NBL giant set to explode

NBL owner Larry Kestelman says the “sleeping giant’’ of basketball is “awake’’ and set to boom.

A bullish Kestelman said yesterday at the NBL season launch in Melbourne that the rejuvenated competition was set to build on the bumper crowds and TV ratings from last year as well as three historic exhibition games against NBA teams next month.

Brisbane open their season away to Perth on October 7 and will play one game on the Gold Coast on October 28 against Melbourne United.