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Four players who can join Xavier Cooks and jump from the NBL to NBA

Benyam Kidane

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Four players who can join Xavier Cooks and jump from the NBL to NBA image

The pipeline of players making the leap from Australia's NBL to the NBA is showing no signs of slowing down following Xavier Cooks' move to the Washington Wizards.

On the heels of lifting back-to-back NBL championships with the Sydney Kings, Cooks signed a long-term deal with the Wizards, making him the fifth Sydney Kings player in the past five seasons to earn an NBA contract.

Two of the past three league MVPs have parlayed their stellar play in the NBL into NBA jobs, with Cooks following in Jock Landale's footsteps. Landale signed with the San Antonio Spurs after leading Melbourne United to the NBL title in 2021, while Jack White earned a two-way deal with the Denver Nuggets after an impressive 2022 Summer League campaign. 

New Zealand Breakers Next Star Rayan Rupert is widely expected to be selected around the lottery range in the 2023 NBA Draft, while his teammate, Jarrell Brantley, just signed a 10-day contract with the Utah Jazz.

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With NBA scouts keeping a close eye on the NBL's ever-developing talent base, expect to see more players make the leap to the US.

Here are four names to watch:

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Will McDowell-White, NZ Breakers

After going undrafted in 2019, McDowell-White linked up with the Houston Rockets in 2019-20 on a two-way contract, spending most of his time in the G League with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

Since returning to the NBL, his game has continued to blossom, evolving into one of the best pick-and-roll point guards in the league. He can create 3-pointers off the dribble, knife into defenses, and find open teammates keeping his opponents guessing.

Averaging 10.7 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game in 2022-23, McDowell-White was a key figure in guiding the Breakers to the NBL Championship series, taking the reigning champion Sydney Kings to five games. He turned in some impressive performances in the Breakers' two wins, putting up 19 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists in Game 1 and 19 points, six rebounds, and five assists in Game 4. 

At just 23 years old, McDowell-White has time on his side, but his continued improvement in the NBL could see him get another shot at the NBA.

MORE: How Xavier Cooks can make an impact for the Wizards

Ariel Hukporti, Melbourne United

The powerhouse 20-year-old has been billed as an NBA prospect for the past two seasons before an Achilles injury ruled him out of the entire 2022-23 NBL campaign. 

The hulking German 7-footer possesses a soft touch around the rim, can score over either shoulder, and beat everyone down the floor with his elite athleticism. His skillset and age make him a strong NBA prospect.

His return to the court in 2023-24 for Melbourne United will make him a prospect to watch.  

At 27 years old, the former Arizona Wildcat fits a similar age profile to Cooks and as he continues to improve each season, it may not be long till he's hooping on the NBA hardwood.

David Okwera, Melbourne United

Okwera's stats won't leap off the page, averaging 4.2 points and 3.3 rebounds in 14.3 minutes a night for Melbourne United in 2022-23, but the potential is there for the 20-year-old.

Standing at 6-11, Okwera is a fluid athlete who can shoot it well for his size, handle the ball in transition, attack the offensive glass and, above all, defend at an elite level.

His 7-2 wingspan makes him a problem on the perimeter for opposing players.

And inside, his shot-blocking ability is elite.

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.