NBL players could be pitted against basketball superstars Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Rudy Gobert during a trio of NBA pre-season matches in the United States.
The Sydney Kings will face Utah in Salt Lake City on October 3, with the Jazz roster boasting Gobert and Australians Dante Exum and Joe Ingles.
Ingles has signalled his intention to play the game.
“As an Aussie who began my career in the NBL and now entering my fourth season with Utah, I am very proud of the growth of the game in my home country and can’t wait for the Jazz and Salt Lake City to play host to Sydney this fall,” he said.
Melbourne United are to meet Westbrook and George’s Oklahoma City on October 8 and the Brisbane Bullets will play the Phoenix Suns on October 13.
But the two latter fixtures may be problematic given the games will be played after United and the Bullets’ opening NBL games.
Melbourne will have six days until their next NBL fixture against Adelaide on October 14, but the Bullets are scheduled to play two days later on the 15th against New Zealand.
“This is a huge moment for Australian basketball. For the NBL to be able to play some of the biggest teams in the world shows how far our league has come,” NBL owner Larry Kestelman said.
Ed Nixon
Roar Pro
Just a shame no games are happening on Aussie soil!
Mike Julz
Guest
Missed opportunity for the Breakers. They could've play Steven Adams and OKC. Maybe in the future.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Will it still be considered a huge moment for NBL basketball if the NBL teams are toyed with like the Harlem Globetrotters with the Washington Generals. Hopefully it won't be like that, but I feel like reserving judgement on whether this is "a huge moment for the NBL showing how far the league has come" until the games are played. If they are all 50+ point blowouts by second-string NBA teams then it may not feel like it.
Phew!
Guest
NBL is a business and the three largest tv markets in Australia need to be become successful for the entire league. Perth is the 4th market. Next year hopefully. Ever heard of Rucker Park in Harlem. Beat those guys perhaps.
Jerry
Guest
Presumably cause they didn't organise one.
PerthFan
Guest
How are the back to back champs and the most supported team in the country not given a fixture??!!
Billary Swamper
Guest
The NBL is moving in the right direction it seems. With the news about concussions, you can see the writing on the ball for the likes of rugby, league and even perhaps soccer with that ridiculous heading law. That needs to change.
Scott Pryde
Expert
It has been confirmed that Bullets fixture will be moved to December I believe. This is a huge moment for Australian Basketball. Really shows how far the league has come after being dead and buried a few years ago. You'd have to think it'll open the door for NBA team to come to Australia down the track.
Ben Sewell
Roar Pro
Literally so excited for this. Best thing to happen to the NBL in years.