CODE Sports’ commitment to growing the NBL and the game of basketball in Australia has gone to a new level amid the unveiling of a long-term partnership that solidifies the country’s biggest sports newsroom as naming rights sponsor of the pre-season Blitz tournament.
All 10 NBL teams will begin their NBL26 seasons in Canberra this week, the big men tipping off above the brand new CODE Sports NBL Blitz logo, which takes pride of place at centre court.
CODE Sports Commercial Partnerships Editor Tim Morrissey said as part of the landmark deal, CODE Sports will also be the NBL’s official media partner over the next three seasons.
“CODE Sports is very excited to be entering a three-year deal with the NBL as naming rights partner of the CODE Sports NBL Blitz pre-season tournament,” Morrissey said.
“CODE Sports is the number one subscription sport website in the country, providing breaking news, in-depth analysis and exclusive features.
“We are committed to providing Australia’s best coverage of the NBL.
“Our own research reveals basketball in Australia is the number two most followed sport by fans under the age of 40.
“The NBL and the professionalism of the NBL clubs is helping to drive the growth of the league from grassroots to the elite levels in Australia.
“CODE Sports’ own basketball team will continue to deliver the best NBL and basketball coverage in the country.”
NBL Group chief executive David Stevenson said the partnership with CODE Sports comes ahead of what is guaranteed to be the biggest season in NBL history.
“The CODE Sports Blitz is a great way to celebrate our new three-year partnership,” Stevenson said.
“CODE Sports’ coverage of the NBL and its commitment to great storytelling has played a significant role in helping us become the fastest growing league in Australia and New Zealand.
“We look forward to continuing to work with CODE Sports as our official media partner to help tell our stories to a wider audience and continue our unprecedented growth.’’
Record-breaking seven-time NBL MVP and Australian basketball icon Andrew Gaze said the CODE Sports NBL Blitz was signalled the official beginning of each NBL season, with clubs bouncing the first balls in anger as they prepare for round 1.
He said it gave coaches, fans and opposition the chance to see every player, new and old, for the first time.
“It is just a plethora of talent in the one place.
“We get a look at all the new arrivals to the league, at the players who have changed clubs and some of the systems teams are going to use.
Gaze said there were so many unknowns to follow at this week’s CODE Sports NBL Blitz, which tips off on Wednesday.
“How are they going to use Bryce in Adelaide is it going to be different to what it was in Perth?
“How do Perth play now that Bryce is not there?
“Melbourne United have had significant changes, how is that going to work? How does Dash Daniels fit in?
“We’ve got a new coach in Brisbane, what’s he going to bring to the table?
“These are the things at the Blitz that we’re going to get a glimpse at that creates some interest and intrigue.”
All 10 games of the CODE Sports NBL Blitz, from August 27-31, will be shown live and exclusively on Kayo Sports and Disney+ from AIS Arena in Canberra.
MONSTA RACING ICE CUBE CLOCK FOR BLITZ
Adelaide 36ers marquee star Montrezl Harrell heads into this week’s CODE Sports NBL Blitz on limited preparation due to 3-on-3 commitments.
36ers officials told Crosscourt Harrell could be forced to fly into Canberra directly ahead of the club’s Blitz opener against the defending champion Illawarra Hawks on Wednesday night from 8.15pm (AEST).
The ex-NBA talent is captaining the Chicago Triplets in the Ice Cube backed Big 3 tournament in Orlando this weekend.
The Triplets are through to the championship final to take on Miami 305 from 5.00am (AEST) on Monday.
It means Harrell will have to immediately fly back to Australia to give himself as much time as possible to prepare for Adelaide’s Blitz opener.
Sixers officials haven’t ruled out the big man missing the Hawks clash depending on his arrival time back from America.
The full Adelaide squad trained together for the first full time on Friday.
AFL CONCUSSION EXPERT HELPING UNITED STAR TARGET BLITZ RETURN
Melbourne United has enlisted the services of an AFL concussion expert to work with star guard Shea Ili as he recovers from the latest in a worrying series of concussions.
Coach Dean Vickerman said his Kiwi dynamo was edging closer to a return to the court after he suffered a head knock during his off-season stint in the NZNBL.
Vickerman confirmed Ili was targeting United’s season opener against the JackJumpers in Tasmania on September 18, but was a chance to suit up on Saturday at the CODE Sports NBL Blitz against Brisbane.
“We’re pretty confident — he’s got a couple of things to tick off on Tuesday to make sure everything’s absolutely perfect,” Vickerman said of Ili.
“We’ve had some AFL experts digging in. The knowledge that we’re getting of the concussion side of it, it’s been really good and the more we’re learning, the better he feels about coming back.
“We’re a really good place with him right now.”
United has insurance for Ili in import guard Tyson Walker — who made an impressive debut last Tuesday with 12 points, 3 steals and 2 assists in a pre-season win over Cairns.
“We let Tyson know where Shea was when we recruited him,” Vickerman said.
“He’s good with whatever role he fits into. ‘You want me to start, you want me to come off the bench, I’m good with whatever the team needs’.
“Whether he starts for a while until Shea fully gets all the work under his belt, we’ll see what happens.
“This is his first overseas job and he just wants to be part of a winning culture, however that shakes out.”
Veteran star Chris Goulding is also beginning to increase his activity after recovering from an ankle injury he suffered in Puerto Rico.
“He played one-on-one on Tuesday, which was a big step for him, and he’s a chance to play game two of the Blitz,” Vickerman said.
“He needed some good time to heal and rest but he’s starting to ramp it up.
“He’ll definitely be ready for our last pre-season game on the Sunshine Coast against Brisbane (Friday, September 12).”
GOORJIAN’S HIGH DELLY-DAVIS PRAISE
Sydney Kings coach Brian Goorjian has seen it all throughout his stellar career spanning four decades.
So, when he puts new Kings’ back-court duo Matthew Dellavedova and Kendric Davis on a pedestal defensively, you listen to the master mentor.
“Based on the two trial games the encouraging part is they could be very special in defence,” Goorjian told Crosscourt.
“Maybe the strongest in the league in a long time.
“I couldn’t be happier with how Delly and Kendric performed in our first two trials against Tasmania, especially with how good they were on the defensive side.”
Dellavedova and Davis were equally potent on the offensive end in two wins over the JackJumpers.
The pair combined for 30 points and 11 assists in Monday’s victory before backing up with another 31 point, eight assist haul on Wednesday.
Goorjian was thrilled to see Dellavedova and Davis display such strong synergy and selflessness after just two games.
“I liked their leadership and scoring- they both play off each other” he said.
“There are very special back-court in the league.”
The Kings open their NBL Blitz campaign in Canberra against the Brisbane Bullets on Thursday night from 5.45pm (AEST).