List of defunct National Basketball League (Australia) teams

The following is a list of teams that no longer compete in the National Basketball League (NBL).

Defunct teams

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Club Years in
the NBL
History
Bankstown Bruins / West Sydney Westars 1979–1987 Became the West Sydney Westars for the seasons, 1986–1987. Merged with the Sydney Supersonics to form the Sydney Kings in 1988.
Canberra Cannons 1979–2003 Celebrated their 20th Anniversary in 1998 as one of only four foundation clubs left in the league. The club only lasted a few more years.
City of Sydney Astronauts / Sydney Supersonics 1979–1987 Became the Sydney Supersonics in 1982. Merged with the West Sydney Westars to form the Sydney Kings in 1988.
Coburg Giants / North Melbourne Giants 1980–1998 Became the North Melbourne Giants for the seasons, 1987–1998.

Merged with the South East Melbourne Magic to form the Victoria Titans for the seasons, 1998–2002.

Devonport Warriors 1983–1984 Short-lived team from Devonport, Tasmania. The Warriors were forced to exit the NBL after the league announced it would be culled to 14 teams by 1985. The club never experienced financial hardship, and although the Warriors only won four games in 1984, ten of its losses had been by ten points or less.
Frankston Bears 1983–1984
Geelong Cats / Geelong Supercats 1982–1996 Became the Geelong Supercats for the seasons, 1988–1996.
Glenelg Tigers 1979 Finished last in the inaugural season and never competed in the NBL again.
Gold Coast Blaze 2007–2012
Gold Coast Cougars / Gold Coast Rollers 1990–1996 Became the Gold Coast Rollers in 1991.
Hobart Devils / Hobart Tassie Devils 1983–1996 Became the Hobart Tassie Devils for the seasons, 1988–1995. But changed back to the "Hobart Devils" for the 1996 season.
Hunter Pirates 2004–2006 Acquired the licence from the Canberra Cannons and competed for several seasons before folding.
Launceston Casino City 1980–1982 Joined the NBL in 1980. Won a championship in 1981. Finished 5-21 in 1982 and left the NBL.
Newcastle Falcons 1979–1999 One of the foundation clubs in the NBL that celebrated their 20th Anniversary in 1998. Unfortunately the club only lasted one more year in the league afterwards.
Nunawading Spectres / Eastside Spectres 1979–1991 Became the Eastside Spectres in 1987. Merged with the Southern Melbourne Saints to form the South East Melbourne Magic in 1992.
Singapore Slingers 2006–2008 Acquired the licence from the Hunter Pirates, becoming the first Asian team to enter the NBL.

They chose to withdraw form the competition due to international flight costs to Australia and New Zealand.

South Dragons 2006–2009 Took up the vacant licence after the demise of Victoria Giants. South Dragons were champions in 2008/2009 but elected to not enter a team in season 2009/10, citing dissatisfaction with the management of the league. It was not allowed to compete in the league afterwards.
South East Melbourne Magic 1992–1998 Formed from a merger between the Eastside Spectres and the Southern Melbourne Saints. Merged with North Melbourne Giants to form the Victoria Titans for the seasons, 1998–2002.
St. Kilda Saints / Westside Saints /
Southern Melbourne Saints
1979–1991 Became the Westside Saints in 1987. Became the Southern Melbourne Saints in 1991. Merged with the Eastside Spectres to form the South East Melbourne Magic in 1992.
Townsville Suns / Townsville Crocodiles[1] 1993–2016
Victoria Titans / Victoria Giants 1998–2004 Formed from a merger between the South East Melbourne Magic and the North Melbourne Giants. Became the Victoria Giants for the seasons, 2002–2004 after the Titans went into financial administration.
West Adelaide Bearcats 1979–1984 Left the NBL following the 1984 season and merged with the Adelaide 36ers.
West Sydney Razorbacks / Sydney Spirit 1998–2008 Became the Sydney Spirit in 2007/08.
West Torrens Eagles / Forestville Eagles 1980–1981 Became the Forestville Eagles in 1981. Left the NBL in 1982 and formed the basis of the Adelaide City Eagles.[2]

Defunct teams by relations

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1979–1984 1982 1983–present
West Adelaide Bearcats Adelaide City Eagles Adelaide 36ers
1980 1981
West Torrens Eagles Forestville Eagles
1979–1985 1986–1987 1988–2007/08, 2010/11–present
Bankstown Bruins West Sydney Westars Sydney Kings
1979–1981 1982–1987
City of Sydney Astronauts Sydney Supersonics
1980–1986 1987–1998 1998/99–2001/02 2002/03–2003/04 2006/07–2008/09
Coburg Giants North Melbourne Giants Victoria Titans Victoria Giants South Dragons
1979–1986 1987–1990 1991 1992–1998
St. Kilda Saints Westside Saints Southern Melbourne Saints South East Melbourne Magic
1979–1986 1987–1991
Nunawading Spectres Eastside Spectres
1979–2002/03 2003/04–2005/06 2006/07–present
Canberra Cannons Hunter Pirates Singapore Slingers
1998/99–2007/08 2008/09
West Sydney Razorbacks Sydney Spirit

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Townsville Crocodiles withdraw from the NBL". Archived from the original on 2 October 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  2. ^ Nagy, Boti (27 October 2014). "After 40 years, Eagles return to the nest and celebrate a milestone in SA basketball history". The Advertiser. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
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