How NBL draft works

The historic draft for the New Zealand national basketball league is already drawing big interest from players ahead of registration.

The NBL’s management has worked through the compliances under the coronavirus restrictions to set up a seven-team league that will tip off in Auckland on June 23.

The Auckland Huskies, Canterbury Rams, Franklin Bulls, Manawatu Jets, Nelson Giants, Otago Nuggets and Taranaki Mountainairs will play up to three games per week, over six weeks in the

2020 Sal’s NBL.

With the teams wanting an even spread of talent, a draft has been set up to find the 84 players required for action.

General Manager Justin Nelson explained to Stuff how the draft would work with registrations opening next Monday and closing on June

5. The draft is planned for June 11.

Registrations are open to any Kiwi or international player currently residing in New Zealand. Kiwis residing in Australia will also be allowed to register, but must adhere to quarantine regulations when they arrive in New Zealand.

‘‘Since the announcement of the league yesterday I’ve now had 21 emails from New Zealanders wanting to register for the draft,’’ Nelson said yesterday.

‘‘I don’t know the abilities of all those players but it shows the fascination with the whole draft concept. We expect many of New Zealand’s best players and rising stars to be part of the competition.’’

With the coronavirus pandemic still gripping much of the globe, Nelson said their research suggested New Zealand’s NBL might be ‘‘the only competition that Kiwis will be able to play anywhere around the world in 2020’’.