NICKNAME/S: Glidds

BIO: Cameron Gliddon was born in Bunbury (WA) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Bunbury basketball program. where he attended 94. Gliddon received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2007. He spent one year there and played for the program’s state league team.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Cameron Gliddon made his NBL debut with the Cairns Taipans at 23 years of age. He scored nine points in his first game.

In his debut NBL season with the Cairns Taipans, Cameron Gliddon showcased his all-around game, averaging 7.1 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. His performances earned him the NBL Rookie of the Year Award, highlighting his potential as a key player for the future. Despite Gliddon’s efforts, the Taipans finished the season in sixth place with an 11-17 record.

2013/14
Gliddon took a significant step forward in his second season, improving his scoring and establishing himself as a reliable contributor in the Taipans’ rotation. He averaged 12.1 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while playing an integral role for Cairns. The team showed slight improvement from the previous year, finishing in fifth place with a 12-16 record.

2014/15
The 2014/15 season was a historic one for the Taipans, as they became the first regional team since Geelong in 1984 to finish the regular season in first place with a 21-7 record. Under coach Aaron Fearne, Cairns made history by using the same starting five—Scottie Wilbekin, Cameron Gliddon, Stephen Weigh, Alex Loughton, and Matt Burston—for all 28 games of the season.

Gliddon played a pivotal role in the team’s success, contributing 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Despite mid-season roster changes, including the elevation of Nathan Sobey to cover injuries, Cairns remained dominant throughout the season.

In the semifinals, the Taipans faced the fourth-seeded Perth Wildcats. Scottie Wilbekin delivered standout performances, including 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists in game one (71-64) and a near triple-double in game two (16 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists) as Cairns swept the series to advance to the Grand Final.

The Grand Final series saw the Taipans face the New Zealand Breakers. Despite home-court advantage, Cairns lost game one (86-71). In game two, the series ended heartbreakingly for Cairns with Ekene Ibekwe hitting a buzzer-beater to clinch an 83-81 win for the Breakers. Wilbekin led Cairns in scoring and assists during the season (15.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists) and was named the club’s MVP.

2015/16
After becoming the first regional team since Geelong in 1984 to finish first, Cairns entered 2015/16 after a 21-7 season that ended with a 2-0 Grand Final loss to New Zealand. Aaron Fearne returned as coach, while Scottie Wilbekin (to Philadelphia), Mitch Young (to Townsville), Nathan Sobey (to Adelaide) and Corey Maynard (to Townsville) departed. Wilbekin left for an NBA opportunity, Sobey moved in free agency and Maynard was released at his own request to pursue greater playing time. Mark Worthington (via Melbourne), Markel Starks (via Italy) and Damon Heuir (via Cairns development player) joined the full roster, while import Torrey Craig returned. Cairns made no mid-season changes to its main roster.

The Taipans captain had re-signed with Cairns on March 27 on a three-year deal which included a European out clause following the 2015/16 season.

Cairns opened the season at the Cairns Convention Centre on October 8, where Gliddon (19 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) led the Taipans to a 79-74 win over Illawarra. Stephen Weigh (15 points) and Mark Worthington (12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals) provided support, while Tim Coenraad (7 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) was one of Illawarra’s best.

Gliddon (13.5 points and 4.3 rebounds across 28 games) became Cairns’ leading scorer and main perimeter option following Wilbekin’s departure, shooting 46 percent from the field, 38.9 percent from three and 87.5 percent from the free throw line. He started all 28 games and did not miss a game through injury or illness.

One of his biggest performances came against unbeaten Melbourne on November 13, where Gliddon (18 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists) made four three-pointers as Cairns defeated United 82-70 and ended its 9-0 start to the season. Starks (16 points and 4 assists) and Worthington (9 points and 10 rebounds) provided support, while Daniel Kickert (17 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) was one of Melbourne’s best.

Gliddon (19 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) played more than 40 minutes against Illawarra on December 11 as Cairns survived a double-overtime game to win 103-101. Starks (33 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Alex Loughton (17 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the scoring around him, while Kevin Lisch (30 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Illawarra.

Gliddon’s best game of the season came against Townsville on January 8, where he made five three-pointers and finished with 25 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal as Cairns defeated the Crocodiles 75-61 at the Cairns Convention Centre. Craig (15 points and 6 rebounds) and Cameron Tragardh (14 points) provided support, while Mirko Djeric (15 points) led Townsville.

Two weeks later, Gliddon (23 points, 3 assists, and 1 steal) made four three-pointers and all seven of his free throws against defending champion New Zealand as Cairns held on for a 90-87 win at the Cairns Convention Centre. Starks (19 points) and Shaun Bruce (14 points) provided support, while Thomas Abercrombie (23 points and 4 rebounds) led the Breakers.

Starks (12.5 points across 26 games), Craig (11.6 points and 6.1 rebounds across 28 games) and Worthington (11.3 points and 4.8 rebounds across 28 games) provided the main support, while Tragardh (7.9 points across 26 games), Weigh (7.9 points and 3.2 rebounds across 20 games), Loughton (6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds across 28 games), Bruce (5.9 points across 28 games) and Matt Burston (5.5 points and 5.6 rebounds across 27 games) completed Fearne’s main rotation. Worthington also played his 300th NBL game during the season. Cairns struggled badly away from home, winning only once on the road, while Gliddon received his second Taipans club MVP award, Craig won Members’ Choice MVP, Bruce received the Coaches Award and Players’ Player award and Worthington was named Best Defensive Player.

Cairns’ season ended in Townsville on February 11, where Gliddon (16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) made 6-of-8 shots and four three-pointers, while Weigh (14 points and 5 rebounds) and Worthington (13 points) provided support. Omar Samhan (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led the Crocodiles to an 85-68 win, leaving the Taipans sixth with a 12-16 record and outside the playoffs.

2016/17
After finishing sixth with a 12-16 record and missing the playoffs in 2015/16, Cairns returned under head coach Aaron Fearne looking to rebuild its roster. Markel Starks (to Koroivos), Torrey Craig (to Brisbane), Matt Burston (not re-signed), Cameron Tragardh (to Mackay) and Shaun Bruce (to Brisbane) departed, while captain Cameron Gliddon, Mark Worthington, Alex Loughton, Stephen Weigh and Damon Heuir returned. Fearne added hometown centre Nathan Jawai (via Perth), Travis Trice (via Westchester), Mitch McCarron (via Palencia), Fuquan Edwin (via Ness Ziona), Jarrad Weeks (via Illawarra) and Nnanna Egwu (via Erie).

The Taipans captain entered his third season in the role after declining the European out-clause in the three-year deal he had signed in 2015, committing to Cairns through the 2017/18 season after spending the NBL off-season with AZS Koszalin and narrowly missing selection for the Rio Olympics. He was named MVP of the preseason Australian Basketball Challenge, receiving the Ray Borner Medal.

Cairns opened the season at Perth Arena on October 8, where Gliddon (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Taipans but Perth recovered to win 84-74 in overtime. Egwu (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) and Weeks (11 points and 3 assists) provided support, while Jaron Johnson (26 points and 5 rebounds) led the Wildcats.

Gliddon (10.6 points, 3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.2 steals across 30 games) remained Cairns’ starting shooting guard and captain, appearing in every one of the Taipans’ 28 regular-season games and both semifinals. He started 29 of the 30 games, with no injury or illness causing him to miss a game.

His best game came against New Zealand at Vector Arena on November 11, where Gliddon (25 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) made 9-of-11 shots and 5-of-6 three-pointers, scoring 11 points in the fourth quarter as Cairns defeated the Breakers 86-79. Worthington (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Edwin (14 points) provided support, while Thomas Abercrombie (18 points and 6 rebounds) led New Zealand.

One of his strongest all-round performances came against Illawarra at the Cairns Convention Centre on December 17. After scoring only 3 points on two shot attempts against Adelaide five days earlier, Fearne moved him out of the starting five for the first time in 79 games, but Gliddon (18 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) responded from the bench as Cairns defeated the Hawks 99-82. Trice (22 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) and Worthington (17 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) provided support as the Taipans recorded 31 assists on 35 field goals, while Rotnei Clarke (21 points and 4 rebounds) led Illawarra. “I was pissed off, to be honest,” Gliddon said after responding to the demotion.

With Cairns sitting 9-11 and fighting for a playoff position, Edwin (8.1 points and 3.5 rebounds across 20 games) was released from his contract on January 19 for personal reasons. Tony Mitchell (8.6 points across 10 games) (via Hapoel Eilat) was signed the following day as his replacement with eight regular-season games remaining, making him eligible for the postseason.

His highest-scoring game came in Auckland on January 26, where Gliddon (26 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) made seven of 10 three-pointers as Cairns defeated New Zealand 94-81. Loughton (21 points and 4 rebounds) and Weeks (13 points and 6 assists) provided support, while Kirk Penney (18 points) led the Breakers. The victory completed a four-game season sweep of New Zealand and moved Cairns to 11-12 as the Taipans continued their push towards the playoffs.

Cairns completed the regular season in Adelaide on February 11, where Gliddon (16 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block), Trice (18 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Weeks (16 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Taipans to a 98-89 victory, while Jerome Randle (24 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) was Adelaide’s best. The win completed a run of six victories from Cairns’ final seven games and secured second place with a 15-13 record.

Trice (14.6 points, 3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.2 steals across 26 games) led Cairns in scoring and won the Taipans’ Most Valuable Player award, while Jawai (10.1 points and 4.3 rebounds across 29 games) provided the interior scoring after returning home. Worthington (9.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across 28 games) announced on January 22 that he would retire at the end of the season, while McCarron (7.2 points and 3.8 rebounds across 29 games), Loughton (6.6 points and 3 rebounds across 26 games), Weeks (6.3 points across 30 games), Weigh (5.4 points across 29 games) and Egwu (5.1 points and 3.7 rebounds across 30 games) provided the other major contributions. Worthington received the Members’ Choice MVP, Egwu won the Coaches Award, Heuir (3 points across 18 games) was named Players’ Player and McCarron received both Best Defensive Player and Commitment to Community.

Cairns opened its semifinal series against defending champion Perth at the Cairns Convention Centre, where Gliddon (6 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal), Trice (15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Worthington (11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) led the Taipans, but Bryce Cotton (34 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals), Casey Prather (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Matthew Knight (14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) powered the Wildcats to a 91-69 win and a 1-0 series lead.

Game two moved to Perth Arena, where Gliddon (2 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals), Trice (22 points and 5 assists), Mitchell (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Egwu (9 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) led Cairns, but Prather (24 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists), Jesse Wagstaff (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Knight (12 points) helped Perth win 74-66 and complete the 2-0 semifinal sweep, while Worthington (3 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) played his 335th and final NBL game.

2017/18
After finishing second with a 15-13 record before losing their semifinal series 2-0 to Perth the previous season, Cairns returned under coach Aaron Fearne with captain Cameron Gliddon entering his sixth season with the club after helping Australia win gold at the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup in August. Travis Trice (to Brisbane), Mark Worthington (retired), Fuquan Edwin (to Kauhajoki) and Tony Mitchell (to Indios de Mayagüez) departed, while Dayshon “Scoochie” Smith (via Dayton), Michael Carrera (via Marinos de Anzoátegui) and Kuany Kuany (via Chaminade) joined the roster. Carrera suffered a medial meniscus tear in his right knee during a preseason game against Perth on September 23 and underwent surgery, ruling him out for four to six weeks, with Jerry Evans Jr (via Sandringham) signed to a short-term contract as his injury replacement.

He entered the final season of the three-year deal he had signed with Cairns before the 2015/16 season, having previously chosen not to use the contract’s European exit clause.

Cairns opened the season at home against Illawarra on October 6, where Gliddon (8 points and 4 assists) helped the Taipans to an 88-87 win after Loughton (19 points) made the game-winning free throw with 0.8 seconds remaining. McCarron (14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) also contributed, while AJ Ogilvy (22 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Illawarra. Jawai (12 points and 4 rebounds), who was playing his first game after undergoing shoulder reconstruction during the off-season, injured his left foot during the game, with scans later revealing a partial ligament tear which required surgery and ruled him out for 12 weeks.

Gliddon (12.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals across 28 games) played all 28 games without an injury absence and remained Cairns’ captain throughout the season. He made a career-high 79 three-pointers at 43.2 per cent and continued to establish himself as one of the league’s more efficient perimeter players.

Cairns’ roster was repeatedly reshaped by injuries around him. Evans Jr (7.5 points and 4.6 rebounds across 22 games) played the opening four games while Carrera (14.2 points and 3.6 rebounds across 5 games) recovered from knee surgery, before Carrera returned against Perth on October 22 and Evans dropped out of the active rotation for the next six games. Jawai (5.4 points across 7 games) missed Cairns’ next 19 games following foot surgery, with the Taipans leaning on sponsors to help facilitate a second injury-replacement contract and signing Patton (1.7 points across 13 games) as his replacement (via Kilsyth). Carrera then landed awkwardly on his right foot against Melbourne on November 9 and suffered an ankle injury, resulting in Evans being brought back and returning against Illawarra on November 18. Carrera’s rehabilitation failed to progress as quickly as hoped and Cairns agreed to end his contract on December 14, allowing Evans to assume the full-time import role for the remainder of the season. Gliddon, who had scouted Carrera while the pair were playing in Russia, said Carrera’s departure was an amicable decision between the club and his management because the ankle had not progressed at the desired rate. Jawai eventually returned on January 7, while Patton’s stint with Cairns ended before he later joined Melbourne (to Melbourne) in January.

With Cairns sitting at 7-9 entering Christmas, Gliddon said, “We’re in that position of playing catch up again, which isn’t ideal but we always seem to play well with our backs against the wall.”

Gliddon’s highest-scoring game came against Adelaide on Christmas Eve, where he made seven three-pointers and finished with a career-high 27 points, 2 steals, and 1 block as Cairns defeated the 36ers 94-75 at Titanium Security Arena. Loughton (20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and McCarron (17 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals) helped Cairns record its biggest ever win in Adelaide and improve to 8-9, while Josh Childress (20 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) led the 36ers.

Four days later Gliddon’s best game of the season came against Illawarra, where he made six three-pointers and finished with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. Loughton (22 points and 3 assists) and Smith (21 points and 6 rebounds) also scored more than 20 points as the teams combined to make 32 three-pointers, the most in an NBL game in 18 seasons and one short of the league record, but Demitrius Conger (24 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block) led Illawarra to a 106-102 win. Gliddon was called for a technical foul after raising his arms in reaction to a late call, giving Illawarra a free throw and possession, with Fearne saying afterwards, “That was just ridiculous in a game like that, for that to happen at that moment and that’s what’s disappointing.”

With Cairns out of the playoff race, Gliddon (19 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) made five three-pointers against Perth on February 9, including the go-ahead three with 38.1 seconds remaining as the Taipans defeated the Wildcats 85-83 at Perth Arena. Weeks (17 points) and Egwu (12 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) provided support, while JP Tokoto (23 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) led Perth. Cairns made 17 three-pointers, a record for a 40-minute game at Perth Arena, while Gliddon’s NBL-record run of 46 consecutive free throws came to an end when he missed during the fourth quarter. The performance earned him Boti Nagy’s Player of the Week award for the second time that season after also receiving the honour in Round 11.

Loughton (12.6 points and 3.6 rebounds across 28 games) and McCarron (11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.2 steals across 28 games) were Cairns’ other leading contributors, while Smith (10 points across 28 games), Weeks (8.3 points across 28 games), Weigh (5.7 points across 18 games), Egwu (5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds across 28 games) and Heuir (4.5 points across 28 games) provided support.

Gliddon finished 13th in NBL MVP voting with 56 votes, the second-highest total among Australian players behind McCarron, and shared Cairns’ Most Valuable Player award with McCarron, giving him his third club MVP. Loughton won the Members’ Choice MVP, Coaches Award and Players’ Player, McCarron was named Best Defensive Player and Jawai received the Commitment to Community award.

The season was also Fearne’s last as head coach, with Cairns deciding not to renew his contract after a 19-season association with the club, including nine seasons as head coach. Fearne said the club had decided “that it is time for a new voice to carry the club forward into a new era.”

Cairns closed the season against Perth at Perth Arena on February 18, where Gliddon (12 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal), Evans Jr (12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and McCarron (8 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) were unable to stop Cotton (24 points and 6 assists) as the Wildcats won 89-61. Cairns finished sixth with an 11-17 record and missed the playoffs.

BRISBANE BULLETS
2018/19
After finishing last in 2017/18 with a 9-19 record, Brisbane reshaped its roster under coach Andrej Lemanis. Daniel Kickert (to Sydney), Tom Jervis (to Perth), Mitch Young (to Cairns), Anthony Petrie (retired), Shaun Bruce and imports Travis Trice and Perrin Buford departed, while Adam Gibson, Stephen Holt, Reuben Te Rangi and Will Magnay remained. Brisbane added Cameron Gliddon (via Cairns), Jason Cadee (via Sydney), Matt Hodgson (via Adelaide), Mika Vukona (via New Zealand), Makoto Hiejima and Alonzo Gee (via Puerto Rico), while Cam Bairstow returned after missing the previous season following a knee reconstruction. Hiejima joined under the NBL’s Asian Player rule, becoming the first Japanese player to sign with an NBL team. Gliddon left Cairns after six seasons and signed a three-year deal with Brisbane, reuniting with Boomers coach Lemanis after undergoing surgery during the offseason to relieve a bulging disc. Brisbane also faced a difficult early draw, with 12 of its first 15 games coming against teams which had reached the previous season’s playoffs.

Gliddon’s best game came in Brisbane’s season opener against New Zealand in Auckland on October 11, where he made five three-pointers and finished with 29 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals as the Bullets defeated the Breakers 86-73. Bairstow (14 points and 5 rebounds) and Gee (13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) provided support, while Corey Webster (23 points) led New Zealand. The victory was Brisbane’s first in Auckland since 2005, with Gliddon saying, “Obviously the biggest one is to win a championship, that’s what we’re going for.”

Gliddon (13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 steals across 29 games) became one of Brisbane’s main perimeter threats during his first season with the Bullets, providing outside shooting alongside the team’s revamped backcourt.

Against Illawarra on October 27, Gliddon (24 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) made eight three-pointers, with Te Rangi (14 points and 6 rebounds) and Hodgson (11 points and 6 rebounds) providing support, but Brian Conklin (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) led the Hawks to an 86-78 win.

Gliddon’s best scoring game came against Adelaide on November 4, where he made six three-pointers and finished with a career-high 30 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals, including the game-winning three-pointer with less than a second remaining to give Brisbane a 93-90 victory. Hodgson (15 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Te Rangi (13 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) helped the Bullets secure the win, while Daniel Johnson (19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) led Adelaide.

Four games into the season, Gee (7.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 4 games) requested to return to the US for personal reasons and was released, with Lamar Patterson (via China) signed as his replacement. Patterson (17.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 steals across 24 games) quickly became Brisbane’s leading scorer. Stephen Holt (7.1 points across 11 games) was later released, with Jeremy Kendle (6 points across 18 games), who had been training with Brisbane, added to the roster. Nnanna Egwu appeared in three games as an injury replacement, while the rarely used Hiejima was replaced by AJ Davis.

Brisbane sat at 9-9 by early January before recovering to remain in the playoff race. Gliddon’s only missed game came in the regular-season finale against New Zealand on February 16 due to a back injury. Brisbane defeated the Breakers 84-78 without him to finish tied with Adelaide at 14-14, claiming fourth place on points percentage and qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Alongside Gliddon and Patterson, Brisbane received strong seasons from Bairstow (11.6 points and 5.8 rebounds across 29 games), Te Rangi (9.9 points and 3.1 rebounds across 30 games), Hodgson (9.6 points and 6.1 rebounds across 29 games), Cadee (8.3 points and 4.1 assists across 30 games), Vukona (6.7 points and 4.4 rebounds across 28 games) and Gibson (6.2 points across 30 games). Patterson was named to the All-NBL First Team and won Brisbane’s club MVP award, while Te Rangi was named the NBL’s Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year.

Perth opened the semifinals with an 89-59 win over Brisbane on February 28 behind Bryce Cotton (22 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists), Terrico White (19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Nick Kay (18 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks), while Gliddon (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) was Brisbane’s leading scorer, with Hodgson (10 points and 7 rebounds) and Patterson (9 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) providing support.

Game two moved to Brisbane on March 2, where Patterson (19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals), Hodgson (15 points and 2 blocks), Bairstow (12 points and 7 rebounds) and Gliddon (10 points and 5 rebounds) kept the Bullets close, but White (24 points), Cotton (19 points and 10 assists) and Kay (16 points and 15 rebounds) led Perth to an 84-79 victory and completed the 2-0 sweep.

2019/20
After returning to the playoffs for the first time since re-entering the NBL and finishing fourth with a 14-14 record before losing to Perth in the semifinals, Brisbane entered 2019/20 without Adam Gibson (to South East Melbourne), Cameron Bairstow (to Rytas Vilnius) and Makoto Hiejima (to Link Tochigi Brex). Head coach Andrej Lemanis added Nathan Sobey (via Adelaide), Taylor Braun (via Hapoel Be’er Sheva) and EJ Singler (via Hawke’s Bay), while Lamar Patterson later re-signed with the club.

Gliddon entered his second season in Brisbane after representing Australia at the 2019 FIBA World Cup, his first major international tournament, where the Boomers finished fourth.

Brisbane opened the season against Illawarra at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 6, where Gliddon (10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) started and helped the Bullets to a 90-81 win. Patterson (25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Sobey (17 points and 5 rebounds) led Brisbane, while Aaron Brooks (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) was Illawarra’s leading scorer.

Gliddon (6.9 points across 27 games) saw his role reduced considerably after averaging 13.7 points the previous season, with his playing time dropping and his place in the starting lineup changing throughout the first half of the year. The combination of Gliddon and Sobey had been one of the major talking points entering Brisbane’s championship push, but neither produced at the level of the previous season as the Bullets sat sixth with a 5-6 record after 11 games. Gliddon started 18 of his 27 appearances and missed only Brisbane’s November 16 loss to Cairns, with no injury or other reason for the absence identified in the available club or league reporting.

Gliddon began to find his shooting touch as Brisbane pushed towards the playoffs, scoring 14 points and 4 rebounds against New Zealand at Spark Arena on January 12. He made all four of his three-point attempts and scored 11 points in the final quarter as Brisbane defeated the Breakers 95-85, with Patterson (18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Braun (14 points) helping the Bullets improve to 10-11, while Thomas Abercrombie (17 points) and Sek Henry (17 points) led New Zealand.

Gliddon followed with 16 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals against Illawarra at Nissan Arena on January 18, making four three-pointers as Brisbane defeated the Hawks 106-77 for its fourth win in five games. Patterson (20 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Hodgson (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) helped Brisbane improve to 11-11, while Angus Glover (18 points and 5 rebounds) led Illawarra.

Patterson (21 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.2 steals) led Brisbane in scoring, earned All-NBL First Team honours and finished third in MVP voting, while Sobey (16 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists) was the team’s second-leading scorer. Cadee (11 points) won the NBL Sixth Man award, while Hodgson (10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds), Magnay (8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks), Singler (7.8 points and 4.1 rebounds) and Braun (6.7 points) were the other major contributors. Magnay was elevated into the starting lineup during his breakout season and won the NBL Most Improved Player award, while Mika Vukona (1.6 points) saw his role reduced as age and injuries took their toll before retiring at the end of the season.

After winning six consecutive games to move into the top four, losses to New Zealand and Perth left Brisbane needing to defeat Cairns by at least 34 points in its final game to remain alive in the playoff race. Gliddon’s best game of the season came at Nissan Arena on February 15, where he made seven three-pointers and finished with 25 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals as Brisbane defeated Cairns 124-88. Sobey (30 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) and Singler (21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) helped the Bullets record the 36-point victory, while Majok Deng (20 points and 7 rebounds) led Cairns. The win was Brisbane’s biggest of the season and the largest winning margin by any NBL team that year, while the Bullets’ 124 points were also a season-high for the league. “I’ve never been more proud of a team… just coming out and giving ourselves a shot. We talk about being tough and unified and wanting to be known as that, and tonight certainly displayed both of those values,” Lemanis said. Melbourne defeated South East Melbourne 109-90 the following day, leaving Brisbane outside the playoffs in fifth place with a 15-13 record.

2020/21
After finishing second last with a 9-19 record during their inaugural season, South East Melbourne looked to provide franchise player Mitch Creek with additional support. Cameron Gliddon and Reuben Te Rangi (both via Brisbane) were added to provide perimeter shooting and floor spacing, while imports Ben Moore and Keifer Sykes and development players Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’Afa and Tristan Forsyth were also signed. Yanni Wetzell initially exercised his European out clause (to Riesen Ludwigsburg) before passport complications caused by COVID-19 resulted in him returning to South East Melbourne, while Mike Karena was added as an injury replacement for Dane Pineau, who entered the season battling a back injury. Gliddon had mutually parted ways with Brisbane before signing a two-year deal with the Phoenix, with Simon Mitchell’s knowledge of his game playing a major role in the move. “I was blown away a bit about how much he knew about me,” said Gliddon.

COVID-19 delayed the start of the season until January, with South East Melbourne opening against Adelaide at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on January 17. Gliddon (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) played almost 44 minutes as the Phoenix pushed the 36ers to double overtime before losing 116-108. Creek (30 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block), Wetzell (24 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) and Sykes (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 11 assists) led South East Melbourne, while Daniel Johnson (33 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) led Adelaide.

Gliddon (10.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals) quickly settled into the starting shooting guard role, providing the perimeter shooting and defence South East Melbourne had recruited him for. He made 2.4 three-pointers per game at 39 percent and was among the league leaders in both three-pointers and steals before a late-season hip injury limited him.

Against the previously undefeated Illawarra Hawks on February 7, Gliddon (15 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 3 steals) made five three-pointers during the third quarter as South East Melbourne won 98-82. Moore (15 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks), Sykes (15 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 block), Creek (15 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kyle Adnam (15 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 steals) gave the Phoenix five players with at least 15 points for the first time in club history, while Deng Adel (17 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Cameron Bairstow (15 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) led Illawarra.

Gliddon continued his strong shooting against Brisbane on February 21, making five three-pointers and finishing with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals as South East Melbourne opened its NBL Cup campaign with a 99-83 win. Creek (29 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 steal) led the scoring and Sykes (14 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1 steal) recorded a triple-double, while Matthew Hodgson (20 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks), Nathan Sobey (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Anthony Drmic (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) led Brisbane.

A week later against Illawarra, Gliddon (19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) made four three-pointers as the Phoenix defeated the Hawks 93-76. Creek (25 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal), Moore (22 points and 5 rebounds) and Adnam (9 points, 5 rebounds, 13 assists, and 4 steals) also delivered strong performances, while Tyler Harvey (14 points) and Justin Simon (13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Illawarra.

Gliddon produced one of his best all-round games against his former club Cairns on March 12, finishing with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals as South East Melbourne won 85-81 at John Cain Arena. With Cairns closing to within two points late, Gliddon made a crucial basket with 50 seconds remaining to restore a four-point advantage. Creek (21 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Wetzell (12 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) provided support, while Scott Machado (24 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Cameron Oliver (22 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) led Cairns.

Gliddon’s best game of the season came against Cairns at the Cairns Pop-Up Arena on April 25, where he made 9-of-14 shots and four three-pointers to finish with 22 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. Te Rangi (13 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 block), Adnam (12 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Creek (11 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals) provided support as South East Melbourne won 86-66 and consolidated its position inside the top four, while Venky Jois (12 points and 8 rebounds), Mojave King (11 points and 7 rebounds) and Tad Dufelmeier (11 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists) led Cairns.

Late in the season, Gliddon began experiencing significant pain in his hip and an MRI revealed an extensive tear as well as a bone issue that would eventually require surgery. He sustained the injury at training before South East Melbourne’s May 8 game against Melbourne and missed the 93-82 loss, but returned against New Zealand four days later and continued playing through the injury as the Phoenix fought for its first playoff berth. “With about 10 games left in the year I felt a lot of pain going through my hip and I got an MRI which showed an extensive tear,” said Gliddon. “I wanted to keep playing because we hadn’t secured finals yet.”

After playing against Cairns on May 28, Gliddon returned to Melbourne for the birth of his second child. “My team mates, coaches and staff on this trip have been checking in with me regularly and making sure I understood that they were happy with whatever decision I made, whether it was to play on or head back,” said Gliddon. “I appreciate them supporting me and my family and I really hope to rejoin them as soon as possible after the birth.” COVID-19 travel restrictions complicated his return and he missed games against Brisbane on June 2, New Zealand on June 5 and Brisbane on June 8. Those three absences, combined with the Melbourne game missed because of his hip injury, were the only four games Gliddon missed during the season. He rejoined South East Melbourne in Sydney the day before the semifinals and ultimately underwent surgery on the hip in July.

South East Melbourne developed into the highest-scoring team in the NBL, led by Creek (18.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists), with Sykes (14.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists), Adnam (12 points and 3.6 assists), Wetzell (11.2 points and 6 rebounds), Moore (10.4 points and 6.5 rebounds), Broekhoff (7 points and 3.8 rebounds) and Te Rangi (6.9 points and 3.4 rebounds) providing support. Broekhoff joined midway through the season as a replacement for Pineau and played the final 19 games, with his arrival pushing Karena out of the regular rotation. Despite finishing second last in the league for rebounding, South East Melbourne finished fourth with a 19-17 record and reached the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

South East Melbourne faced minor premiers Melbourne (28-8) in the semifinals, with all three games moved to Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena and played without crowds because of COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria. Having only rejoined the team the previous day, Gliddon came off the bench and was limited by his lack of recent game time and the hip injury. Melbourne opened the series with a 96-78 victory, with Gliddon (0 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist in 13:51) unable to score. Landale (26 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 block) and Scotty Hopson (22 points and 3 assists) led United, while Moore (17 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal), Creek (15 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) and Sykes (12 points) led the Phoenix.

Facing elimination in game two, Gliddon (0 points, 1 rebound, and 1 block in 8:34) again saw limited minutes, but South East Melbourne forced a deciding game with a 90-79 victory. Sykes (26 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals), Creek (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Wetzell (20 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 steal) led the Phoenix, while Hopson (19 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) and Chris Goulding (14 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) led Melbourne.

South East Melbourne jumped out to a 32-15 lead during the second quarter of game three before Melbourne took control. Gliddon (0 points, 1 rebound, and 1 block in 11:47) again came off the bench, while Te Rangi (22 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals), Creek (19 points and 9 rebounds) and Sykes (15 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) led the Phoenix. Landale (27 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) made 11-of-13 shots from the field and all three of his three-point attempts, while Goulding (14 points and 2 steals) provided support as United won 84-74.

2021/22
After making their maiden Finals appearance the year prior, South East Melbourne looked to go one step further, re-signing coach Simon Mitchell to a one-year deal and retaining Kyle Adnam, Ryan Broekhoff, Izayah Le’Afa and Mitch Creek. Keifer Sykes (to NBA) and Yanni Wetzell (to New Zealand) exited, with Tohi Smith-Milner (via Melbourne), Zhou Qi (via Xinjiang), Zach Hankins (via CEZ Nymburk) and Xavier Munford (via Bursaspor) added to the roster.

Gliddon entered the second and final season of the two-year deal he agreed to with South East Melbourne after mutually parting ways with Brisbane in 2020.

Gliddon’s preparation for NBL22 was disrupted after undergoing hip surgery in July to repair an extensive tear he had played through during the final month of the previous season. The surgery required a 16-week rehabilitation, with Gliddon returning in time for the start of the season. “It’s one of those weird surgeries where I’ll come back, rehab it and be better than I was.” said Gliddon.