2026 NBL1 National Rankings: Which teams are in the Top 20?

The newest iteration of the NBL1 National Rankings has been developed, providing a consistent way to compare teams from across the league's five conferences.

Using a data-driven model that combines regular-season performance with a conference weighting based on key measures of competition strength, the rankings are designed to fairly assess each team's overall performance.

This model is based only on regular season performances and will continue to change as the remaining rounds of the season play out. Rankings will then determine the seedings and first round match ups of qualified teams at the 2026 Mitsubishi Motors NBL1 National Finals at Adelaide’s State Basketball Centre from August 21-23.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS FOR THE NBL1 NATIONAL FINALS

NBL1 General Manager Tyrone Thwaites explained the reasoning behind the model and how it is calculated.

“The National Rankings model aims to create the fairest possible way to compare teams from five different conferences that each have unique competitive environments,” he said.

Using a combination of winning percentage, team net rating, form, and conference depth, the model rewards teams that have consistently performed at a high level throughout the regular season.

“We believe this model reflects the depth and quality of the basketball being played across the country and adds another exciting layer to the race for a national championship."

Below are the current Top 20 ranked teams across the country in the men’s and women’s divisions.

Updated as of Friday 17 July, 2026

WOMENS

1 - Knox Raiders – NBL1 South
Season record: 17-4
2 - Norths Bears – NBL1 East
Season record: 19-0
3 - Logan Thunder – NBL1 North
Season record: 13-2
4 - Manly Warringah Sea Eagles – NBL1 East
Season record: 17-2
5  - West Adelaide Bearcats – NBL1 Central
Season record: 17-1
6 - Eltham Wildcats – NBL1 South
Season record: 15-5
7 - Cockburn Cougars – NBL1 West
Season record: 15-2
8 - Cairns Dolphins – NBL1 North
Season record: 12-3
9 - Diamond Valley Eagles – NBL1 South
Season record: 14-7
10 - Waverley Falcons – NBL1 South
Season record: 14-7
11 - Bankstown Bruins – NBL1 East
Season record: 14-4
12 - Casey Cavaliers – NBL1 South
Season record: 14-7
13 - Keilor Thunder – NBL1 South
Season record: 14-7
14 - Centre of Excellence – NBL1 East
Season record: 15-5
15 - Sandringham Sabres – NBL1 South
Season record: 14-7
16 - Rockingham Flames – NBL1 West
Season record: 14-4
17 - East Perth Eagles – NBL1 West
Season record: 14-5
18 - Sturt Sabres – NBL1 Central
Season record: 14-4
19 - Melbourne Tigers – NBL1 South
Season record: 13-8
20 - Townsville Flames – NBL1 North
Season record: 10-5

MENS

1 - Eltham Wildcats – NBL1 South
Season record: 16-4
2 - Cairns Marlins – NBL1 North
Season record: 15-0
3 - Melbourne Tigers – NBL1 South
Season record: 16-5
4 - Geraldton Buccaneers – NBL1 West
Season record: 16-3
5  - Norths Bears – NBL1 East
Season record: 16-3
6 - Nunawading Spectres – NBL1 South
Season record: 16-5
7 - Forestville Eagles – NBL1 Central
Season record: 16-2
8 - Rockingham Flames – NBL1 West
Season record: 16-4
9 - Illawarra Hawks – NBL1 East
Season record: 14-4
10 - Gold Coast Rollers – NBL1 North
Season record: 13-2
11 - Frankston Blues – NBL1 South
Season record: 15-6
12 - Keilor Thunder – NBL1 South
Season record: 14-7
13 - Knox Raiders – NBL1 South
Season record: 14-7
14 - Sturt Sabres – NBL1 Central
Season record: 15-3
15 - Cockburn Cougars – NBL1 West
Season record: 13-6
16 - Joondalup Wolves – NBL1 West
Season record: 14-6
17 - Sutherland Sharks – NBL1 East
Season record: 12-6
18 - Manly Warringah Sea Eagles – NBL1 East
Season record: 13-6
19 - Logan Thunder – NBL1 North
Season record: 11-4
20 - South Adelaide Panthers – NBL1 Central
Season record: 13-5

Don’t miss a single minute of NBL1 Finals action. Catch every game LIVE & FREE via NBL1.com.au and the NBL1 app, plus Games of the Week via Kayo Freebies.