Adelaide 36ers have claimed National Basketball League pre-season glory after winning the NBL Blitz to take home the Loggins-Bruton Cup from Ballarat.
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Adelaide, starting its campaign in Bendigo, defeated reigning champions Melbourne United on Thursday before securing wins against powerhouses Sydney Kings and Perth Wildcats in Ballarat on Saturday and Sunday.
Featuring former Ballarat Miner and now Australian Boomer Nathan Sobey, one of Adelaide’s most impressive displays was its seven-point victory over championship favourites Sydney at the Minerdome.
The game featured Australia’s NBA champion Andrew Bogut, who collected six points, six rebounds and two assists for the Kings during his time on the court.
Melbourne United started its weekend in Ballarat with a thrilling six-point victory over the Brisbane Bullets.
The game brought back Melbourne’s Craig Moller, Peter Hooley and Sam Short, formerly Ballarat Miners teammates in South East Australian Basketball League, to the Minerdome.
There were also plenty of Australian and international talent on display during the contest including Olympians David Barlow and Chris Goulding, star of the NBL Casper Ware and former NBA players DJ Kennedy and Alonzo Gee – who has played more than 400 games for Washington, San Antonio, Cleveland, Denver, Portland and New Orleans.
On Sunday, the Kings decided to rest their star player with Bogut on the bench as Brisbane defeated Sydney by 10 points at the Minerdome.