1988 NBL Champions: Wellington Saints
The only change in the 1988 season saw Waitemata return to the league after winning the Conference Basketball League (CBL) championship the previous year. The Palmerston North Jets were relegated to the CBL. The Wellington Saints claimed their second straight NBL title, their fourth in total, as they defeated North Shore in a close encounter.
Teams:
10 teams contested the 1988 season (final standings):: Wellington Saints, North Shore, New Plymouth Bulls, Waikato Warriors, Canterbury Rams, Hawke’s Bay Hawks, Waitemata, Auckland, Nelson Giants and Ponsonby.
Grand Final:
Wellington Saints (81) defeated North Shore (78) (Referees: Keith Milligan & Robin Milligan)
Season Award Winners:
- Most Outstanding Guard (Keith Carr Trophy): John Welch (Waitemata)
- Most Outstanding NZ Guard (John Macdonald Trophy): Byron Vaetoe (Auckland)
- Most Outstanding Forward (Commissioners Cup): Kerry Boagni (Wellington Saints)
- Most Outstanding NZ Forward/Centre (Stan Hill Trophy): Glen Denham (Waikato Warriors)
- Scoring Champion (Alan Bland Memorial Trophy): Tony Webster (36.53) (North Shore)
- Rebounding Champion (Garry Pettis Memorial Trophy): John Martens (14.31) (Waitemata)
- Assist Champion (Dave Taylor Trophy): Carl Golston (Waikato Warriors)
- Regular Season Winners: Wellington Saints (15-3)
- Best Team Free Throws (Nial Forsyth Trophy): Auckland
- Young Player of the Year: Warren Adams (New Plymouth Bulls)
All-Star Five:
- Kerry Boagni (Wellington Saints)
- Willie Burton (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)
- Carl Golston (Waikato Warriors)
- Kenny McFadden (Wellington Saints)
- John Welch (Waitemata)
