Media release – NBL, 13 June 2024
JACKJUMPERS GO GLOBAL AT FIBA INTERCONTINENTAL CUP
The Tasmania JackJumpers’ hunt for more silverware will head overseas, with the NBL champions to become the first Oceania team to compete in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup in Singapore in September.
The JackJumpers inclusion will see the FIBA Intercontinental Cup reach a new milestone with contenders from five continents involved for the first time in the history of club basketball competitions.
“The rapid evolution of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup into a truly global competition, that now encompasses all five FIBA regions, underlines our commitment to shaping international club competitions,” FIBA Secretary General, Andreas Zagklis, said.
“The inclusion of Oceania is the culmination of a process in that direction, which started with Africa and Asia, and fulfils the boldest vision the FIBA family had when this competition was born, nearly 60 years ago.”
The FIBA Intercontinental Cup started in 1966 as a competition that featured only clubs from the Americas and Europe. In 2022, the tournament was held in Cairo, Egypt, and included an African club for the first time. Last September, in Singapore, the event expanded to include Asian clubs.
“It is an honour and privilege to have our 2024 champions, the Tasmania JackJumpers, invited to play in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup,” NBL COO and Head of Basketball Operations, Vince Crivelli, said.
“Our relationship with FIBA is incredibly important and we continue to work with them to further support the growth of our great game, and this is also another tremendous opportunity to showcase the very best of the NBL at a global level. We remain committed to expanding the NBL’s footprint around the world and competing in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup tournament continues our work on this path.
“The JackJumpers’ 2024 championship was historic and memorable for so many reasons, and now as a reward for their success, they have a chance to bring home another championship trophy. We wish them all the best and as an entire League will be supporting them throughout the FIBA Intercontinental Cup campaign.”
In addition to the NBL champions and the eventual BCL Asia champions, the lineup of FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2024 will also include the champions of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), which is operated in partnership between FIBA and the NBA, the champions of Basketball Champions League Americas and Basketball Champions League Europe, and NBA G League United, representing the NBA G League.
Petro de Luanda conquered the BAL title on June 1st after defeating Al Ahly Ly in the Final, and will become the first club from Angola to compete in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup.
Argentina’s Quimsa, who previously participated in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup in 2021, will take part in 2024 as the Basketball Champions League Americas champions while Spain’s Unicaja Malaga will represent Europe for the first time, as the Basketball Champions League champions.
The four teams that are still in the race to win the inaugural edition of BCL Asia are Al Riyadi (Lebanon), Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai (UAE), Shahrdary Gorgan (Iran) and Hiroshima Dragonflies (Japan). The champions will be crowned on June 15 and will represent Asia in FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2024.
