AFTER an entertaining season across the country, the National Basketball League (NBL)1 is set for the biggest conclusion to the competition in history. With a number of class sides around the country firing in season 2022, the league has changed the format for the year, and will crown a national champion in September.

Across the men’s and women’s competitions, the conference winners from the North, East, South, West and Central divisions will be competing in a finals series like never before. Also participating will be the winners of the Wildcard series, with the winner of the series crowned the national champs for the first time in NBL1 history.

From the 9th to the 11th of September, the winners of each conference will go head to head at Melbourne’s State Basketball Centre in a brand new format. Over the span of Friday and Saturday, each side will play two preliminary games for ranking points. The two highest ranked sides at the end of the two days will face off in the grand final on Sunday.

When speaking to the media, NBL1 General Manager Dean Anglin expressed his excitement to get the best sides in the country competing for the ultimate prize.

“It’s taken a long time to get to this point, taking a concept from paper and making it a reality, but we are extremely proud of turning this ambitious idea into an event that basketball fans across the country can attend and watch,” Anglin said.

“It’s a truly unique event and we cannot wait to see which clubs earn their spot in the NBL1 National Final to claim the coveted title of NBL1 National Champion.

“We look forward to it becoming a staple of the Australian basketball calendar in the years to come.”

There are just a few weeks left in each of the competitions before finals kick off, and with the stakes higher than ever, expect every side to leave nothing in the tank in the rounds that remain.