The National Basketball League (NBL) is a men's professional basketball league in Australasia, currently composed of 10 teams: 9 in Australia and 1 in New Zealand. It is the premier professional men's basketball league in Australia and New Zealand.

History

Melbourne Tigers and Gold Coast Blaze at Parkville Stadium

Before the establishment of the NBL, there were two national basketball competitions: the National Titles and the Australian Club Championships.

In August 1979, the inaugural season of the NBL commenced, playing in the winter season (April–September) which it did so until the completion of the 1998 season, the league's twentieth season. The 1998–99 season, which began only months later, was the first to be played during the summer season (October–April). The shift, which is currently used by the league, was an attempt to avoid competing directly against Australia's various winter season football codes. Officially the NBL is Australia's third oldest continuing national sporting competition after the domestic cricket competition (which commenced its first season in 1892) and Australian Football League (which commenced its first season in 1897 as the Victorian Football League before changing its name in 1990).

S.E. Melbourne Phoenix and Adelaide 36ers at John Cain Arena

The NBL experienced its "golden age" in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but its popularity, media attention, attendance and corporate support deteriorated and plateaued in the decade afterward with the growth of the country's four football codes.

A second Melbourne club, the South Dragons, entered the league in the 2006–07 season, but was short lived, soon folding 3 years later after the 2008–09 season in which they were NBL champions. In the 2006–07 season, the NBL became the first Australasian sporting league to field a team from Asia with the Singapore Slingers playing. The Gold Coast Blaze also joined the competition in the 2007–08 season. In 2007, Australian NBA player Andrew Bogut suggested the NBL try to adopt a model similar to the Australian Football League (AFL) whereby there are the same 10 or 15 teams over a 10-year period.

A turbulent period during 2008 and 2009 saw the league lose teams from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Singapore.

The 2009–10 season earmarked as the season in which the NBL would begin its revamping, much like the old National Soccer League which became the eight team A-League. The NBL returned to free-to-air television in Australia for the first time in three years with One broadcasting 2–3 games a week.

The 2010–11 season saw the return of the Sydney Kings after the club was purchased for A$20,000 on 31 July 2008.

In 2013, the NBL had a de-merger from Basketball Australia.

Crowds improved for the 2013–14 NBL season, recording the highest cumulative crowd attendance figures for the past five years.

After numerous teams folding and a plummeting public profile property developer Larry Kestelman purchased a 51% portion of the league. Since then game attendance, TV viewership, website visitors and app downloads have been consistently on the increase.

In April 2016, the Townsville Crocodiles folded as they had become too financially unsustainable to continue.

Larry Kestelman has stated on the Aussie Hoopla podcast that no NBL club will ever fold again as long as he is in control of the league.

Allowing for clubs to recruit the best Australian players not in the NBA became easier with the marquee rule which saw the return from Europe and the US of players such as Brad Newley, David Andersen and Andrew Bogut. In addition the Special Restricted Player rule, introduced for the 2016–17 season, allows for clubs to recruit players born in countries such China, Philippines, Taiwan, India, South Korea, Singapore, and Japan who would not count as imports under NBL rules.

The growth of Basketball in Asia over recent years and the overall strength and standard of Australian Basketball should ensure the sustainability of the league for many years provided Asian players continue to strive to compete in the NBL and Asian basketball fans are able to follow the league. Current trends should see the NBL as the third highest attended basketball league in the world, after the NBA and EuroLeague.[]

From 2016 to 2018, there was a renewed interest in the sport, with it being described as being the National Basketball League's greatest ever period. 2016–17 set a new attendance record for the league, with the figure being matched the following year, as well as the Grand Final series for the 2017–18 season.

In 2018, the S.E. Melbourne Phoenix were announced as the latest club to join the league, and started competing in the 2019–20 season; a season which was widely regarded as a major season for the league. After an active off-season, including the signings of LaMelo Ball and R. J. Hampton, two highly rated NBA 2020 draft picks, the league started by continuing to topple attendance records from the first round. The season's opening night had 10,300 fans in attendance to watch Melbourne United and the S.E. Melbourne Phoenix compete in the first "Throwdown", with a further 20,550 fans attending games across the first round. After signing a broadcasting deal with Facebook Watch, over one million American fans watched Ball's first game in the NBL against the Brisbane Bullets.

Following two condensed seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022–23 NBL season and the 2023 finals series saw a number of all-time attendance records being set for the league.

The Australia NBL (National Basketball League) is a premier basketball tournament held annually in Australia. It is one of the most prestigious and highly anticipated sporting events in the country, showcasing the best basketball talent from across Australia and New Zealand.

The tournament features a thrilling competition among eight teams, each representing different cities and regions in Australia. These teams consist of highly skilled and talented players, including both local Australian athletes and international stars. The Australia NBL provides a platform for these players to showcase their skills, compete at the highest level, and entertain basketball fans across the nation.

The tournament follows a round-robin format, where each team competes against one another in a series of intense matches. The teams battle it out on the court, displaying their athleticism, teamwork, and strategic prowess. The matches are filled with fast-paced action, high-flying dunks, accurate three-point shooting, and intense defensive plays, making it a thrilling spectacle for basketball enthusiasts.

The Australia NBL also offers a unique and vibrant atmosphere for fans attending the games. The stadiums are filled with passionate supporters, creating an electric atmosphere that adds to the excitement of the tournament. The fans cheer on their favorite teams, wave flags, and engage in friendly banter, creating an unforgettable experience for both players and spectators.

In addition to the on-court action, the Australia NBL also focuses on community engagement and development. The tournament organizes various initiatives to promote grassroots basketball, encourage youth participation, and support local communities. This commitment to community involvement further enhances the tournament's significance and impact beyond the basketball court.

The Australia NBL has gained international recognition for its high level of competition and the quality of players it produces. Many players who have participated in the tournament have gone on to have successful careers in the NBA and other top basketball leagues around the world. This further solidifies the Australia NBL's reputation as a breeding ground for basketball talent.

Overall, the Australia NBL is a thrilling and highly competitive basketball tournament that captivates fans with its fast-paced action, talented players, and passionate atmosphere. It serves as a platform for showcasing the best of Australian and New Zealand basketball, while also promoting community engagement and development.