The New Zealand Basketball League has discovered its latest rising star—and so have Greg Gard and the Wisconsin Badgers. Jackson Ball is quickly making a name for himself as a teenage phenom in New Zealand. When his eye-popping stats first started circulating in the U.S., skeptics were quick to caution, “Pump the brakes—it’s early.” But now, with a 12-game sample size, it’s clear: the hype is real.
At just 17 years old, Jackson Ball has emerged as one of the top performers in the NZNBL this season. He’s played in all 12 games for the Hawke’s Bay Hawks, logging a team-high 34.6 minutes per game—essentially making him unbenchable. During that time, he’s averaging 22.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. His scoring resume includes a 40-point explosion and two more games with 36 and 33 points. He’s dipped below 15 points only twice—all the way down to 13.
Ball is shooting an elite 73.3% on two-point attempts, 37.7% from beyond the arc, and 84.6% from the free-throw line—a stat line that would make Greg Gard proud. Simply put, Jackson Ball is a walking bucket in the NZNBL.
What makes all of this even more impressive is that Jackson Ball is still just 17 years old—and won’t turn 18 until next March. Unless he pulls off some reclassification magic, he’s got another year overseas. And yet, he’s already dominating a professional league filled with grown men. While a few teenagers have made their way into the NZNBL, most players are seasoned veterans in their mid-to-late 20s. Ball is doing this well ahead of schedule.
This Friday, fans will get a special treat as Ball’s Hawke’s Bay Hawks face off against fellow Wisconsin commit Hayden Jones and his squad. The game will be available to U.S. viewers via ESPN+, streaming live at 2:30 a.m. ET (7:30 p.m. NZST). It’s not the easiest time slot, but the game will be available for replay on ESPN+—a must-watch for any Badger fan eager to see the program’s future on display.
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