Jo Lual-Acuil Jr emerged as the highest-paid player in the National Basketball League (NBL) during the 2023-24 season, earning more than $1.1 million, according to newly disclosed salary data obtained by Code Sports. Standing at 211cm and aged 32, Lual-Acuil Jr’s contract surpasses that of other top-tier players, including multiple league MVP Bryce Cotton.

For the first time, the earning figures of every player on NBL rosters were revealed, showing that the more than 150 athletes signed to NBL26 contracts collectively earned over $33 million. Fewer than four percent of these players — specifically Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, Jack McVeigh, Bryce Cotton, Mason Jones, and Xavier Cooks — secured salaries above $600,000. Notably, four of the five high earners are either Australian-born or naturalised citizens, highlighting growing investment in local talent.

Perth Wildcats’ Lual-Acuil Jr, a Western Australian native, reportedly received his lucrative contract after a career spanning Asia and sustained public commitment to playing only for the Wildcats upon returning to the NBL. The deal reflects Perth’s strong financial backing for their star center, who was originally recruited as a development player by former Melbourne coach Dean Vickerman.

Despite multiple Most Valuable Player awards and leading the Sydney Kings to a grand final, Bryce Cotton was not the league’s top earner. The Kings invested heavily in their starting lineup, with combined salaries approaching $25 million. Alongside Cotton, Australian players Isaac Humphries and Dejan Vasiljevic were among the highest-paid locals, though Vasiljevic has since moved to New Zealand.

Among other top earners are Xavier Cooks of Sydney and Jack McVeigh of Cairns, both NBL grand final MVPs and seasoned international representatives for the Australian Boomers in major tournaments such as the FIBA World Cup and the Olympics. Sydney’s defensive standout Bul Kuol, despite a season-ending knee injury after 20 games, is identified as another top-paid Australian player, with his salary comparable to elite imports including Kendrick Davis and JaVale McGee.

Conversely, some standout performers operated on significantly lower salaries. Will ‘Davo’ Hickey, the NBL25 grand final MVP who was instrumental in the Illawarra Hawks’ championship run, earned less than $200,000 in the season, despite averaging strong all-around statistics. Similarly, Jaylin Galloway, a promising young player with near-NBA experience, earned a comparable amount.

The Illawarra Hawks also found value in players like Sam Froling and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, who earned under $300,000 and $200,000 respectively. However, the club invested $300,000 to $400,000 in Jonah Bolden, whose season was cut short by an Achilles injury after limited court time.

Sydney’s roster featured 12 players on six-figure contracts, with their top three earners—Cooks, Davis, and Kuol—each commanding salaries that would have made them the highest-paid at several other clubs. Defensive specialist Kendrick Davis, who earned between $500,000 and $600,000 last season, has reportedly secured a substantial raise on a new two-year deal, positioning him as the highest-paid import heading into the 2024-25 season.

Several other imports provided significant returns relative to their pay, including Tyson Walker of Perth United, who earned less than $300,000 yet was frequently mentioned in MVP discussions. Nick Marshall, Sam Menenga, and Brisbane’s Tyrell Harrison also delivered impactful performances on relatively modest contracts.

Calls for transparency on player salaries have been advocated by Australian basketball figures, including Sydney Kings assistant coach Andrew Bogut, who argued for the public release of athlete wages to reflect the sport’s professionalism and growing commercial stature. The newly disclosed figures provide a rare insight into the evolving economics of Australian professional basketball.