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ABC News
ABC News
National

The uncertain future and rocky history of the NBL in Australia

NBL Australia Cannons Magic Johnson Larry Kestelman NBA Michigan State Spartans Andrew Gaze Brad Williams Canberra

It's November 2002, and NBA legend Magic Johnson is lacing up his sneakers for an exhibition game against his former college basketball team, the Michigan State Spartans.

The 43-year-old former Los Angeles Laker had just been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame and has hand-picked a little-known Australian team — the Canberra Cannons — to take on his former college squad.

What followed was one of the most surreal moments in Australian basketball with the Cannons winning 104-85 behind 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists from Magic.

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