The North will host three professional teams in 2019, with New Zealand NBL outfit Southern Huskies joining the North-West Thunder and traditional favourites Launceston Tornadoes in playing home games in Launceston. 

The Huskies and Tornadoes had twice been scheduled to play on the same night in Launceston when the NZ NBL roster was released earlier this month, raising concerns the teams would detract from each other's fan base. 

But the two teams have since come to an arrangement which will see Launceston host a run of three games on the first weekend in April and the last weekend in June. 

"We’re really impressed with our abilities to work together and work through a potential challenge," Torns president Janie Finlay said.

"We both approached it with what’s in the best interest for both our clubs, Northern Tasmania and basketball.

"By Torns playing on Friday nights people from all corners of the state can come to Launceston and watch the Torns on Friday night - an amazing set of of games with the [North-West Thunder] double headers.

"Then they can hang out and experience Launceston on the Saturday - maybe experience the Harvest Market, head up to the Gorge and then to the Silverdome on the Saturday night and see the Southern Huskies."

Huskies chief operating officer Mike Sutton also backed the North to get behind two complementary basketball experiences.

"Tasmanians unite against the rest - for us that’s the catchcry," he said.

"We know that we’re going to be bringing a really big game and show to town with the Southern Huskies playing in a really strong New Zealand NBL, there’s some really big names from Europeans to Americans and lots of really tough Kiwis."

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