Basketball On The Internet.

IF you have been wondering why it has all gone quiet on the "FIBA Oceania" eligibility questions I posed here last week, don't for a second think because it is sorted out.

Truth is, the NBL GMs and CEOs met at the Blitz in Brisbane last Friday and with the issues spelt out, were caught between a rock and a hard place.

To refresh your memory, Basketball Australia last September announced it had agreed with a request from FIBA Oceania secretary-general Steve Smith to expand eligibility in the region to include players born in Oceania nations.

The idea was for those budding Pacific Islanders who were outgrowing their own competitions, to be able to get a shot at roster spots on teams in tougher leagues in Australia and New Zealand but to not have to be considered imports.

They were no-where near that calibre and while on the surface it seems a very positive idea, BA's announcement came at the time it was almost fully demerged from the NBL.

Typically - though in this instance, understandably - it never was written into the NBL rules which still only allow for Australian and New Zealand players to compete as locals.

The issue flared to the surface when the Breakers signed Guam-born Tai Wesley and the Wildcats secured Earnest Ross under those alleged new rules.

The clubs were not in the wrong to use what they believed to be the (new) rule and the NBL signed off on the recruits, validating their position.

Except that it is NOT in the NBL rules.

Both Steve Smith and BA chairman Scott Derwin insist when a national federation makes such a declaration, ALL of its competitions are obliged to fall into line.

(That is fair enough, even though I can name Aussie leagues which used and are using a completely different eligibility criteria right now.)

But here's the rub.

Smith insists to protect everyone and prevent the FIBA Oceania rule from potentially being exploited, there was a clause which said a player had to be resident in their country of birth for at least five years.

Research reveals that would not impact Wesley.

In its wisdom, the NBL has referred back to BA to seek the correct and complete wording of the FIBA Oceania eligibility rule but BA's memory - and you have to love this part, "BA's memory" - is that the rule did not add the five-year stipulation Smith thought was essential.

So while someone at BA looks for the bylaw (or hastily finally actually writes it, forgive my scepticism but come on now, how hard would it be to produce?) the NBL is waiting.

In the interim, and also because neither Wesley nor Ross were in any way at fault, both were allowed to play at the Blitz.

You are now uptodate.

Here's my prediction.

BA will produce a ruling which says players born in Oceania countries - like those born in Australia and New Zealand - are eligible to play now, conveniently forgetting the five-year stipulation, and yet another chapter of administrative oversight will be swept under the carpet.

Anthony Moore cannot arrive at BA headquarters soon enough!

HERE's a good news story regarding teams in Oceania at News Corp today: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/aussie-indigenous-hoops-stars-take-on-might-of-the-maoris-in-new-australiannz-basketball-challenge/story-fnii09gt-1227070596446 

TOMORROW: New clubs are coming to an NBL venue near you.