IT is just over a month until the National Basketball League action kicks off for the 2023/24 season, and another batch of pre-season games have been announced.
It has been three months since the last dose of NBL basketball, with the Sydney Kings winning the title in the most recent outing for the competition.
However, that all changes this Thursday, when the Brisbane Bullets take on the California Baptist Lancers in an exhibition game at UniSC Arena in Sippy Downs.
The American-based Lancers have hosted a number of Aussie talents, including the Armstrong brothers in Taran and Tre for the past few years, so there is a massive connection between the school and the land down under.
It will give the Bullets an opportunity to get some runs on the board ahead of next month’s start date, while the Lancers will get a taste of basketball talent abroad as they gear up for their upcoming collegiate campaign.
The visitors will then take on Melbourne United and the SEM Phoenix on Saturday and Sunday respectively, rounding out their three-game trip to Australia and giving both Melbourne-based sides the chance to hit the court.
There are a couple of NBL-exclusive clashes thrown in the mix as well, with the Adelaide 36ers taking on the Phoenix on September 1, before the latter lock horns with their cross-town rivals in United eight days later down in Casey.
The NBL action will be heading abroad when the Perth Wildcats head over to the United States, facing off against the G-League Ignite in Las Vegas.
Ignite have been one of the fastest growing teams in basketball over the past few years, hosting some of the best and brightest NBA prospects in the world. Last year, eventual number-three pick Scoot Henderson suited up for the team and helped boost his stock during that time.
The youth-focussed team also held the talents of Mojave King last season, helping the Aussie find a spot on an NBA team with plenty of court time, so the Wildcats will no doubt be facing some quality talent in this clash.
With the NBL1 on the rise, an All-Star team of the league’s best men’s players will take on the Wildcats late in August, with two games set to take place over the span of a weekend in Western Australia. A yearly tradition, the matches showcase the talent present in the NBL1, while giving the best players the chance to take it up to one of the best sides in the NBL.
Announced pre-season games
Brisbane Bullets v Cal Baptist Lancers
Thursday, August 10 – 6.30pm AEST
UniSC Arena, Sippy Downs
Melbourne United v Cal Baptist Lancer
Saturday, August 12 – 7.30pm AEST
Diamond Valley Sports & Fitness Centre, Greensborough
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Cal Baptist Lancers
Sunday, August 13 – 12pm AEST
State Basketball Centre, Wantirna South
Perth Wildcats vs NBL1 All Stars
Friday, August 25 – 9.30pm AEST (7.30pm local time)
Mike Barnett Sports Complex, Rockingham
Perth Wildcats vs NBL1 All Stars
Sunday, August 27 – 8pm AEST (6pm local time)
Warwick Stadium
Adelaide 36ers v South East Melbourne Phoenix
Friday, September 1 – 7.30pm AEST (7pm local time)
Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre
Perth Wildcats v G League Ignite
Wednesday, September 6 and Friday, September 8 (times TBC)
The Dollar Loan Center, Las Vegas
Melbourne United v South East Melbourne Phoenix
Saturday, September 9 – 7pm AEST
Casey Basketball Stadium
NBL25 Next Star Watch – Round 9
IN A drama-filled round of the National Basketball League (NBL), the Next Stars were as solid as ever across the span of the weekend. The next generation of basketballers are making a name for themselves at NBL level, and as the season has progressed, a more even spread of young guns are producing consistent performances. […]
Wildcats break even in ninth round
THE PERTH Wildcats entered Round 9 with a battle against a rolling SEM Phoenix side, but welcomed back star guard Bryce Cotton who wasted absolutely no time getting back into his rhythm dropping 33 points, five rebounds and four assists. They overcame a relatively slow start by posting 40 second quarter points and didn’t look […]
NBL25 Wrapped – Round 9
THE NINTH round of the National Basketball League (NBL)’s 2024/25 season had it all, leaving plenty to unpack as the competition enters a week off for the FIBA qualifying window. Although there were only six games that took place over the weekend, there was plenty of action throughout the span of Friday and Sunday, with […]
Wildcats and Lynx looking for crucial wins
REIGNING MVP Bryce Cotton is set to return on Friday night as the Perth Wildcats tackle the SEM Phoenix at RAC Arena. Perth’s superstar has missed the last five games after suffering a fractured rib in the Round 5 loss to New Zealand. Cotton said that the injury changed the way he was living day-to-day, […]
NBL25 Next Star Watch – Round 8
ROUND 8 of the 2024/25 National Basketball League (NBL) season saw some Next Stars get some increased responsibility for their respective sides over the course of the weekend. With seven games taking place over the span of Thursday and Sunday, the teams were back in action with some cracking upsets produced over the weekend. The […]
Split results for WA sides on Saturday
WESTERN Australia watched its two basketball sides split results on Saturday night, with the Perth Wildcats falling to Melbourne United and a vintage Chris Goulding performance on Saturday night, while the Perth Lynx took care of business in Adelaide, comfortably handling the Lightning 92-78. The Cats have won five games from 11 appearances this season, […]
A Chris classic as Goulding gears United
ROUND 8 of the National Basketball League (NBL) saw one of the best scoring performances in competition history, with Chris Goulding erupting to help Melbourne United pull off a comeback win over the Perth Wildcats. United hosted the Wildcats at John Cain Arena on Saturday night, fresh off a high-scoring win over the Brisbane Bullets. […]
NBL25 Wrapped – Round 8
IT WAS a great weekend to be a home side in the National Basketball League (NBL), with Round 8 seeing most hosting teams secure a win in front of their adoring fans. There were seven games that took place from Thursday to Sunday, as the action continued to be extremely unpredictable in nature. Whether it […]
Mixed results for Western teams
WEDNESDAY night brought Fire to Bendat as the Perth Lynx hosted Townsville in the opening WNBL game of Round 2. Both teams entered after strong victories in the first round of the season, Perth hosting their second straight home game and Townsville travelling for the second consecutive week. Much of the opening quarter of basketball […]
