Basketball: Australian NBL all-star game to return

The Australian National Basketball League will bring back their all-star game next season, Basketball Australia has announced. Photo / Getty Images.

The Australian National Basketball League will bring back their all-star game next season, Basketball Australia has announced.

This year's match will be on December 23, with all NBL clubs getting a bye between Rounds 11 and 12 to accommodate the event.

The last all-star game was held in December 2007, when the Aussie All-Stars team defeated the World All-Stars, 146-141.

The reborn 2012 event will see 20 of the top players in the NBL feature in two teams. The full format will be released at a later date.

Basketball Australia chairwoman Kristina Keneally said the game's reintroduction was timed to capitalise on three consecutive years of growth in attendance.

A survey of fans found 90 per cent wanted the match back.

The game is expected to mark the end of three days of events.

The host venue and full programme have yet to be announced but fans will get a say.

The 2012/13 NBL season is expected to tip-off in early October.