Every game of the upcoming 2020-21 NBL season will again be LIVE, FREE and in HD via , with select games also live on SBS VICELAND.
One reason you won't want to miss the season opener is that an 18-year-old Australian prodigy - son of a two-time NBL champion - will be in action.
Josh Giddey is the first Australian to be a part of the NBL Next Stars program - the program that saw LaMelo Ball come to Australia and light up the competition in 12 matches for the Illawarra Hawks.
Ball has since gone on to join Michael Jordan at Charlotte Hornets after being picked third in the 2020 NBA draft.
The 19-year-old has already impressed in his short period in the league, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double.
NBA scouts’ eyes will turn to Giddey to see if the Aussie can follow in Ball’s footsteps - or even exceed them.
Giddey was born in Melbourne in 2002 - his father Warrick Giddey played 449 games in the NBL, winning two championships - including one in 1993 with Dave Simmons, the father of NBA and Boomers star Ben Simmons.
In February 2020, the now 6 foot 8-inch point-guard became the youngest player since Simmons to play for the Boomers - recording 11 points, six assists, and three rebounds.
Giddey has impressed in a number of junior tournaments but will likely make his senior debut on Friday night when he suits up for the Adelaide 36ers.
In a pre-season game against Cairns Taipans last Saturday, showed no signs of being overawed by playing against men - recording 13 points, seven assists, and two rebounds in 28 mins.
Basketball writer and broadcaster Liam Santamaria couldn’t contain his excitement when discussing Giddey on NBL Overtime.
“Make no mistake, Josh Giddey is like the LaMelo Ball lite!” Santamaria said, much to former NBL star Corey ‘Homicide’ Williams’ joy.
“I love his aggressiveness. Big point-guard. Can see over the defence. Can get to the rim. If he can start knocking them down consistently he’s going to be even more and more impressive.
“Adelaide are must watch TV because of that kid right now.”
Williams said he had spoken to Giddey in the off-season.
“If you apply yourself every day - look at what just happened to the two young men prior to you. Six months can change your life. Take advantage of this opportunity, of this window. It closes faster than it opens. Take advantage,” Williams said.
It will be a baptism of fire for Giddey against the team his father won championships with.
Melbourne are favourites, with many considering them to have the best roster from top to bottom in the league.
On top of that, Williams tipped coach Dean Vickerman to take out coach of the year.
“This is the best team he (Vickerman) has had since winning the championship. I know he knows it and I know they (the players) know it and feel it," he said.
“This is going to be the year that they are going to have the most success in the regular season that they’ve had - even (more than) in their (2018) championship run, I believe that. And it’s because he is at the helm.”
