NBL Indigenous Round returns to honour players, artists and communities

Joseph Guenzler Published October 23, 2025 at 3.30pm (AWST)

sport

NBL's Indigenous Round tips off on Thursday with new designs for each club. (Image: Cairns Taipans)

The National Basketball League (NBL) and Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) will recognise the history, culture and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through Indigenous Round, beginning this week.

The round highlights Australian basketball's connection with Indigenous communities, with every club wearing jerseys designed by Indigenous artists.

Each design tells a story that reflects identity, heritage and the shared spirit of the game.

The NBL Indigenous Round begins on Thursday, October 23, with the New Zealand Breakers facing the Brisbane Bullets at Spark Arena, followed by South East Melbourne Phoenix taking on the Sydney Kings at John Cain Arena.

The WNBL Indigenous Round starts on Friday, October 24, with the Sydney Flames playing the Southside Melbourne Flyers at Quaycentre.

*Brisbane Bullets jersey designed by Kunja woman, Cassie Dover. (Image: Brisbane Bullets)*

Gunai Kurnai man and Koorie Academy Director Uncle Ricky Baldwin said the round honours culture and provides important recognition.

"Today is the start of the 2026 NBL Indigenous Round so we celebrate the oldest living culture in the world and it's great to see so many talented artists across Australia getting an opportunity to design the jerseys," he said.

Uncle Ricky said it was also an opportunity to acknowledge Indigenous players making an impact in the league.

"It's a round to celebrate our deadly athletes... Illawarra has four athletes in Will Hickey, Biwali Bayles, Kobe McDowell White and Johnny Narkle so it's worth celebrating the importance of that," he said.

"The students from ABA in South Australia design the Adelaide 36ers jersey.

"So that's again that's great that they're getting that opportunity to let the students design a jersey to empower them."

NBL Group CEO David Stevenson said the round was one of the most important on the calendar as it celebrates culture, storytelling and representation.

"Indigenous Round continues to remind us that sport has the power to unite and educate," Mr Stevenson said.

The NBL's Reconciliation Action Plan focuses on creating more opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at all levels of the game.

A specially designed Spalding basketball will again be used throughout the round, featuring artwork titled 'Flowing Unity' by Wiradjuri man Luke Penrith.

The design represents rivers, creeks and waterways that connect communities across Australia.

*'Flowing Unity' NBL Basketball design by Luke Penrith. (Image: Supplied)*

Referees in both leagues will also wear Indigenous designs.

The NBL uniforms feature the "Yeeram Nyoo - Just One More Day" artwork by Abe Knox and Nathan Patterson, which honours the late Abe Knox and raises awareness of youth mental health.

The WNBL referees' uniforms feature Noongar woman Kirby Bently's design 'The mark we leave, the role we play.'

WNBL Chief Executive Officer Jennie Sager said the league was proud to highlight the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in basketball.

"This year's Indigenous Round is especially meaningful as we unveil our inaugural Indigenous Artwork, a powerful piece that reflects the unity, connection and strength of women's basketball across Australia."

Tickets are available through the NBL and WNBL websites and both rounds will be broadcast live on ESPN.

Special Indigenous Round jerseys are available now through the NBL and WNBL stores.