The National Basketball League Cup, often shortened to the NBL Cup, was a midseason tournament for the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) played during the 2020–21 season.[1] The tournament was discontinued after one season.[2]

NBL Cup
Most recent season or competition:
2021 NBL Cup
SportBasketball
Founded21 December 2020; 3 years ago (21 December 2020)
Organising bodyNational Basketball League
No. of teams10
CountryAustralia (9 teams)
New Zealand (1 team)
ContinentOceania
Most recent
champion(s)
Perth Wildcats
(1st title)
Most titlesPerth Wildcats
(1 title)
Sponsor(s)Hungry Jack's
Official websiteNBLCup.com.au

History

edit
 
South East Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne United at John Cain Arena

On 21 December 2020, the Australian National Basketball League established the first NBL Cup to be held in Melbourne, Victoria, with all nine NBL teams taking part in the tournament from 20 February to 14 March. The majority of the 36 games were scheduled to be played at John Cain Arena (formerly Melbourne Arena), with a small amount scheduled for the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna South, Melbourne.[3] All nine NBL teams moved to Melbourne for the 2021 NBL Cup.

The 36 games counted towards the 2020–21 NBL season and, in a first for the league, would also decide the winner of the inaugural NBL Cup with total prize money of $300,000. Every team played each other once; the team with the most points at the end of the 36 games was awarded the NBL Cup and $150,000 in prize money. The runner-up received $100,000 and third place received $50,000.[4] The ladders included three points for a win, one point for each quarter won, and half a point for tied quarters.[5][6]

On 14 March 2021, the Perth Wildcats won the inaugural NBL Cup with a 7–1 record in eight games played.[7] Bryce Cotton led all scorers with 26.9 points and teammate John Mooney led all rebounds with 12.3 per game. Adelaide 36ers rookie Josh Giddey led all assists with 7.4 per game.

At the completion of the NBL Melbourne Hub, teams returned to regular home-and-away schedules.

The NBL Cup was not continued in the 2021–22 season.[2] In May 2023, the league raised the potential for a return of a cup tournament in the future.[8]

Finals

edit
Year Winner Record Runners-up Third place Venue(s) Location Top scorer
NBL Cup
2021 Perth Wildcats 7–1 S.E. Melbourne Phoenix Brisbane Bullets John Cain Arena Melbourne, Victoria   Bryce Cotton (26.9)
State Basketball Centre

Titles by team

edit
Titles by team
Team Wins Winning seasons Runners-up Third place
Perth Wildcats 1 2021
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix 0 2021
Brisbane Bullets 0 2021

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Uluc, Olgun (5 February 2021). "NBL releases inaugural NBL Cup fixture". ESPN.com.au. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  2. ^ a b "NBL22's scheduled November 18 launch in some doubt: Loeliger". ESPN.com.au. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  3. ^ "NBL's Biggest Show Ever to Take Over Melbourne". nbl.com.au. 21 December 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  4. ^ "NBL Cup unveiled: 'The biggest event we have ever staged'". sbs.com.au. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  5. ^ "NBL Cup a Slam Dunk for Sports Fans". nbl.com.au. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  6. ^ "Winner Of The NBL Cup". nblcup.com.au. 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  7. ^ "Wildcats complete NBL Cup with dazzling comeback". nbl.com.au. 14 March 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  8. ^ "New NBL CEO eyes Gather Round-style basketball event, expansion, next broadcast deal and more". heraldsun.com.au. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
edit