NBL to bypass teams and sign NBA hopefuls

The NBL will sign foreign players to contract itself as the league tries to become a recognised pathway to the NBA.

Terrance Ferguson (dunking) too the NBL pathway to the NBA. Source: Getty

The NBL, not individual teams, will contract international players with NBA aspirations as the Australian league tries to cement itself as a global basketball powerhouse.

League owner Larry Kestelman says players eligible for the NBA draft and hand-picked by NBL scouts would be placed with an Australian team.

The Next Stars program comes after Terrance Ferguson's decision to bypass the US college system and join the Adelaide 36ers before he was drafted in the NBA draft first round by Oklahoma City Thunder.