Basketball ACT says it's focused on building a pathway towards the Australian NBL rather than testing their talent overseas despite a report suggesting they were preparing to join the New Zealand competition.
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New Zealand's NBL media reported Canberra was one of two Australian bids who had expressed interest in the competition's expansion.
But Basketball ACT have denied expressing interest in crossing the Tasman and are focused on building their relationship with Australian NBL franchise Illawarra Hawks.
The Hawks played a game against Cairns at the AIS Arena in January. It was the first NBL game in Canberra in 10 years and the Wollongong-based club is keen to form a longer-term relationship to play games in the capital.
"We are not aware of any conversations around Canberra joining the NZ NBL and are continuing to strengthen our relationship with the Illawarra Hawks," Basketball ACT said in a statement.
"It appears from the item that the focus is on the Canberra Gunners following last years decision by Basketball Australia to walk away from the South East Australian Basketball League which led to the Gunners playing in the NSW Waratahs league this year."
New Zealand NBL revealed their governing body is working with six official franchises who are interested in joining the expanding league in 2020.
General Manager Justin Nelson said Franklin Basketball in South Auckland, Basketball Otago and an entity out of Canberra are preparing their formal bids.
"We currently have six prospective franchises in play for a spot in the NBL next season, three of which have now publicly spoken about their desire to join this growing competition," Nelson said in a statement.
"We've been very transparent through this process, however we fully respect the commercial aspects of each entity and the confidentiality that is required."
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The governing body is expected to accept between one and three bids based on the league's 2023 growth strategy.
Meanwhile there are two players from Basketball ACT who are in the mix to be selected for the FIBA under-19s World Cup. Isabelle Bourne and Ashlee Hannan will attend the Gems' final selection camp at Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence from May 30 to June 2.