Basketball: Stars return to basketball's home

The Auckland Stars want to take the franchise back to the community.

The Tab Baldwin-run franchise has announced a partnership with Youthtown NZ which will see manpower and resources directed to the development of young basketball players in the greater Auckland region.

Former Tall Blacks coach Baldwin said Youthtown had always been the spiritual home of Auckland's top young basketball players. "It is our hope that this partnership with the Stars will more clearly pave the pathway to basketball excellence for young players seeking to make a career in our sport."

The Stars begin the NBL season on March 8 with a home game against the Wellington Saints at ASB Stadium in Kohimarama.