NBL Blitz Pre-Season Schedule Confirmed

Basketball is back!

Ahead of Melbourne United’s quest for back-to-back NBL titles, the defending champs will hit the court in the NBL’s pre-season Blitz.

This will be the first opportunity for the world to see Melbourne’s newest recruits, including Matthew Dellavedova, Caleb Agada and Ariel Hukporti.

United are set to play four games, with the first three scheduled at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC), while the final game against the South East Melbourne Phoenix will be played in Parkville.

Melbourne United’s Blitz Pre-Season Schedule:
Saturday 13 November – Melbourne United v NZ Breakers, 5.30pm, MSAC
Monday 15 November – Sydney Kings v Melbourne United, 7.30pm, MSAC
Saturday 20 November – Melbourne United v Illawarra Hawks, 7.30pm, MSAC
Sunday 28 November – South East Melbourne Phoenix v Melbourne United, Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville

View the full Blitz schedule here

Melbourne’s first game will be on November 13 against the New Zealand Breakers, who are looking to bounce back from a difficult 2020-21 season.

Built around the ever-reliable Thomas Abercrombie, the Breakers have bolstered their roster with a trio of exciting international guards in Peyton Siva, Ousmane Dieng and Hugo Besson.

Following this, United will re-spark its rivalry with the Kings, as the Sydney-siders look to get a feel for their new, youthful line-up.

The additions of American sharpshooting duo Jaylen Adams and RJ Hunter will look to jell with big man Jarell Martin, while scouts from around the world will tune in to see Next Stars Makur Maker and Ariel Hukporti battle it out in the paint.

An epic guard matchup is set for Melbourne’s third contest, as Illawarra aims to launch itself into title contention.

Highlighted by Boomers center Duop Reath, the Hawks have brought in past NBA players Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Antonious Cleaveland to support hot scoring guards Tyler Harvey and Justinian Jessup.

Finally, Victorian fans will be treated to a Throwdown preview, as the Phoenix look for a measure of revenge after they were booted from last year’s playoffs by United.

Led once again by Mitch Creek, South East Melbourne will be eager to see how the former NBA duo of Zhou Qi and Xavier Mumford will impact their hopes of stepping out of Melbourne United’s shadow.

While United, Phoenix, Kings, Hawks and Breakers will be playing their pre-season games in Melbourne and Sydney, the Wildcats, Bullets, Taipans, 36ers and JackJumpers will also be playing a series of pre-season games in Glenorchy, Tasmania.

All games are worth a maximum of 7 points; 3 points are awarded to the winning team, with an additional point awarded to the side that wins each quarter. In the event a quarter is tied, both teams receive half of a point. If a game goes into overtime, no additional points are awarded.

The winner of the pre-season tournaments will be awarded the Loggins-Bruton Cup, while the most outstanding player will win the Ray Borner Medal.

At this stage, all games in Victoria will be played behind closed doors and streamed on Kayo Freebies.