THE National Basketball League (NBL) is just weeks away from commencing the 2023\/24 season, but before then, the Blitz preseason competition is set to give fans a taste of what is to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Established over the past few years to provide a genuine warmup to the NBL season, the Blitz takes place in one city as teams look to commence their final preparations for the fixture ahead. Over the span of six days, all 10 teams will go head to head and refine their systems and lineups, with one winner crowned at the conclusion of the fixture based on win\/loss record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The action kicks off on Saturday, September 16, with a clash between the SEM Phoenix<\/a> and the Tasmania JackJumpers<\/a>, before a matchup between the Brisbane Bullets<\/a> and Melbourne United<\/a> later that night. Most nights have two games of action kicking off at either 1pm or 5pm AEST, except for day five, which has a trio of games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This year’s tournament will take place on the Gold Coast, as the Sunshine State gets treated to a fantastic display of basketball. The Bullets and the Taipans to a lesser extent will likely gather crowd support as fans will likely rally behind their own team as well as well as checking out some of the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There will be plenty of pressure for a number of players coming into the tournament, with a record number of NBA scouts set to touch down in Australia to take a look at the plethora of prospects that currently occupy the NBL. The competition is bringing more and more young talent on a yearly basis, gradually growing as one of the premier pathways to the NBA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether it be Next Stars Alexandre Sarr<\/strong>, AJ Johnson<\/strong> or Trentyn Flowers <\/strong>(all of whom are projected to be first round picks in the NBA Draft), or an already established talent, plenty of eyes will be on the Gold Coast over the next couple of weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stay tuned to Rookie Me Central<\/em>‘s basketball site for plenty of coverage throughout the Blitz tournament, and check out the full schedule below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n SEM Phoenix vs. Tasmania JackJumpers – 5:00pm <\/p>\n\n\n\n Adelaide 36ers<\/a> vs. New Zealand Breakers<\/a> – 1:00pm <\/p>\n\n\n\n Melbourne United vs. Illawarra Hawks<\/a> – 5:00pm <\/p>\n\n\n\n New Zealand Breakers vs. Tasmania JackJumpers – 5:00pm <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cairns Taipans vs. SEM Phoenix – 1:00pm <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tasmania JackJumpers vs. Adelaide 36ers – 5:00pm <\/p>\n\n\n\n Illawarra Hawks vs. Cairns Taipans – 5:00pm <\/p>\n\n\n\nNBL Blitz schedule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Saturday, September 16<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Brisbane Bullets vs. Melbourne United – 7:30pm<\/p>\n\n\n\nSunday, September 17<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cairns Taipans<\/a> vs. Perth Wildcats<\/a> – 3:30pm<\/p>\n\n\n\nMonday, September 18<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sydney Kings<\/a> vs. SEM Phoenix – 7:30pm<\/p>\n\n\n\nTuesday, September 19<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Perth Wildcats vs. Adelaide 36ers – 7:30pm<\/p>\n\n\n\nWednesday, September 20<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Brisbane Bullets vs. Illawarra Hawks – 3:30pm
Melbourne United vs. Sydney Kings – 7:30pm<\/p>\n\n\n\nThursday, September 21<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Perth Wildcats vs. New Zealand Breakers – 7:30pm<\/p>\n\n\n\nFriday, September 22<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sydney Kings vs. Brisbane Bullets – 7:30pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n