The final nail in the coffin came on Wednesday when Premier Daniel Andrew confirmed Melbourne would stay in lockdown until at least September 23.

But while the sudden change of heart from the government seemed to come out of the blue, it was the scenario many sports, including basketball, had been preparing for with a final decision almost a relief.

Basketball Ballarat had been preparing for this scenario for weeks.

Already it had released Miners Jock Perry and Matt Kenyon to their new homes in Tasmania for the NBL season, while Rush player Jasmine Simmons is already in Adelaide, completing home quarantine before she joins up with the Adelaide Crows for the AFLW season.

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It's not quite as straight forward for Rush centre Alicia Froling, who is signed to Canberra for the WNBL season, but is marooned in Ballarat, still not knowing where and when she will be required - or can even travel - to the nation's capital. She has long given up hope of seeing family in Queensland anytime soon.

Basketball Ballarat chief executive officer Neville Ivey said, while disappointing, the announcement allowed the club and the association to take a breath.

"It felt like we were starting to get some momentum on the court in both programs, after the Rush beat top-side Bendigo in their last game. it is disappointing, but we're certainly not surprised the league has taken this decision," he said.

"We were well informed by the league by the process in which they engaged all the clubs with. They were pushing it out on the basis that they were desperate to get the season out, they were really trying everything to do that.

"They were trying their best, but it did stretch out in the end."

Ivey said the club and association would take stock of the wash-up of the year, and he made special mention to sponsors, members, players, employees and volunteers who had done everything they could to see a successful season.

"Everything we do is predicated on getting players on the court, so without being able to do that it's tough, but that's for all sports, not just us," he said.

Ivey said he expects that the new 3-on-3 courts will be up and running by November or December, weather permitting, with a hope it can host a major 3-on-3 event in January. Initially it had been hoped that competition could be held this month, but the COVID delays mean the association now has extra time to finish the building project.

The other question facing the association is the role of Director of Coaching which has been vacated by Brendan Joyce as he takes up a new role in Taiwan during the coming six months.

The club will review its coaching positions and structures in due course as it embarks on what it hopes will be a full 2022 season.