In fact, Boyle probably even exceeded his own expectations with 208cm (6'10) former New Zealand Breakers and South East Melbourne Phoenix James Hunter and highly talented Australian-born US College players Matt Gray and Will Cranston-Lown completing the roster which also includes former Newcastle Hunter Sharif Watson.

The Mustangs start the season with a local derby against the Newcastle Falcons at the Newcastle Basketball Centre on Saturday, April 2 before their first home game of the season against Hills Hornets on April 9.

"We're locked in now, we got everyone we were after," Boyle said.

"We were originally looking at an import, but when we heard James was available we chased him pretty hard. He is as good if not better than a lot of the imports out there.

"He played for Sydney last year. He has been around a while, he played Division 1 College in the US and in the New Zealand league for a while. He played with the NZ Breakers and South East Melbourne Phoenix when they started in 2020.

"We've signed him which gives us a lot of size and experience."

Hunter told the NBL1 website that he was excited bout his signing and the upcoming season.

"I am very excited to be joining the mighty Mustangs for this year's first NBL1 East competition," he said.

"They have a great culture in place already so I'm looking forward to being a part of that and working towards a championship.

"I grew up playing basketball in country NSW so I am pumped to get back in that setting."

Watson, who has been nursing a knee injury, is hopeful of being fit for the first instalment of the Kibble Mallon Cup along with Hunter, who originally hails from Nowra on the South Coast.

Cranston-Lown and Gray are completing their US college commitments and should be in Maitland by mid-April and early May respectively.

Gray a 203cm (6'8) forward from Orange and Cranston-Lown, a 185cm (6'1) guard from Bathurst were teammates with the Bathurst Miners as teenagers.

Gray, who has been playing Division 1 basketball with UC San Diego Titans in the powerful Big West Conference, will replace Lonnie Funderburke who has moved to Brisbane.

Cranston-Low averaged 13.7 points, 3.4 assists and 1.8 steals for a game with Regis University in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference NCAA Div II.

In a post on the Mustangs' Facebook Page, Gray said: "I look forward to returning home and getting to play with my family and friends around. I am excited to represent and play for the Mustangs.

"Growing up, Maitland was always a respected rival and I am encouraged by the culture here and the opportunity to compete in the NBL1."

Cranston-Lown posted that he couldn't wait get to back home and play for Maitland.

"I chose Maitland as they have a loyal fanbase, and I have heard nothing but good things about this organisation and the group of guys on the team," he said

They come into a team featuring Terrell Turner, Sam Huggins, Jack Edwards, Dan Millburn, Josh Clifford, Scott McGann and Lachie Beavis.

"There's a really good crew there with a lot of experience and the other good this is having eight guys who already know the culture there and will embrace the guys coming in who are all originally from the country," Boyle said.

"We can could go 12-deep this year, into our bench."

The Mustangs will play a trial match on Thursday night with tip off at 8pm.

Hunter was impressive in the Mustangs' big win in a trial against against Hills Hornets last Friday night is expected to line up on Thursday.

"James contributed really well on Friday night against Hornsby. We won by 50 and didn't have four players," Boyle said.

"We didn't have Sharif, he has got a bone bruise on his knee at the moment and is trying to make it back for the first game. Sam Huggins was out with Achille's issues and the two guys are still in America."

The Mustangs will be without Watson and Huggins again on Thursday.