WWC: Talbot, Wilson strike for Opals
A GRITTY 70-54 opening night FIBA Women's World Cup win by Australia over Puerto Rico has been overshadowed by fears over a leg injury to starting power forward/centre Alanna Smith in the first half of a game much tougher than the final scoreline in Berlin implies. It took some Steph Talbot-Alex Wilson magic to seal this one.
Milton monsters 36ers' fairytale start at Blitz
THE NBL Blitz today in Bendigo delivered several inspired individual performances, notably from Tyrell Harrison, Max Mackinnon and Taran Armstrong before Milton Doyle went "Milton the Monster" mode to savage Adelaide's hopes of opening the new Trevor Gleeson era with a victory.
New faces, old woes open NBL Blitz
THE NBL's paid talking heads keep telling us how important the preseason Blitz tournament is but quickly now, who won it two years ago? (If you actually know the answer, congratulations. You're amid a select few.) What IS important is seeing teams and new faces having a run in Bendigo after weeks of slugging it out at training.
Blitz rule trials threaten game's integrity
SECOND best league in the world? That's how the NBL consistently likes to (erroneously) position itself. Anyone who knows world basketball, knows that bold claim has zero substance but it's even more strongly reinforced when the league foreshadows "rule" changes that would turn games into a mockery. Tassie coach Scott Roth said as much.
Sun to Shine On Crocs - Part 3 (Crocodile Rock)
IT is an argument worthy of the debate likely to come from Geelong Supercat supporters that the defunct Townsville Crocodiles - initially the Suns - remain the best NBL club never to have won a championship before its untimely demise. The ultimate vision of inaugural coach Mark Bragg may stay unfulfilled but what a journey.
Be Like Mike? No, not this Jordan
OUTSTANDING early defensive pressure featuring double-teams and great rotations tonight in Manila drove Australia's FIBA World Cup qualifying record to 8-0, Anthony Dell'Orso leading the scoring in a 126-93 win over Jordan which was more comfortable than the officiating made it appear.
Pepper spray blinds Syria in FIBA rout
AUSTRALIA's latest iteration of its national men's team, our "B for Boomers", last night turned Syria into a sandy wasteland with a 123-64 rout at Manila's Mall of Asia Arena, bolstering their FIBA World Cup qualifying record to 7-0 behind a relentless long-range Elijah Pepper bombardment.
No 'Play it Again Sami' but Amoore to step up
PERTH Lynx have landed on their feet ahead of the 2026-27 WNBL season, today announcing they have replaced injured superstar Sami Whitcomb with Ballarat-born Washington Mystics WNBA starter Georgia Amoore. Also forced out of the Opals' FIBA World Cup campaign next month, Whitcomb is now sidelined for the season.
Sun to Shine on Crocs Again - Part 2

THEY called the Crocodiles' home court The Swamp in Townsville and on this balmy Saturday night, it swallowed up the years of gruelling unattractive mudball being played across the National Basketball League, making a splash to be felt nationwide.
WNBL rule trials more gimmick than substance
THERE'S a massive difference between innovation, innovation for innovation's sake and gimmickry ... and sadly this time the WNBL has confused the trio as it "trials" three possible rule changes at its preseason tournament in Townsville. Justin Nelson? Sorry buddy, this time you got it wrong.

