Over the past few years, the NBL, Australia’s professional basketball league, has experienced tremendous growth.
Except for two seasons shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBL (which has nine teams in Australia and one in New Zealand) has seen its yearly attendance continue to rise over the past five years. It’s quickly becoming the third-most-popular basketball league in the world behind the NBA and Euroleague.
As the league continues to evolve, the next step appears to be attempting to be seen as more of a pathway to the NBA, as LaMelo Ball, R.J. Hampton, and Josh Giddey have gone from the NBL to the NBA Draft in recent years instead of playing collegiately.
The efforts will be spearheaded by former NBA point guard and current TNT analyst Kenny Smith, per Sportico. Smith will be the head of the NBL’s “Next Stars” program, designed to assist the development of the League’s eligible NBA Draft talent.
“I’ve always advocated for kids going to college to play basketball, but there is a new generation that exists today,” Smith told Sportico. “I think you become a pro faster when you have a chance to play in an environment like the NBL.”
Smith will also be an investor in an NBL expansion team that will be focused on Next Stars talent.
While Next Stars is technically a global program, Smith’s focus will be limited to the United States where he will help develop and mentor players.
[Sportico]
