Jordan Hunter (Sydney Kings) on learning from Luc Longley and Andrew Bogut, the mental toll of injuries and passions on and off the court
August 25, 2022
Aleks Maric
- Nationality: AUS/SRB
- Date of Birth: 22/10/84
- Place of Birth: Sydney (NSW)
- Position: CTR
- Height (CM): 211
- Weight (KG): 125
- Junior Assoc: NSW - Sydney
- College: Nebraska (2004–2008)
- NBL DEBUT: 8/10/16
- AGE AT DEBUT: 31
- LAST NBL GAME: 14/05/17
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 32
- NBL History: Sydney 2017
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Aleksandar Marić (Serbian Cyrillic: Александар “Алекс“ Марић) was born on October 22, 1984, in Liverpool, a suburb of Sydney, Australia, to Serbian parents originally from Knin, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia. He later obtained Serbian citizenship.
Marić developed his basketball skills in Sydney before joining the Australian Institute of Sport, a renowned program for nurturing elite basketball talent. Seeking further development, he moved to the United States, where he played high school basketball at Life Center Academy in Burlington, New Jersey.
Maric received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2002. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (2002, 2003).
NBL EXPERIENCE
Aleks Maric made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 31 years of age. He scored six points in his first game.
Sydney entered the 2016/17 season looking to re-establish themselves as an NBL powerhouse. The first major move was signing Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze to a three-year contract as head coach, marking his first stint as an NBL head coach. The Kings then made a splash by convincing reigning NBL MVP Kevin Lisch to turn down an extension with Illawarra to sign a lucrative three-year deal, making him the highest-paid player in the league.
With general manager Jeff Van Groningen overseeing recruitment, the Kings continued their roster overhaul by securing two Australian Boomers on multi-year deals—swingman Brad Newley (via Spain) and veteran center Aleks Marić, nicknamed ‘Truck’ for his physical style of play. The trio joined returning players Tom Garlepp, Jason Cadee, Jeromie Hill, and Julian Khazzouh.
A key advantage for the Kings was Lisch obtaining Australian citizenship in March 2016, allowing them to sign three additional imports alongside him. The team opted not to re-sign former NBA stars Josh Childress and Al Harrington, instead bringing in Michael Bryson, Greg Whittington, and Josh Powell. However, Khazzouh suffered a quadriceps injury before the season began, ruling him out for the entire campaign, making Powell’s presence in the frontcourt even more critical.
Lisch was named team captain, and Sydney began the season with a 77–73 loss to Brisbane, despite Lisch leading the team with 20 points. Powell made his debut in the Kings’ second game, contributing 14 points and six rebounds in an 88–84 win over Illawarra. A video of the team celebrating their first win went viral, sparking excitement that the Kings could return to the playoffs for the first time since re-entering the league.
Michael Bryson (1.8 points, 1.0 rebound, and 0.8 assists) struggled to find his place in the lineup and was soon replaced by 13-year NBA veteran Steve Blake. The team surged to a 3-1 record, with Lisch (16.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.9 steals), Newley (17.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.1 assists), and Cadee (13.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists) all performing at a high level.
On November 12, 2016, Lisch erupted for a season-high 30 points in an 87–71 win over Melbourne, pushing the Kings to the top of the standings and solidifying their status as early title favorites. His play even prompted Gaze and Blake to suggest he was talented enough to play in the NBA. However, Sydney’s schedule soon turned against them.
Blake (5.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) failed to live up to expectations and later took indefinite leave for family reasons, leaving a void in the Kings’ backcourt. Meanwhile, Lisch’s production declined, and Powell (9.4 points and 4.8 rebounds) shifted to a bench role.
By Christmas, Sydney had lost five of their past eight games, slipping to third place (11-8). Instead of pursuing another import guard to replace Blake, the Kings signed Garrett Jackson, who had been playing in the state league and had previously been a training player for the club.
The team faced another setback when Tony Tolovae suffered a season-ending ankle injury after appearing in just one game. This allowed the Kings to add young prospect William McDowell-White (2.1 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in seven games) as a development player. The highly touted Australian guard had been recruited by top NCAA programs like Michigan State, Louisville, and USC, but after committing to Fresno State, he was unable to obtain NCAA clearance.
Under Gaze’s leadership, the Kings experimented with various lineups but failed to recapture their early-season form. After an 8-3 start, the team finished 5-12, losing nine of their final twelve games. Sydney ultimately placed seventh (13-15), missing the playoffs. Despite the disappointment, Lisch and Newley were named to the All-NBL Second Team.
Marić played in 28 games, averaging 5.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 17.7 minutes per game while shooting 59.4% from the field.
Aleks Maric played one season in the NBL. He averaged 5.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 27 NBL games.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 32 | Sydney | 13-15 (7) | 27 | 472.8 | 141 | 125 | 32 | 53 | 72 | 29 | 18 | 44 | 87 | 56 | 96 | 58% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 29 | 56 | 52% | 58% | 58% | 12 | Totals | 27 | 473 | 141 | 125 | 32 | 53 | 72 | 29 | 18 | 44 | 87 | 56 | 96 | 58.3% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 29 | 56 | 51.8% | 58% | 58% | 12 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 32 | Sydney | 13-15 (7) | 27 | 17.5 | 5.2 | 4.6 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 3.6 | 58% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 1.1 | 2.1 | 52% | 58% | 58% | 12 | Total | 27 | 17.5 | 5.2 | 4.6 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 3.6 | 58.3% | 0.0 | 0.0% | 51.8% | 58% | 58% | 12 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 12 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- AIS 2002-03
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Aleks Marić was a key member of Australias junior national teams, playing a crucial role in their international success. He was part of the gold medal-winning Australian Emus squad at the 2003 FIBA Under-19 World Championship, a history-making team that included future NBA star Andrew Bogut, as well as Damian Martin and Matthew Knight, under the guidance of head coach Rob Beveridge. Two years later, Marić represented Australia at the 2005 FIBA Under-21 World Championship, where the team finished in fourth place.
At the senior level, Marić competed for the Australian Boomers at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey, where he played six games and averaged 9.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest. The young Australian squad finished 10th in the tournament, with Patty Mills leading the team in scoring (13.8 points per game) and assists (3.4 per game), while David Andersen contributed 10.4 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds per game.
Marić later represented Australia at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, where the Boomers advanced to the quarterfinals but were eliminated by the United States in a 119–86 defeat. Despite media reports suggesting that Marić had expressed interest in playing for Serbia’s national team, he later denied these claims, reaffirming his commitment to the Australian program.
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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 28 | 6 | 53 | 17 | 16 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 16 | 43.8% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 3 | 4 | 75.0% |
| 2010 | 26 | 6 | 103 | 55 | 26 | 3 | 10 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 15 | 23 | 41 | 56.1% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 9 | 12 | 75.0% | Total | 12 | 156 | 72 | 42 | 4 | 16 | 26 | 3 | 2 | 19 | 25 | 30 | 57 | 53% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 12 | 16 | 75% |
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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 28 | 6 | 8.8 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 43.8% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0% | 0.5 | 0.7 | 75.0% |
| 2010 | 26 | 6 | 17.2 | 9.2 | 4.3 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 3.8 | 6.8 | 56.1% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0% | 1.5 | 2.0 | 75.0% | Total | 12 | 13.0 | 6.0 | 3.5 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 4.8 | 53% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 1.0 | 1.3 | 75% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Greece - Panathinakos (2010-2012) | Serbia - Partizan Belgrade (2009-2010) | Spain - Granada (2008-2009)
Aleks Marić began his professional career in the 2008–09 season with CB Granada in Spains Liga ACB. Over 32 games, he averaged 4.6 points and 3.5 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game, shooting 53.2% from the field and 65.3% from the free-throw line.
In the 2009–10 season, Marić signed with Partizan Belgrade in Serbia. He emerged as a standout player in the EuroLeague, averaging 14.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game, with a field-goal percentage of 60.7% over 18 games. His performance earned him a spot on the All-EuroLeague First Team. Domestically, he contributed to Partizans successes, including winning the Serbian National Championship, the Radivoj Korać Cup, and the Adriatic League title.
Marić joined Greek club Panathinaikos for the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons. In his first season, he played a role in the teams EuroLeague championship run, appearing in 8 games with averages of 3.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in 7.6 minutes per game. He also contributed to Panathinaikos Greek Basket League championship that season. The following year, he helped the team secure the Greek Basketball Cup.
For the 2012–13 and 2013–14 seasons, Marić played with Lokomotiv Kuban in Russia. In the 2012–13 EuroCup, he averaged 11.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, shooting 55.3% from the field over 14 games, aiding the team in winning the EuroCup title. The following season, in the EuroLeague, he averaged 6.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game over 23 appearances.
Marić began the 2014–15 season with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel, where he played 8 EuroLeague games, averaging 2.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 8.8 minutes per game. He then moved to Turkeys Galatasaray, appearing in 7 EuroLeague games with averages of 1.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in 10.0 minutes per game.
In 2015, Marić had brief stints with Petrochimi Bandar Imam in Iran and later with Gran Canaria in Spains Liga ACB.
During the 2015–16 season, Marić played for Budućnost Podgorica in Montenegro. In the Adriatic League, he averaged 9.0 points and 7.1 rebounds per game over 26 games, shooting 60.9% from the field.
After a season back home in Australia, Maric signed with Rio Natura Monbus Obradoiro for the rest of the 2016–17 ACB season.
On 26 June 2017, Marić signed with Al-Muharraq of the Bahraini Premier League. He played only one game for the team before retiring.
COLLEGE
Aleks Maric began his college basketball career at the University of Nebraska, where he played for four seasons from 2004 to 2008. As a freshman in 2004–05, he appeared in 27 games, starting 10, and averaged 8.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 47.9% from the field. His debut season saw him record a double-double in his first career game, and he matched the Nebraska freshman record with three double-doubles throughout the season.
In his sophomore year (2005–06), Maric stepped into a bigger role, starting 26 of 31 games. He averaged 10.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, improving his defensive presence in the paint. His rebounding ability helped Nebraska lead the Big 12 in rebounding margin. He also increased his minutes to 25.3 per game while maintaining a 47.2% field goal percentage.
Maric had a breakout junior season (2006–07), where he became Nebraska’s primary offensive option. He started all 30 games and delivered a dominant campaign, averaging 18.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 56.5% from the field. On February 3, 2007, he scored a career-high 41 points against Kansas State, the second-highest single-game total in program history. His performance earned him a place on the All-Big 12 Second Team.
As a senior in 2007–08, Maric continued his strong play, averaging 15.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 57.5% from the field. He started all 33 games and became one of the best big men in the conference, earning another All-Big 12 Second Team selection. He was also named to the preseason watch list for the John R. Wooden Award.
Over his four-year career at Nebraska, Maric played in 121 games and finished with 1,630 career points and 1,015 rebounds. He became just the second player in program history to surpass both 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds. He ranks second all-time in rebounds and fifth in total points for the Cornhuskers, cementing his legacy as one of Nebraska’s most dominant frontcourt players.
AWARDS
- EuroLeague champion (2011)
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All-EuroLeague First Team (2010)
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EuroCup champion (2013)
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ABA League champion (2010)
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Serbian League champion (2010)
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Serbian Cup winner (2010)
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Serbian Cup MVP (2010)
-
Greek League champion (2011)
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Greek Cup winner (2012)
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VTB United League rebounding leader (2013)
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All-VTB United League Second Team (2013)
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Montenegrin Cup winner (2016)
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2× Second-team All-Big 12 (2007, 2008)
COACHING HISTORY
In 2019, he became a assistant coach with the Sydney Kings
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