- Melbourne is reportedly set to host Australia’s inaugural NBA exhibition match against an NBL squad this coming October.
- The connection between our country and the elite basketball league is well-documented; US-hosted NBL x NBA series aside, the Victorian capital has fostered several notable names.
- This pre-NBA season affair will likely take place at Melbourne Place, with Rod Laver Arena being the obvious frontrunner.
Just days after the confirmation that a regular season NFL match between the Los Angeles Rams and a currently undetermined opponent would be hosted at the MCG, reports indicate Melbourne will also be welcoming two games between an NBA team and an NBL squad in a national first.
The landmark decision to bring these exhibitions not only underscores the city’s reputation as Australia’s sporting capital — fun fact: Melbourne is statistically where the most NBA #1 draft picks have been born (Kyrie Irving, Andrew Bogut, Ben Simmons) — but represents a key pathway for the NBA into the wider Asian market.
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While the specific NBA team participating has yet to be announced, several franchises with Australian connections are under consideration: the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks sans Luka Doncic, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, as well as the Houston Rockets.
These teams, of course, feature homegrown talents ranging from Josh Giddey (Bulls), Dyson Daniels (Hawks), and Jock Landale (Rockets); to Dante Exum (Mavericks), Patty Mills (Clippers) and as of this morning, Melbourne native Ben Simmons (Clippers).
“It will probably be Chicago or Atlanta, one of those squads, which will be awesome,” said Bogut, who has lauded the announcement as “bloody sensational.”
As for the home team, sources have noted it’ll either be one of the two Melbourne-based NBL teams — Melbourne United, South East Melbourne Phoenix — or an All-Star team selected by the league to represent our proud sporting country as a whole.
“Basketball and the NBA’s popularity in Australia is at an all-time high,” said Rajah Chaudry, NBA Asia Head of Strategy, via a statement obtained by ESPN.
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“We are committed to engaging the passionate NBA fans across the country, including in collaboration with the NBL.”
“We have built a strong relationship with the NBA, and it’s a partnership we value immensely,” added NBL CEO David Stevenson.
“We are constantly exploring possibilities and opportunities for the NBL and NBA’s incredibly passionate shared fanbase across Australia and New Zealand.”
Stay tuned for further details.
