NBL Tribunal Needs Overhaul After a Decade of Inconsistencies
September 16, 2024
Tim Soares
- Nationality: BRA
- Date of Birth: 2/02/97
- Place of Birth: Deming, Washington (USA)
- Position: CTR
- Height (CM): 211
- Weight (KG): 107
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: The Master's (2016–2020)
- NBL DEBUT: 17/09/22
- AGE AT DEBUT: 25
- LAST NBL GAME: 15/03/23
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 26
- NBL History: Sydney 2023, 2026
- Championships: 1
- Sydney (2023)
BIO: Timothy Luiz Soares was born in Deming, Washington (USA) and attended Mount Baker High School in Deming. Playing for the school’s basketball team he averaged 16.6 points and 11.3 rebounds per game during his senior year 2015/16. He was named All-Northwest Conference, despite playing with a bone chip in his shoulder.
FAMILY: Soares is the son of Rogerio and Susan Soares who were Christian missionaries. His siblings are Jessica, Stephanie (who was the 2020 NAIA Division I player of the year), Tiago, and Rebecca. His father played for The Master’s University men’s basketball from 1992 to 1995, and his mother was the national Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year as a high school senior in 1986, and then played at the University of Texas.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Tim Soares made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 25 years of age. He scored six points in his first game.
After winning the championship, Sydney underwent significant roster changes, losing star imports Jaylen Adams, Jarrell Martin, and Ian Clark to lucrative overseas deals. To compensate for these losses, the Kings opted to build around their local core of Xavier Cooks, Dejan Vasiljevic, and Angus Glover, who had all shown substantial improvement during their title run.
To complement their Aussie talent, Sydney brought in Derrick Walton Jr on a one-year deal to replace Adams’ scoring, while defensive ace Justin Simon and sharpshooting center Tim Soares, who arrived from Europe, completed the import trio. Soares, who signed a one-year contract, shared the same agent as fellow Kings players Shaun Bruce, Jackson Makoi, and Xavier Cooks.
“He is a versatile center who has a great shooting touch and range – he allows us to stretch the floor and will play a key role in our offense this season,” said Sydney Kings CEO Chris Pongrass upon signing Soares.
“He fits perfectly into our brand of Sydney Kings basketball and the up-tempo, exciting style our coach Chase Buford and his team have brought to the Harbour City. Chase’s first priority is to get it done on the defensive end – between Tim, Xavier, and Justin, we will have the longest and most disruptive defensive trio in the league.”
With Makur Maker departing for the NBA, the Kings signed Kouat Noi from Cairns and finalized their roster with rookie Jackson Makoi.
Sydney started their campaign for back-to-back titles with wins over Illawarra, Brisbane, and Melbourne, kicking off the season at 3-0. Their dominant 91-71 victory over Melbourne was particularly impressive, featuring a stunning second quarter where the Kings reeled off a 25-0 run while holding United to just six points. This win streak saw Sydney achieve their 15th consecutive road victory, setting a new NBL record and surpassing the Canberra Cannons’ mark from the mid-1980s.
Sydney’s first defeat came in their next outing as Cairns stunned them with an 83-78 upset. Despite missing their star Tahjere McCall, the Taipans excelled defensively, while Sydney struggled from the free-throw line, making just 14 of 25 attempts. Shannon Scott led Cairns with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, while DJ Hogg added 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Sydney rebounded with a road win against Brisbane but suffered a narrow 92-88 home loss to Adelaide, who had just returned from a successful preseason trip against the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Despite multiple opportunities to tie or take the lead in the closing moments, missed shots and a defensive stand by Adelaide captain Mitch McCarron sealed the Kings’ fate. Craig Randall II finished as the game’s top scorer with 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Sydney avoided a third consecutive home loss in Round 5 when Noi hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer against his former team Cairns, securing a thrilling 106-103 win. Xavier Cooks played a pivotal role in the victory, coming close to a triple-double with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Sydney’s top-of-the-table clash against the New Zealand Breakers saw them survive a late rally to win 81-77. However, Walton Jr sustained an ankle injury after scoring 12 points in just 18 minutes, while Cooks also went down with an injury, forcing him to miss the next three weeks, including an Australian Boomers World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.
An epic 83-82 victory over Illawarra followed, thanks to a clutch Shaun Bruce buzzer-beater.
LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE ⚡
THE SYDNEY KINGS HAVE DONE IT AGAIN 🔥
Watch #NBL23 live & free 📺 10 Peach & 10play | Live on ESPN via Kayo & Foxtel pic.twitter.com/CvxWVxOkI8— NBL (@NBL) November 20, 2022
Soares played a key role in Sydney’s record-breaking 49-point victory over Brisbane (116-67), contributing 20 points as the Kings achieved their largest win in franchise history.
Sydney ended the regular season on top of the ladder (19-9), despite losing their final two games. Xavier Cooks was named NBL MVP, averaging 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. Soares finished his debut NBL season averaging 9.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1 block per game.
In the playoffs, Sydney faced Cairns in the semifinals, with Cooks delivering a dominant 27-point, 14-rebound performance in game one (95-87). Game two saw a drama-filled encounter where Kings coach Chase Buford was ejected, and Soares was charged with striking in a heated matchup. Cairns capitalized, winning 93-82.
Sydney advanced to the Grand Final after defeating Cairns 79-64 in game three, with Vasiljevic stepping up with 15 points, including three crucial three-pointers.
In the championship series against New Zealand, Sydney suffered an early setback with a 95-87 loss in game one. The Kings responded in game two with a 91-68 win behind Soares’ strong defensive performance and Simon’s contributions.
Sydney clinched the championship in game five, defeating New Zealand 77-69 in front of a record-breaking 18,124 fans at Qudos Bank Arena. Walton Jr (21 points, 6 assists) was named Championship Series MVP, while Cooks added 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Soares concluded his first NBL season as a key contributor to Sydney’s successful championship run, providing a strong inside presence and stretching the floor with his shooting touch.
67,811 fans attended the Championship Series, marking the highest Grand Final attendance in NBL history.
It was the last game of the season, and it delivered all sorts of drama.
Re-live the best bits thanks to @HungryJacksAU ⤵ pic.twitter.com/KxOiNZnVDW— NBL (@NBL) March 15, 2023
Tim Soares currently plays for the Sydney Kings and has played 58 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 9.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 0.9 assists since entering the league in 2022.
CURRENT CONTRACT:
Sydney Kings – 1 Year Deal (2025-26)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 29 | Sydney | 15-9 (3) | 23 | 237.2 | 243 | 139 | 36 | 102 | 37 | 15 | 21 | 25 | 57 | 96 | 185 | 52% | 17 | 59 | 29% | 34 | 42 | 81% | 59% | 56% | 24 |
| 2022-23 | 26 | Sydney | 19-9 (1) | 35 | 728.0 | 328 | 168 | 19 | 47 | 121 | 24 | 35 | 47 | 109 | 121 | 234 | 52% | 33 | 83 | 40% | 53 | 71 | 75% | 61% | 59% | 24 | Totals | 58 | 965 | 571 | 307 | 55 | 149 | 158 | 39 | 56 | 72 | 166 | 217 | 419 | 51.8% | 50 | 142 | 35.2% | 87 | 113 | 77.0% | 61% | 58% | 24 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 29 | Sydney | 15-9 (3) | 23 | 10.3 | 10.6 | 6.0 | 1.6 | 4.4 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 2.5 | 4.2 | 8.0 | 52% | 0.7 | 2.6 | 29% | 1.5 | 1.8 | 81% | 59% | 56% | 24 |
| 2022-23 | 26 | Sydney | 19-9 (1) | 35 | 20.8 | 9.4 | 4.8 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 3.5 | 6.7 | 52% | 0.9 | 2.4 | 40% | 1.5 | 2.0 | 75% | 61% | 59% | 24 | Total | 58 | 16.6 | 9.8 | 5.3 | 0.9 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 3.7 | 7.2 | 51.8% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 35.2% | 0.9 | 2.4 | 77.0% | 61% | 58% | 24 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 24 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
|---|
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Soares has both Brazilian and US passports. He played two games for Brazil during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 (Americas Qualifiers) where he averaged 10.5 points and 3.5 rebounds.
Soares was a part of the Brazilian national team that competed at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and finished in 13th place (3-2 record)
FIBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 26 | 5 | 98 | 49 | 19 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 16 | 16 | 30 | 53.3% | 9 | 15 | 60.0% | 8 | 11 | 72.7% |
| 2024 | 27 | 4 | 100 | 1 | 20 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 18 | 36 | 50.0% | 4 | 12 | 33.3% | 8 | 10 | 80.0% | Total | 9 | 198 | 50 | 39 | 15 | 13 | 26 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 24 | 34 | 66 | 52% | 13 | 27 | 48% | 16 | 21 | 76% |
FIBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 26 | 5 | 19.6 | 9.8 | 3.8 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 6.0 | 53.3% | 1.8 | 3.0 | 60.0% | 1.6 | 2.2 | 72.7% |
| 2024 | 27 | 4 | 25.0 | 0.3 | 5.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 4.5 | 9.0 | 50.0% | 1.0 | 3.0 | 33.3% | 2.0 | 2.5 | 80.0% | Total | 9 | 22.0 | 5.6 | 4.3 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 3.8 | 7.3 | 52% | 1.4 | 3.0 | 48% | 1.8 | 2.3 | 76% |
NBA EXPERIENCE
Played in the 2022 NBA summer league with Milwaukee appearing in two of the teams four games. There he played alongside fellow NBL alumni Rayjon Tucker, Hugo Besson and Dusty Hannahs.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Turkey - Samsunspor (2020–2021) | Israel - Ironi Ness Ziona (2021-2022) | Japan - Koshigaya (2024-2025)
During the 2020-21 season, Soares played for Samsunspor in the Turkish Basketball First League. There he averaged 14.1 points and 9.5 rebounds (5th in the league) per game, and was named All-League First Team.
In July 2021, Soares joined Ironi Ness Ziona of the Israeli Basketball Premier League. In the Israeli league he averaged 14 points (60% FG, 54% 3P), 6.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.
Played the 2024/25 season with Koshigaya in Japan.
COLLEGE
Tim Soares attended The Master’s University in Santa Clarita, California from 2016–17 through 2019–20, finishing as one of the most decorated and productive big men in program history while establishing the school’s all-time blocked shots record and piling up major GSAC and NAIA recognition.
As a freshman in 2016–17, Soares made rapid strides and earned the starting role for the final 19 games of the season, averaging just over eight points per game while leading the team in field goal percentage and blocked shots and finishing second in rebounding, with 15 double-figure scoring games and seven double-doubles.
His signature freshman performance came against Biola on March 4, when he scored 20 points and went a perfect 12-for-12 at the free throw line, adding 12 rebounds and eight blocks in one of the most complete stat lines of his college career, while also posting a season-best 16 rebounds against Vanguard on January 17 in a 17-point outing that included an 8-for-8 shooting night from the field.
As a sophomore in 2017–18, Soares started all 32 games and took a major leap into all-conference and All-American status, averaging just over 14 points per game with 22 double-figure scoring games, eight 20-plus point performances, and six double-doubles while also producing 10 games with 10 or more rebounds and averaging 8.4 rebounds per game, which ranked third in the GSAC.
That 2017–18 season was also his first year as an elite rim protector, as he led the GSAC and finished third nationally with a single-season, program-record 90 blocks, earning All-GSAC honours, GSAC Defensive Player of the Year, and NAIA Division I All-American third-team recognition, with his best scoring game a career-high 33 points against Antelope Valley on December 29 on 10-for-12 shooting from the field and 11-for-14 at the line, and his best rebounding game 19 boards against Arizona Christian on January 11 in a 19-point effort.
As a junior in 2018–19, Soares continued his rise as one of the NAIA’s premier big men, averaging 15.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game while leading the GSAC in blocked shots with 69, shooting 58.8 percent from the field and 83.2 percent at the free throw line, and he again earned All-GSAC recognition and was named GSAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season along with NAIA Division I Honorable Mention All-American honours.
His 2018–19 season included a 32-point game against Life Pacific on January 19, which also marked him surpassing 1,000 career points, and he recorded 15 double-doubles overall, highlighted by a 20-point, 13-rebound double-double against the University of Science & Arts in an NAIA National Tournament first-round game on March 21, while also blocking a season-high seven shots against St. Katherine on November 17 and becoming the program’s all-time blocked shots leader during the season.
As a senior in 2019–20, Soares produced his best all-around season, starting all 28 games he played and averaging 18.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while leading the GSAC in blocks for a third straight season with 62, a total that ranked fifth nationally, and he was named All-GSAC, GSAC Defensive Player of the Year for the third consecutive season, and NAIA Division I All-American second team, making him a three-time All-American across 2017–18 to 2019–20.
Soares scored in double figures in all but two games in 2019–20, recorded 11 games with 20 or more points, and posted nine double-doubles, with his career-high performance coming at OUAZ on December 7 when he scored 36 points on 14-of-22 shooting and added 14 rebounds, and he also grabbed a season-high 16 rebounds against William Jessup on February 8 while earning GSAC Player of the Week twice during the season on January 20 and February 10.
Across his four-year college career, Soares finished as The Master’s all-time leader in blocked shots with 272, ranked second in school history in free throws made with 405, fifth in rebounds with 1,001, and 10th in scoring with 1,768 points, capping a run in which The Master’s won 107 games over his four seasons and captured three straight GSAC tournament titles from 2017 to 2019 along with back-to-back GSAC regular season crowns in 2018 and 2019.
His senior season also ended in unusual circumstances, with The Master’s holding a No. 5 seed for what would have been a fourth straight trip to the NAIA Division I national tournament before the event was canceled shortly before the team was due to travel to Kansas City in response to the coronavirus pandemic, closing out his collegiate career without a final postseason run on the floor.
AWARDS
- Second-team NAIA All-American (2020)
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Third-team NAIA All-American (2018)
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Honorable mention NAIA All-American (2019)
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3× All-GSAC (2018–2020)
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3× GSAC Defensive Player of the Year (2018–2020)
Related
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