A decade after rescuing the NBL,Larry Kestelman is facing off against team owners in a fight led by an American billionaire and Donald Trump appointee.
The five-time league MVP knocked back a contract offer from Perth that reportedly would have made him the highest-paid player in NBL history.
The Illawarra Hawks beat Melbourne Utd 114-104 in Wollongong in the decisive fifth match to clinch an epic victory,but there was another twist to come.
Billionaire NBL owner Larry Kestelman has been urged to step down from the league amid a hostile takeover bid from an Illawarra Hawks owner who has close ties to Donald Trump.
The NBL championship series will go to a deciding fifth game after the injury-hit Illawarra Hawks pulled off a remarkable 80-71 win over Melbourne United.
With his team’s NBL title hopes hanging by a thread against Melbourne United,Justin Tatum claims it’s “blatantly obvious” Illawarra get poorly treated compared to their rivals.
Star imports Tyler Harvey and Trey Kell recovered from poor game-one showings to lead the Hawks to a thrilling 102-100 victory at John Cain Arena on Wednesday night.
The New Orleans Pelicans will make a historic trip to Melbourne in October,and Josh Giddey and his Chicago Bulls,and WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark,could be next.
The deal between the NBA,the NBL and the Victorian government comes as the NBL collaborates with rap mogul Ice Cube to promote his Big3 basketball league.
With three NBA championship winners on their team,Melbourne United’s quest for an Australian title can call upon the experience that was picked up playing alongside greats such as Stephen Curry,Nikola Jokic and LeBron James.