Podcasts

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…

Dan Boyce 0 February 2, 2026 318 Views

Podcasts

Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 5 — Firepower Kings, Saville heads to Sydney and The “Resurrection Squad”

We continue diving deeper into one of Aussie hoops’ fiercest rivalries — Sydney vs Illawarra — picking things up right after the Kings’ 2005 three-peat sweep of the Hawks and tracking how the “Freeway Series” evolved through the chaos of Firepower, the Kings’ disappearance, the rivalry’s rebirth in 2010, and the Hawks’ huge 2015/16 rebrand…

Dan Boyce 0 December 24, 2025 353 Views

Podcasts

Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 4 — Sydney’s Three-Peat Response To Wollongong’s 2001 Title

We continue our deep dive into one of Aussie hoops’ fiercest rivalries — Sydney vs Illawarra — picking things up from the Wollongong Hawks’ historic 2001 championship and tracking how the Kings and Hawks battled for New South Wales bragging rights through the mid-2000s. Host Dan Boyce revisits Wollongong’s underdog run to become the first…

Dan Boyce 0 December 8, 2025 297 Views

Podcasts

Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 2 — Hawks/Kings defections and the rivalry grows through the 90’s

We continue our deep dive into one of Aussie hoops’ fiercest rivalries — Sydney vs Illawarra — looking at the success of both teams during the 1990s. Host Dan Boyce picks up where Episode 1 left off, bringing in Hawks legend Gordie McLeod to get his throughts on whether his move to Sydney in 1983…

Dan Boyce 0 October 19, 2025 752 Views

Podcasts

Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 1 — The Origins of the Illawarra v Sydney Rivalry

We crack open one of Aussie hoops’ spiciest grudge matches: Sydney vs Illawarra. Host Dan Boyce traces the rivalry back before the Kings even existed—into state-league days at the Snakepit—then follows it through the 1986 replay controversy, the Kings’ 1988 merger and rise, and the big-city v small-town energy that’s fuelled decades of heat. …

Dan Boyce 0 September 28, 2025 2541 Views

Podcasts

Brian Wethers on the Hunter Pirates’ best season, his 2005 MVP run and the dark times of the 2000s NBL

Wethers shares his journey from a standout NCAA career at Cal and NBA aspirations, to becoming one of the most explosive imports in Australian basketball during the mid-2000s. He breaks down the Pirates’ underdog rise in 2004 under Adrian Hurley, his dynamic partnership with Kavossy Franklin, and the unforgettable playoff push that followed. Visit…

Dan Boyce 0 August 18, 2025 2145 Views

Podcasts

Fabijan Krslovic on joining Melbourne United, building a championship culture in Tasmania and being overlooked by fans and media

Fabijan Krslovic joins the podcast to reflect on his NBL journey to date, a championship-winning run with the Tasmania JackJumpers, and what lies ahead in his new chapter with Melbourne United.<p> Krslovic opens up about representing the Boomers in FIBA qualifiers, the experience of playing alongside Ben Simmons and Dante Exum in Australia’s junior ranks,…

Dan Boyce 0 July 18, 2025 2038 Views

Podcasts

Jordan Hunter on His First Year with the Phoenix, Roster Changes, and Oscar Season Movie Reviews

Jordan Hunter joins the podcast to reflect on his first season with South East Melbourne, representing the Boomers, and how he’s building a creative identity off the court through podcasting, filmmaking, and stand-up comedy. Hunter shares what it was like to join the Phoenix for the 2024/25 NBL season, the internal shifts that followed Mike…

Dan Boyce 0 June 23, 2025 2456 Views

Podcasts

Andrew Svaldenis on the early years of Sydney Kings, the role of the Enforcer during the ‘80s and ‘90s, and the final NBL seasons for Hobart and Geelong

Andrew Svaldenis joins the podcast to reflect on a 13-year NBL career that took him from Bankstown to Sydney, Hobart, Adelaide, and Geelong—appearing in 299 games and carving out a legacy as one of the league’s most consistent frontcourt battlers across the ‘80s and ‘90s. Svaldenis opens up about debuting as a teenager under Robbie…

Dan Boyce 0 June 17, 2025 1073 Views

Podcasts

Brad Newley on Facing the Redeem Team, Thoughts on why he never made the NBA & Losing a Title to “COVID”

Brad Newley joins the podcast to reflect on an incredible basketball career that’s taken him from Adelaide to Athens, through Olympic Games, the EuroLeague, and a long homecoming run in the NBL. Born in the Adelaide suburb of Lower Mitcham, Newley’s journey began with the Forestville Eagles before taking him across South Australia, the Northern…

Dan Boyce 0 June 2, 2025 1170 Views

Uncategorized

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.…
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Uncategorized

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…
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NBL News

‘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…
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NBL News

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…
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Podcasts

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…
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Aussies Abroad

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…
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NBL News

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…
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Around the Globe

Japan’s Emergence as a Major Destination for Australian Basketball Talent

Five to ten years ago, if an Australian headed to Japan, it was typically because of not making NBL roster spots. Players like Venky Jois, Daniel Dillon and Rhys Vague fit this profile. Now Australian basketballers looking to play overseas rarely viewed Japan as a serious career destination. The traditional pathways pointed elsewhere, but that perception has shifted rapidly. Today, Japan’s B.League has emerged as a legitimate and increasingly attractive option for Australian players seeking strong contracts, defined roles, and long-term professional stability.Today, that narrative…
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