Former Miner Nathan Sobey will once again lead the Brisbane Bullets in the NBL, his third season with the club since joining from Adelaide in 2019.

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Sobey is coming off a bronze medal with the Boomers at the Tokyo Olympics, a squad he made thanks to his terrific NBL form in the 2020-21 season.

Sobey was an Andrew Gaze MVP award finalist, averaging 21.06 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 45.7 per cent from the field, 38.2 per cent from three and 89 per cent from the free throw line.

The Bullets face new franchise the Tasmania Jackjumpers tonight from 7:30pm, which feature 2021 Miners squad members Matt Kenyon and Jock Perry.

The pair enjoyed strong first seasons in Ballarat.

Kenyon put up 10.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, while Perry provided a nice inside-outside game as a centre, averaging 16.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.

Teammate William Hickey begins his second tenure in the NBL, with reigning champion Melbourne United.

He previously played with the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

Hickey was a source of instant offence for the Miners this past season, putting up 18.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, shooting 42.2 per cent from the field.

United kick off its championship defence on Sunday against the Sydney Kings from 3pm.

Emmett Naar and former Miner Tim Coenraad will play pivotal roles for the Illawarra Hawks.

Naar was a strong performer for the Miners in his short stint with the side last season, putting up 13.7 points and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 48.2 per cent from the field.

The Hawks kick off their campaign against Adelaide on Sunday from 1pm.

Miners star Alicia Froling will begin her time with the Canberra Capitals in the WNBL.

She joins the side after a stint with the Bendigo Spirit over the past couple of seasons.

Froling was a double-double machine for the Miners this past season, averaging 13 points and 13.8 rebounds per game while shooting 48.2 per cent from the field.

Froling and the Capitals face the Sydney Uni Flames on Sunday in their first game of the season, tip-off scheduled for 1:30pm.

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