Chris Anstey believes junior development remains vital to NBL1 South

Image Credit: Lauri Walker @laurijeanphotos

Chris Anstey says club identity and player development remain two of the most important parts of NBL1 South as the competition continues to grow.

Speaking at the NBL1 South 2026 Season Launch at Hoop City in Port Melbourne, Anstey said the league’s long term strength still comes back to clubs building strong pathways from their junior programs through to senior basketball.

“One of the most important things that NBL1 clubs can do, and that’s to develop their juniors,” Anstey said.

“They’re the sort of lessons through the junior clubs that these NBL1 clubs represent that I think are really important.

“So it’s a pathway from the junior clubs to the under 12s, the development of habit, with our 10 year old boys, our 10 year old girls, all the way through to the NBL1 programs that makes the program strong.”

Anstey said that connection between junior programs and senior teams is what gives clubs a stronger identity over time.

“I know we’re all trying to win, but for me, I’m a little bit sad when I hear players jumping from club to club because that’s usually financial,” he said.

“I would love for the juniors to stay at the clubs they go through their junior program with and understand they’re representing a club that developed them.”

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The former Melbourne Tigers great said that kind of continuity helps build lasting meaning for clubs and communities.

“And have those legacy clubs where you know you’ve supported a player who’s come through the junior program and you’re still watching them 15 years later and it means something,” he said.

Anstey also said NBL1 remains a critical part of the wider basketball pathway, especially for younger athletes looking to grow their game in a meaningful competition environment.

“I think it’s vital for some of the younger players who are playing NBL to continue to grow their game in the environment where they’re not playing a bunch of minutes every week,” he said.

“They get their training time, but to go and grow your game and if you’re a top level kid to experiment, to work on the skill set you might not be allowed to in an NBL environment.”

He said that is part of what makes the competition so valuable across all levels of the game.

“So everyone’s going to have a different reason to play in the NBL1 and I think that’s really special,” Anstey said.

“Some aspire to be NBL, some aspire to get out of the youth league.

“Others might aspire to play with their friends, or you might have imports coming in from the United States trying to be professional.”

Anstey said the growing profile of NBL1 means players now have more eyes on them than ever before.

“I just know that there are so many eyes on the NBL1 now,” he said.

“I know that leagues overseas, coaches overseas, this is a genuine pathway to an even higher level.”

As the league continues to evolve, Anstey said clubs should not lose sight of the bigger picture and the long term connection elite players can still have with their home associations.

“Sometimes winning is not the most important thing,” he said.

“Sometimes it’s having Josh Giddey always remain connected to the Melbourne Tigers.

“It’s having whoever your superstar of your club is remain attached and seeing them succeed.”

The NBL1 South 2026 Season Launch formed part of the league’s annual Pre Season Blitz weekend, with clubs, athletes and stakeholders gathering ahead of the new campaign.

The NBL1 South 2026 season tips off on Friday 27th March 2026. For all the latest updates, including player signings, coaching appointments and league news, make sure you’re following NBL1 South on Facebook and Instagram.