In what continues to be a season of firsts for the NBL, the league will stage its inaugural Indigenous Round from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2.
The round will recognise and acknowledge Indigenous culture and basketball across Australia and New Zealand.
Each team will wear a uniform designed by Indigenous artists local to their region in Round 18.
All nine teams will wear their Indigenous uniforms in Round 18, while the Sydney Kings' Indigenous game will be held on January 19 and South East Melbourne Phoenix's on February 9.
The plan for the round comes from the initiative of the Illawarra Hawks to host last year's Indigenous game as well as similar ventures such as Sir Doug Nicholls round in the AFL.
All Indigenous Round games will include a Welcome to Country, an Acknowledgement of Country and key members of local indigenous communities will be invited to attend each match.
The round itself and the uniforms of the Taipans hold a special meaning for Nate Jawai, whose clan in far north Queensland is represented by the totem of a snake.
"It's special to recognise our people, and I am fortunate enough that it's my design of my clan and my people" Jawai said.
Jawai hopes more children of Indigenous heritage will follow in the footsteps of himself and Patty Mills and find a pathway into basketball.
"It's important that we recognise the past and the future that's coming, it's only a small population of Indigenous athletes that are playing basketball professionally and we want more coming in and to be a positive impact on our people," he said.
NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger stressed the importance of recognising the contribution of the Indigenous people of Australia and New Zealand to basketball through playing, coaching, officiating and administrating.
"It's important we recognise these key Indigenous figures in a meaningful and impactful way, while also acknowledging the contribution wider Indigenous communities have made to the game," he said.
"We want to ensure others can follow in the footsteps of players such as Danny Morseu, Patty Mills, Nate Jawai, Paul Henare and Pero Cameron and the many others who've made such a huge contribution to the game both here and around the world."
Jawai is particularly looking forward to the Welcome to Country and the Acknowledgement of Country before each match.
"This is Aboriginal land, we need to acknowledge our traditional owners, past, present and future."
Proceeds from the sales of the Indigenous jerseys will go towards the development of young Indigenous players.