Since the 2020 season, the Franklin Bulls have invited year 12/13 players to join our club and train and suit up if requested, as Bulls development players.

In the past 4 seasons these players have included current Bulls players, Brody Perry, Payton Hughes, Noah Campbell, Christian Vano, Corey Perry, and Arahi Marsh. This year is no different and the Franklin Bulls are excited to add Year 12 players, Nathaniel Short, Ezekiel Otunuku and Harrison Kelso of Pukekohe High School and Noah Williams of Hauraki Plains College.

All these players play for the Franklin U18s Rep program.

Noah Williams has been a member of the Franklin Basketball rep program since U13s. Noah has been a key member of the development programs in Franklin Including High school basketball for Hauraki Plains and at club level.

Nathaniel Short has been a player for the Waiuku Raptors club since U11s and played for the Pukekohe High School Prems in the school's first ever appearance at the BBNZ Secondary Schools Nationals in 2023. Nathaniel has also been a Koru player and a New Zealand Trialist.

Harrison Kelso was also a member of the Pukekohe High School Prems in last years Nationals and was recently invited to the New Zealand U17s trials. He has played for Franklin since U11s and is a member of the Waiau Pa Clarks Beach Basketball Club.

Ezekiel Otunuku (Zeek) was also a member on the Pukekohe High School Prems in last years Nationals and has competed for Franklin Reps since U15s. He is a member of the Tuakau Bullets Basketball Club.

Harrison Kelso (top left), Nathaniel Short (top right), Ezekiel Otunuku (bottom right), Noah Williams (bottom left).

Our DP players will form part of our wider squad and with the full support of their schools will be able to attend trainings. Bulls DPs also receive a gym membership thanks to Counties Fitness and access to Bulls coaches and staff.

But they are not there to make up numbers, the boys will be tasked with developing and learning to compete at the NBL level, which will include scrimmaging against the Bulls roster when called upon.

The DPs will be a key part of the season and will be available to play in Rapid League and NBL if required by coaches.