Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 6 — LaMelo Ball, Spy-Gate and ‘The Hawks’ lose their Illawarra name
February 2, 2026
Brian Goorjian
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 28/07/53
- Place of Birth: Glendale, California (USA)
- Position: GRD
- Height (CM): 195
- Weight (KG): #N/A
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: Pepperdine (1973–1976)
- NBL DEBUT: 4/02/84
- AGE AT DEBUT: 30
- LAST NBL GAME: 17/06/84
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 30
- NBL History: Melbourne 1984
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Brian Goorjian was born in Glendale, California. Growing up he attended Crescenta Valley High School in La Crescenta, California, and was coached by his father, Ed. Goorjian led the schools 1971 team which to a 29-1 record before losing Verbum Dei in the CIF finals. Goorjian’s younger brothers, Kevin and Greg, also played basketball at Crescenta Valley.
After high school he accepted a scholarsip to play for the University of Pepperdine Waves.
After college he first arrived in Australia in 1977 and played for Port Melbourne Baseball club under coach Frank their, he later went on to play Basketball for the Melbourne Tigers under Lindsay Gaze.
FAMILY: His father Ed served as an assistant coach for Jerry Tarkanian at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas during the 1990s. Goorjan’s father Ed coached Brian and his two brothers Kevin and Greg at a high school level. His brother Kevin moved to Australia to serve as an assistant coach to Brian during his time with the Eastside Melbourne Spectres/South East Melbourne Magic.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Brian Goorjian made his NBL debut with the Melbourne Tigers at 30 years of age. He scored six points in his first game.
Was captain of Melbourne’s debut NBL squad in 1984. Goorjian would play one season in the NBL before moving into the coaching ranks.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 31 | Melbourne | 11-13 (9) | 24 | 0.0 | 525 | 88 | 181 | 22 | 66 | 30 | 4 | 74 | 49 | 191 | 395 | 48% | 106 | 243 | 44% | 37 | 46 | 80% | 63% | 62% | 36 | Totals | 24 | 0 | 525 | 88 | 181 | 22 | 66 | 30 | 4 | 74 | 49 | 191 | 395 | 48.4% | 106 | 243 | 43.6% | 37 | 46 | 80.4% | 63% | 62% | 36 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 31 | Melbourne | 11-13 (9) | 24 | 0.0 | 21.9 | 3.7 | 7.5 | 0.9 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 3.1 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 16.5 | 48% | 4.4 | 10.1 | 44% | 1.5 | 1.9 | 80% | 63% | 62% | 36 | Total | 24 | 0.0 | 21.9 | 3.7 | 7.5 | 0.9 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 3.1 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 16.5 | 48.4% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 43.6% | 4.4 | 10.1 | 80.4% | 63% | 62% | 36 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 36 | 10 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
|---|
FIBA EXPERIENCE
After Phil Smyths less than one-year term as the Australian Boomers coach in 2001 which resulted in the teams shock non-qualification for the 2002 World Championships, Goorjian was appointed as coach in late 2001 when Smyth resigned and would hold the position until 2008. By becoming the Boomers coach, Goorjian was the first foreign born coach to the team in its history. Under his tutelage, the Boomers qualified for the 2004 Athens Olympics, where they finished ninth, dropping five places from their 2000 finish. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the boomers improved their ranking to finish 7th.
In November 2020, Goorjian returned as head coach for the Australian mens national basketball team for the 2020 Olympics and 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
At the 2020 Japan Olympics, which were postponed due to COVID-19 to 2021, Goorjian coached the Australian Mens Basketball to a third place finish and the teams first medal ever at a major FIBA event.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Name: Goorjian, Brian | college: Pepperdine (1973–1976)| Additional Info:
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