The National Basketball League was a professional basketball league based in Canada that lasted only one and a half seasons in 1993 and 1994.[1] It rose from the ashes of the World Basketball League which folded after the 1992 season, which had teams in various Canadian and American cities; the new league combined several former WBL teams based in Canada and new franchises.[2] The NBL's first game was played on May 1, 1993 when the Cape Breton Breakers visited the Halifax Windjammers. The Breakers won the regular season championship with a 30-16 record, but they lost the championship finals to Saskatoon three games to one.
During the 1994 season there were rumours that the Cape Breton team was going to move to Saint John in mid-season, which never happened before the league folded on July 9, 1994. Halifax, which finished last in 1993, was in first place at the time the league had folded.
The league's president was Sam Katz and the commissioner was Tom Nissalke.[3]
| Team | City | Arena | Seasons | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Expansion team | ||||
| 1993-94 | Expansion team | ||||
| 1993-94 | Holdover from the WBL | ||||
| 1993 (playoffs)-94 | Moved from Hamilton | ||||
| 1993 | Holdover from the WBL, moved to Edmonton | ||||
| 1993 | Expansion team | ||||
| 1993-94 | Holdover from WBL. Ownership changed the name of the franchise in the new league. Originally known as the “Saskatchewan Storm” in the WBL. | ||||
| 1993-94 | Holdover from the WBL |
PLAYOFFS - SEMI-FINALS
FINALS
In 1993, league teams also played games against some touring teams which counted in the league standings. These teams were:
| Year | Winner | Runner Up | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Saskatoon Slam | Cape Breton Breakers | 3-1 | |
| 1994 | Halifax Windjammers | Calgary Outlaws | Declared champions due to folding mid-season |