Geraldton Buccaneers gear up for 2025 season after finalising their playing list

The Geraldton Buccaneers have officially finalised their squad for the upcoming 2025 NBL1 West season, with the off-season signing of Verle Williams locked in.

Williams, a 180cm guard, lands at the Buccs after a season with the Darwin Salties in the NBL1 North league. Previously he played for Sunshine Coast in the same league before moving to Darwin.

For the Salties in 2024, Williams averaged eight points, two rebounds and two assists a game.

The previous season in Brisbane for Sunshine Coast, Willaims averaged 11 points, four rebounds and four assists per game.

Williams comes to the Buccs as an experienced point guard who coach Dayle Joseph said would fit into the squad and role perfectly.

“We needed a true point guard and Verle will fill that role for us,” he said.

“We had (Nik) DeSantis and (Josh) Braun in and out of that role last season but with Braun’s absence, it opens the door for Williams.

“Williams is a true point guard who is a really good defender who’s able to defend some of the high-profile point guards in the league.

“He’s very quick, he’s very sharp and from what we have heard, he’s a good guy, and he will be a really good teammate for us.”

Williams has the opportunity to mix with the Buccs’ other new signing for the 2025 season, US import Akeem Springs and the returning players, helping bolster an already strong line-up heading into the season.

With Johny Narkle said to be lighting up Activewest Stadium again in 2025, excitement is building as the squad begins to come together, with the imports set to arrive during the preseason period.

Joseph said the team were looking promising, giving fans something to be excited about in the new season.

“It could look like Liam Hunt, Josh Keyes, Johny Narkle, Akeem Springs, Nik DeSantis and then Verle Williams as a six,” he said.

“Definitely something that the fans can look forward to seeing on the court in 2025.”

Along with the senior heads on the court, Joseph said there would be opportunities to show the fans some young talent coming through the ranks.

“We will be looking to utilise local talent off the bench to fill the roles that we lost with the likes of Braun, who will be staying in the States,” he said.

With their first game against Joondalup away from home on April 5, Joseph said it would be a fiercely competitive battle.

“Joondalup always put their best team on the court against us,” he said.

“They have come close to a championship in the last few years and continue to be a headache for teams all over the league.

“It will be a great first run-out for the boys but it will be no easy game.”

After going down in the preliminary final last season against Willeton Tigers, Joseph said the team had not been dwelling on the past, rather using it as motivation to go one better in 2025.

“We haven’t focused on what happened last season” he said.

“The boys are treating it as business as usual.”

The Buccs start the season at Joondalup Arena.

Their first home game at Activewest Stadium is in round two on April 12 against Perth Redbacks.

To see the 2025 NBL1 West fixtures visit nbl1.com.au/fixtures/west.