NBA eyes turn to NBL Blitz

The NBA’s magnifying glass will focus in on the Gold Coast in mid-September when several scouts get a first-hand look at this season’s Next Stars at the NBL Blitz.

Four Next Stars - AJ Johnson, Alexandre Sarr, Bobi Klintman and Mantas Rubstavicius – are projected to be 2024 draft picks according to ESPN, and the Blitz will provide fans and scouts with the first look at them on an NBL court.

With fellow Next Stars Ariel Hukporti, Alex Toohey and Rocco Zikarsky also on NBA radars, along with the raft of talented imports and locals in the competition, the Blitz presents a chance to impress in front of NBA scouts.

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NBL CEO David Stevenson revealed a high number of scouts are expected to travel to the Gold Coast, which further solidifies the growing connection and link between the two leagues.

“At the Blitz we are going to have well over 15 NBA scouts coming out to watch Australia’s best players play. That gives us great confidence that those links are very strong with the NBA,” Stevenson told Sport FM.

The Blitz has become a common meeting place for NBA scouts over recent years, as the entire NBL world descends in the same location for a week.

This year’s Blitz tips off on September 16 and concludes on September 22 prior to the opening round of the NBL24 season.

The opening round of the regular season is slated for Thursday, September 28 when Melbourne United clash with local rivals South East Melbourne.

For more information on the upcoming Blitz click here.