Basketball On The Internet.

TASMANIA's best player from the NBL1 competition will give the state a window into what is to come when the second-tier league suits a locals-driven All Star team in the NBL Blitz next month. 

The annual preseason tournament brings all nine NBL clubs together and Tassie basketball fans can catch the elite-level action live in Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and Ulverstone from September 19-22.

It gives the state a chance to rally behind the NBL and continue to build on exciting plans to again have a competitive team in the league.

“This is a great opportunity to bring world-class basketball to Tasmania and engage with local communities across the whole state," NBL owner Larry Kestelman said.

"We are also excited to showcase some of the stars of NBL1 with its own team for the Blitz, including local Tasmanian players and coaches.

“We look forward to having capacity crowds at all venues and Tasmanians getting behind the NBL and our push for a Tasmanian team in the league in the coming seasons.

“There’s never been a more exciting time for Australian basketball and we’re delighted to partner with the Tasmanian Government to bring all of our teams and players here next month.”

The NBL1 All Stars will tip off the Blitz against Brisbane Bullets in Ulverstone, before also facing the Cairns Taipans in Launceston.

It will mark the first time Tasmanian fans will have a local "NBL" team to cheer for since Hobart Tassie Devils bowed out of the league in 1996.

Launceston Casino City won the championship in 1981.

“We are excited that the NBL Blitz is coming to Tasmania, in particular that the event will be a truly statewide event with games played in Devonport, Ulverstone, Launceston and two venues in Hobart," Tasmania's Deputy Premier and Sport and Reacreation Minister Jeremy Rockliff said. (That's him below, with Larry Kestelman.)

“The Government believes that our support of the NBL Blitz is both an outstanding opportunity to expose Tasmania’s brand on a national and international stage but also an excellent vehicle to test the State’s appetite for high-level basketball content while we consider the proposal to base a team in Tasmania full time.”

There it is Tasmania, in black-and-white. Get out and support your NBL1 team and the NBL in general and you won't have to wait another 23 years to have regular action in your state.

THE DRAW:

SESSION 1 - Thursday, Sept.19 - ULVERSTONE SPORTS & LEISURE CENTRE

6pm Brisbane Bullets V NBL1 ALL STARS

8pm Cairns Taipans V Adelaide 36ers

SESSION 2 - Friday, Sept.20 - KINGBOROUGH SPORTS CENTRE

6pm Illawarra Hawks V Perth Wildcats

8pm Melbourne United V New Zealand Breakers

SESSION 3 - Friday, Sept.20 - DEVONPORT RECREATION CENTRE

730pm South East Melboiurne Phoenix V Sydney Kings

SESSION 4 - Saturday, Sept.21 - LAUNCESTON SILVERDOME

5.30pm Cairns Taipans V NBL1 ALL STARS

7.30pm Adelaide 36ers V Brisbane Bullets

SESSION 5 - Sunday, Sept.22 - DERWENT ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

10am South East Melbourne Phoenix V New Zealand Breakers

SESSION 6 - Sunday, Sept.22 - DERWENT ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

1pm Perth Wildcats V Sydney Kings

3pm Dunk Contest & 3-Point Comp

4pm Melbourne United V Illawarra Hawks