2011–12 NBL season

The 2011–12 NBL season was the 34th season of competition since its establishment in 1979. A total of nine teams contested the league. The regular season was played between 7 October 2011 and 25 March 2012, followed by a post-season involving the top four in April 2012. The schedule was announced on 19 May 2011. The New Zealand Breakers successfully defended their 2010–2011 title.

Broadcast rights were held by free-to-air network Channel Ten and its digital sports sister station One, in the second year of a five-year deal, through to the 2014–15 season. In New Zealand, Sky Sport once again provided coverage.

Sponsorship included iiNet entering its second and penultimate year as league naming rights sponsor and Centrebet in the final year as the official sports betting partner. Spalding provided equipment including the official game ball, with AND1 supplying team apparel and New Era headwear.

Pre-season
NBL Sunshine State Challenge, a round robin competition with a final series, involving all nine sides, was held between September 22–24, 2011 in Rockhampton, Ipswich, on the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Perth Wildcats were pre-season champions for the second year in a row.

2011 Cable Beach Invitational
Perth vs. Singapore cancelled due to poor condition of the outdoor court.

Finals
Perth Wildcats win Sunshine State Challenge.

Ladder
The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the results in games played between the teams will determine order of seeding.

''1Head-to-head between Townsville Crocodiles and Cairns Taipans (2-2). Townsville Crocodiles won For and Against (+51). ''

''2Melbourne Tigers won head-to-head (3-1). ''

Finals
The 2011–12 National Basketball League Finals were played between 30 March 2012 and 25 April 2012, consisting of two best-of-three semi-final and final series, where the higher seed hosted the first and third games.

Playoff Seedings

 * 1) New Zealand Breakers
 * 2) Perth Wildcats
 * 3) Gold Coast Blaze
 * 4) Townsville Crocodiles

The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the results in games played between the two teams will determine order of seeding.

Under this system, Cairns did not qualify for the playoffs by equalling Townsville's win–loss record, as the latter held advantage in the tiebreaker (2-2, +51 points).

Statistics leaders
Note: regular season only

Coach of the Month
The end-of-season awards ceremony was held in the Palladium Room at Crown Casino in Melbourne on Monday, 26 March 2012:

Season

 * Most Valuable Player (Andrew Gaze Trophy): Kevin Lisch, Perth Wildcats
 * Rookie of the Year: Anatoly Bose, Sydney Kings
 * Best Defensive Player: Damian Martin, Perth Wildcats
 * Best Sixth Man: Jesse Wagstaff, Perth Wildcats
 * Most Improved Player: Daniel Johnson, Adelaide 36ers
 * Coach of the Year (Lindsay Gaze Trophy): Andrej Lemanis, New Zealand Breakers
 * Referee of the Year: Michael Aylen
 * All-NBL First Team:
 * Kevin Lisch - Perth Wildcats
 * Cedric Jackson - New Zealand Breakers
 * Julian Khazzouh - Sydney Kings
 * Mark Worthington - Gold Coast Blaze
 * Thomas Abercrombie - New Zealand Breakers
 * All-NBL Second Team:
 * Jamar Wilson - Cairns Taipans
 * Adam Gibson - Gold Coast Blaze
 * Cameron Tragardh - Melbourne Tigers
 * Gary Wilkinson - New Zealand Breakers
 * Peter Crawford - Townsville Crocodiles
 * All-NBL Third Team:
 * Daniel Johnson - Adelaide 36ers
 * Eddie Gill - Townsville Crocodiles
 * Damian Martin - Perth Wildcats
 * Adris Deleon - Gold Coast Blaze
 * Jesse Wagstaff - Perth Wildcats

Finals

 * Grand Final Series MVP (Larry Sengstock Medal): C. J. Bruton, New Zealand Breakers