hoopie
Years ago
It wouldn't matter if they lost most games; it would be all about the experience.
And does anyone know the background to why they play in the WNBL but not the NBL?
KingJames
Years ago
They would lose every game! Fans wouldn't want to come out to watch them get killed every week.
It might be a good idea for them to have a training with every NBL team though. Might be a bit too expensive however if these players were obligated to give some money back when they are making a living out of basketball then this would be fine.
Isaac
Years ago
They would get thrashed, week after week. What's wrong with them playing SEABL? Closer to their level, lower costs, etc.
aisguy
Years ago
Most of the players are full-time students, many in high school. Professional Basketball scheduling would not suit. Ratio of training to games at the AIS used to be 5-1 (5 sessions for each game). for Professionals it's more like 2-1, in the NBA even less. AIS entering an NBL team would not work.
The womens program is a different kettle of fish, allowances are made based on the fact that Australia is considered a world leader in womens hoops. Places for womens basketball scholarships at the AIS are infinately harder to get than for the men.
AIS want to play all the overseas tournaments that interfere with the SEABL schedule. That's where their priorities are. Not in Autralia. Shame they lost their fcous.
Isaac
Years ago
Wouldn't their utmost focus be preparing players for the international stage?
dude
Years ago
The reason why women AIS play in the WNBL and men play (played) in the SEABL is due to development. Girls develop faster than boys so a 16-18 year old girl can be somewhat competitive against a grown women, while a 16-18 year old boy would not have much chance against a grown man.
In saying that the AIS womens team have struggled in the WNBL - almsot since the Jackson/Taylor/Batkovic/other superstars on that team. Id even prefer the women to play SEABL where they would be a good team.
alexkrad
Years ago
Not unless they are a viable option at being a sustainable NBL team, which they wouldnt be. They shouldnt be granted an exception to the NBL rules just because.
SEABL fine but not NBL, no offence but it would drag the league down.
I think one of the other differences between the womens and the mens programs is that female develop and mature a lot quicker than males. Hence the womens AIS players are better equiped physically to compete against adult women where the mens AIS team take a lot longer to physically develop.
It's more that women dont develop as much as men, not so much that they develop faster.
natwhereyouat
Years ago
I'd prefer to see a normal NBL team (Cannons) Re-enter the NBL. But that won't happen this side of 10 years, if ever.
they should come back into the league as the ais cannons and have the best aussie players under 23.
HoldenV8
Years ago
Have to agree with everyone about the AIS getting thrashed every week in the NBL (though they may pull a few surprises if they did play).
I also agree with natwhereyouat that it would be better having a team from Canberra that isn't the AIS. They already have a 5,200 arena ready to use (even though the AIS Arena is now 31 years old) but I also can't see it happening, at least not for another 5-10 years.
Alexkrad
Years ago
They pulled out of seabl because they play in too many international tournaments which disrupts the seabl season too much. And it is where they should focus on anyway
They should be playing regular basketball in Australia. Not the 2 - 3 tournamens a year overseas. Wrong focus.
hoopie
Years ago
I agree that their focus should be on the local scene.
Unless BA is trying to get as many youngsters overseas as possible, because there aren't many opportunities in the NBL.
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An Australian basketball forum covering NBL, WNBL, ABL, Juniors plus NBA, WNBA, NZ, Europe, etc | Forum time is: 6:37 pm, Mon 17 Feb 2025 | Posts: 968,026 | Last 7 days: 754
