# 2023–24 NBL season

The 2023–24 NBL season was the 46th season of the National Basketball League since its establishment in 1979. A total of ten teams contested in the 2023–24 season.
Australian broadcast rights to the season are held by ESPN in the third season of a three-year deal. All games are available live on ESPN and the streaming platform Kayo Sports. Network 10 will broadcast two Sunday afternoon games on 10 Peach and 10 Play. In New Zealand, Sky Sport will continue as the official league broadcaster.
As Australia and New Zealand participated in 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualification, the league took a break during the FIBA international windows of 19–30 November 2023 and 18–28 February 2024.
The Tasmania JackJumpers won their maiden NBL championship after defeating Melbourne United in the Grand Final series, becoming the first Tasmanian NBL champions since Launceston Casino City in 1981.

## Teams

All ten teams from the 2022–23 NBL season continued on in 2023–24.

### Stadiums and locations

| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
| Adelaide 36ers | Adelaide | Adelaide Entertainment Centre | 11,300 |
| Brisbane Bullets | Brisbane | Nissan Arena | 5,000 |
| Cairns Taipans | Cairns | Cairns Convention Centre | 5,300 |
| Illawarra Hawks | Wollongong | WIN Entertainment Centre | 6,000 |
| Melbourne United | Melbourne | John Cain Arena | 10,175 |
| New Zealand Breakers | Auckland | Spark Arena | 9,740 |
| Perth Wildcats | Perth | RAC Arena | 14,800 |
| S.E. Melbourne Phoenix | Melbourne | John Cain Arena | 10,175 |
| S.E. Melbourne Phoenix | Melbourne | State Basketball Centre | 3,200 |
| Sydney Kings | Sydney | Qudos Bank Arena | 18,200 |
| Tasmania JackJumpers | Hobart | MyState Bank Arena | 4,865 |
| Tasmania JackJumpers | Launceston | Silverdome | 3,255 |

### Personnel and sponsorship

| Team | Coach | Captain | Main sponsor | Kit manufacturer |
| Adelaide 36ers | Scott Ninnis | Mitch McCarron | Walker Corporation | Champion |
| Brisbane Bullets | Justin Schueller | Nathan Sobey | St. Genevieve | Champion |
| Cairns Taipans | Adam Forde | Tahjere McCall | CQUniversity | Champion |
| Illawarra Hawks | Justin Tatum | Sam Froling Tyler Harvey | n/a | Champion |
| Melbourne United | Dean Vickerman | Chris Goulding | Engie | Champion |
| New Zealand Breakers | Mody Maor | Thomas Abercrombie | Bank of New Zealand | Champion |
| Perth Wildcats | John Rillie | Jesse Wagstaff | Pentanet | Champion |
| S.E. Melbourne Phoenix | Mike Kelly | Mitch Creek | Mountain Goat Beer | Champion |
| Sydney Kings | Mahmoud Abdelfattah | Shaun Bruce | Harvey Norman | Champion |
| Tasmania JackJumpers | Scott Roth | Clint Steindl | Spirit of Tasmania | Champion |

### Player transactions

Free agency began on 30 March 2023.

### Coaching transactions

Head coaching transactions :
| Team | 2022–23 season | 2023–24 season |
| Off-season |||
| Brisbane Bullets | Greg Vanderjagt | Justin Schueller |
| Illawarra Hawks | Jacob Jackomas | Jacob Jackomas |
| Melbourne United | Dean Vickerman | Dean Vickerman |
| Perth Wildcats | John Rillie | John Rillie |
| S.E. Melbourne Phoenix | Simon Mitchell | Mike Kelly |
| Sydney Kings | Chase Buford | Mahmoud Abdelfattah |
| In-season |||
| Adelaide 36ers | Scott Ninnis (interim) | Scott Ninnis (interim) |
| Illawarra Hawks | Justin Tatum (interim) | Justin Tatum (interim) |
| Tasmania JackJumpers | Scott Roth | Scott Roth |
| Adelaide 36ers | Scott Ninnis | Scott Ninnis |
| Illawarra Hawks | Justin Tatum | Justin Tatum |

## Pre-season

The pre-season games will begin on 10 August to 16 October 2023.
The pre-season also featured the Cairns Taipans, New Zealand Breakers to play games between NBA teams, this will be the fifth NBLxNBA tour.

### NBL Blitz

The 2023 NBL Blitz will run from 16 to 22 September with all games played at the Gold Coast Convention Centre. Gold Coast, Queensland will host the tournament.
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | L | PF | PA | PP | BP | Pts |
| 1 | Melbourne United (C) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 286 | 250 | 114.4 | 7.5 | 16.5 |
| 2 | Perth Wildcats | 3 | 3 | 0 | 307 | 264 | 116.3 | 6.5 | 15.5 |
| 3 | Tasmania JackJumpers | 3 | 3 | 0 | 275 | 251 | 109.6 | 6 | 15 |
| 4 | Illawarra Hawks | 3 | 2 | 1 | 274 | 263 | 104.2 | 8 | 14 |
| 5 | New Zealand Breakers | 3 | 1 | 2 | 275 | 260 | 105.8 | 6.5 | 9.5 |
| 6 | S.E. Melbourne Phoenix | 3 | 1 | 2 | 272 | 283 | 96.1 | 6 | 9 |
| 7 | Brisbane Bullets | 3 | 1 | 2 | 285 | 267 | 106.7 | 5 | 8 |
| 8 | Cairns Taipans | 3 | 1 | 2 | 285 | 305 | 93.4 | 5 | 8 |
| 9 | Adelaide 36ers | 3 | 0 | 3 | 237 | 299 | 79.3 | 5 | 5 |
| 10 | Sydney Kings | 3 | 0 | 3 | 249 | 303 | 82.2 | 4.5 | 4.5 |

## Regular season

The regular season will begin on 28 September 2023. It will consist of 140 games spread across 20 rounds, with the final game being played on 18 February 2024.

### Round 20
## Ladder

| Pos | 2023–24 NBL season vte | 2023–24 NBL season vte | 2023–24 NBL season vte | 2023–24 NBL season vte | 2023–24 NBL season vte | 2023–24 NBL season vte | 2023–24 NBL season vte | 2023–24 NBL season vte | 2023–24 NBL season vte | 2023–24 NBL season vte | 2023–24 NBL season vte | 2023–24 NBL season vte |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | PCT | Last 5 | Streak | Home | Away | PF | PA | PP |
| 1 | Melbourne United | 28 | 20 | 8 | 71.43% | 3–2 | W1 | 11–3 | 9–5 | 2615 | 2454 | 106.56% |
| 2 | Perth Wildcats | 28 | 17 | 11 | 60.71% | 2–3 | L2 | 10–4 | 7–7 | 2630 | 2563 | 102.61% |
| 3 | Tasmania JackJumpers | 28 | 16 | 12 | 57.14% | 4–1 | W4 | 8–6 | 8–6 | 2564 | 2378 | 107.82% |
| 4 | Illawarra Hawks | 28 | 14 | 14 | 50.00% | 3–2 | L1 | 8–6 | 6–8 | 2547 | 2518 | 101.15% |
| 5 | Sydney Kings | 28 | 13 | 15 | 46.43% | 2–3 | W1 | 7–7 | 6–8 | 2672 | 2602 | 102.69% |
| 6 | New Zealand Breakers | 28 | 13 | 15 | 46.43% | 3–2 | L1 | 8–6 | 5–9 | 2498 | 2480 | 100.73% |
| 7 | Brisbane Bullets | 28 | 13 | 15 | 46.43% | 2–3 | L1 | 8–6 | 5–9 | 2458 | 2534 | 97.00% |
| 8 | Cairns Taipans | 28 | 12 | 16 | 42.86% | 1–4 | W1 | 7–7 | 5–9 | 2506 | 2589 | 96.79% |
| 9 | Adelaide 36ers | 28 | 12 | 16 | 42.86% | 3–2 | W1 | 9–5 | 3–11 | 2457 | 2563 | 95.86% |
| 10 | S.E. Melbourne Phoenix | 28 | 10 | 18 | 35.71% | 1–4 | L4 | 7–7 | 3–11 | 2425 | 2691 | 90.12% |
Updated to match(es) played on 18 February 2024. Source: NBL.com.au
The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the overall points percentage will determine order of seeding.

### Ladder progression

* Leader and qualification to semifinals
* Qualification to semifinals
* Qualification to play-in games
* Last place
2023–24 NBL season :
| Team ╲ Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| Adelaide 36ers | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Brisbane Bullets | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 7 |
| Cairns Taipans | 8 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Illawarra Hawks | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Melbourne United | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| New Zealand Breakers | 4 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Perth Wildcats | 6 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| S.E. Melbourne Phoenix | 5 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Sydney Kings | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Tasmania JackJumpers | 7 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |

## Finals

The 2024 NBL Finals were played in February and March 2024, consisting of three play-in games, two best-of-three semifinal series and the best-of-five Grand Final Series. In the semifinals, the higher seed hosts the first and third games. In the Grand Final, the higher seed hosts the first, third and fifth games.
The top two seeds in the regular season will automatically qualify to the semifinals. Teams ranked three to six will compete in the play-in tournament. The third seed will play the fourth seed for third spot and the loser will play the winner of fifth or sixth for the fourth seed.

### Playoff bracket

| Play-in / Seeding qualifier | Play-in / Seeding qualifier | Play-in / Seeding qualifier | Play-in game | Play-in game | Play-in game | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Grand Final | Grand Final | Grand Final | Grand Final | Grand Final | Grand Final | Grand Final |
| 5 | Sydney Kings | 76 | | | | 1 | Melbourne United | 115 | 108 | 100 | | | | | | | |
| 6 | New Zealand Breakers | 83 | | | | 4 | Illawarra Hawks | 106 | 113 | 94 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 4 | Illawarra Hawks | 88 | | | | | | 1 | Melbourne United | 104 | 77 | 91 | 88 | 81 |
| | | | 6 | New Zealand Breakers | 85 | | | | | | 3 | Tasmania JackJumpers | 81 | 82 | 93 | 86 | 83 |
| 3 | Tasmania JackJumpers | 92 | | | | 2 | Perth Wildcats | 89 | 94 | 84 | | | | | | | |
| 4 | Illawarra Hawks | 76 | | | | 3 | Tasmania JackJumpers | 81 | 102 | 100 | | | | | | | |

## Awards
### Pre-season

* Loggins-Bruton Cup: Melbourne United
* Most Valuable Player (Ray Borner Medal): Tyler Cook (S.E. Melbourne Phoenix)

### Regular season
#### Awards Night

* Most Valuable Player (Andrew Gaze Trophy): Bryce Cotton (Perth Wildcats)
* Next Generation Award: Sam Froling (Illawarra Hawks)
* Best Defensive Player (Damian Martin Trophy): Shea Ili (Melbourne United)
* Best Sixth Man: Ian Clark (Melbourne United)
* Most Improved Player: Sean Macdonald (Tasmania JackJumpers)
* Fans MVP: Bryce Cotton (Perth Wildcats)
* Coach of the Year (Lindsay Gaze Trophy): Dean Vickerman (Melbourne United)
* Executive of the Year: Nick Truelson (Melbourne United)
* Referee of the Year: Vaughn Mayberry
* GameTime by Kmart: Sunday Dech (Adelaide 36ers)
* All-NBL First Team:
** Bryce Cotton (Perth Wildcats)
** Chris Goulding (Melbourne United)
** Gary Clark (Illawarra Hawks)
** Anthony Lamb (New Zealand Breakers)
** Parker Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand Breakers)
* All-NBL Second Team:
** Mitch Creek (S.E. Melbourne Phoenix)
** Nathan Sobey (Brisbane Bullets)
** Jo Lual-Acuil (Melbourne United)
** Milton Doyle (Tasmania JackJumpers)
** Jack McVeigh (Tasmania JackJumpers)

### Post season

* Grand Final Series MVP (Larry Sengstock Medal): Jack McVeigh (Tasmania JackJumpers)
* NBL Champions: Tasmania JackJumpers