The Splash: Are more young NBL stars college bound?

• Are more NBL young guns potentially going to play college basketball with big-money NIL deals on offer?
• Who could be the latest signing for new Brisbane Bullets coach Stu Lash?
• It seems like the revamped Adelaide WNBL club have someone in mind for their head coaching position

Australian basketball never sleeps. Rumours spread like wildfire and our community is always ripe for gossip.

basketball.com.au has sources everywhere, so we hear about signings, controversy, hard-hitting news. We are here for it — the good, the fun, the funny and the bad.

Expect this column every two weeks.

Here are some of the things we're hearing.

COLLEGE IS CALLIN'

With big-money NIL deals now being handed out like candy, more of Australia's young stars, and even established NBL players, are making their way over to play college basketball in the US.

It's already been reported Perth Wildcats young gun and potential NBA Draftee Ben Henshall has offers from NCAA National Champions, the Florida Gators, but which other up and coming NBL guard has received interest from a college powerhouse?

We won't reveal the name, but it is where another Aussie young gun has committed to for the upcoming season.

ARE THE BULLETS GOING BIG...

Brisbane is yet to make a SPLASH in NBL Free Agency under new coach Stu Lash, even though the general consensus around the league is the market is "slim pickings" right now but could they be about to make their first BIG signing of a new talent.

Again, it's just rumours at the moment, but basketball.com.au is hearing that it's close to a done deal.

With Rocco Zikarsky seemingly on his way to the NBA, could talented Kiwi big man Tyrell Harrison be about to get the back-up he needs?

From what we're hearing, this would be a solid signing for the Bullets and a step in the right direction, finally.

WHO'S AT THE HELM IN ADELAIDE?

Thank God Adelaide is still in the WNBL.

With the league under new ownership, it would have been a horrific start to lose one of the WNBL's most historic teams, especially one who has five titles to their name and dominated the 1990s.

But with the South Australian Government stepping up to make it work, now all attention turns to who will be running the show at the... Lightning?

Rumours are a WNBL championship coach could be on her way to Adelaide. It's believed Adelaide may have a good coach in the chamber...

It is also believed a former Lightning coach and Adelaide basketball legend has not received any communication or contact in regards to what's happening next season.

OPALS LEGEND RETURNS

Local basketball fans are privileged beyond belief as they get to watch some of Australia's superstars on the NBL1 court.

We see Boomers, Opals, WNBA stars and more playing for local associations and dominating, which is what makes the NBL1 level so special.

But we're about to see another legend of Australian basketball hit the court with an Opals Olympian expected to make her return in the NBL1 North.

What a boost it will be, not only for her team, but for the league.

WHERE'S MOTUM AT...

After two seasons at Shiga Lakes, including this past season where he led the Japan B League in scoring with more than 21 points per game, Australian scoring dynamo Brock Motum is on the move.

NBL fans have been screaming out for Motum to return to the league for the first time since 2015-16 when he played for the Adelaide 36ers, but that won't be the case as he has secured another deal in Japan.

But where is it? Some fans on social media wanted to see him join Trevor Gleeson at the Chiba Jets, but again, that won't be the case. Which team is it? We know, but unfortunately we are sworn to secrecy.

However, let's hope we eventually see Motum finish his career in Australia.

NBL LEGEND ON THE MOVE

Rumours are a retired NBL legend is on the move from his position with an NBL club, a position he has held for several years.

We're hearing this legend is making a move interstate and maybe to a junior association, where we're sure he will have a major impact.

While it'll be sad to see him go from the NBL, how good to see people of such stature at the junior level.

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE COUNTRY'S NORTH?

We're basically a month and a half into NBL Free Agency and the Cairns Taipans are still without a coach. As we said in our last 'The Splash' column, we believe Cairns are the one team where having a coach in place for free agency is more critical than any other franchise.

But what is going on?

A fortnight ago, we reported rumours we were hearing about a Taipans fan favourite getting a second interview for the head coaching gig. Reports are this has happened but there's still been little movement in Cairns.

You'd figure someone like Mark Beecroft would have something up his sleeve. What is it? I guess, like everyone else, including free agents, we'll all have to wait and see.

If you have a tip or a tidbit, email info@basketball.com.au or hit us up on any of our social channels — confidentiality is guaranteed.