2022 NBL1 season

The NBL1 had expanded in 2021 with the West Conference introduced alongside the South, North and Central conferences.^[1][2] In 2022, the NBL1 expanded to five conferences after partnering with Basketball New South Wales to make the Waratah League the new East Conference.^[3][4]

An additional conference, known as the NBL1 Wildcard Series, was introduced in 2022 after a partnership with Basketball Australia saw the Centre of Excellence feature in one-off games against the top teams from all five NBL1 State Conferences of the prior year. 20 men's and 16 women's games were played in the Wildcard Conference. The team who finished on top of the NBL1 Wildcard ladder, based on points percentage, were granted entry as the sixth women's and men's teams in the 2022 NBL1 National Finals alongside the State Conference champions.^[5]

The season began on 2 April for the East Conference, 8 April for the West Conference, 9 April for the Central Conference, 10 April for the Wildcard Conference, 21 April for the South Conference and 29 April for the North Conference.^[6] All conference finals were concluded by 3 September.^[7][8][9]

The women's minor premiers were the Bendigo Braves with a 20–2 record while the men's minor premiers were the Hobart Chargers with a 17–5 record.^[7] Alicia Froling of the Knox Raiders was named women's MVP while Shea Ili of the Sandringham Sabres was named men's MVP.^[10][11]

The women's grand final saw the Ringwood Hawks defeat the Bendigo Braves 89–73^[12] while the men's grand final saw the Hobart Chargers defeat the Mount Gambier Pioneers 78–62.^[13] Marena Whittle of the Ringwood Hawks was named women's grand final MVP while Sam McDaniel of the Hobart Chargers was named men's grand final MVP.^[12][13]

A club from Darwin, Northern Territory, the Darwin Salties, joined the North Conference in 2022 which saw the NBL1 become the first Australian sport league to have clubs based in and playing out of every state and territory in Australia.^[14]

The women's minor premiers were the Logan Thunder with a 19–0 record while the men's minor premiers were the Gold Coast Rollers with a 14–5 record.^[7][15] Tiana Mangakahia of the Northside Wizards was named women's MVP while Kouat Noi of the USC Rip City was named men's MVP.^[16]

The women's grand final series saw the Townsville Flames defeat the Logan Thunder 2–0, with 85–57 in game one and 80–48 in game two,^[17][18] while the men's grand final series saw the Gold Coast Rollers defeat the USC Rip City 2–0, with 101–86 in game one and 118–71 in game two.^[19][20] Stephanie Reid of the Townsville Flames was named women's grand final MVP while Jason Cadee of the Gold Coast Rollers was named men's grand final MVP.^[18][20]

The women's minor premiers were the West Adelaide Bearcats with a 15–3 record while the men's minor premiers were the Woodville Warriors with a 15–3 record.^[8] Samantha Simons of the Forestville Eagles was named women's MVP while Jeremy Smith of the South Adelaide Panthers was named men's MVP.^[21][22]

The women's grand final saw the West Adelaide Bearcats defeat the Sturt Sabres 82–75^[23] while the men's grand final saw the South Adelaide Panthers defeat the Woodville Warriors 88–58.^[24] Madelynn Utti of the West Adelaide Bearcats was named women's grand final MVP while Alex Starling of the South Adelaide Panthers was named men's grand final MVP.^[23][24]

The women's minor premiers were the Warwick Senators with an 18–2 record while the men's minor premiers were the Geraldton Buccaneers with a 19–3 record.^[8] Stacey Barr of the Warwick Senators was named women's MVP while Devondrick Walker of the Rockingham Flames was named men's MVP.^[25]

The women's grand final saw the Warwick Senators defeat the Willetton Tigers 87–61^[26] while the men's grand final saw the Rockingham Flames defeat the Geraldton Buccaneers 91–79.^[27] Leonie Fiebich of the Warwick Senators was named women's grand final MVP while Devondrick Walker of the Rockingham Flames was named men's grand final MVP.^[26][27]

The women's minor premiers were the Albury Wodonga Bandits with an 17–3 record while the men's minor premiers were the Canberra Gunners with a 16–6 record.^[9] Lauren Jackson of the Albury Wodonga Bandits was named women's MVP while Kiwi Gardner of the Illawarra Hawks was named men's MVP.^[28][29]

The women's grand final saw the Albury Wodonga Bandits defeat the Sutherland Sharks 85–72^[30] while the men's grand final saw the Canberra Gunners defeat the Maitland Mustangs 76–73.^[31] Unique Thompson of the Albury Wodonga Bandits was named women's grand final MVP while Glenn Morison of the Canberra Gunners was named men's grand final MVP.^[30][31]

The BA Centre of Excellence women recorded a 10–6 record in their 16 Wildcard games while the men's team recorded a 15–5 record in their 20 Wildcard games.^[9]

The Southern Districts Spartans from the North Conference finished on top of the Wildcard women's ladder while the Frankston Blues from the South Conference finished on top of the Wildcard men's ladder.^[9] Both teams were subsequently granted entry into the NBL1 National Finals.^[32][33]