The All-National Basketball League Team was an annual National Basketball League (NBL) honor bestowed upon the best players in the United States league following the NBL season. The team was selected every season of the league's existence, from 1937âÂÂ38 through 1948âÂÂ49.
Nine players earned at least four total selections, three of whom have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame â Bobby McDermott (1988), Buddy Jeannette (1994), and Al Cervi (1985). In addition to them, six other players who had earned three or less All-NBL First Team and/or Second Team honors have also entered the Basketball Hall of Fame as well, although two players did so with the honor of making it as a head coach later in their careers either instead of or alongside their time spent as players â John Wooden (once in 1960 as a player and again in 1973 as a head coach for college basketball), Red Holzman (1986 as a head coach in the NBA), Bob Davies (1970), Arnie Risen (1998), George Mikan (1959), and Jim Pollard (1978).
The following table only lists players with at least four total selections.
While most information regarding the creation of the All-Time NBL Team is unknown as of 2025, what is known is that sometime during the late 20th century (or even the early 21st century, although that point would be highly unlikely), the ranking for what was considered the NBL's twenty best all-time players was voted by members of the print and broadcast news media that would have reported on and announced games for the NBL, including statisticians. It's unknown if the ranking was done similarly to what occurred with the ABA All-Time Team or if its ranking was done before the ABA All-Time Team was done. Regardless, this team consists of the twenty best and most influential players of the NBL during its twelve seasons of existence after previously starting out as the Midwest Basketball Conference amateur or semipro basketball league back in 1935, with respect not only to performance at the professional level, but in consideration of sportsmanship, team leadership, and contributions to the growth of the league and the sport of basketball, and irrespective of positions played.
The following information for the All-Time NBL Team is found in the referenced archive link.
In addition to those twenty voted players, media voting also gave special voting for the honor of the All-Time Greatest NBL Player from the assorted group as well, with the honor being given out to Bobby McDermott, with votes also being given out to Leroy Edwards as well.