{"id":416890,"date":"2026-01-16T12:35:37","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T12:35:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/416890\/"},"modified":"2026-01-16T12:35:37","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T12:35:37","slug":"goorjian-wowed-by-nbls-evolution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/416890\/","title":{"rendered":"Goorjian wowed by NBL\u2019s evolution"},"content":{"rendered":"

Having been involved with the NBL since 1984 as both a player and coach, Brian Goorjian has witnessed almost every phase of the league\u2019s evolution, both the highs and the lows.<\/p>\n

That perspective gives added weight to his praise, with the six-time championship-winning coach believing the NBL is currently in one of the most exciting and progressive periods in its history.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe innovation and what the league\u2019s doing right now, all of it is great for the game,\u201d Goorjian said from HoopsFest in Perth.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt brings people from all over the world here. I know there are scouts everywhere coming here. We\u2019ve got AI (Allen Iverson) here.\u201d<\/p>\n

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HoopsFest brings every team from across the NBL and WNBL together in one place for a celebration of basketball, culture and lifestyle.<\/p>\n

Close to 10,000 fans attended Thursday\u2019s double-header, with a sell-out looming on Friday as the hometown Wildcats take the floor at RAC Arena.<\/p>\n

For Goorjian, it\u2019s another powerful reminder of just how far the league has come in recent years.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur time here, the food, accommodation, the atmosphere at the game, I just think again the NBL, since I\u2019ve come back from being away 12 years, has been unbelievably innovative and is a really hot topic now around the world,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

>>\u00a0BUY HOOPSFEST TICKETS<\/a><\/p>\n

Goorjian also pointed to the growing depth of playing talent across the league, highlighted by the recent signings of NBA-experienced players Torrey Craig and John Jenkins.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re looking at right now the possibility of three NBA guys coming here at this time of year, and you couldn\u2019t do that 10 years ago,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat says what? It\u2019s not about the money. It\u2019s about, \u2018hey man, this thing\u2019s hot\u2019. It\u2019s a great place to be. It\u2019s got a great buzz about it, and things like this add to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

HoopsFest continues across the entire weekend, with tickets still available via hoopsfest.com.au<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Watch every game live on ESPN, with Sunday games live and free on 10.<\/p>\n

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