It’s been 195 days since the Sydney Kings raised the NBL23 championship trophy, and after a long off-season that has featured a historic FIBA World Cup and the best Hungry Jack’s NBL Blitz ever seen, NBL24 is now just three days away.
There is nothing but bullish positivity stemming from each and every fanbase ahead of Round 1. The ledger is squared at 0-0 for all ten of the title hopefuls, and as of right now – it’s anyone’s game.
There are reasons to watch wherever you look in the league. One of the world’s brightest young coaches in Mahmoud Abdelfattah will be looking to step out of Chase Buford’s shadow to lead the Kings to a vaunted three-peat, alongside returning former league MVP Jaylen Adams, but the contenders are lining up.
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Matthew Dellavedova has returned to Melbourne to try and put the demons of the NBL22 season behind, while the New Zealand Breakers and Cairns Taipans will both be searching to build on their exceptional – and surprising – NBL23 title challenges.
South East Melbourne will be led by a new head coach for the first time since its inaugural season with Mike Kelly taking the reigns from Simon Mitchell. Will the change in leadership kickstart a continuance of NBL success in Victoria's basketball Heartland?
The JackJumpers, meanwhile, are no longer flying under the radar following their success-filled opening two seasons in the competition, and will be hoping a new point guard and some shifted roster pieces can can see them become Tasmania's first NBL champions since 1981.
Illawarra and Brisbane have re-tooled and reloaded to put their difficult NBL23 campaigns behind them, while Adelaide will be searching to ensure it doesn’t fall agonisingly short of the post-season once again.
The Perth Wildcats will also be hoping to push themselves back up to the pinnacle of Australian basketball – a place where history suggests they belong.
Aside from the team rivalries and history on the line, NBL24 will also feature the most deeply-talented pool of NBL Next Stars ever seen in the competition.
Alexandre Sarr, AJ Johnson, Bobi Klintman, Ariel Hukporti, Trentyn Flowers, Mantas Rubstavicius, Alex Toohey and Rocco Zikarsky all have the potential to develop into some of the top basketballers on the planet – and it’s time to make the most of having them here on our shores in NBL24.
This season is set to be the greatest season of NBL hoops yet, and every moment matters.
