The NBL’s pre-season tournament dates back to the 1980s, but it was in 2013 that the modern NBL Blitz era officially began with the introduction of the Loggins-Bruton Cup, named in honour of league legends Leroy Loggins and Cal Bruton.
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Now, with the 13th edition of the Loggins-Bruton Cup in Bendigo less than two weeks away, we’re taking a look back at every previous winner, along with the recipients of the Ray Borner Medal, awarded to the MVP of the tournament.
We’ll also cast an eye towards this year’s Blitz with five players to watch when the tournament gets underway.
Leroy Loggins (L) and Cal Bruton (R) pose during the 2013/14 NBL Official Season Launch at The Entertainment Quarter on September 19, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
2013 – Perth Wildcats
The Perth Wildcats walked away as champions of the inaugural Loggins-Bruton Cup, finishing with a 2-1 record and the most points under the Blitz’s unique scoring system.
Teams received three points for a victory, along with an additional point for every quarter won.
Wildcats import James Ennis, who would later go on to play more than 400 games in the NBA, was awarded the Ray Borner Medal as MVP of the tournament.
James Ennis helped the Wildcats win the inaugural Loggins-Bruton Cup, while also winning the tournament MVP. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
2014 – Townsville Crocodiles
Hosted in Brisbane ahead of the 2014-15 season, the Townsville Crocodiles, who would fold just two years later, were crowned NBL Blitz champions.
The Crocodiles went 2-0 during the tournament, defeating Melbourne United 78-73 before cruising past the New Zealand Breakers 91-64.
Townsville import Mickell Gladness was awarded the Ray Borner Medal as tournament MVP.
Mickell Gladness defending Matthew Burston of the Taipans. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
2015 – Melbourne United
Melbourne United claimed the Loggins-Bruton Cup in its third year, going through the tournament undefeated with a 3-0 record.
United defeated the Illawarra Hawks 106-99, Adelaide 36ers 89-85 and Sydney Kings 92-56 to secure their first Blitz title.
For the first time, the Ray Borner Medal was shared between two players, with United’s Stephen Holt and Cairns Taipans import Markel Starks named co-MVPs.
Melbourne United won their first ever Loggins-Bruton cup.Source: Getty Images
2016 – Illawarra Hawks
The Illawarra Hawks walked away with the 2016 pre-season crown in a unique edition of the tournament that also featured two clubs from the Chinese Basketball Association, Tianjin and Zhejiang.
Illawarra went 3-0, comfortably defeating Zhejiang 123-75 and the Perth Wildcats 98-77 before finishing their campaign with a 94-86 victory over Melbourne United.
The Ray Borner Medal went to NBL veteran Cameron Gliddon, who was playing for the Cairns Taipans at the time.
Gliddon would eventually play 342 games across a 12-year NBL career.
Cameron Gliddon of the Taipans looks to pass during the Australian Basketball Challenge match between Cairns Taipans and Adelaide 36ers at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre September 24, 2016 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
2017 – Melbourne United
Melbourne United claimed their second Loggins-Bruton Cup in five years when the tournament headed to Traralgon, Victoria, in September 2017.
United finished with a 2-1 record, opening with a 99-83 victory over the Illawarra Hawks before falling 105-99 to the Sydney Kings. They bounced back emphatically in their final game, defeating the Perth Wildcats 93-67 to secure the trophy.
Brisbane Bullets import Travis Trice was awarded the Ray Borner Medal.
Trice played 53 NBL games across stints with the Cairns Taipans and Bullets between 2016 and 2018.
Travis Trice of the Brisbane Bullets poses with the Ray Borner Medal, the Most Valuable Player at the 2017 NBL Blitz after the 2017 NBL Blitz pre-season match between the Cairns Taipans and Brisbane Bullets at Werribee Basketball Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
2018 – Adelaide 36ers
The Adelaide 36ers claimed their first Loggins-Bruton Cup in 2018, going undefeated across three games in Bendigo and Ballarat.
Adelaide defeated Melbourne United 97-87, Sydney Kings 98-91 and the Perth Wildcats 108-90 to complete a perfect tournament.
Despite Adelaide taking home the silverware, Perth Wildcats superstar Bryce Cotton claimed the Ray Borner Medal after averaging 21.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.3 steals throughout the Blitz.
Bryce Cotton of the Perth Wildcats drives at the basket during the 2018 NBL Blitz match between the Cairns Taipans and Perth Wildcats at Ballarat Minerdrome on September 22, 2018 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
2019 – Brisbane Bullets
The Brisbane Bullets secured their first Loggins-Bruton Cup in Tasmania, during a tournament that also featured the NBL1 All-Stars.
Brisbane went 2-0, comfortably defeating the NBL1 All-Stars 106-57 before beating the Adelaide 36ers 92-85.
South East Melbourne Phoenix import John Roberson was awarded the Ray Borner Medal.
Roberson would go on to play 28 games for the Phoenix that season, averaging 20.2 points and 5.6 assists per game.
John Roberson of the Phoenix looks to pass during the NBL Blitz pre-season match between SE Melbourne Phoenix and NZ Breakers at Derwent Entertainment Centre on September 22, 2019 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
2020 – No tournament
There was no traditional NBL Blitz in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the border and travel restrictions in place at the time.
As a result, neither the Loggins-Bruton Cup nor the Ray Borner Medal was awarded.
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2021 – Adelaide 36ers
With COVID-19 restrictions still impacting interstate travel, the 2021 NBL Blitz looked significantly different, with games played across multiple states over a two-week period.
Adelaide navigated the unusual format to finish unbeaten and atop the standings, securing their second Loggins-Bruton Cup.
The Ray Borner Medal was awarded to 36ers guard Mitch McCarron, who would go on to finish his NBL career with 270 appearances.
HOBART, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 14: Mitch McCarron of the 36ers looks for support during the NBL Blitz match between Adelaide 36ers and Cairns Taipans at MyState Bank Arena on November 14, 2021, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
2022 – Adelaide 36ers
The 36ers made it back-to-back Blitz titles in 2022, successfully defending the Loggins-Bruton Cup in Darwin.
Adelaide again went undefeated, finishing 3-0 after beating the South East Melbourne Phoenix 84-76, Tasmania JackJumpers 87-79 and Illawarra Hawks 84-77.
JackJumpers star Jack McVeigh claimed the Ray Borner Medal after averaging 19.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while shooting 59% from the field during the tournament.
Jack McVeigh of the JackJumpers (R) in action during the NBL Blitz match between Tasmania Jackjumpers and Cairns Taipans at Darwin Basketball Association on September 22, 2022 in Darwin, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
2023 – Melbourne United
Melbourne United returned to the top in 2023, claiming their third Loggins-Bruton Cup with another perfect 3-0 record.
United defeated the Brisbane Bullets 96-92, Illawarra Hawks 85-71 and Sydney Kings 105-87 to complete an undefeated Blitz campaign.
The Ray Borner Medal went to South East Melbourne Phoenix import Tyler Cook, who averaged 21.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks throughout the tournament.
Cook proved to be a flash in the pan for the Phoenix, having originally been brought in as a short-term replacement for injured import Alan ‘Big Sauce’ Williams. He would play just three regular-season NBL games before departing the club.
Tyler Cook of the Phoenix looks on during the 2023 NBL Blitz match between South East Melbourne Phoenix and Tasmania JackJumpers at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on September 16, 2023 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images for NBL)Source: Getty Images
2024 – Brisbane Bullets
The Brisbane Bullets claimed their second Loggins-Bruton Cup in 2024, finishing the tournament with a perfect 3-0 record.
Brisbane defeated the Tasmania JackJumpers 89-78 and Melbourne United 111-104 before rounding out their campaign against the Cairns Taipans.
Bullets big man Tyrell Harrison was rewarded for an impressive tournament with the Ray Borner Medal, averaging 17.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
Tyrell Harrison of the Bullets is awarded the Ray Borner Medal for being the most valuable player at the NBL Blitz during the 2024 NBL Blitz match between Brisbane Bullets and Cairns Taipans at Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre on September 14, 2024 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
2025 – New Zealand Breakers
The New Zealand Breakers secured their first Loggins-Bruton Cup at the 2025 NBL Blitz in Canberra, completing an undefeated 2-0 campaign.
The Breakers defeated the South East Melbourne Phoenix 109-101 before comfortably accounting for the Cairns Taipans 94-75.
Import Izaiah Brockington was awarded the Ray Borner Medal after averaging 20.0 points and 9.0 rebounds across his two appearances.
Brockington would go on to play 33 games for the Breakers during the season, while also helping New Zealand become the inaugural NBL Ignite Cup champions.
Cal Bruton and MVP award winner Izaiah Brockington of the Breakers pose during the 2025 NBL Blitz match between Sydney Kings and South East Melbourne Phoenix at AIS Arena on August 31, 2025 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Five new imports to watch at the 2026 NBL Blitz
1. Arnas Velička – Brisbane Bullets
The Lithuanian point guard has settled into life in Australia after arriving a few weeks ago, giving the 26-year-old ample time to prepare and build chemistry with his new teammates. Don’t be shocked if we’re praising his Blitz performances in a few weeks’ time.
2. Kelan Martin – Illawarra Hawks
The 31-year-old NBA and European veteran arrives with an impressive resumé and the ability to shoot the lights out. If given ample court time, there’s no reason why Martin can’t lead the Hawks towards a Blitz trophy. Do not be surprised if we see a 25 point performance from him in game one.
New Illawarra Hawks import Kelan Martin could set the Blitz on fire early.Source: Getty Images
3. Cole Anthony – Melbourne United
Anthony would rank higher on this list, but having only just touched down in Australia, preparation could play a factor in how many minutes he sees throughout the tournament. We could see one dominant performance followed by another where he takes more of a back seat.
United are also stacked, so there are plenty of mouths to feed. Still, Anthony is a jet and could produce the highest-scoring performance of the entire Blitz if given the green light.
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4. Skylar Mays – South East Melbourne Phoenix
Another under-the-radar signing this off-season, Mays has the potential to establish himself as a top-five player in the NBL.
He could very well dominate at the Blitz, but with Josh King favouring deep rotations and the tournament traditionally providing coaches with an opportunity to experiment, Mays, similarly to Anthony, might not consistently see big minutes.
Can new Phoenix import Skylar Mays win the NBL Blitz MVP? (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)Source: Supplied
5. Josiah-Jordan James – New Zealand Breakers
James arrives with a defensive mindset but can also consistently knock down the three-ball, making him an intriguing player to watch in Bendigo.
The southpaw has openly stated he is ready for the challenge the NBL will provide, and similar to Izaiah Brockington last year, we could see another new Breakers import walk away with the Ray Borner Medal.
The 2026 NBL Blitz will be held in Bendigo from September 2-6. Tickets and further information can be found here.