Scouts across from most NBA clubs will jettison in this week to stare down a talent pool that Tasmania has never witnessed before.
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The fuss has been created over American 18-year-olds LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton, who both opted out of playing US college ball for the NBL in Australia to fast-track their game's development against bigger bodies.
Ball, whose brother Lonzo Ball was drafted No.2 overall by LA Lakers in 2017 and since traded to New Orleans Pelicans, grabbed even further worldwide traction after his preseason debut for Illawarra Hawks was viewed by more than one million views.
That sort of attention has also attracted no less than 27 NBA scouts that will head to Launceston, Hobart, Kingborough, Devonport and Ulverstone for the NBL Blitz.
"It's fantastic that so many NBA clubs are showing their endorsement of the calibre of our next stars, but I also know that our local talent is going to make them sit up and pay attention," NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger told The Examiner.
"This is one of the key drivers of the Next Stars program: to attract new eyes to the league and for our young Australians to get the chance to be identified as some of the best developing talent in the world."
It is the first time the NBL Blitz preseason series has visited the state. The push is part of plans to establish a new Tasmanian NBL side for the first time since 1996.
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Loeliger believed the four days of 10 games starting on Thursday will put Tasmania back on the basketball map.
"There is unprecedented interest in this week's NBL Blitz in Tasmania," he said.
"We have had a bigger than usual number of requests from NBA teams, who are keen to come down and watch our NBL players.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for the NBL and shows the global interest in the league, but also tremendous exposure for Tasmania."
To celebrate the visit, the NBL will conduct 21 school visits on Wednesday that will include eight in Launceston.
Adelaide 36ers, Brisbane Bullets, Cairns Taipans and the NBL1 All-stars featuring several Tasmanians will also appear in Launceston's Brisbane Street Mall on Friday.
NBL Blitz preseason
Thursday
6pm: Brisbane Bullets v NBL1 All Stars (Ulverstone SC)
8pm: Cairns Taipans v Adelaide 36ers (Ulverstone SC)
Friday
6pm: Illawarra Hawks v Perth Wildcats (Kingborough SC)
8pm: Melbourne United v NZ Breakers (Kingborough SC)
7.30pm: SEM Phoenix v Sydney Kings (Devonport SC)
Saturday
5.30pm: Cairns Taipans v NBL1 All Stars (The Silverdome)
7.30pm: Adelaide 36ers v Brisbane Bullets (The Silverdome)
Sunday
10am: SEM Phoenix v NZ Breakers (DEC)
1pm: Perth Wildcats v Sydney Kings (DEC)
4pm: Melbourne United v Illawarra Hawks (DEC)
- Tickets: www.nbl.com.au/blitz
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