The NBL is Australia's main basketball league, though problems after the 2008-09 season resulted in the NBL becoming a new entity called Basketball Australia. Several key NBL teams dropped out of the league, including the famous Sydney Kings and Brisbane Bullets, Sydney, at least, will return in 2010-11. And now, here are the results of the Finals and season award-winners in Australian basketball.

SYDNEY KINGS RETURN TO NBL
March 29, 2010

The newly resurrected Sydney Kings today announced that they have appointed former Australian Boomers and Sydney Kings player Ian ‘Moose’ Robilliard as their Head Coach to take them into the 2010/11 NBL season.

In a playing career that spanned 11 NBL seasons, Robilliard started his NBL playing career for the City of Sydney Astronauts in the inaugural NBL season back in 1979. He then joined Newcastle in 1981 to play with the Newcastle Falcons. ‘Moose’ became a household name in the Newcastle district during his six years with the Falcons due to his tenacity and intensity on the court.

In 1989 then Kings Head Coach and current Kings General Manager Bob Turner enticed Robilliard back to Sydney to join him in his first season at the helm of the Kings. Robilliard played three seasons with the Kings and then joined Turner as assistant coach for two seasons.

After his retirement, Robilliard spent over a decade working with the Australian PGA before starting the highly successful Central Coast Academy of Sport, where he has been the Managing Director since 2004.

“The consortium was looking for someone who could establish a solid and respected culture from the start,” stated Turner. “The key attributes the consortium was seeking were competiveness, a motivator, a leader of men and someone with great people and media skills to handle the pressure of Sydney. We also wanted a person affiliated with the Kings and Sydney, as well as a coach committed to the development program and who understands and supports the business of sport,” added Turner.

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2009-10 NBL BASKETBALL SEASON AWARDS
March 19, 2010

HOMICIDE WINS NBL MVP AWARD

Townsville Crocodiles’ star point guard Corey ‘Homicide’ Williams has been named the winner of the Andrew Gaze Trophy as the National Basketball League’s Most Valuable Player for the 2009/2010 season at the NBL and WNBL Awards Dinner in Melbourne on tonight.

Williams received 92 votes to take the award from Adelaide 36ers forward Adam Ballinger, who polled 80. Melbourne Tigers’ forward Mark Worthington came in third place with 72 votes, followed by Wollongong Hawks’ guard Tywain McKee in fourth place with 70 points. Perth Wildcats forward Shawn Redhage, whose team won the 2010 NBL Championship, was fifth with 69 points.

Williams, who has now been a Croc for three years, averaged 18.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.1 assists over his 31 games this season, shooting the ball at 50.6% from the field. For the second year running Williams led the Crocodiles to a Semi Final berth.

Williams becomes only the second Croc to win the award after club legend Robert Rose claimed the honour in 2001.

Voting for the MVP award is conducted following each regular season game by the coaching staffs of each team, with the player amassing the most votes at the end of the season being declared the winner.

The NBL’s MVP award is named after Melbourne Tigers great Andrew Gaze, with the trophy being a specially commissioned sculpture of Gaze in action.

The results of the other awards announced tonight are below.

ALL-NBL TEAMS

League MVP Corey Williams and last year’s MVP Kirk Penney head a star studded All-NBL First Team for the 2009/10 National Basketball League season. The two MVP’s are joined by exciting point guard Tywain McKee from the Wollongong Hawks, tenacious power forward Mark Worthington from the Melbourne Tigers and Perth’s star player Shawn Redhage.

Corey Williams and Kirk Penney could not be separated, both polling 63 votes, followed by McKee with 57, Worthington (55) and Redhage (51).

This is the third time Worthington and Penney have been named in the All-NBL First Team. After missing out by one vote last year, Williams made amends by being named this year. Shawn Redhage also moved up from the Second Team last season.

Adelaide’s main man, Adam Ballinger (49), missed out this year by the smallest of margins, only going down by two votes to Redhage. Ballinger was joined on the All-NBL Second Team by CJ Bruton from New Zealand (38), Anthony Petrie of the Gold Coast (29) and the back court for the Blaze in Ayinde Ubaka (26) and Adam Gibson (28).

Dynamic point guard from the Melbourne Tigers, Julius Hodge (25), was at the head of the ALL-NBL Third team despite missing the first half of the season. Hodge was joined by fellow American John Gilchrist from the Adelaide 36ers and grand finalist trio, Glen Saville (24), Cameron Tragardh (23) and Larry Davidson (20) from the Hawks.

The head coach, one assistant coach and one captain from each team vote on the award. Voting takes into account regular season performances only and voters cannot include members of their own team on the ballot. Each All-NBL team submitted by the voters must feature three outside players and two inside players.


All-NBL First Team

Corey Williams (Townsville)

Kirk Penney (New Zealand)

Tywain McKee (Wollongong)

Mark Worthington (Melbourne)

Shawn Redhage (Perth)

All-NBL Second Team

Adam Ballinger (Adelaide)

CJ Bruton (New Zealand)

Anthony Petrie (Gold Coast)

Adam Gibson (Gold Coast)

Ayinde Ubaka (Gold Coast)

All-NBL Third Team

Julius Hodge (Melbourne)

Glen Saville (Wollongong)

John Gilchrist (Adelaide)

Cameron Tragardh (Wollongong)

Larry Davidson (Wollongong)

Others to Receive Votes:

Luke Schenscher (Perth), Rolan Roberts (Townsville), Rick Rickert (New Zealand), James Harvey (Gold Coast), Damian Martin (Perth), Erron Maxey (Gold Coast), Kevin Lisch (Perth), Steven Weigh (Perth), Russell Hinder (Townsville), Julien Mills (Cairns), Dusty Rychart (Cairns), Phill Jones (Cairns), Daniel Johnson (Melbourne), Matt Burston (Adelaide), Peter Crawford(Townsville), Dillon Boucher (New Zealand), Thomas Abercrombie (New Zealand), Sam Mackinnon (Melbourne), Brad Williamson (Townsville), Chris Anstey (Melbourne), Mika Vukona (Gold Coast) and Rhys Martin (Wollongong).


COACH OF THE YEAR – GORDIE MCLEOD (WOLLONGONG)

After helping the undermanned Wollongong Hawks get to an NBL Grand Final in his first year with the club, Gordie McLeod has won the National Basketball League’s (NBL) Lindsay Gaze Trophy as Coach of the Year for the 2009/10 season.

McLeod won the award by earning 59 votes to finish ahead of Perth coach Rob Beveridge (29) and Townsville’s Trevor Gleeson (28).

McLeod had his Hawks flying early in the season, winning five of their first six games. The Hawks ended the regular season with a 16-12 record. This meant that the team whom was predicted by many to finish last, finished second on the NBL ladder at the end of the regular season.

Under McLeod, the Hawks formed a chemistry which could be seen both on and off the court. They played team basketball throughout the season, averaging 16.3 assists per game, which got them to the NBL Grand Final. McLeod did it tough however, with Tywain McKee going down injured mid season. McLeod brought in former Sydney King Luke Martin to fill the role and lost nothing in doing so. Some of the younger Hawks in Rhys Martin and Tim Coenraad blossomed under the guidance of McLeod.

With McLeod at the helm, the Hawks became a defensive force this season limiting their opponents to 81 points per game on 44% shooting. The Hawks averaged 5.4 steals and 2.8 blocks per contest.

The Lindsay Gaze Trophy for NBL Coach of the Year award is named after the legendary Melbourne Tigers coach. It takes into account regular season performances only, and is voted on by head coaches, assistant coaches (one per club) and team captains (one per club) on a 3-2-1 basis. Balloters are unable to vote for members of their own club.

2010 NBL Coach of the Year – Voting

Geordie McLeod 59

Trevor Gleeson 28

Rob Beveridge 29

Joey Wright 22

Aaron Fearne 5


BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER – DILLON BOUCHER (NEW ZEALAND)

New Zealand Breakers veteran Dillon Boucher taken out the NBL’s Defensive Player of the Year Award for the 2009/10 competition. Boucher finished with 42 votes to leave his rivals in his wake. Damian Martin from Perth (29), Adam Gibson from the Blaze (28) and Mika Vukona from the Blaze (21) were left to fight for second place.

Boucher was the shining light for the Breakers on defence this season, who allowed opponents to score 83.6 points per game. During the regular season Boucher recorded 37 steals, 12 blocks and 74 defensive rebounds, but it was his ability to bulldog opponents for the length of the court that made him invaluable in Coach Andrej Lemanis’ system.

In his seven years of playing in the NBL he has been instrumental in helping his teams win games on the defensive end. He helped New Zealand make a late season push towards the end of the 2009/10 season by getting his teammates to pitch in on the defensive end of the floor.

This is Boucher’s first Defensive Player of the Year award and he becomes the first New Zealander to take it out.

The award is determined by a vote of all league head coaches and captains and one assistant coach per club, with voters excluded from voting for members of their own team.

2010 Best Defensive Player Voting

Dillon Boucher (NZ) 42

Damian Martin (Perth) 29

Adam Gibson (Gold Coast) 28

Mika Vukona (Gold Coast) 21

Tommy Greer (Melbourne) 8

Brad Robbins (Perth) 6

Rolan Roberts (Townsville) 5

Glen Saville (Wollongong) 3

Thomas Abercrombie (NZ) 1

Aaron Grabau (Cairns) 1


MOST IMPROVED PLAYER – ANTHONY PETRIE (GOLD COAST)

Gold Coast Blaze big man Anthony Petrie has been named Most Improved Player of the National Basketball League for the 2009/10 season, after a year where he established himself as one of the hardest workers in the game.

Petrie won the award after receiving 32 votes in a poll of all NBL Coaches, head assistants and captains. The award didn’t come easy as Daniel Johnson from Melbourne finished with 28, Larry Davidson from the Hawks (27) and Chris Goulding from the Blaze (23).

The 26 year old from Tenterfield, NSW definitely showed his worth this season. He averaged 11.3 points and 6.6 rebounds. Petrie shot the ball at 45% from the field, 40.5% beyond the arc and 74.1% from the stripe.

One of Petrie’s breakout games came in a loss against Townsville where he finished with 26 points and six rebounds.

Other previous winners of the award include CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Shane Heal and Mark Bradtke. Petrie becomes the first Gold Coast Blaze player to win this award.

A vote of all league head coaches and captains and one assistant coach per club determine the Most Improved Player award, with voters excluded from voting for members of their own team. Ballots are cast on a 3-2-1 basis.

2010 NBL Most Improved Player Voting

Anthony Petrie (Gold Coast) 32

Daniel Johnson (Melbourne) 28

Larry Davidson (Wollongong) 27

Chris Goulding (Gold Coast) 23

Thomas Abercrombie (New Zealand) 13

Stephen Weigh (Perth) 10

Rhys Martin (Wollongong) 8

Kerry Williams (Cairns) 1

Damian Martin (Perth) 1

Michael Cedar (Townsville) 1


ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – JESSE WAGSTAFF (PERTH)

Perth Wildcat’s explosive power forward, Jesse Wagstaff, has been named by the National Basketball League as the 2010 NBL Rookie of the Year.

Wagstaff took out the award after polling 59 votes, comfortably beating Wollongong’s Tim Coenraad (47) and Chris Molitor of Adelaide (24). He received 19 out of the possible 21 first-place votes.

The former Metro State NCAA star averaged nine points and 3.5 rebounds per game coming off the bench for the Wildcats and his contributions helped Perth to win their fifth NBL Championship.

In his NBL debut Wagstaff looked comfortable scoring 10 points and collecting four rebounds in his 15 minutes on the floor. In one of Perth’s crucial games towards the end of the regular season, Wagstaff had a season high 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting and five rebounds, helping Perth take out Melbourne 94-78.

Previous winners of the rookie honour have included Andrew Gaze, Sam Mackinnon, Andrew Vlahov, Shane Heal, Matt Nielsen, John Rillie, Brad Newley, Joe Ingles and Nathan Jawai.

The Rookie of the Year Award is determined by a 3-2-1 vote of all league head coaches and captains and one assistant coach per club, with voters excluded from voting for members of their own team.

2010 NBL Rookie of the Year Voting

Jesse Wagstaff (Perth) 59

Tim Coenraad (Wollongong) 47

Chris Molitor (Adelaide) 24

Tommy Ammar (Gold Coast) 9


BEST SIXTH MAN – ERRON MAXEY (GOLD COAST)

The National Basketball League has announced that Gold Coast’s dynamic import Erron Maxey has won the Best Sixth Man for 2009/10.

Maxey took out the honours as the NBL’S best-off-the-bench polling 33 votes after being called into the team following the first two games of the season. The Sixth Man award this season was tight with Maxey’s teammate Mika Vukona polling 29 votes and last year’s winner Phill Jones of Cairns 25.

In his last season in the NBL, New Zealand’s Tony Ronaldon polled 14 votes and Crocodiles swingman Brad Williamson finished with 13.

In 28 regular season games for the Blaze, Maxey averaged 13.7 points and 6.4 rebounds off the pine. He made 48% of his shots from the field, 40.8% from three point territory and 75.9% from the foul line. Maxey was an integral part of the Blaze’s regular season 16-12 record, helping the team from the Gold Coast get to the Semi-Finals.

Previous winners of the Best Sixth Man award include Jason Smith, Bruce Bolden, Stephen Black and Chris Anstey. Maxey is the first member of the Blaze to take out the award.

The Best Sixth Man award is determined by a vote of all league head coaches and captains and one assistant coach per club, with voters excluded from voting for members of their own team.

2010 Sixth Man of the Year Voting

Erron Maxey (Gold Coast) 33

Mika Vukona (Gold Coast) 29

Phill Jones (Cairns) 25

Tony Ronaldson (NZ) 14

Brad Williamson (Townsville) 13

Thomas Abercrombie (New Zealand) 7

Stephen Hoare (Townsville) 6

Jesse Wagstaff (Perth) 5

Daryl Corletto (Melbourne) 5

Rhys Martin (Wollongong) 3

Nathan Herbert (Adelaide) 3

Dave Gruber (Wollongong) 1


NBL REFEREE OF THE YEAR – MICHAEL AYLEN

Michael Aylen has been named as the NBL’s Referee of the Year for season 2009/10.

Aylen is one of the NBL’s most respected referees as evidenced by his selection as a member of the crew to oversee all three of this year’s NBL Grand Final series games.

He has twice before won the NBL Referee of the Year honour, having taken also it out in 2004 and 2008.

The NBL Referee of the Year is the official who finished highest on the NBL Finals Panel based on voting by all NBL team coaches and NBL referee coaches, along with averaged scores from referee coach reports as submitted during the season.

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NBL AUSTRALIAN BASKETBALL FINALS

Perth Wildcats win 2010 NBL Championship
March 12, 2010

The Perth Wildcats have defeated the Wollongong ahm Hawks in the deciding Game Three of the National Basketball League Grand Final at Challenge Stadium in Perth on Friday night, 96-72, to win the championship series 2-1.

Perth became the first team in NBL history ever to win five titles, having also previously won in 1990, 1991, 1995 and 2000. For Wollongong, it was the second time they have finished as runners-up.

Kevin Lisch had a game-high 29 points for the 'Cats to clinch the Larry Sengstock Medal as the Grand Final Most Valuable Player. Damian Martin added 17 for Perth and Stephen Weigh 13.

Glen Saville led Wollongong with 13 while Cameron Tragardh and Rhys Martin both have 12.

Perth won Game One 75-64 at Challenge Stadium in Perth last Friday night before a sell-out crowd of 4,497.

Wollongong bounced back to score a 75-63 win in Game Two before a capacity crowd of 5,786 at WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong and force a third game decider.

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Wollongong Hawks beat Perth Wildcats 75-63 in Finals Game 2
March 8, 2010

The Wollongong Hawks have won Game Two of the National Basketball League Grand Final series against the Perth Wildcats at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong on Tuesday night, 75-63, to level the series and force a decisive Game Three.

Cameron Tragardh bounced back from a sub-par performance in Game One to lead his team to a 12-point win, scoring a game-high 28 points. Luke Martin added 11 points for Wollongong and Rhys Martin 10.

Kevin Lisch top-scored for Perth with 11 points, while Stephen Weigh added 10 and Shawn Redhage 9.

Wollongong outscored Perth 21-12 in the final period to secure the win.

The match was played before a sell-out crowd of 5,786 at ‘The Sandpit’ in Wollongong, with the crowd ear-splitting in their intensity throughout.

The Hawks entered the game down 1-0 in the series after suffering a 75-64 game one defeat at Challenge Stadium in Perth last Friday night before another sell-out crowd of 4,497.

Game Three will now be held back at Challenge on Friday night at 7:00PM local time. Whichever team wins on Friday will clinch the series 2-1 and win the 2010 NBL Championship.

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Perth Wildcats beats Wollongong Hawks to take 1-0 NBL Finals Lead
March 5, 2010

The Perth Wildcats are just one win away from becoming the first team in National Basketball League history to win five championships after holding off the Wollongong Hawks in Game One of their best-of-three Grand Final series at Challenge Stadium in Perth on Friday night, 75-64.

Playing before a sold-out Wildcats crowd at Challenge Stadium, affectionately known as ‘The Jungle’, Perth outscored the Hawks 18-11 in the final period to take a 1-0 series lead.

Import Kevin Lisch and naturalised Australian Shawn Redhage equal top-scored for Perth with 15 points apiece. Galen Young added 11 and Damian Martin and Jesse Wagstaff eight apiece. Martin also hit a huge three with a minute and a half to play to extend the Wildcats’ lead to eight points and help seal the win.

Rookie star Tim Coenraad was the game-high scorer with 16 points for the Hawks. Skipper Mat Campbell added 13 and Luke Martin 11.

Perth started the better and led 20-15 at the first break. The margin blew out to 15 in the second quarter as the Wildcats looked set to run away with the game, before Wollongong fought back to trail by just three points, 38-35, at the half.

The Hawks actually took the lead briefly in the third stanza before Perth steadied to lead by four points at the final change. Wollongong stayed close for much of the final period, before Martin’s three helped stem the Hawks’ challenge.

New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally may be feeling a little nervous after the Hawks’ Game One loss. Ms. Keneally has a friendly wager going with Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett over the result of the series, and has agreed to wear a Perth Wildcats’ jersey every time she exercises for a week if the Hawks lose to Perth. Mr. Barnett has agreed to do the same with a Wollongong singlet if the Wildcats lose the Grand Final.

Game Two of the series will now shift to Wollongong with the Hawks hosting at WIN Entertainment Centre on Tuesday 9 March at 7:30PM (local). Game Three will be at Challenge Stadium on Friday 12 March at 7:00PM (local) if required.

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ADELAIDE 36ERS SOLD TO 'SAVE OUR SIXERS' GROUP
June 9, 2009

Basketball Australia (BA) has confirmed that the illustrious Adelaide 36ers National Basketball League (NBL) team has been sold to the ‘Save Our Sixers’ consortium, which is headed by new club Chairman Mark Lewis.

Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock welcomed the move and said the new ownership group had already started to move forward with planning for the 2009/10 season.

“The sale of the 36ers to the Mark Lewis-led consortium is a major step forward for the team, ensuring the Adelaide club that competes in the NBL in 2009/10 will play as the 36ers,” said Sengstock. “That is clearly important to the people of Adelaide, who have long supported the club and see the 36ers as an iconic local South Australian sporting team. South Australia has long been a stronghold for basketball in Australia and we’re ecstatic that the NBL will continue to have sound representation there through the 36ers brand.

“The Board of BA have worked closely with the incoming group to ensure they have the capacity to lay a foundation of long-term success for the team,” Senstock added. “We are also delighted with the involvement of a member of the distinguished Lewis family in the consortium, with Mark Lewis being a successful South Australian businessman in his own right.

Lewis is the Managing Director of Bernie Lewis Home Loans and Bernie Lewis Wealth Management, as well as the son of former 36ers Chairman the late Bernie Lewis.

The new group have also agreed to a long-term lease plan at the Distinctive Homes Dome to ensure the 36ers can continue to play from their purpose-built home court, which saw a sold-out crowd of more than 8,000 attend captain Brett Maher’s farewell game on 7 February this year.

The NBL season tips-off on September 24, with the 36ers first game scheduled for 26 September on the road against the Cairns Taipans.

Discuss this league on the InsideHoops world basketball message board.


8-TEAM 2009-10 SEASON WILL HAPPEN
May 28, 2009

Basketball Australia (BA) has announced that eight-teams will participate in its upcoming season of elite men’s basketball in 2009/10, with powerhouse club the Melbourne Tigers agreeing to join the competition.

BA recently announced its intention to move ahead with a season of elite men’s basketball in 2009/10, before launching a new national basketball competition in 2010.

Adelaide, Cairns, Gold Coast, New Zealand, Perth, Townsville and Wollongong all made submissions indicating they wished to participate in the league. On Thursday the Melbourne Tigers also formally agreed to join the other seven clubs for an eight-team competition.

Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock welcomed the inclusion of the Tigers and said an eight-team competition was consistent with the recommendations of the sport’s extensive independent review process.

“We are delighted that the Melbourne Tigers have agreed to join the other seven teams and their addition ensures that there will be a strong and vibrant elite men’s basketball competition in Australia in 2009/10,” said Sengstock. “This competition will ensure fans can continue to enjoy world class basketball in Australia, and that players, coaches and referees can pursue their chosen field of professional excellence here at home.

“The 2009/10 season will also be a springboard to a brand new national league in 2010, which will include teams in Sydney and Brisbane to complete our geographic footprint,” added Sengstock. “BA is committed to moving forward with the reform of basketball and will continue to focus on setting up financially viable teams with strong connections to the basketball community in-line with the core recommendations of our independent review process.”

Melbourne Tigers CEO Seamus McPeake said the decision to participate in the NBL this season was in the best interests of the club and the sport.

“The Melbourne Tigers have committed to the 2009/10 season and support Basketball Australia’s united front as we move to achieve a sustainable national competition,” said McPeake. “After receiving a progress report from BA on Wednesday which addressed a number of our initial concerns, including the sport’s governance, the Tigers Board of Directors finalised our decision this morning.”

"The Tigers have a rich tradition and as one of the most iconic sporting brands in the country we are happy that we are able to continue at the highest level in Australia. Having an NBL team in Melbourne is paramount for the sport if it is to continue to move forward, and whilst we are in for some tough times ahead, we believe that the result in the long term will be positive.”

“The Melbourne Tigers Board were buoyed by the support and efforts of the Victorian Government and Sports Minister, Mr. James Merlino, with their assistance in helping achieve this result which allows the club to continue our commitment to the community and development of basketball.”

"The Tigers look forward to developing a strong partnership with Basketball Victoria and State associations to help bridge the gap between all levels of the sport. We are now calling on the Victorian community, fans, sponsors and supporters to get behind the club and help us continue to build our sport. We hope to see basketball and sport lovers alike in Melbourne cheering us on at The Cage,” McPeake added.

Sengstock also unveiled the finals format for 2009/10, which was determined by the newly formed League Commission. The top four teams will advance to the post-season, with the number one ranked team playing the fourth seed and number three playing number two in the best-of-three Semi-Finals. The winner of each series will then face off in the best-of-three Grand Final series.

The Commission also has determined that a $1million salary cap will be in place for 2009/10, as well as a points cap which will be announced shortly. The season schedule will feature 28 games (14-home and 14-away with each team playing each other four times) and will be released in June.


BASKETBALL AUSTRALIA TEAMS THAT PLAN TO PLAY IN 2009-10 SEASON
May 13, 2009

InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner has learned that the following teams have committed to playing in NBL Basketball Australia for the 2009-10 season, should the season happen: Adelaide 36ers, Cairns Taipans, Gold Coast Blaze, New Zealand Breakers, Perth Wildcats, Townsville Crocodiles and Wollongong Hawks.


NBL BASKETBALL AUSTRALIA NEWS
May 13, 2009

Basketball Australia (BA) Chief Executive Officer has issued the following statement following a meeting today in Melbourne with the teams that have indicated their intent to participate in the 2009/10 season of elite basketball competition which will replace the National Basketball League (NBL).

“Today’s meeting with the team representatives was a very positive one and there was a tremendous optimism within the group as to the future,” said Sengstock. “We made some significant progress towards the establishment of an elite season of men’s competition for 2009/10.”

“Part of that progress included agreement by all parties that we would move towards a 28-game season (14 home and 14 away) which will begin in October.

“As part of the governance structure of the league, we also agreed upon the establishment of a league Commission, who will be charged with the task of directing all strategic elements of the competition going forward. That Commission will be comprised of seven members – myself as BA CEO, BA Board Members Diane Smith-Gander and Bruce Spangler, and four team appointed representatives who will be announced shortly.

“Whilst everyone was disappointed that the Tigers and Dragons made the decision not to participate in the 2009/10 competition, the group reaffirmed BA’s determination to explore every possible avenue for the establishment of a Melbourne-based team this season.

“We agree with the Victorian Sports Minister’s view that Melbourne is an important market for basketball with its massive grassroots participation base, and look forward to working with the Minister to look at all available options to have Victoria represented in the 2009/10 competition.

“We are continuing with discussions with a number of Melbourne-based parties to this end and have been encouraged by a number of proactive approaches from a variety of groups keen to assist and possibly be involved.

“There is still a great deal of hard work to undertake in the days, weeks and months ahead but we have come away from this meeting feeling considerably heartened by the progress made.”


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NBL Salaries: InsideHoops.com reports that the NBL maximum player salary is $175,000 Australian dollars. The NBL basketball salaries minimum, which we haven't confirmed, is probably around $30,000, a source of ours says. We don't know the average NBL player salary, but our source _GUESSES_ that it's around $70,000 per year.

NBL Attendance: A source tells InsideHoops.com that most NBL teams have an average attendance between 3,000 and 4,500 fans per game. The average attendance for the whole league -- and this is not official info, just a rounded-off general estimate -- is around 3,500 fans per game.

2007-08 NBL Basketball Teams: Adelaide 36ers, Brisbane Bullets, Cairns Taipans, Gold Coast Blaze, Melbourne Tigers, New Zealand Breakers, Perth Wildcats, Singapore Slingers, South Dragons, Sydney Kings, Townsville Crocodiles, West Sydney Razorbacks, Wollongong Hawks.

Key NBL Hoops Links: News | Teams | Players | Schedule | Standings | Stat Leaders

Expanded NBL Basketball Teams Info:

Adelaide 36ers -- Major Sponsor: Pura Milk. Venue: Distinctive Homes Dome. Joined NBL: 1982. Colours: Home - Blue; Away - White

Brisbane Bullets -- Major Sponsor: Virgin Blue. Venue: Brisbane Convention Centre. Joined NBL: 1979. Colours: Home - Royal Blue, White; Away - White, Royal Blue

Cairns Taipans -- Major Sponsor: Skytrans Airlines. Venue: Cairns Convention Centre. Joined NBL: 1999/2000. Colours: Home - Navy blue & Orange; Away - White.

Gold Coast Blaze -- Major Sponsor: ???. Venue: Gold Coast Convention Centre. Joined NBL: 2007/08. Colours: Home - Blue; Away - White.

Melbourne Tigers -- Major Sponsor: Aust Tiger. Venue: State Netball Hockey Centre. Joined NBL: 1984. Colours: Home - Red; Away - Yellow.

New Zealand Breakers -- Major Sponsor: Harvey Norman. Venue: North Shore Events Centre. Joined NBL: 2003/04. Colours: Black, Blue, Silver.

Perth Wildcats -- Major Sponsor: Saville Australia. Venue: Challenge Stadium. Joined NBL: 1982. Colours: Home - Red; Away - White.

Singapore Slingers -- Major Sponsor: ???. Venue: Singapore Indoor Stadium. Joined NBL: 2006/07. Colours: Home - Red; Away - Gold.

South Dragons -- Major Sponsor: Crazy John's. Venue: Vodafone Arena. Joined NBL: 2006. Colours: Home - Black; Away - White.

Sydney Kings -- Major Sponsor: Firepower. Venue: Sydney Entertainment Centre. Joined NBL: 1988. Colours: Home - Purple; Away - Gold.

Townsville Crocodiles -- Major Sponsor: McDonald's. Venue: Townsville Entertainment Centre. Joined NBL: 1993. Colours: Home - Green; Away - White.

West Sydney Razorbacks -- Major Sponsor: Westbus. Venue: Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre. Joined NBL: 1998/99. Colours: Home - Navy Blue; Away - White.

Wollongong Hawks -- Major Sponsor: IMB. Venue: WIN Entertainment Centre. Joined NBL: 1979. Colours: Home - Red; Away - White.