What Level Is NBL? Understanding Australia's Top Professional Basketball League
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Why this matters: Over 40 NBL players have signed NBA contracts since 2018, making it a primary pathway for international talent. NBA teams actively scout the NBL for players who excel in fast-paced, physical basketball.
The National Basketball League (NBL) isn’t just Australia’s top pro basketball league - it’s one of the most competitive basketball leagues outside the NBA. If you’ve seen highlights of players like LaMelo Ball, Bryce Cotton, or Jaylen Adams tearing up the court, you’ve probably watched the NBL. But how does it stack up? Is it just a developmental league? Or is it something more?
Where the NBL Fits in Global Basketball
The NBL is officially recognized as a National Basketball League a professional men's basketball league in Australia and New Zealand, founded in 1979 and currently featuring 10 teams. It’s not a minor league. It’s not a summer league. It’s a full-time, professional, year-round competition with real salaries, full-time contracts, and high-level coaching staff.
Think of it like this: the NBL sits just below the NBA in terms of global prestige, but it’s firmly above every other national league in Asia, Oceania, and most of Europe. It’s not a stepping stone - it’s a destination. Many players choose the NBL over European leagues because of better pay, higher visibility, and a faster-paced style of play.
How the NBL Compares to Other Leagues
Let’s put it in perspective. The NBL isn’t the NBA - no league outside the U.S. is. But it’s also not the B.League in Japan or the LNB Pro A in France. Here’s how it stacks up:
| League | Player Quality | Salary Range (USD) | Global Recognition | Player Movement to NBA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBA | Elite | $1M-$50M+ | Worldwide | Primary source |
| NBL | High | $100K-$1.2M | Strong in Asia-Pacific | Consistent pipeline |
| B.League (Japan) | Moderate | $50K-$500K | Regional | Rare |
| LNB Pro A (France) | Moderate-High | $70K-$800K | Strong in Europe | Occasional |
| ACB (Spain) | High | $150K-$1.5M | Strong in Europe | Regular |
The NBL’s sweet spot? It offers NBA-level intensity without the NBA’s overcrowded rosters. Teams play 28 games in the regular season, plus playoffs. The pace is fast, the defense is physical, and the offensive creativity is off the charts. You’ll see more three-pointers per game than in most European leagues - and more isolation plays than in the EuroLeague.
Who Plays in the NBL?
The league’s roster isn’t filled with fringe NBA players trying to stay visible. It’s packed with guys who could start for NBA teams - if they had the right fit.
Look at the last five years:
- LaMelo Ball played one season in the Illawarra Hawks before being drafted 3rd overall in 2020.
- Isaiah Hartenstein spent time in the NBL before becoming a rotation player for the Houston Rockets.
- Bryce Cotton has been the league’s MVP three times - and still gets called up for Australian national team games against Team USA.
- Chase Fischer came from BYU, played in the NBL, then signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz.
And it’s not just Americans. The NBL has become a magnet for top talent from Europe, Latin America, and Africa. Players like Dee Bost (Bulgaria), Yudai Baba (Japan), and Angelo Tsagarakis (France) all chose the NBL over offers from bigger European leagues because of the opportunity to play meaningful minutes and develop their game under high-pressure conditions.
Coaching and Development
The NBL isn’t just about talent - it’s about structure. Coaches in the league often come from NBA staffs. Look at the coaching history: Chad Buchanan (formerly of the Phoenix Suns), Mike Kelly (ex-NBA assistant), and Justin Tatum (son of NBA legend Dwyane Wade) all bring NBA-level systems into the league.
Teams invest heavily in analytics. Every NBL team has a dedicated video coordinator, performance analyst, and sports scientist. The league’s average player height is 6’5”, with guards averaging 6’1” - taller than most European leagues. That’s because the game is built for spacing, transition, and athleticism. It’s not a half-court grind. It’s a sprint.
The NBA Connection
Since 2018, over 40 NBL players have signed NBA contracts. That’s more than any other international league outside of the EuroLeague. The NBA has taken notice. Teams now send scouts to NBL games regularly. The league even has a direct partnership with the NBA’s G League, allowing for player swaps and joint training camps.
When the NBA lockout happened in 2011, over 20 NBA players went to the NBL. When the 2020 season was shortened, NBA teams sent their two-way players to the NBL for seasoning. That’s not a coincidence. That’s strategy.
Why the NBL Isn’t Just a ‘Stepping Stone’
Some people still think the NBL is a place where NBA prospects go to wait. That’s outdated. Today, it’s a place where players go to prove they belong.
Take Josh Green - he played two seasons in the NBL before being drafted 18th overall in 2020. He didn’t go there to get noticed. He went there because he wanted to play against men, not teenagers. He wanted to be the best player on the floor every night. He got that.
Same with Kevin Lisch. He spent 10 seasons in the NBL, won 4 championships, and was named league MVP. He never played in the NBA - and he didn’t need to. He built a legacy.
The NBL doesn’t care if you’re from the U.S., Australia, or Nigeria. It cares if you can score, defend, and lead. That’s why it’s not just a league - it’s a proving ground.
What’s Next for the NBL?
In 2025, the NBL expanded to 10 teams with the addition of the Canberra Gunners and Adelaide Skyhawks. There’s talk of a second division, a women’s league expansion, and even a potential NBL-NBA hybrid tournament. The league’s TV deal with ESPN Australia now reaches over 12 million households.
The NBL isn’t trying to be the NBA. It’s trying to be better than everything else. And right now, it’s succeeding.
Is the NBL better than European basketball leagues?
It depends on what you’re looking for. The NBL plays faster, with more emphasis on athleticism and three-point shooting. European leagues like the EuroLeague or ACB are more tactical, with structured half-court sets. The NBL has more NBA-level athleticism, while European leagues have deeper bench depth and more international talent. For players aiming for the NBA, the NBL often offers a clearer path.
Can you make a living playing in the NBL?
Absolutely. Top players make between $600,000 and $1.2 million USD per season. Even role players earn $100,000-$300,000, which is more than most players make in top European leagues. The league also provides housing, travel, and health insurance - making it one of the most financially stable pro leagues outside the NBA.
Do NBA teams scout the NBL?
Yes, and heavily. Every NBA team has at least one scout assigned to the NBL. The league is now a primary source for international talent, especially for players who need to prove they can handle physical, fast-paced play. Teams like the Lakers, Celtics, and Suns have all signed players directly from the NBL in the past five years.
Is the NBL only for Australian players?
No. Only 30% of players are Australian. The rest come from the U.S., New Zealand, Canada, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The league actively recruits American guards and forwards who didn’t get drafted or lost their NBA spot. It’s a global league with Australian roots.
How does the NBL compare to the G League?
The G League has more NBA affiliate teams and better resources, but the NBL has higher overall talent density. G League rosters are filled with two-way players and rookies. The NBL has proven veterans, MVP-caliber players, and former NBA starters. The NBL is more like a mid-tier EuroLeague - but with more NBA-style pace and scoring.
Final Thoughts
If you’re wondering whether the NBL is worth watching - it’s not just worth it. It’s essential. It’s where future NBA stars are born. It’s where legends like Bryce Cotton cement their legacies. And it’s where basketball fans outside the U.S. get to see elite, unfiltered basketball every night.
The NBL isn’t a stepping stone. It’s a stage. And the players on it aren’t waiting for their shot - they’re already taking it.
