2003 New Zealand NBL season


The 2003 NBL season was the 22nd season of the National Basketball League. 2003 marked the first year a league-wide MVP award winner was named, allowing imports the opportunity to be recognised; in all previous seasons, only a Kiwi MVP was named, an award given to the best New Zealand player. Australian import David Cooper of the Manawatu Jets was subsequently awarded the first league MVP. 2003 also marked the return of Taranaki after a three-year hiatus. The Wellington Saints won the championship over the Waikato Titans in overtime, as the Saints claimed their fifth league title.

Summary

Regular season standings

Playoff bracket

Awards

Player of the Week

Statistics leaders

Stats as of the end of the regular season
CategoryPlayerTeamStat
Points per gameJohn WhortonCanterbury Rams29.3
Rebounds per gameJohn WhortonCanterbury Rams16.5
Assists per gameGeorge Le'afaWellington Saints6.2
Steals per gameDillon BoucherWaikato Titans4.5
Blocks per gameDavid CooperManawatu Jets2.8

Regular season