Auckland Stars

Team history

The Auckland Stars, then known as Auckland Metro, were a foundation member of the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1982. They were champions of the league in the first two seasons, before finishing as runners-up to the Wellington Saints in both 1984 and 1985. They returned to the NBL final in 1989, where they lost to the Canterbury Rams.

Between 1995 and 2006, Auckland reached the championship round eight times. They won three straight championships between 1995 and 1997, with four more titles coming in 1999, 2000, 2004 and 2005. Despite their success, the Stars struggled to capture a sizeable fanbase.

In February 2010, the team was suspended from competing in the 2010 NBL season after falling into financial strife and failing to pay some players and coaching staff.

References

References

1. "OVER THE YEARS – NBL CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS". nznbl.basketball.
2. Long, David. (2 January 2020). "Forgotten sporting teams; a brief history of Kiwi teams that went bust". Stuff.co.nz.
3. Egan, Brendon. (4 April 2014). "Keith Mair reflects on Rams' halcyon days". Stuff.co.nz.
4. (17 August 2000). "Rebel Sport Auckland Secure 5th Title With Stunning Upset of Giants". aball.co.nz.
5. Hinton, Marc. (15 May 2020). "Auckland Huskies unveiled as the latest new addition to New Zealand's NBL". Stuff.co.nz.
6. Hinton, Marc. (17 February 2010). "Auckland Stars bounced out of NBL". Stuff.co.nz.
7. (17 February 2010). "Basketball: Auckland Stars booted from NBL". NZHerald.co.nz.
8. Deane, Steve. (4 March 2010). "Basketball: Falling Stars hit rock bottom NBL licence void". NZHerald.co.nz.