www.nbl.com.au, 21. www.nbl.com.au, 22. www.nbl.com.au, 23. www.nbl.com.au, 24. www.nbl.com.au, 25. www.nbl.com.au, 26. www.nbl.com.au, 27. www.nbl.com.au, 28. www.nbl.com.au, 29. www.nbl.com.au, 30. www.nbl.com.au, 31. www.nbl.com.au, 32. www.nbl.com.au, 33. www.nbl.com.au, 34. www.nbl.com.au, 35. www.nbl.com.au, 36. www.nbl.com.au, 37. www.nbl.com.au, 38. www.nbl.com.au, 39. www.nbl.com.au, 40. www.nbl.com.au, 41. www.nbl.com.au, 42. www.nbl.com.au, 43. www.nbl.com.au, 44. www.nbl.com.au, 45. www.nbl.com.au, 46. www.nbl.com.au, 47. www.nbl.com.au, 48. www.nbl.com.au, 49. www.nbl.com.au, 50. www.nbl.com.au, 51. www.nbl.com.au, 52. ministryofsport.com
