GAME CENTRE
NEWCASTLE Basketball is excited to announce American import Nicole Munger is returning for the General Roberts Hotel Newcastle Falcons for the 2023 NBL1 East women’s season.
The 25-year-old all-court powerhouse was a revelation for the Falcons after arriving from Spain midway through 2022, helping steer the Falcons into third place after the regular season.
Munger’s stellar performances, which included an NBL1 East single-game season high of 53 points in a 110-49 rout of Inner West Bulls, led to an opportunity to join Canberra Capitals for the current Women’s National Basketball League season.
“I’m so excited for the opportunity to come back to Newcastle for this upcoming NBL1 season,” said Munger, whose Newcastle team-mates voted her as Players’ Player for their 2022 campaign.
“I’m looking forward to build upon what we achieved last year as well as helping to grow and promote basketball in the community.”
The former University of Michigan captain averaged 25.7 points at 50% shooting, 11.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.0 steals a game in 12 appearances for the Falcons, picking up two NBL1 East Player of the Week awards in the process.
Apart from her starring role on court, Munger quickly embraced multiple off-court tasks for the Falcons and Newcastle Basketball, promoting and growing the game as one of our enthusiastic schools and development coaches and administrative assistants.
Munger joined the Capitals in late November and her team-first attitude and impressive work ethic helped them establish the chemistry and cohesion needed to end a 12-game losing streak. She has averaged 12.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 14 games, and leads Canberra in average minutes played (32.5).
Newcastle Basketball General Manager Matt Neason said securing Munger for another season was the club’s number one priority.
“Not only is Nicole an incredible player on the court, but she is a high-character individual off it,” Neason said.
“She endeared herself to our members and actively wanted to be part of the broader Newcastle Basketball family, not just NBL1. In terms of building a team around, Nicole is the ideal player as she can cover every position on the floor and is a natural leader.”
Munger’s return is the first of many player signings the General Roberts Hotel Newcastle Falcons will be announcing in the next few weeks leading up to the start of the NBL1 East season on March 11. Newcastle’s first home games will be on Saturday, March 18 against Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.
