The Dunedin club completed a dream season going unbeaten and beating St Kilda Saints 89-66 in the men’s A grade final.
It was the first time the dominant side went unbeaten through the men’s club basketball season — having won seven titles in nine years — but they will put it all on the line today when the 2026 season gets under way.
Mid City Magic will join fellow club team Mid City Lions, the Saints, Andy Bay Falcons and Varsity in the quest for the title.
All teams are packed with strong talent across the board with Otago Nuggets players linking up with local clubs again, including Matt Bardsley and Caleb Smilier at the City Rise Bombers and Oak Chisholm, Harry Bezett and former Nugget Mac Stodart at Mid City.
The women’s A grade club season gets under way on May 12.
Ajax won the title last year after beating South Pac Magic 69-55 in the final.
They are both back to put their case forward for the title, alongside Varsity, Andy Bay Falcons and Mid City Magic.
But women’s club players have got more time on the floor this season thanks to a new Basketball Otago initiative called the Rush League.
The Rush League, which started on April 14 and wraps up with semifinals and finals on Tuesday, operated with a draft system at the start of the season with players spread across six teams.
Spartans, Rush City and Mercury all have the same record of four wins and two losses.
Basketball Otago general manager Jodi Brown was rapt with the response to the league and said it had been highly competitive across that four-week competition.
It helped provide more exposure and opportunities for women in the sport.
The men’s competition get under way today with the Andy Bay Falcons v St Kilda Saints, Mid City Magic Lions v Mid City Magic, and City Rise Bombers v Otago University.
