New Orleans will be the first NBA team to play in Australia when they meet Melbourne United and South East Melbourne for pre-season clashes in October.
The historic Melbourne Park fixtures, on October 3 and 5 respectively, were confirmed on Tuesday and come nine years after NBL sides began touring the US to play NBA pre-season fixtures.
“The significance of this announcement for basketball in Australia and the NBL can’t be overstated,” NBL owner and director Larry Kestelman said.
“Hosting an NBA team in Australia has been a long-held dream for everyone at the NBL.”
The Pelicans currently boast point guard Dejounte Murray and two-time All-Star Zion Williamson on their roster.
New Orleans Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin promised to make the most of the Australian visit.
“The one thing that we will do is unprecedented, I believe,” he said.
“We are going to be here before the games for a good portion of the camp.
“Our full roster will be in attendance. These games will be really meaningful to us with everyone on our roster.
“Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy and CJ McCollum – we’ve got a very deep roster and we’ll have everyone here.”
– with AAP
