The 2025–26 NBA season opens with a record number of Australians across rosters.
It's a reflection of how far the country's basketball pipeline has come, producing players who contribute in every role imaginable.
Here's how the 13 Aussies in the NBA stack up heading into the new season, based on form, opportunity, and long-term upside.
BACK IN BUSINESS.
Aussie Hoops. All Day. Every Day. https://t.co/VbMraRgv1U pic.twitter.com/m3G8PFihyw
— basketball.com.au (@bouncepassau) October 21, 2025
1Josh Giddey
Chicago Bulls
All eyes in Chicago are on Josh Giddey as he begins a new chapter under a $100 million deal that cements him as the centrepiece of the Bulls' future.
After the mid-season trade of Zach LaVine last year, Giddey thrived in a full-time lead-guard role, posting near triple-double numbers while finally showing comfort as a perimeter shooter.
The Bulls' plan is clear enough: push the pace, let Giddey dictate tempo, and surround him with runners and shooters like Coby White, Matas Buzelis, and new addition Isaac Okoro. When things are working smoothly, Chicago can look like a top-10 offence; when it doesn't, Giddey's defensive limitations and streaky outside shot still show through.
His deal is structured to age well under a rising salary cap, but the question remains whether he can grow from stat-stuffer to true franchise cornerstone.
At 23, Giddey already has the vision; now he needs the consistency to turn Chicago's endless “play-in potential” into something real.
