In recent years, the NBL has proved to be one of the most effective pathways to the NBA, with Australia's top talent using the domestic league as a springboard to the states.
Two men that know this better than most are Will Magnay and Jack McVeigh, the Tasmania JackJumpers championship duo who have both spent time in the NBA.
But when the two faced off at this year's Las Vegas Summer League, they couldn't help but let some trash talk fly.
How NBL teammates turned rivals at NBA Summer League
Will Magnay and Jack McVeigh both attended this year's Las Vegas Summer League - Magnay suiting up for the Memphis Grizzlies, while McVeigh played for the Atlanta Hawks.
When the two teams played against each other, McVeigh lead the entire game in scoring with 20 points, and he had to let his former teammate know about it.
"He was playing a little bit better than I was and they were winning, and he said to me 'What's it like playing against the Jack McVeigh experience?'," Magnay said.
"It made me want to headbutt him a little bit."
McVeigh's team did ultimately win by four points, as Magnay finished with three points, three rebounds and one steal.
Magnay has since re-signed with Tasmania, as he looks to help the JackJumpers win a second NBL championship.
"Summer League was an amazing and really valuable opportunity for me; I loved the experience. But I’m now excited to get home and get after it with the new group," Magnay said.
McVeigh is still yet to sign, in either the NBA or NBL, after he was waived following his debut season with the Houston Rockets.