The 1985 NBL season was the fourth season of the National Basketball League. Two new teams entered the league in 1985, expanding the number of teams from eight to ten. 1984

Conference Basketball League The Conference Basketball League (CBL) was a second-tiered men's semi-professional basketball league in New Zealand. During the 1980s and 1990s, the CBL served as a means of promotion and relegation between the National Basketball League (NBL). ...

(CBL) champions

New Plymouth New Plymouth ( mi, Ngāmotu) is the major city of the Taranaki region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is named after the English city of Plymouth, Devon from where the first English settlers to New Plymouth migrated. ...

were promoted to the NBL for the 1985 season, while 1984 CBL runners-up

Palmerston North Palmerston North (; mi, Te Papa-i-Oea, known colloquially as Palmy) is a city in the North Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Manawatū-Whanganui region. Located in the eastern Manawatu Plains, the city is near the north bank of the ...

were readmitted to the league after being demoted following their last place finish in

1982 Events January * January 1 – In Malaysia and Singapore, clocks are adjusted to the same time zone, UTC+8 (GMT+8.00). * January 13 – Air Florida Flight 90 crashes shortly after takeoff into the 14th Street bridges, 14th Street Bridge in ...

. The mid-1980s was considered the league's halcyon period, with Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington the benchmark teams. The 1985 Final was one of the league's most memorable, with Wellington and Auckland facing off against each other for the third straight year. The game was televised live and most were expecting Auckland to revenge their 1984 defeat after garnering two 20-point wins over Wellington during the regular season. The game was a thriller, having to be sent into overtime after the scores were locked at 100 a piece after four quarters. Saints legend

Kenny McFadden Kenny McFadden (18 August 1960 – 24 March 2022) was an American basketball player and coach. Born in the United States, he moved to New Zealand in 1982 to play for the Wellington Saints, where he played 15 seasons and won four NBL championshi ...

went on to hit the winning three-point shot at the buzzer in the extra period to claim a 114–111 win and back-to-back championships.

Final standings

Season awards

* Most Outstanding Guard: Tyrone Brown (Palmerston North) * Most Outstanding NZ Guard: Tony Smith (Hamilton) * Most Outstanding Forward:

Ronnie Joyner Ronnie Joyner (born c. 1961) is an American former professional basketball player who spent 17 seasons playing in New Zealand in the National Basketball League (NBL). He finished his career as the league's all-time leading scorer with 8,828 caree ...

(Ponsonby) * Most Outstanding NZ Forward/Centre: Stan Hill (Auckland) * Scoring Champion:

(Ponsonby) * Rebounding Champion:

Willie Burton Willie Ricardo Burton (born May 26, 1968) is an American former professional basketball player who was selected by the Miami Heat in the first round (9th overall pick) in the 1990 NBA draft from the University of Minnesota. Burton played for nume ...

(Palmerston North) * Assist Champion:

(Wellington) * All-Star Five: ** Tyrone Brown (Palmerston North) **

(Palmerston North) ** Stan Hill (Auckland) **

(Ponsonby) **

(Wellington)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1985 New Zealand Nbl Season National Basketball League (New Zealand) seasons 1985 in New Zealand basketball