A landmark warehouse in Alexandria is set to become the new headquarters of Throwback, bringing the basketball brand back to the same site where the Sydney Kings once trained and ran their operations.
Family Roots and Local History
The move follows fourteen years of growth for Throwback, which began in 2011 inside a ten square metre storeroom at a local gym. Founder Michael Lazaris started the business with help from his family and built it over time without outside investors.
The heritage warehouse at 100 William Lane holds deep meaning for the Lazaris family. Michael’s father, Andrew Lazaris, helped guide the Sydney Kings during the late 1990s. He was part of the private group that managed the club and worked to grow basketball at both professional and community levels.
The building served as the Kings’ office and training base during that period. Michael noted in past interviews that he celebrated his tenth birthday inside this same space, and he recently visited the warehouse with his father to revisit old rooms that once formed the heart of the club’s operations.
Growth of a Community Brand
Throwback began as a small pro shop inside the stadium where Michael once played for the Sydney Comets. The business later moved to Bondi and then to a larger Darlinghurst flagship. Its focus on basketball culture, global brands and local community interest helped shape its identity.
Over the years the brand added custom teamwear, an in house clothing line and a strong digital presence that mirrors its retail experience. The move to Alexandria brings the business from a five hundred square metre site to a purpose built two thousand square metre headquarters.
A Heritage Court Returned to Use
One of the standout features of the new headquarters is a full sized 1990s era basketball court that had been stored for two decades. The court was once owned by Luc Longley, the Australian centre who won NBA titles with Chicago.
The site will also display original rings used during the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Community groups and local teams have already shown interest in using the court once it is restored. The new space will also include a café, offices, warehousing and retail areas that aim to keep basketball culture accessible for visitors.
A Move Shaped by Community
Michael leads the fit out and uses his design background to shape a space tied to Sydney basketball. Past Kings players have dropped in during the early stages and pointed out parts of the building they remember from their playing days.
Throwback’s team noted that the timing aligns with the current NBA and NBL seasons, creating momentum as the brand prepares to settle into the community. The headquarters aims to bring together basketball fans, local athletes and long term supporters of the sport.
Published 19-November-2025
