When the National Basketball League was formed in 1979, the South Australian Basketball League entered their top two ranked clubs from the 1978 season as their representatives. This included the West Adelaide Bearcats and the Glenelg Tigers. The Tigers played in and won the very first game of the inaugural NBL season on 24 February 1979, defeating the City of Sydney Astronauts 68–65 at a half-full Apollo Stadium in Adelaide.
When the National Basketball League was established in 1979, the South Australian Basketball League selected their top two ranked teams from the 1978 season as representatives. This included the West Adelaide Bearcats and the Glenelg Tigers. The Tigers participated in and won the inaugural NBL game on February 24, 1979, defeating the City of Sydney Astronauts with a score of 68–65 at half-capacity at Apollo Stadium in Adelaide.