Bears at the NBL Blitz
Following a successful NBL1 East season, a number of our Bears are taking the next step and suiting up on NBL rosters.
The 2026 Code Sports NBL Blitz tips off tonight at Red Energy Arena, Bendigo.
The pre-season competition runs for five days, until Sunday 6th September. It features all ten National Basketball League teams, each playing two games, giving fans a glimpse at what to expect from their roster for the upcoming NBL season.
A ladder system will dictate the winner of the Loggins-Bruton Cup, with the winning team of each game allocated 3 points, and the loser 0. As a point of difference from a regular NBL game, the winner of each quarter will receive an additional point (0.5 points for drawn quarters).
Some familiar faces…
The Norths Bears are proud to see five members of our NBL1 Men’s team earn opportunities on NBL rosters, with them all set to feature at this week’s Blitz tournament.
Fabijan Krslovic - Melbourne United - #18
Krslovic returned to the NBL1 East to play for the Norths Bears, after spending 12 years away from The Cave. He averaged 14.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across 18 games for the championship-winning Bears.
Fabijan was a successful Norths junior and Waratah League player before heading to college, where he spent 4 years playing for the University of Montana Grizzlies. He enters the Blitz preparing for his 9th season at the top level, and his 2nd with Melbourne United.
Hunter Goodrick - South East Melbourne Phoenix - #10
Goodrick has just wrapped up an interrupted NBL1 East season, where he was unfortunately sidelined with injury following his role in the Sydney Kings’ NBL26 championship. He returned on the right side of Finals, averaging 15.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists across 7 games, playing a crucial role in the Bears’ championship.
Hunter played at Norths throughout his junior career before heading off to college, where he played four years in the NCAA D1, then enjoyed a stint in Europe with BC Komárno (Slovakia). He enters the Blitz preparing for his 2nd season in the NBL, and his first in a full-roster spot, rewarding his efforts as a Nominated Replacement Player (NRP) for the Sydney Kings last season.
Wani Swaka Lo Buluk - Illawarra Hawks - #9
Wani joined the Bears in 2026 as a marquee signing, suiting up for his first stint with the club. He is widely considered one of the most successful local players competing in Australia, coming into the season as a four-time NBL champion and one-time NBL Cup winner. He averaged 13.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and a steal across 9 outings in the NBL1 East, also adding another trophy to his collection.
Swaka Lo Buluk enters the Blitz preparing for his 9th season at the top level, and his 5th with the Illawarra Hawks.
Lachlan Bofinger - Sydney Kings - Nominated Replacement Player (NRP)
Bofinger suited up for his first full season with the Bears after re-joining midway through last season following college graduation. He had a breakout year and was named to the NBL1 East All-Star Five after averaging 16.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks across 23 games.
Lachie re-joined the Bears after spending his junior career at the club, playing in the same age group as Hunter Goodrick. He attended the University of Texas at San Antonio for three years, before transferring to the University of St Mary’s for his final two. He enters the Blitz preparing for his 1st season at the top level, signed with the Sydney Kings.
Bailey Hanson - Sydney Kings - Development Player (DP)
Hanson is the epitome of a Norths pathways product, playing for the Bears at representative level, starting in U12s, progressing through the age groups, before playing Youth League, and most recently NBL1. Hanson has had an outstanding debut season in the NBL1 East, averaging 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists across 20 games for the championship-winning Bears, starting on 13 of those occasions.
At just 18 years old, Bailey holds a strong National and State team resume. He’s made 11 appearances across Youth Australian teams, and boasts Gold (2026 FIBA U18 Asia Cup) and Silver (2025 FIBA U17 Oceania Cup) international medals. He enters the Blitz preparing for his 1st season in the NBL, as a Development Player for the Sydney Kings.
From developing through our Junior programs to representing Norths at NBL1 level and now earning opportunities on NBL rosters, we’re proud to continue supporting players at every stage of their basketball journeys. It’s a pathway that means a lot to everyone at Norths, and one that CEO Eric Stephens believes is at the heart of what we’re building.
“For Norths, seeing players progress from our programs and into the professional game is extremely rewarding.”
The Blitz gives us another opportunity to follow their progress as they prepare for the upcoming NBL season and to take their careers to another level.
WHEN ARE THEY PLAYING?
Some of our ex-Bears will come face to face against their former teammates, whilst others will get a run against brand-new opponents.
It’s big man vs big man on opening night, as Hunter Goodrick and the South East Melbourne Phoenix play Lachie Bofinger’s Sydney Kings. Bailey Hanson will be hoping to get his first minutes for the Kings, with a few of their key pieces out for the Blitz.
Bears will also close out the weekend, as Fabijan Krslovic and the star-studded Melbourne United will look to challenge Wani Swaka Lo Buluk’s Illawarra Hawks on Sunday afternoon.
See the full five-day schedule below.
Featured image: NBL/@nbl
How to watch?
Each game of the Code Sports NBL Blitz will be available live and free on Kayo Freebies, 9Now and the NBL’s YouTube channel.
Tickets can still be purchased HERE for those wanting to catch the action in person.
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