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With the rise of Australian talent in the college basketball system we’ve seen a significant rise in touring colleges over the past few years. In recent months St Mary’s (California), Loyola Marymount and Drexler universities have all faced off against aussie talent. The University of Hawaii team is another touring Australia, a team which…
Read MoreNBL basketball returned to Brisbane in 2015 with much fanfare as the league finally had a team in every capital city. But after two seasons at the bottom of the NBL ladder, Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis struggling to find success at national level, and former Chicago Bulls Forward Cam Bairstow still a long way from…
Read MoreIt’s that wondrous time of year again, where the NBL releases the schedule for the upcoming season and people all over the country and making (and breaking) plans to see the best basketball in the land. But why make one plan when you can make the ultimate plan! Your mission, if you choose to…
Read More“With the first pick in the 2005 NBA draft the Milwaukee’s Bucks select Andrew Bogut from the University of Utah.” After completing a stellar College career (Naismith Player of the Year) was selected ahead of Chris Paul at number four and immediately hailed as the “Wonder from Down Under” for the ailing Bucks franchise. …
Read MoreMelbourne 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…
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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