Author: Dan Boyce
Melbourne United’s training sessions continue to attract top talent. The gym is gaining a reputation as the place to train for the NBA players when they return to Australia. It’s fun and the competition (at the Melbourne United training) is definitely up there” – Jonah Bolden, Philadelphia 76ers Australia’s top talent have been…
Read MoreThere have been historic changes made to the NCAA rule book overnight, triggered by the FBI probe into college basketball last year. A commission, fronted by Condoleezza Rice (former US Secretary of State) has forced the organisation to amend the following; College players that receive invites to the NBA combine but go undrafted will…
Read MoreThe National Basketball League is the latest national sport to be lured to Bendigo. The league announced yesterday that reigning champions Melbourne United will face the revitalised Sydney Kings in a preseason matchup at the recently $23 million redeveloped Bendigo Stadium. It will be the first preseason hit-out for both sides, with the…
Read MoreEarlier this year the NBL announced the Next Star program on the heels of the success of Terrence Ferguson coming to Australia to play with the 36ers before commencing his NBA career. After playing a full professional season with the Adelaide 36ers, Terrence Ferguson was picked up in the first round at #21 in the…
Read MoreBehind the trophy and popped champagne bottles, there’s been a sense of the unknown with Melbourne United heading into the 2018/19 season. This time last year they assembled what many considered to be the most talented roster in the NBL’s 40-year history, combined with a known commodity and championship-winning coach Dean Vickerman, they finally lived…
Read MoreThe last time basketball was talked about this much in Tasmania was back when the Devils were still in the competition. In 1996, the last time a Tasmanian NBL side hit the hardwood, John Howard was sworn in as prime minister, France agreed to finally end nuclear testing, and Michael Jordan led the Chicago…
Read MoreThe NBL and NBA announced in June that five Australian teams will be heading to the USA to play in pre-season later this year. One of those games include the Melbourne United facing the Toronto Raptors which has Aussie Hoops fans giddy at the prospect of “our” NBL champions (who lost to the NBA’s Oklahoma…
Read MoreSydney Kings guard Jerome Randle was yesterday named to the TBT 2018 All-Tournament Team. Randle represented Eberlein Drive, which after a tremendous run to the final, lost to Overseas Elite 70-58. The Basketball Tournament, or more simply “TBT”, is basketball in its most democratic form. Teams are formed and gain entrance by garnering…
Read MoreThe Southland Sharks have beaten the Wellington Saints 98-96 in New Zealand’s National Basketball League final to claim their third title in club history. The game was full of NBL talent with Alex Pledger (Melbourne United), Reuben Te Rangi (Brisbane Bullets) and Jarrad Weeks (NZ Breakers) leading the Sharks to victory and Shea Illi,…
Read MoreThe SEABL Final Four has been decided after this weekend’s games with both the men and women moving into preliminary finals next week. Games will be played across two states in Nunawading (VIC), Kilsyth (VIC), Launceston (TAS) and Hobart (TAS). Men’s Semi Final 1: Ballarat Miners 65 – 90 Geelong Supercats …
Read More
-
Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 7 — The Hawks’ 2nd Title and The Rivalry Today
We wrap up our seven-part deep dive into one of Aussie hoops’ fiercest rivalries — Sydney vs Illawarra — as the modern era turns the heat all the way up and the Freeway Series swings wildly from season to season. Host Dan Boyce picks things up after the Hawks’ rebirth under new ownership and Brian Goorjian — a fresh start that quickly turns into a brutal reality check, including the worst season in franchise history (3–25) — before Illawarra pulls off one of the great…
READ MORE -
Why Newcastle’s NBL Return Is Closer Than You Think
The conversation around NBL expansion has intensified in recent years, with the league publicly confirming discussions with potential markets such as Canberra, the Gold Coast, and Darwin. However, one city that continues to quietly build momentum as a realistic candidate for a future franchise is Newcastle. While it may not always dominate the expansion headlines, the pieces required for an NBL return are slowly aligning, and according to former owner of the Illawarra Hawks, Dorry Kordahi, the push for a Newcastle team is very real.…
READ MORE -
Why Luke Paul Said No to a $3 Million College Bag to Get “Beaten Up” in the NBL
Most 16-year-olds would take the bag. Luke Paul wants to take a beating. In an era where high school recruits are chasing six-figure Instagram followings and seven-figure NIL deals, Luke Paul just did the unthinkable. The 16-year-old Australian talent is a 6'6" point guard widely tipped as a future NBA lottery pick who reportedly turned down US college offers worth up to $3 million to stay home. He didn't do it for comfort. He didn't do it for safety. According to Paul, he did it…
READ MORE -
‘We need to play good basketball’ – South East Melbourne eye fine-tuning ahead of finals
With one game remaining in the regular season and finals seeding on the line, South East Melbourne moved a step closer to the top two with a 120–104 win over the Tasmania JackJumpers at John Cain Arena. The Phoenix overcame a career-high 36-point outing from Majok Deng, with Angus Glover leading the way with 21 points and seven three-pointers as the home side’s firepower proved too much. Despite the result, coach Josh King said his group still needs to produce a complete four-quarter performance, particularly…
READ MORE -
Inclusion Needs Outcomes, Not Pride Rounds
In recent weeks, NBL Pride Round has been accompanied by a wave of opinion pieces — including Michael Randall’s “Pride Round: Why the NBL should be proud it won’t ever ‘shut up and dribble’” — praising the initiative while dismissing its critics. This has been something I’ve been thinking about and discussing with people since Indigenous Round.I think we all need a little perspective sometimes. https://t.co/2D65bvtS5K — Michael Randall (@MickRandallHS) February 3, 2026 But the argument that any criticism of the National Basketball League’s social-issue…
READ MORE -
Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 6 — LaMelo Ball, Spy-Gate and ‘The Hawks’ lose their Illawarra name
We continue diving deeper into one of Aussie hoops’ fiercest rivalries — Sydney vs Illawarra — picking things up as LaMelo Ball and his Rookie of the Year season in 2019 propelled the Hawks into the global spotlight, setting NBL viewership and attendance records, while the Kings reloaded under Will Weaver and pushed for a championship in a season that ended in chaos. Host Dan Boyce breaks down LaMelo’s viral debut, his back-to-back triple-doubles, and the impact of Aaron Brooks’ season-ending injury on Illawarra’s playoff…
READ MORE -
Keanu Pinder’s Japanese Stint Could Result In Boomers Selection
Keanu Pinder has hit a new gear in Japan. As Akita’s starting big, he is producing like a franchise option, and that level of form is putting him back in the Boomers conversation. Pinder is in the midst of a prime career stretch that has seen him exceed the 2 time NBL "Most Improved Player" form that first made him a star in Cairns.The primary storyline defining Pinder’s 2025-26 campaign is a shift in usage. In Perth, Pinder was often a secondary option behind heavy…
READ MORE -
NBL Free Agent Tracker
Below is an up-to-date roster for each NBL team and a list of rumours and potential signings derived from discussions with NBL staff and media. Players listed as contracted come from information supplied by the National Basketball League. * = Denotes import player ** = Naturalised Australian DP = a member of the team's development roster SRP = the previously named Asian player exception denoting an Asian player who qualifies as a local in the NBL. MP = Marquee players listed as known Click here…
READ MORE