Shane Heal’s first NBL hit-out for over three years will take place in the heart of the Victorian basketball community, with the South Dragons set to take on the Cairns Taipans at Knox Basketball Stadium on the 23rd of August.

Working in partnership with the Knox Basketball Association, the Dragons inaugural pre-season clash will be the first opportunity for Victorian fans to catch the team in action.

"We're committed to supporting local Victorian basketball," said Dragons chairman Mark Cowan.

"It's important to me to play our first game in the heartland of the sport.

"Knox is one of the associations doing a great job for local basketball and we're proud to be able to give something back to the people who play and love the game. "

Knox Basketball’s CEO Laurie Joyce says he expects the 2000-strong stadium to be sold-out for the Wednesday night clash.

“Word has spread that the Dragons will be heading to Knox and we expect ticket sales to move quickly,” said Joyce.

“It's important for our juniors to see the pathway to elite competition, we're thrilled to have the Dragons playing at our stadium"

“The Taipans better be prepared for a vocal Dragons crowd,” added Knox Basketball’s Marketing and Communications manager Justin Nelson.

“The support the Dragons franchise is giving to grassroots basketball has already won plenty of admirers.”

Tickets for the match will be sold from the Knox Basketball Stadium, and will go on sale at the end of July.

What: South Dragons vs. Cairns Taipans (pre-season game)
When: Wednesday 23rd of August, tip-off 7:30pm
Where: Knox Basketball Stadium, Park Crs. Boronia
Tickets: On sale end of July from stadium, Adult $10, Child (Under 16) $5