If Otago wants back into the National Basketball League, the coming month may be the time to do it.
There is only one problem - the province might be in the wrong part of the country.
The NBL yesterday announced it was looking to add new teams and was seeking expressions of interest. However, it added it is ''ideally'' targeting applications from north of Taupo - at present the Super City Rangers are the only team in that area.
Other areas were also welcome to apply.
The league's growth strategy has shown it believes the optimal number of teams for the league to be from 10 to 12.
At present it has nine, which includes the Tasmanian-based Southern Huskies.
Expressions of interest must be received by April 12 and invitations to make a formal bid will be sent out on April 26. Any new teams for next year will be confirmed by July 31.
The expressions of interest were recommended to include several key proposals. Those were board members, entity structure, venue and details of a team name and colour.
It also asked for an outline on projected support, plans for community engagement, the financial support base and a summary of board members' credentials.
Otago last had a team in the NBL in 2014, before it folded when Basketball Otago ran into financial difficulties.
Basketball Otago general manager Justin Ludlow could not be reached for comment.
- Otago will host a three-way men's tournament on Saturday at the Edgar Centre.
The Canterbury Knights and a Southland Sharks selections will open the day's play at 12.30pm.
Otago will then play Southland at 3.30pm and Canterbury at 7pm.
