Category: Basketball

NBL, ABPA and teams agree on terms for 2020-21

Brandon King

In preparation for a basketball landscape that will look vastly different from the last time the league was in action, the NBL, the Australian Basketball Players Association (ABPA) and the NBL ball clubs have come to terms on an agreement for next season. From nbl.com.au: The Hungry Jack’s National Basketball League, Australian Basketball Players’ Association (ABPA) and the nine NBL clubs have reached an agreement for the forthcoming 2020-21 Season. Under the agreement announced today: Players have agreed to tiered reductions in salaries ranging from 27.5 per cent for players…

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Illawarra Hawks ownership situation remains unsettled

Brandon King

It was initially reported that youngest Ball brother LaMelo and his manager Jermaine Jackson purchased the Illawarra Hawks, the club Ball played with this past season in the NBL. When the reports emerged that the sale was not in fact a done deal, it seemed that story was not reported with the same vigor. The NBL has released more information on this developing story , as the League seeks to square away the Hawks’ ownership situation. From nbl.com.au: Hungry Jack’s NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said: “After taking back the licence…

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Bulls and Arturas Karnisovas finalizing deal for executive spot

Brandon King

The 1990’s were a long time ago but outside of the pre-injury Derrick Rose days, there hasn’t been much for Chicago Bulls fans to hang their collective hats on. The seventeen years that the John Paxson and Gar Forman braintrust has run the Bulls has been one wrought with frustration for this once proud fan base. Clamors for change in the Chicago front office became as loud as a train horn over the course of this season. The greatest hits of the “GarPax” leadership over the past few years include…

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NBL statement on Tanzanian expansion

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au: Hungry Jack’s NBL Owner and Executive Chairman Larry Kestelman said: “The NBL remains in regular dialogue with the Tasmanian Government about plans for a 10th team in Tasmania starting with the 2021-22 season. “Clearly the Tasmanian Government has more important priorities right now as it tackles the impact of COVID-19 on the local community. We completely understand and support this and have agreed to put on hold activity in relation to the new team for the next two months to allow the Government to focus its efforts on protecting…

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COVID-19 pandemic halts Taipans’ free agency

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au : Cairns coach Mike Kelly has revealed the COVID-19 situation has numerous Taipans locked down across the world, as the club’s free agency and offseason plans come to an unexpected halt. With a majority of Cairns’ playing group already settled in different cities globally to begin their winter programs, the COVID-19 lockdown has thrown a spanner in the works and forced the Taipans to adjust their methods. After a stunning NBL20 campaign, where Cairns fell one win shy of qualifying for the Grand Final, Kelly wants his side…

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NBL releases second statement regarding Illawarra Hawks’ ownership situation

Brandon King

The NBL has released a follow-up statement to the seemingly developing situation surrounding the ownership of the Illawarra Hawks. An initial statement released by the league somewhat downplayed the initial reports of LaMelo Ball and his manager buying the club, it was quite easy to decipher the tea leaves and grasp that something may be afoot Below is the latest from the league: The NBL has taken back the licence for the Illawarra Hawks after the club was placed into voluntary administration. Hungry Jack’s NBL Owner and Executive Chairman Larry…

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Illawarra Hawks release statement regarding ownership

Brandon King

Thursday it was reported by ESPN and multiple outlets, including this one, that the youngest of the Ball brothers, LaMelo, along with his manager Jermaine Jackson, had purchased the Illawarra Hawks, the NBL Melo played for this past season. However in the words of the great Lee Corso, “not so fast my friend”, as this statement released by the Hawks , while not refuting those initial reports, it ,at the very least ,indicates there is something happening with Illawarra’s ownership status: The NBL would like to clarify the current situation…

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LaMelo Ball and manager purchase NBL team

Brandon King

LaMelo Ball is not yet in the NBA, but that hasn’t stopped him from making moves or planning for his life post-playing career. The youngest and most talented of the Ball brothers and projected top-3 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft( whenever that will be) along with his manager, Jermaine Jackson ( no, not that Jermaine Jackson) purchased the Illawarra Hawks of Australia’s National Basketball League. Ball played for the Hawks this past season. Before his season was cut short due to a foot injury, Ball averaged 17.0 points, 7.5…

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Statement from NBL owner Larry Kestelman and commissioner Jeremy Loeliger

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au: A message from NBL Owner and Executive Chairman Larry Kestelman and NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger: These are unprecedented and challenging times and, like all of you, our simple wish is that we all get through it as safely and quickly as possible. Sport is an important part of people’s lives, but at this critical time, we are very aware of putting things in perspective and that the health and safety of each and every one of our families, friends and the wider community should be everybody’s number one…

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