Auckland is the front runner to host another condensed basketball championship - this time for the country's top women's players.
Tall Fern Ella Fotu Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Six basketball teams will battle for the national title in a condensed championship format that has been put in place following Covid-19 disruptions.
The tournament will be known as NBL 18IN18, referring to the event's 18 games being played in 18 days.
The Women's Basketball Championship defending champions Auckland Dream alongside the Canterbury Wildcats, Capital Swish, Harbour Breeze, Otago Gold Rush and Waikato Wizards will take part in the tournament to be held in a yet to be determined location.
Like the men's NBL Showdown, the season will be based at one venue with teams either staying together or travelling in and out, depending on the restrictions in place at the time.
League general manager Justin Nelson said the NBL is open to taking the season, which will run from 19 November to 6 December, to any part of the country but did see Auckland as a front runner.
"No doubt Auckland having two teams is a destination we are looking at very very closely and of course everyone in Auckland, all the basketball community, they welcomed us with open arms for the Showdown so we are definitely looking at Auckland once again as being a possible destination."
The competition format is one game a night, with all six teams playing each other once during the season before semi-finals and a grand final.
Having continuous matches over the 18 day period will increase the exposure of women's game, Nelson said.
Tall Ferns assistant coach and Harbour Breeze head coach, Jody Cameron, said the concept is very fan friendly.
"It will be an intriguing season with every team likely to feature some top talent," Cameron said.
Kalani Purcell Photo: Supplied: FIBA
"Last year the Dream took out the WBC championship, but they won't have the Purcell sisters this year. I know Wellington have secured two top players, Canterbury are always strong, as is Waikato and Otago."
Nelson agreed that the race for the title will be wide open, with a full-on schedule that will test teams.
"The enormous success of the men's Showdown in Auckland was great this year, but while that was running we were all talking about getting the 2020 women's season back as well," Nelson said.
"In recent years we have seen a good number of Kiwis playing basketball right across the world, so many of our young players are at college in the United States, others are playing in Australia's WNBL.
"This is a sport that can take players to all parts of the globe and it starts right here in our national league."
Roster announcements are yet to be made, however a number of Tall Ferns are likely to be available.
One of the rising stars tipped to feature strongly is Tall Ferns playmaker Ella Fotu.
"I'm very excited, it's going to be good to get out there and play again, especially after we weren't sure if this season would go ahead or not," Fotu said.
"And it is a cool concept, too. To have games broadcast every night will show all the young girls out there that basketball can take them places."
