EARLIER today, the National Basketball League (NBL) announced its upcoming Blitz preseason campaign, following years of success.
The NBL Blitz will take place on the Gold Coast during September in the first taste of NBL action since the Sydney Kings won the 2022/23 title.
The tournament allows every side in the competition to get their first hit out before the regular season kicks off shortly after. The Blitz tournament has been taking place for the last few years, and has seen most teams enter the opening round fresh and ready to bring their best.
Given the Blitz is taking place on the Gold Coast, it raises questions as to whether the league is looking at potentially moving further into the region. There have been rumours of the addition of another expansion side after the success of the Tasmania JackJumpers over the past two seasons, and this move looks like it could be a bit of a test for the NBL.
NBL CEO David Stevenson added fuel to the fire when asked about the potential expansion.
“The Gold Coast is one of many cities in our expansion considerations. Gold Coast fans now have the chance to vote with their feet and turn up to the games, and show us why they deserve a team,” he said.
It will also provide the opportunity for NBL Next Stars AJ Johnson, Alexandre Sarr, Bobi Klintman and Mantas Rubstavicius to see their first minutes in Australia, which is an exciting prospect. The competition has delivered an immense amount of success, with the likes of Lamelo Ball, Joshua Giddey and Ousmane Dieng all being selected early in the first round of the NBA draft after graduating from the program.
The Brisbane Bullets will likely gather the biggest crowd given their home advantage, and one player is already generating a fair bit of buzz ahead of the season. 17-year-old Rocco Zikarsky joined the team over the off-season, and already stands a mighty seven feet. Given his size and potential, fans will be eager to see how his game translates in the NBL after a period of dominance at local and national championships.
The games will take place from Saturday, September 16 to Friday, September 22, with all matches being held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. The 2023/24 NBL season kicks off just six days later on September 28.
2023/24 NBL Team Wrap – Tasmania JackJumpers
THE 2023/24 National Basketball League (NBL) season was one of the most entertaining in recent memory, with all teams performing at a high level and making a genuine run at some postseason action along the way. All 10 teams were in the hunt for a spot in the finals and play-in until the penultimate round, […]
Perth adds pinch of Pepper with latest signing
ONE of the most exciting aspects of the National Basketball League (NBL) off-season is the addition of young talent to Australia’s premier competition, with Elijah Pepper the next rising Aussie to put pen to paper. Following an outstanding collegiate career, Pepper has agreed to a two-year deal with the Perth Wildcats ahead of the 2024/25 […]
2023/24 NBL Team Wrap – Melbourne United
THE 2023/24 National Basketball League (NBL) season was one of the most entertaining in recent memory, with all teams performing at a high level and making a genuine run at some postseason action along the way. All 10 teams were in the hunt for a spot in the finals and play-in until the penultimate round, […]
Ball begins to roll in NBL free agency
ALTHOUGH the National Basketball League (NBL) season wrapped last month, the action rolls on with free agency opening earlier this week. Just a couple of weeks after the Tasmania JackJumpers claimed the 2023/24 title, the free agency period opened, allowing out-of-contract players to make a move to a new team if they were after a […]
2023/24 NBL Team Wrap – Perth Wildcats
THE 2023/24 National Basketball League (NBL) season was one of the most entertaining in recent memory, with all teams performing at a high level and making a genuine run at some postseason action along the way. All 10 teams were in the hunt for a spot in the finals and play-in until the penultimate round, […]
2023/24 NBL Team Wrap – Illawarra Hawks
THE 2023/24 National Basketball League (NBL) season was one of the most entertaining in recent memory, with all teams performing at a high level and making a genuine run at some postseason action along the way. All 10 teams were in the hunt for a spot in the finals and play-in until the penultimate round, […]
PODCAST | Got Next Season 2 Episode 19
THE final episode of the Got Next Podcast for season 2 has dropped, with an exciting episode set to send off the show. Episode 19 sees the boys unpack the conclusion of the NBL Championship Series, in which the Tasmania JackJumpers defeated Melbourne United in Game Five. Join Host Michael Alvaro and Basketball Analyst Liam […]
2023/24 NBL Team Wrap – New Zealand Breakers
THE 2023/24 National Basketball League (NBL) season was one of the most entertaining in recent memory, with all teams performing at a high level and making a genuine run at some postseason action along the way. All 10 teams were in the hunt for a spot in the finals and play-in until the penultimate round, […]
NBL Championship Series | How it was won – Game Five
THE Tasmania JackJumpers claimed the 2023/24 National Basketball League (NBL) Championship, defeating Melbourne United 3-2 in the Championship Series. Proceedings went to five matches in one of the most entertaining finals series in recent memory, as the JackJumpers snagged their maiden title with a two-point road win on Sunday afternoon, capping off a batch of […]
