NBL rules change boosts Singaporean team

A change to the National Basketball League’s (NBL) rules regarding import players will make it easier for the Philips Championship’s first Asian team, the Singapore Slingers, to be able to field local players in their team roster.

The NBL has reached an agreement with FIBA, Basketball Australia (BA) and the Basketball Association of Singapore (BAS) which will allow Singaporean players to play on the Slingers roster as non-restricted (ie: non-import) players.

NBL Commissioner Rick Burton said the rule change was crucial for ensuring the Slingers were able to offer aspirational playing opportunities to young Singaporeans who showed themselves to be capable of playing at Philips Championship level.

“In order to allow the Slingers to really connect with the Singaporean public, it was absolutely essential for their team to be able to let local players participate in the league as non-imports,” said Burton.

“We are very grateful to FIBA, BAS and BA for working closely with the NBL and the Slingers to make this happen.”

Slingers Managing Director Bob Turner said the rule change was a positive move for his team.

“We’re committed as an organisation to the nurturing of local talent and now there is a distinct pathway in place for the best Singaporean players to earn a berth on our team,” said Turner.

“This is the best possible outcome for the Slingers and for Singaporean basketball. There were comments made about Singapore players being allowed to play on our roster when the announcement was made on the 14th of March that we were being allowed into the Philips Championship. The NBL has now settled those comments.”

Under the new accord with BA and FIBA, the change only allows Singaporean players to compete as non-restricted players on the Slingers team, but not the other 11 teams in the Philips Championship.