The National Basketball League (NBL) is the premier professional men’s basketball tournament held in Australasia. Inaugurated in 1979 the competition currently pits nine NBL teams – up from eight for the 2019/20 NBL season on – against each other across the season for the Championship title.
For the 2021-22 NBL Season, a tenth club will enter the competition with the addition of the Tasmanian JackJumpers.
The regular NBL season runs from October to February of the following calendar year across a 28 week regular season that sees each team have 14 home games and 14 away clashes.
The 2020-21 NBL season start was delayed and got underway in mid-January due to COVID-19 interruptions to the schedule.
The NBL Finals traditionally take place from late February – March to decide the NBL Champions and are played between the top four teams on the NBL Ladder at the end of the regular season. Originally the NBL season ran during the winter, but since in the 1998-99 season it has run over the summer to avoid a clash with the famous Aussie football codes over the winter including the NRL and AFL whose Grand Finals are held in October.
This is a far cry from the NBL’s American counterpart – the NBA – which features a huge 82 game season and features the world’s premier pro-basketballers.
NBL Semi-Finals
The NBL Semi-Finals tip-off on Thursday night with a battle between the second seed Perth Wildcats and the fourth seed Illawarra Hawks from RAC Arena.
The Wildcats and Hawks went toe-to-toe only a week ago in Sydney, but the bookies are firmly siding with Perth to bounce back on home court.
The second Semi-Final matchup features another edition of the ‘Throwdown’ between Melbourne and United and the Phoenix.
Melbourne’s ongoing COVID situation has forced the game to be played in Sydney behind closed doors, leaving United as the short-priced favourites to win both games across the weekend.
For analysis on both matchups, be sure to read our NBL Preview below!
- Round: Semi-Finals
- Start Date: June 10th, 2021
- Games: 4
- Highlight: Melbourne United v South East Melbourne Phoenix
- Best Bet: Melbourne United to Cover the Line – BET NOW
The current NBL Teams are the:
- Adelaide 36ers
- Brisbane Bullets
- Cairns Taipans
- The Hawks
- Melbourne United
- Perth Wildcats
- Sydney Kings
- South East Melbourne Phoenix
- New Zealand Breakers
The only one of these NBL clubs to have played every single season since 1979 is the Illawarra Hawks – formerly the Wollongong Hawks – and from 2020-21 onwards known simply as The Hawks. The New Zealand Breakers are the sole NBL team based outside of Australia.
The South East Melbourne Phoenix are the newest NBL club to join the competition playing their first season in 2019/20.
2021 NBL SEASON
- 2020/21 NBL Season Dates: January 2021 – TBA
- 2020/21 NBL Finals Dates: TBD
- Defending NBL Champions: Perth Wildcats
- 2020 Champions: Perth Wildcats (10th title)
- 2021 Champions: TBD
The 2020/21 NBL Season got off to a delayed start in January of 2021 after nearly a year-long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Previously, the 2019/20 NBL Season came to an early finish due to the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in the final two games of the 2020 NBL Finals series being cancelled.
The Perth Wildcats were awarded their 10th title leading the series against the Sydney Kings 2 – 1 when the season was cancelled on March 15.
NBL Betting
Betting on the NBL is open right across the season with a range of top NBL odds on offer from head-to-head pricing on each game to futures markets on the NBL Championship Winners.
NBL Finals
The NBL Finals are held from late February to early March each season. They are contested between the four highest-ranked teams on the season’s table and are made-up of two semi-finals series and the coveted NBL Grand Final series that decides the current Championship winners.
NBL Finals betting is open across the season on the teams most likely to be crowned the NBL Champions.
NBL Awards
The NBL also awards a Most Valuable Player (MVP) each season who takes out the Andrew Gaze Trophy, named in honour of a former champion player in both Australia and America for such clubs as the San Antonio Spurs, Washington Bullets and Melbourne Tigers. Gaze is the current head coach of the Sydney Kings and won the MVP award seven times. This award is the NBL equivalent of the NRL’s Dally M and the AFL’s Brownlow Medal.
Odds are open each season on the NBL Most Valuable Player and are a great exotic basketball betting market to get involved in.
Other notable NBL awards given out each season include the:
- Larry Sengstock Medal for the Most Valuable Player in the Grand Final Series
- Lindsay Gaze Trophy for the NBL Coach of the Year
- NBL Rookie Of The Year
- Most Improved Player
- Best Defensive Player
- Best Sixth Man
NBL MVP AWARD WINNERS
Below are the NBL Most Valuable Player winners dating back to 1979.
| Year |
Player |
Nationality |
NBL Team |
| 1979 |
Ken Richardson |
Australia |
West Adelaide Bearcats |
| 1980 |
Rocky Smith |
United States |
St. Kilda Saints |
| 1981 |
Mike Jones |
Australia |
Illawarra Hawks |
| 1982 |
Al Green |
United States |
West Adelaide Bearcats |
| 1983 |
Owen Wells |
United States |
Sydney Supersonics |
| 1984 |
Leroy Loggins |
United States |
Brisbane Bullets |
| 1985 |
Ray Borner |
Australia |
Coburg Giants |
| 1986 |
Leroy Loggins |
United States |
Brisbane Bullets |
| 1987 |
Leroy Loggins |
United States |
Brisbane Bullets |
| 1988 |
Joe Hurst |
United States |
Hobart Devils |
| 1989 |
Scott Fisher |
United States |
North Melbourne Giants |
| 1990 |
Derek Rucker |
United States |
Brisbane Bullets |
| 1991 |
Andrew Gaze |
Australia |
Melbourne Tigers |
| 1992 |
Andrew Gaze |
Australia |
Melbourne Tigers |
| 1993 |
Robert Rose |
United States |
South East Melbourne Magic |
| 1994 |
Andrew Gaze |
Australia |
Melbourne Tigers |
| 1995 |
Andrew Gaze |
Australia |
Melbourne Tigers |
| 1996 |
Andrew Gaze |
Australia |
Melbourne Tigers |
| 1997 |
Andrew Gaze |
Australia |
Melbourne Tigers |
| 1998 |
Andrew Gaze |
Australia |
Melbourne Tigers |
| 1998–99 |
Steve Woodberry |
United States |
Brisbane Bullets |
| 1999–2000 |
Paul Rogers |
Australia |
Perth Wildcats |
| 2000–01 |
Robert Rose |
United States |
Townsville Crocodiles |
| 2001–02 |
Mark Bradtke |
Australia |
Melbourne Tigers |
| 2002–03 |
Chris Williams |
United States |
Sydney Kings |
| 2003–04 |
Matthew Nielsen |
Australia |
Sydney Kings |
| 2004–05 |
Brian Wethers |
United States |
Hunter Pirates |
| 2005–06 |
Chris Anstey |
Australia |
Melbourne Tigers |
| 2006–07 |
Sam Mackinnon |
Australia |
Brisbane Bullets |
| 2007–08 |
Chris Anstey |
Australia |
Melbourne Tigers |
| 2008–09 |
Kirk Penney |
New Zealand |
New Zealand Breakers |
| 2009–10 |
Corey Williams |
United States |
Townsville Crocodiles |
| 2010–11 |
Gary Ervin |
United States |
Wollongong Hawks |
| 2011–12 |
Kevin Lisch |
United States |
Perth Wildcats |
| 2012–13 |
Cedric Jackson |
United States |
New Zealand Breakers |
| 2013–14 |
Rotnei Clarke |
United States |
Wollongong Hawks |
| 2014–15 |
Brian Conklin |
United States |
Townsville Crocodiles |
| 2015–16 |
Kevin Lisch |
United States |
Illawarra Hawks |
| 2016–17 |
Jerome Randle |
US/Ukraine |
Adelaide 36ers |
| 2017–18 |
Bryce Cotton |
United States |
Perth Wildcats |
| 2018-19 |
Andrew Bogut |
Australia |
Sydney Kings |
| 2019-20 |
Bryce Cotton |
United States |
Perth Wildcats |
| 2020-21 |
TBD |
TBD |
TBD |
NBL Results & History
NBL results date back to the competition’s inaugural season in 1979 won by the St Kilda Saints. Of the current NBL Teams the most successful is the Perth Wildcats who have won nine NBL Grand Finals series to take out the Championship since they entered the league in 1982.
Two other current clubs boast an equal four Championship wins in NBL history with the Adelaide 36ers and New Zealand Breakers. Overall Melbourne United have enjoyed five NBL Championship titles, but their first as a rebranded outfit came in the 2018 NBL Grand Final Series.
Defunct NBL clubs to have won the Championship include the Canberra Cannons (1983, 1984, 1988) and the North Melbourne Giants (1989, 1994).
NBL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE WINS
| Team |
Titles |
Season |
| Perth Wildcats |
10 |
1990, 1991, 1995, 2000, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 |
| Adelaide 36ers |
4 |
1986, 1998, 1999, 2002 |
| Melbourne United |
5 |
1993, 1997, 2006, 2008, 2018 (first as rebranded club) |
| New Zealand Breakers |
4 |
2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 |
| Canberra Cannons |
3 |
1983, 1984, 1988 |
| Sydney Kings |
3 |
2003, 2004, 2005 |
| Brisbane Bullets |
3 |
1985, 1987, 2007 |
| St. Kilda Saints |
2 |
1979, 1980 |
| North Melbourne Giants |
2 |
1989, 1994 |
| South East Melbourne Magic |
2 |
1992, 1996 |
| Launceston Casino City Tigers |
1 |
1981 |
| West Adelaide Bearcats |
1 |
1982 |
| Illawarra Hawks |
1 |
2001 |
| South Dragons |
1 |
2009 |
NBL Hall of Fame
The NBL Hall of Fame has been in place since 1998, which was the 20th NBL Season anniversary. It recognises outstanding service to the NBL from players, game officials and other pro-basketball contributors.
NBL Players need to have been retired from the game for at least four seasons and have played a minimum of 100 games to be eligible for induction into the National Basketball League Hall of Fame. Coaches have to have been retired for at least four seasons and been head coach of a NBL club for at least 10 seasons. There are also eligibility restrictions for NBL Referees and NBL Contributors.
NBL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
| Name |
Award |
Inducted |
ABF / NBL |
| Michael Ah Matt |
Player |
2010 |
ABF |
| Frank Angove |
Contributor |
2007 |
ABF |
| Barry Barnes |
Coach |
1998;2007 |
NBL;ABF |
| Sandy Blythe |
Player |
2010 |
ABF |
| Ray Borner |
Player |
2006 |
ABF;NBL |
| Mark Bradtke |
Player |
2013 |
ABF;NBL |
| Sandy Brondello |
Player |
2010 |
ABF |
| Cal Bruton |
Player |
1998 |
NBL |
| Ivor Burge |
Contributor |
2004 |
ABF |
| Steve Carfino |
Player |
2004 |
NBL |
| David Carmichael |
Contributor |
2010 |
ABF |
| Wayne Carroll |
Player |
1999 |
NBL |
| Jenny Cheesman |
Player |
2004 |
ABF |
| Ken Cole |
Player;Coach |
2012 |
ABF;NBL |
| Norma Connolly |
Contributor |
2007 |
ABF |
| Kevin Coombs |
Player |
2007 |
ABF |
| James Crawford |
Player |
2013 |
NBL |
| Eddie Crouch |
Technical Official;Referee |
2006;2007 |
ABF;NBL |
| Karen Dalton |
Player |
2006;2007 |
ABF;NBL |
| George Dancis |
Player |
2006 |
ABF |
| Ian Davies |
Player |
2001 |
NBL |
| Mark Davis |
Player |
2006 |
NBL |
| Lorraine Eiler |
Player |
2007 |
ABF |
| Bob Elphinston |
Contributor |
2007 |
ABF |
| Merv Emms |
Coach;Technical Official;Contributor |
2010 |
ABF |
| Trish Fallon |
Player |
2010 |
ABF |
| Scott Fisher |
Player |
2007 |
NBL |
| Jean Forster |
Player |
2016 |
ABF |
| Kathy Foster |
Player |
2013 |
ABF |
| Inga Freidenfelds |
Player |
2007 |
ABF |
| Andrew Gaze |
Player |
2004 |
ABF |
| Lindsay Gaze |
Coach |
2004 |
ABF |
| Shelley Gorman |
Player |
2010 |
ABF |
| Ricky Grace |
Player |
2010 |
NBL |
| Al Green |
Player |
1999 |
NBL |
| Elaine Hardwick |
Player;Coach;Contributor |
2010 |
ABF |
| John Holden |
Technical Official |
2006 |
ABF |
| Adrian Hurley |
Coach |
2004 |
ABF |
| Maree Jackson |
Player |
2006 |
ABF |
| Michael Johnson |
Player |
2004 |
NBL |
| Greg Love |
Referee;Contributor |
2010 |
ABF |
| Damian Keogh |
Player |
2000 |
NBL |
| Brian Kerle |
Coach |
2006 |
NBL |
| Leroy Loggins |
Player |
2006 |
NBL |
| Luc Longley |
Player |
2006 |
ABF |
| Robyn Maher |
Player |
2004 |
ABF |
| Tom Maher |
Coach |
2006 |
ABF |
| Herb McEachin |
Player |
1998 |
NBL |
| Karin McRobert |
Player |
2010 |
ABF |
| Arthur McRobbie |
Contributor |
2007 |
ABL |
| Patricia Mickan |
Player |
2013 |
ABL |
| Keith Miller |
Coach |
2007 |
ABF |
| Danny Morseu |
Player |
2002 |
NBL |
| Julie Nykiel |
Player |
2010 |
ABF |
| Bill Palmer |
Contributor |
1998 |
NBL |
| Ed Palubinskas |
Player |
2007 |
ABF |
| Darryl Pearce |
Player |
2002 |
NBL |
| Henry Perazzo |
Technical Official |
2007 |
ABF |
| Alistair Ramsey |
Contributor;Legend |
2004;2006 |
ABF;ABF |
| John Raschke |
Contributor;Contributor;Legend |
1998;2004;2007 |
NBL;ABF;ABF |
| George Russell |
Contributor |
2006 |
ABF |
| Avis Scullin |
Technical Official |
2007 |
ABF |
| Larry Sengstock |
Player |
2001;2006 |
NBL;ABF |
| Phil Smyth |
Player |
2000;2004 |
NBL;ABF |
| Malcolm Speed |
Contributor |
2000 |
NBL |
| Rachael Sporn |
Player |
2007 |
ABF |
| Bob Staunton |
Player |
2006 |
ABF |
| Jan Stirling |
Player / Coach |
2013 |
ABF |
| Sid Taylor |
Technical Official |
2004 |
ABF |
| Michelle Timms |
Player |
2006 |
ABF |
| Ray Tomlinson |
Coach |
2006 |
ABF |
| Bob Turner |
Coach |
2000 |
NBL |
| Andrew Vlahov |
Player |
2007 |
NBL |
| Betty Watson |
Contributor |
2006 |
NBL |
| Jenny Whittle |
Player |
2016 |
ABF |
| Michael Wrublewski |
Contributor |
2010 |
NBL |
| Bill Wyatt |
Player |
2010 |
ABF |
WNBL
The Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) is the women’s equivalent of the NBL and is the marquee pro-basketball competition for female players held in Australia. The tournament was formerly known as the Women’s Interstate Basketball Conference (WIBC) and was founded in 1981.
The league is currently comprised of eight WNBL Teams:
- Adelaide Lightning
- Bendigo Spirit
- Melbourne Boomers
- Perth Lynx
- Southside Flyers
- Sydney Uni Flames
- Townsville Fire
- University of Canberra Capitals
A number of these WNBL clubs have NBL counterparts playing in the men’s league. A number of international players from America’s WNBA competition player during their off-season for the WMBL down under. And vice versa, the WNBL can be a major stepping stone for Aussie players looking to make it in the WNBL in the USA.
The WNBL runs across a 24-game regular season beginning in early October and the WMBL Grand Final to decide the WNBL Champion club.