Auckland Stars
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox basketball club
| name = Auckland Stars
| color1 = white
| color2 = #0000cd
| logo = Auckland Stars logo.png
| league = National Basketball League
| founded = 1982
| folded = February 2010
| history = Auckland
1982–1989
Auckland Cannons
1990–1991
Auckland Stars
1992–1996
Auckland Rebels
1997–2000
Auckland Stars
2001–2009
| arena = ASB Stadium
| location = Auckland, New Zealand
| colours = Blue & white
| manager =
| coach =
| ownership = Tab Baldwin
| championships = 9 (1982, 1983, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005)
| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20090206172718/http://www.aucklandstars.co.nz/ AucklandStars.co.nz]
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The Auckland Stars were a New Zealand basketball team based in Auckland. The Stars competed in the National Basketball League (NBL) and played their home games at ASB Stadium.
Team history
The Auckland Stars, then known as Auckland Metro,{{cite web|url=https://www.nznbl.basketball/over-the-years-nbl-championship-winners/|title=OVER THE YEARS – NBL CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS|work=nznbl.basketball|accessdate=20 August 2019}}{{cite web|last=Long|first=David|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/118306050/forgotten-sporting-teams-a-brief-history-of-kiwi-teams-that-went-bust|title=Forgotten sporting teams; a brief history of Kiwi teams that went bust|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=2 January 2020|accessdate=3 January 2020}} were a foundation member of the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1982. They were champions of the league in the first two seasons, before finishing as runners-up to the Wellington Saints in both 1984 and 1985. They returned to the NBL final in 1989, where they lost to the Canterbury Rams.{{cite web|last=Egan |first=Brendon |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/9902350/Keith-Mair-reflects-on-Rams-halcyon-days |title=Keith Mair reflects on Rams' halcyon days |work=Stuff.co.nz |date=4 April 2014 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924173407/http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/9902350/Keith-Mair-reflects-on-Rams-halcyon-days |archivedate=24 September 2015}}
Between 1995 and 2006, Auckland reached the championship round eight times. They won three straight championships between 1995 and 1997, with four more titles coming in 1999, 2000,{{cite web|url=http://www.aball.co.nz/news.htm |title=Rebel Sport Auckland Secure 5th Title With Stunning Upset of Giants |work=aball.co.nz |date=17 August 2000 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010302235607/http://www.aball.co.nz/news.htm |archive-date=2 March 2001}} 2004 and 2005. Despite their success, the Stars struggled to capture a sizeable fanbase.{{cite web|last=Hinton|first=Marc|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/300013206/auckland-huskies-unveiled-as-the-latest-new-addition-to-new-zealands-nbl|title=Auckland Huskies unveiled as the latest new addition to New Zealand's NBL|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=15 May 2020|accessdate=15 May 2020|quote=The Auckland Stars (1982-2009) were mainstays of the league and won seven of their nine championships between 1995 and 2005. But they struggled to capture a sizeable fanbase to reflect their success.}}
In February 2010, the team was suspended from competing in the 2010 NBL season after falling into financial strife and failing to pay some players and coaching staff.{{cite web|last=Hinton|first=Marc|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/3340134/Auckland-Stars-bounced-out-of-NBL|title=Auckland Stars bounced out of NBL|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=17 February 2010|accessdate=24 January 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10626795|title=Basketball: Auckland Stars booted from NBL|work=NZHerald.co.nz|date=17 February 2010|accessdate=24 January 2017}}{{cite web|last=Deane|first=Steve|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10629809|title=Basketball: Falling Stars hit rock bottom NBL licence void|work=NZHerald.co.nz|date=4 March 2010|accessdate=24 January 2017}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090206172718/http://www.aucklandstars.co.nz/ Official team website]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20000918082930/http://www.aball.co.nz/index.asp Auckland Rebels website (2000)]
{{National Basketball League (New Zealand)}}
Category:1982 establishments in New Zealand
Category:Basketball teams established in 1982
Category:Basketball teams in Auckland
Category:Basketball teams in New Zealand