August 1979: the inaugural season of the National Basketball League commences in earnest.
While alterations have been made to the league over the past four decades and change, the NBL remains Australia's third-oldest continual sporting code, behind only the Sheffield Shield and the Australian Football League.
And with it becoming the breeding ground for NBA stars of tomorrow, the league is having a genuine resurgence, with crowds returning to arenas around the country - and across the ditch - at rates not seen since the golden age of the late 80s and early 90s.
Yet, while the NBL is on the precipice of crowning the champion of its 45th champion, the team that comes to the fore and claims the title is set to join an exclusive group.
From a multi-generational threat out of Melbourne to an out-and-out powerhouse from Perth, here is every team to have won an NBL title since 1979.
| Number of titles | Franchise | Year/s won |
| 10 | Perth Wildcats | 1990, 1991, 1995, 2000, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019 & 2020 |
| 6 | Melbourne United | 1993, 1997, 2006, 2008, 2018 & 2021 |
| 5 | Sydney Kings | 2003-2005, 2022 & 2023 |
| 4 | Adelaide 36ers | 1986, 1998, 1999 & 2002 |
| New Zealand Breakers | 2011-2013 & 2015 | |
| 3 | Brisbane Bullets | 1985, 1987 & 2007 |
| Canberra Cannons | 1983, 1984 & 1988 | |
| 2 | North Melbourne Giants | 1989 & 1994 |
| South-East Melbourne Magic | 1992 & 1996 | |
| St. Kilda Saints | 1979 & 1980 | |
| 1 | Illawarra Hawks | 2001 |
| West Adelaide Bearcats | 1982 | |
| Launceston Casino City | 1981 | |
| South Dragons | 2009 |
