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 9371 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 2275 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 2722 Views

NBL History

The NBL Triple-Double Club

The triple-double is one of basketball’s rarest feats. Through the 2025/26 NBL season, the league had recorded at least 131 triple-doubles, including the historic 1990 quadruple-double by Daren Rowe. The latest addition to the NBL Triple-Double Club was Illawarra Hawks guard William “Davo” Hickey, who recorded 19 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists and three blocks…

Dan Boyce 0 February 9, 2025 6513 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 4968 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 8629 Views

Hoops Analysis

Which NBL Teams Spent the Most?

Over the past three NBL seasons, clubs have spent almost $97 million assembling their rosters, but how much of that money has translated into wins, and which teams have delivered the best value for money? These figures represent cash spend, not salary cap spend. Cash spending includes player salaries and additional costs such as agent fees, bonuses, import related expenses and luxury tax, rather than simply the amounts counted against the league's salary cap. How much have NBL teams spent over the past three seasons?…
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NBL News

ARE THE HAWKS “TIRED” OF TATUM’S VOICE?

Larry Bird believed players began tuning out coaches after three years. Pat Riley reportedly put the limit at five, while Steve Kerr admitted his Golden State players were tired of hearing him in his fourth season. Now Justin Tatum is in his fourth season with Illawarra, and the Hawks have gone from NBL champions to the bottom of the ladder. Could they be experiencing the same problem? Justin Tatum transformed Illawarra from one of the NBL's worst teams into champions. But ahead of today's clash…
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NBL News

COULD BRIAN GOORJIAN HAVE SAVED THE MELBOURNE TIGERS?

In 2002, the Melbourne Tigers were fighting for survival when they identified an opportunity to attract supporters from their biggest rivals. Their plan to honour Brian Goorjian was blocked by the Victoria Giants, potentially changing the course of Melbourne basketball history. In 2002, the Melbourne Tigers devised a plan that could have changed the future of their club. The Tigers were emerging from financial administration, crowds were falling and the club had been forced to abandon its home at Vodafone Arena, now known as John…
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NBL News

GOLD COAST NBL EXPANSION SET TO BECOME A REALITY?

A new funding proposal, a crucial November meeting and renewed interest from the NBL could finally provide a pathway for professional basketball to return to the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast's long-running push to return to the NBL has reached another critical stage, with Mayor Tom Tate preparing to meet Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie in November to discuss the future of the proposed $1 billion Gold Coast Arena. After years of negotiations, changing timelines and funding setbacks, the city's hopes of securing an NBL…
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Podcasts

Paul Rees on NBL titles, battles with Brian Goorjian and small town success

Four-time NBL champion and 1994 Grand Final MVP Paul Rees joins the podcast to reflect on his journey from small-town basketball to a 17-season NBL career with the Brisbane Bullets, North Melbourne Giants and Adelaide 36ers. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Rees about winning championships with North Melbourne and Adelaide, playing under Brett Brown and Phil Smyth, representing Australia at the 1994 World Championship, and battling Brian Goorjian and some of the NBL’s best teams throughout…
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NBL News

MELBOURNE UNITED NEEDS TO DECIDE: Are they the Tigers or not?

Jensen Bradtke wearing his father Mark’s famous No. 50 should be one of the great stories of NBL27. Instead, it has again exposed a question Melbourne United has never properly answered: when does Melbourne Tigers history belong to United, and when doesn’t it? Seeing BRADTKE and No. 50 together on a Melbourne basketball jersey again should be nothing other than a celebration. Jensen Bradtke is beginning his first season with Melbourne United, wearing the same number his father Mark wore through one of the great…
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NBL News

The Next Step: Breakout player candidates for NBL27

Every NBL pre-season, there is plenty of attention on players around the league who could take the next step in their professional basketball journey. A breakout can happen in different ways. For some players, it’s getting more opportunity. For an established player, it can mean building on what they have already achieved and elevating their game to another level. For others, it may simply take a new home where their skills can be maximised. Below are four players who I think are ready to break…
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Podcasts

Mario Donaldson on THAT 1994 NBL Dunk Contest and his time playing with Sydney & Canberra

Former Sydney Kings and Canberra Cannons import Mario Donaldson joins the podcast to revisit his time in the NBL, including competing in the famous 1994 NBL Dunk Contest, the highs and lows of his seasons in Sydney and Canberra, and the success he found playing around the world. Host Dan Boyce chats with Donaldson about arriving in Sydney in 1994 and playing alongside Leon Trimmingham, helping the Kings return to the playoffs and establishing himself as one of the league’s best outside shooters. Visit dunk.com.au…
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