NBL History

Australia’s Greatest Basketball Associations

Junior basketball development is where the Australian basketball journey begins. Before players represent Australia or reach the NBL, most first learn the game through their local basketball association. While hundreds of rookies have entered the NBL over the years, the same junior basketball programs regularly appear in their backgrounds. Some associations have developed significantly more…

Dan Boyce 11 July 29, 2026 8237 Views

NBL History

Beyond the Arc: The Greatest Shooters in NBL History

In 1984, the NBL introduced the three-point line, forever altering the geometry of Australian basketball. Since then, the league has seen traditional snipers, stretch bigs and volume scorers completely revolutionise how offenses operate and defenses scramble. But as the modern game places a premium on spacing and perimeter shooting, a critical question arises: Who are…

Thivyan Aravindan 0 June 22, 2026 1637 Views

NBL History

The Wollongong Hawks’ 2001 NBL Championship: The defining moment of an underdog’s rise

There 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….

Jordan Janssen 0 March 15, 2025 2595 Views

NBL History

The NBL Triple-Double Club

The triple-double is one of basketball’s rarest feats, with only 130 recorded in NBL history. The latest to achieve it? Young gun Taran Armstrong of the Cairns Taipans. Armstrong delivered the season’s lone triple-double in Cairns’ 100-88 win over the Brisbane Bullets, lifting the Taipans to just their fourth home victory of the season and…

Dan Boyce 0 February 9, 2025 6211 Views

NBL History

The past, present, and future of Chinese Players in the NBL

Basketball in Asia is exploding with 300 million registered players in China, and recent FIBA World Cup games generated viewers between 50-70 million Chinese viewers for national team games. With China’s Zhou Qi and Liu Chuanxing both playing for their China in FIBA competition as well as their NBL teams in Australia, there have been more…

Star Xia 0 August 4, 2022 4738 Views

NBL History

The Greatest NBL Players at Every Age

Over the past few NBL seasons, we’ve witnessed young talents such as Josh Giddey, Rocco Zikarsky, and LaMelo Ball excel for their teams at the tender age of 17 or 18. On the other hand, veterans like Brad Newley, David Barlow, and Daniel Kickert have continued contributing well into their late thirties. Since 1979, the…

Dan Boyce 1 April 11, 2021 7870 Views

Podcasts

Mitch McCarron on What Went Wrong in Adelaide, United’s 2021 Championship & Overachieving in Cairns

Former NBL champion and Australian Boomer Mitch McCarron joins the podcast to reflect on retiring from professional basketball at just 32, what went wrong during his three seasons with the Adelaide 36ers, and narrowly missing out on representing Australia at an Olympics or World Cup. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with McCarron about the injuries which ultimately ended his NBL career, his transition into coaching and player relations, and why he continues to play basketball with Eltham…
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Podcasts

Darnell Mee on Adelaide’s 2001 Heartbreak, Defending NBL legends and more

Two-time NBL champion and five-time NBL Best Defensive Player Darnell Mee returns to the podcast to revisit the unfinished stories from one of the greatest careers in Australian basketball, including Adelaide’s heartbreaking 2001 playoff exit, his decision to leave the 36ers and the fight to keep the Cairns Taipans alive. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Mee about watching his son Micale build his own basketball career in Australia, the chemistry behind Adelaide’s back-to-back championships, becoming teammates…
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NBL History

Australia’s Greatest Basketball Associations

Junior basketball development is where the Australian basketball journey begins. Before players represent Australia or reach the NBL, most first learn the game through their local basketball association. While hundreds of rookies have entered the NBL over the years, the same junior basketball programs regularly appear in their backgrounds. Some associations have developed significantly more NBL talent than others, establishing themselves as important pathways into professional basketball. Until now, a complete record of the junior association responsible for developing every player to have competed in…
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Podcasts

Matt Garrison on Winning Back-to-Back Titles with Multiple NBL Teams, NBA Opportunities and Aussie Hoops Impact Overseas

Two-time NBL champion Matt Garrison joins the podcast to reflect on winning back-to-back championships with two different teams, helping the Wollongong Hawks claim their first NBL title in 2001 before joining the Adelaide 36ers and winning it all again in 2002. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Garrison about arriving in Wollongong as a mid-season import, adjusting from being a high-scoring starter to an important role off the bench, and being part of the Hawks team that…
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NBL History

Beyond the Arc: The Greatest Shooters in NBL History

In 1984, the NBL introduced the three-point line, forever altering the geometry of Australian basketball. Since then, the league has seen traditional snipers, stretch bigs and volume scorers completely revolutionise how offenses operate and defenses scramble. But as the modern game places a premium on spacing and perimeter shooting, a critical question arises: Who are the most efficient and devastating shooters in the 40-year history of the NBL? To cut through the noise, we have to look beyond raw percentages. By combining historical spreadsheet data…
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Podcasts

John Rillie on roster changes for NBL27, pressures from fans and media and Bryce Cotton/Trevor Gleeson narratives

Perth Wildcats head coach John Rillie joins the podcast to discuss the pressure that comes with coaching one of the NBL’s most successful clubs, the challenge of moving forward after Bryce Cotton’s departure, and what Perth needs to build its next championship contender. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Rillie about taking over the Wildcats after the club missed the finals for the first time since 1986, the expectations of the Red Army, and how Perth’s three…
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Podcasts

Rolan Roberts on Kings Titles, Dunk Contest Injury and Playing for Brian Goorjian and Trevor Gleeson

Former Sydney Kings and Townsville Crocodiles big man Rolan Roberts joins the podcast to reflect on his time in Australia, including joining the Kings mid-season and helping them complete their historic 2005 NBL three-peat. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Roberts about playing under Brian Goorjian, becoming a key interior presence for Sydney, and being part of the Kings team that became the first in NBL history to win three straight championships. The episode also dives into…
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Australian Boomers

Boomers: we’re not taking Patty and Bryce

At some point over the next 12 months, the Boomers are going to have to make a decision that Australian basketball has managed to avoid for almost two decades. Who exactly is this team built around now? Since 2010, that answer was simple. It was Patty Mills’ team. Mills has been the primary scorer for the Boomers for nearly two decades and few Australian victories have been recorded without a major scoring performance from Patty. But as the Boomers move toward the 2027 FIBA World…
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