Robbie Heath grew up on the outskirts of Melbourne, in the basketball hotbed of Whittlesea, around 40 minutes from the CDB. Much like Ben Simmons, Dante Exum and even Kyrie Irving, Heath is a product of one of the many US imports who came to Australia in the 1980s and 1990s to play basketball. His…
Read More“I wanna be like Mike” to quote the 1992 Gatorade commercial. This advertisement campaign was merely a promotional ploy focused on selling sugary beverages, but it is also an example of how endemic the belief that Michael Jordan has no equal on a basketball court and how this myth has been spread through society. Michael Jordan’s…
Read MoreDespite losing Rio Olympian Chris Goulding to injury, being unable to hold player selection camp and having only one training session prior to facing an unbeaten Filipino national team, Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis says it’s a challenge the team is ready for. “We haven’t seen each other for three months and that’s a challenge,…
Read MoreEveryone remembers where they were at 2:30 am on August 21st, 2016 when Australia went down horrifically to Spain in the bronze medal Match of the Rio Olympics. The hype train was in full steam after coming second in the group, smashing France and Serbia and coming agonisingly close to downing the USA goliath. So,…
Read MoreHere at Aussie Hoopla, we love two things – Australian basketball and trivia about Australian basketball. As the end of 2016 approaches, it is always nice to look back on the events of the past. So, print this page out or read it off your screen and play with your friends to see…
Read More18-year-old Adam Lulka, who plays for Penrith Panthers and in his final year of high school at The King’s School, Parramatta has been snapped up by the University at Albany. Securing a four-year scholarship, he says he will most likely undertake a psychology degree while playing for the university’s basketball team the Albany Great…
Read MoreWith all the excitement of the Olympics, it wouldn’t be a surprise if you didn’t notice one of Australia’s finest talents outside of that Boomers team recently who has signed to play for a Lithuanian powerhouse in 2017/17. Ben #Madgen from #Australia will be playing in @BCLietkabelis next season. Welcome to #Panevezys, @iMadgen01! pic.twitter.com/XXra8BOaB7…
Read MoreWith the Boomers finishing off their 2016 Rio Olympic Games campaign with heart-wrenching, infuriating fourth place, it’s time to look forward to the next Boomers squad for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Many of the key players who led Australia in capturing the country’s hearts in Brazil will be primed for another go around but it’s…
Read MoreDespite a gut-wrenching loss to Serbia, Australia remains focused on making basketball history – not repeating it. The Boomers cinderella run through the group stages had the nation believing a chance at a gold medal was possible until their semi-final loss to Serbia which NBA small forward Joe Ingles labelled “pathetic”. “We’re all very…
Read MoreThe cards are stacking up just right for the Boomers leading into the quarterfinals after an easy 93-68 win over China, a game where they were able to rest key players and give some of the team’s NBL representatives a chance to make an impact off the bench. Australia started out slowly as if…
Read MorePOS | TEAM | W | D | L | PTS |
1 |
|
21 | 3 | 3 | 66 |
2 |
|
20 | 4 | 3 | 64 |
3 |
|
19 | 4 | 4 | 61 |
4 |
|
18 | 2 | 6 | 56 |
5 |
|
18 | 2 | 4 | 56 |
Nick Horvath joins the podcast to reflect on a one-of-a-kind basketball journey—becoming the only player to ever win a NBL, NZNBL and NCAA championship. Horvath opens up about writing his debut novel Sledge Vs, the highs and lows of his pro career, and what it was really like playing under legends like Mike Krzyzewski and Brian Goorjian. We go deep on the South Dragons’ fiery 2009 Grand Final clash with the Melbourne Tigers, including the now-infamous Game 3 brawl and Chris Anstey’s ejection. Horvath shares…
READ MOREChinese basketball standout Lin Wei is emerging as one of the most intriguing international prospects ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft—and he's already drawing serious interest from NBL heavyweights. The Sydney Kings and Melbourne United are currently leading the race to sign the dynamic guard should he not land on an NBA roster this offseason. Wei, a 191 cm, 85 kg combo guard, recently declared for the 2025 NBA Draft and is viewed as a borderline second-round candidate. While he’s intent on chasing his NBA…
READ MOREBelow 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 MOREWith Adam Caporn taking over as head coach of the Australian Boomers, the national team enters a critical phase in its evolution. A student of both Brian Goorjian and Andrej Lemanis, Caporn intends to build on their foundations, blending their distinct philosophies to create a balanced, adaptable, and high-performing team. In a recent interview with Aussie Hoopla, Caporn outlined his vision for the Boomers, his approach to coaching, and how he plans to shape the roster heading into major tournaments like the 2027 FIBA World…
READ MOREFormer NBL player and current Casey Cavaliers head coach Luke Kendall joins the podcast to share his journey—from his junior basketball days to professional success and now a rising coaching career. Kendall developed under legendary coach Mike Dunlap at Metro State, where he won a national championship before moving to the NBL. He played for the Sydney Kings, Melbourne Tigers, Perth Wildcats, and Gold Coast Blaze, winning a championship with the Kings before injuries forced an early retirement. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of…
READ MOREThe possibility of an NBL expansion team in Geelong has gained momentum, with league owner Larry Kestelman confirming the city is a strong candidate—provided it can secure a suitable venue. However, much like we outlined in an article a number of years ago, How the Geelong Supercats could return to the NBL within 3 years, the missing piece isn’t just a stadium, but a real estate-backed development plan to make the project financially viable. Kestelman recently acknowledged Geelong’s growing basketball scene, citing record participation numbers…
READ MOREThere have been championship runs in the NBL defined by dominance and the sheer weight of talent that could overwhelm opponents before the ball was tipped. The dynasties of Perth, the star-studded reign of Melbourne, and the rise of Sydney’s financial muscle all tell tales of powerhouses that knew how to stay at the top. But there has only ever been one championship like Wollongong’s in 2001—a title won through sheer resilience, a team that had no business being there until they forced their way…
READ MOREThe Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award is supposed to recognise the most dominant defender in the NBA. If that’s the case, then Dyson Daniels should already have his name engraved on the trophy. But as the season winds down, there’s a growing concern that Daniels might get overlooked simply because he’s a guard. If that happens, it won’t just be unfair—it will be a disgrace. Daniels is Leading the NBA in Every Key Defensive Stat There’s no argument against Daniels’ defensive dominance this…
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