Before it gets to tuck into an NBL feast, Tasmania is being offered an entree this weekend when the league's pre-season competition envelopes the state.
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The NBL Blitz features Australia's best home-based players including Tasmanian internationals Adam Gibson, Chris Goulding and Lucas Walker.
With league boss Larry Kestelman adamant that Tassie should be granted the competition's next licence, the state is being handed a golden opportunity to get a taste of what could be on offer and demonstrate whether the public support exists for such a concept.
In addition to the 10 matches being played at five locations by the league's nine teams plus the NBL1 All-Stars, the competition's stars are conducting a busy schedule of public appearances to engage with their new audience.
Kestelman, Gibson and other South East Melbourne Phoenix players will be meeting Tasmania's next generation of players at Riverside Primary School on Thursday afternoon.
And on Friday players from Adelaide 36ers, Brisbane Bullets, Cairns Taipans and the NBL1 All-Stars will be in Launceston's Brisbane Street Mall to sign autographs, pose for selfies and meet fans.
As supporters head off to Ulverstone, Kingborough, Devonport, Launceston and Hobart, here is an overview of who to look out for.
Adelaide 36ers
Coach: Joey Wright
Star players: Daniel Johnson, Harry Froling, Anthony Drmic
New arrivals: Daniel Dillon, Obi Kyei, Kevin White, Eric Griffin, Deshon Taylor
Last season: 14-14, missed finals
Prospect: Defensive-minded team looking to get back into the playoffs
Brisbane Bullets
Coach: Andrej Lemanis
Star players: Lamar Patterson, Nathan Sobey, Cam Gliddon
New arrivals: Nathan Sobey, Taylor Braun, EJ Singler
Last season: 14-14, knocked out in semi-finals
Prospect: Always hard to beat under the guidance of Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis
Cairns Taipans
Coach: Mike Kelly
Star players: Nate Jawai, DJ Newbill, Majok Deng
New arrivals: George Blagojevic, Majok Deng, Mirko Djeric, Anthony Fisher, Kouat Noi, Cameron Oliver, Scott Machado
Last season: 6-22, finished bottom
Prospect: Looking to improve on disappointing season
Illawarra Hawks
Coach: Matt Flinn
Star players: Todd Blanchfield, AJ Ogilvy, LaMelo Ball
New arrivals: Sunday Dech, Sam Froling, Josh Boone, Aaron Brooks, LaMelo Ball
Last season: 12-16, missed playoffs
Prospect: Basketball world will be watching 2020 NBA draft prospect LaMelo Ball
Melbourne United
Coach: Dean Vickerman
Star players: Chris Goulding, Mitch McCarron, Casey Prather
New arrivals: Jo Lual-Acuil, Shea Ili, Shawn Long, Casey Prather, Melo Trimble
Last season: 18-10, lost grand final
Prospect: On paper perhaps the most talented team in the league
New Zealand Breakers
Director of basketball: Dan Shamir
Star players: Corey Webster, Tom Abercrombie, RJ Hampton
New arrivals: Rob Loe, Ater Majok, Scotty Hopson, Sek Henry, Chris Obekpa, RJ Hampton
Last season: 12-16, missed playoffs
Prospect: Like the Hawks, will have plenty of international eyes watching 2020 NBA draft prospect RJ Hampton
Perth Wildcats
Coach: Trevor Gleeson
Star players: Bryce Cotton, Terrico White, Nick Kay
New arrivals: Majok Majok, Dario Hunt
Last season: 18-10, NBL champions
Prospect: Have made the finals in 33 straight seasons. Looking to win back-to-back championships
South East Melbourne Phoenix
Coach: Simon Mitchell
Star players: Mitch Creek, Tai Wesley, Adam Gibson
New arrivals: Deng Acuoth, Kyle Adnam, Mitch Creek, Adam Gibson, Ben Madgen, Dane Pineau, Kendall Stephens, Dan Trist, John Roberson, Tai Wesley, Keith Benson, Terry Armstrong
Last season: N/A (new team)
Prospect: Looking to make a statement with marquee player Mitch Creek in team's inaugural NBL season
Sydney Kings
Coach: Will Weaver
Star players: Andrew Bogut, Casper Ware, Kevin Lisch
New arrivals: Shaun Bruce, Jordan Hunter, Kuany Kuany, Craig Moller, Lucas Walker, Casper Ware, Jae'Sean Tate, Didi Louzada
Last season: 18-10, lost semi-final
Prospect: Superstar duo Bogut and Ware look to lead Kings to first championship since 2005
Schedule
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 (Silverdome)
7.30pm: Adelaide 36ers v Brisbane Bullets (Silverdome)
Sunday
10am: SEM Phoenix v NZ Breakers (Derwent Entertainment Centre)
1pm: Perth Wildcats v Sydney Kings (DEC)
4pm: Melbourne United v Illawarra Hawks (DEC)
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