Zion: NBL "the second best league in the world"

The NBL has never been in a better spot and it's standing around the world isn't going unnoticed.

From the recent Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament and the upcoming NBAxNBL Melbourne Series, the growth of the Australian league is reaching unprecendented heights.

So much so, NBA superstar Zion Williamson even weighed in on the NBL, ahead of this week's historic series.

"I have no problem saying the NBL is the second best league in the world," the two-time NBA All Star said during Wednesday's media call.

To reiterate the point that basketball is on the rise in this country, Williamson held both his two former Aussie teammates in high regard.

"Two teammates pop up when I think of [basketball in] Australia, my college teammate [at Duke] Jack White and my former [New Orleans] teammate, who is now with the Atlanta Hawks, Dyson Daniels," Williamson, who averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.6 assists last season, said.

"Both guys are dogs, competitors and when I had conversations with them both about the culture of basketball in this country, [they said] it was similar to the United States, as the game is becoming more global.

"We're extremely grateful for this opportunity [to experience Australian basketball firsthand] - it's honestly a blessing."

A new ticket release for the NBAxNBL Melbourne Series is selling fast for two games at Rod Laver Arena, against Melbourne United and the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

>> CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS TO ALL EVENTS

Events

‍- NBAxNBL Fan Zone (Bounce Nation) - Thursday, October 2 to Sunday, October 5 at Rod Laver Arena.
- Pelicans Open Training – Thursday, October 2, 2025, 1pm AEST: Includes an exclusive first look at the team’s training, player Q&A and more.
‍- NBAxNBL Fan Night – Saturday, October 4, 2025, 6pm AEST: A showcase event with player performances, basketball challenges, live entertainment and more.
‍- Southern Tip-Off Louisiana Luncheon – Sunday, October 5 AEDT: An exclusive lunch at Centrepiece, while listening to two-time NBA Champion and ten-time All-Star Ray Allen, six-time NBL MVP Andrew Gaze, and Olympic silver medallist Michele Timms.

The games

- Game 1 – New Orleans Pelicans vs Melbourne United - Friday, October 3, 2025 - 7.30pm AEST
- Game 2 – New Orleans Pelicans vs South East Melbourne Phoenix - Sunday, October 5, 2025 - 2pm AEDT

>> CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS TO ALL EVENTS