The 1982 NBL season was the inaugural season of the National Basketball League. A total of eight teams contested the league in its first season, with Auckland claiming the league's first championship.^[1]

Final standings

#	Team
	Auckland
	Waitemata
3	Canterbury
4	Centrals
5	Nelson
6	Porirua
7	Hamilton
8	Palmerston North

Season awards

• Most Outstanding Guard: Brent Wright (Nelson)^[1]
• Most Outstanding Forward: Stan Hill (Auckland)
• Scoring Champion: Stan Hill (Auckland)
• Rebounding Champion: James Lofton (Porirua)
• All-Star Five:
  • Brian Brumit (Waitemata)^[2]
  • Stan Hill (Auckland)
  • James Lofton (Porirua)
  • Jack Maere (Auckland)
  • Brent Wright (Nelson)