Basketball On The Internet.

MORE Aussies have rocked into Phoenix Mercury's WNBA franchise, while it today was formalised that inaugural NBL club Wollongong would be back in business in 2015-16.

No huge surprise there given the friendship between new NBL Executive Director, Larry Kestelman and primary Hawks owner James Spencely.

It was James who first presented Kestelman's proposal to the NBL around the time of the preseason Blitz in Brisbane last year and it wouldn't be too cynical to wonder about the whole "voluntary administration" gambit.

Not that I'm suggesting even the faintest whiff of impropriety. Just some marvellous coincidences.

It is great to have the Hawks, who started their NBL journey in 1979 at the famed Snakepit as the Illawarra Hawks, alive and thriving as the last link to those halcyon days.

Maybe the NBL can recapture those days again this season.

THE WNBA season launches on Friday with FIBA World Championship Bronze Medal-winning Opals Leilani Mitchell and Cayla Francis, plus Tess Madgen (who probably should have been on the team in Turkey) all lining up for Aussie coach Sandy Brondello at reigning champion Phoenix Mercury.

It continues a long tradition of Aussie connections to the club, starting with Michele Timms back in the club's inaugural 1997 season, Timmsy (pictured below playing for Nunawading Spectres - she was so quick even the pic is a blur) even having her #7 retired by Phoenix.

Michelle Brogan played at the Mercury, Carrie Graf coached the club, Belinda Snell suited there, Penny Taylor a three-time championship winner and Erin Phillips also winning a title there.

Not to mention Kristi Harrower, Trish Fallon and Michelle Chandler, although I think it just happened.

Not long ago, the Mercury drafted Stephanie Talbot.

But Aussies can follow the league with avid interest this season, WNBL MVP Abby Bishop at Seattle Storm along with Jenna O'Hea, Rebecca Allen debuting at New York Liberty, Erin Phillips and Marianna Tolo at Los Angeles Sparks.

And for those who are additionally interested, Cappie Pondexter (Dandenong) now is at Chicago Sky, Annalise Pickrel (Dandenong) also on the preseason Sparks roster.

Two-time Bendigo championship winner Kelsey Griffin will not suit up with Connecticut Sun after recently requiring left hip surgery, which will take three months of rehab.

Online

Why every NBA teams needs an Aussie: http://on.wsj.com/1dHdNHg

And in case you were wondering, Mercury coach Sandy Brondello is tipping Golden State Warriors to win the NBA Championship.