Kye Savage to Return to NW Thunder for 2025 NBL1 Season

Story By Jacob Bevis  The Advocate

'It's a no-brainer': How Savage's Thunder return 'works for both parties'

North West Thunder coach Sam Armstrong did not hesitate picking up the phone and recruiting NBL guard Kye Savage, describing him in one word: "exciting".
The 19-year-old, who joined the Brisbane Bullets in May, will return home and suit up for the Thunder when the 2025 NBL1 South season gets underway.
While excited to welcome Savage back to the club, Armstrong was confident the "elite talent" could help the side "improve in a few areas".
"It's super exciting, not only to bring home a really talented local, but an exceptional young talent. He is right up there as one of the best in the country for his age group," Armstrong said.
"He is an elite talent, great on the floor and has a scorers mentality. For someone so young to have that sort of mentality will be beneficial to how we want to go about our style of play next season.
"For me, it's always about trying to put the best team we possibly can on the floor."
Before joining the Bullets on a three-year contract, Savage was a member of the Centre of Excellence at the Australian Institute of Sport.
The Devonport athlete was named the NBL1 East men's youth player of the year last season after starring for the CoE side.
Armstrong, who returned to the club's coaching position last season, detailed how Savage's return to the Coast "works out well for both parties".
"You see who's out there and look at talent, but also the guys that have been here before that might be attainable for our program," he said.
"It was a no-brainer for me to pick the phone up and make contact with him, in regards to what he wanted to do next year and explain to him that our club could continually help his development.
"He gets the opportunity to come home and be around family and people he is really close to, and play high level basketball where he can have a big impact on our club."
Armstrong, who recently inked a fresh two-year contract extension himself, also hinted there could be more recruits to come.
"We're in constant conversation with a few guys now and starting to build. The season is still five months away, but this is where you work on recruiting," he said.
"We're definitely having some good conversations and hopefully some more announcements in the coming weeks."