NBL Cup
The National Basketball League Cup, often shortened to the NBL Cup was a midseason tournament for the Australian National Basketball League (NBL).[1]
Current season, competition or edition: 2021 NBL Cup | |
 | |
| Sport | Basketball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 21 December 2020 |
| Organising body | National Basketball League |
| No. of teams | 10 |
| Country | Australia (9 teams) New Zealand (1 team) |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Most recent champion(s) | Perth Wildcats (1st title) |
| Most titles | Perth Wildcats (1 title) |
| Sponsor(s) | Hungry Jack's |
| Official website | NBLCup.com.au |
In the 2021–22 season, the NBL returned to their normal format of 28 games with no midseason tournament.[2]
History
On 21 December 2020 the Australian National Basketball League established the first NBL Cup to be held in Melbourne, Victoria. All nine NBL teams will take part in this tournament from 20 February to 14 March as part of a month-long basketball extravaganza. All 36 games will be mostly played at John Cain Arena (formerly Melbourne Arena) and some other games to be played at the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna South, Melbourne.[3]
The 36 games will count towards the 2020–21 NBL season and, in a first for the league, will also decide the winner of the inaugural NBL Cup with total prize money of $300,000. Every team will play each other once and the team with the most points at the end of the 36 games will be awarded the NBL Cup and $150,000 in prize money. If teams finish equal on points, then the team with the most wins will be declared the winner. The runner-up will receive $100,000 and third place $50,000.[4]
All nine NBL teams will move to the Melbourne Hub to contest the 2021 NBL Cup. The NBL's intention, subject to COVID and scheduling issues, is for teams to host their customary 14 home games during the regular season, over and above the games played in the NBL Melbourne Hub.
The only planned exception will be the New Zealand Breakers, who will start their season in Australia and hopefully return to New Zealand as soon as borders allow for home and away games.
All 36 games played in the NBL Melbourne Hub will count towards the teams’ overall season record in accordance with standard ladder methodology. In addition, teams will compete for the NBL Cup, with three points awarded for a win and an extra point awarded for each quarter won and half a point with even quarters across the 36 games held.[5]
At the completion of the NBL Melbourne Hub, clubs will return to their respective home venues and complete the remainder of the home and away regular season.
On 14 March 2021 the Perth Wildcats won the inaugural 2021 NBL Cup with a 7–1 record in eight games played.[6] 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.
In the 2021–22 season, the NBL returned to their normal format of 28 games.[2] The league may return the cup tournament with a Gather Round-style basketball event.[7]
Format
Every team in this tournament will play each other once (8 games each). The team with the most points at the end of this tournament will win the NBL Cup. All teams can get 3 points for a win, 1 point for each quarter won and for even quarters only half a point.
If teams have the same number of points at the end of this tournament, then the team with the most number of wins would be the winner. If multiple teams have the same number of wins then the best points For and Against would be declared the winner. If the teams have the same plus minus record then the team with the most points For will be declared the winner.
The NBL Cup will be presented to the winning team at the conclusion of this tournament.[8]
Finals
| 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
| Team | Wins | Winning seasons | Runners-up | Third place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perth Wildcats | 1 | 2021 | — | — |
| S.E. Melbourne Phoenix | 0 | — | 2021 | — |
| Brisbane Bullets | 0 | — | — | 2021 |
References
- Uluc, Olgun (5 February 2021). "NBL releases inaugural NBL Cup fixture". ESPN.com.au. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- "NBL22's scheduled November 18 launch in some doubt: Loeliger". ESPN.com.au. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
- "NBL's Biggest Show Ever to Take Over Melbourne". nbl.com.au. 21 December 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
- "NBL Cup unveiled: 'The biggest event we have ever staged'". sbs.com.au. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
- "NBL Cup a Slam Dunk for Sports Fans". nbl.com.au. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
- "Wildcats complete NBL Cup with dazzling comeback". nbl.com.au. 14 March 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
- "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.
- "Winner Of The NBL Cup". nblcup.com.au. 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021.