Shawn Dennis on Whether Too Many Foreign Coaches Are Hurting the NBL, Plus Japanese Stars Who Belong in the NBL and Aussies Who Should Be Playing in Japan
November 13, 2024
Joey Wright
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 4/09/68
- Place of Birth: Alton, Illinois (USA)
- Position: GRD
- Height (CM): 191
- Weight (KG): 84
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: Drake (1986-1987) / Texas (1988-1991)
- NBL DEBUT: 22/04/95
- AGE AT DEBUT: 26
- LAST NBL GAME: 20/04/96
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 27
- NBL History: Geelong 1995-96
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Wright was born in Alton, Illinois (USA) and enrolled at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa after high school.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Joey Wright made his NBL debut with the Geelong Supercats at 26 years of age. He scored 10 points in his first game.
In 1995, Geelong saw imports Everette Stephens and Daren Rowe, along with veterans Vince Hinchen and Ray Borner (to Canberra), exit the team but reloaded the roster with some young talent.
Head coach Jim Calvin, entering his third season, rebuilt the roster with key additions Joey Wright, Jeff Arnold, Andrew Svaldenis (via Adelaide), and David Graham (via South East Melbourne). The returning core included Cecil Exum, Simon Kerle, Jason Joynes, and Justin Cass. Despite the influx of fresh talent and the promise of a more committed unit, the Supercats finished the season with a 9–17 record and missed the playoffs.
The season began with a 102–112 home loss to Canberra, followed by a 117–93 bounce-back win over Adelaide. Geelong then claimed a tight road win over Townsville (87–85) and defeated the Gold Coast Rollers the next night (116–106) to briefly reach 3–1. That momentum stalled with back-to-back losses to Adelaide and Perth in Round 4. Wright and Svaldenis continued to lead the charge during a home win over Hobart (108–97) and a thrilling 112–106 victory over Brisbane.
The second half of the season saw Geelong take wins over Melbourne (116–100) on June 24, Gold Coast (104–94) on July 28, Hobart (90–86) on August 4, and Townsville (127–113) in Round 19. However, those wins were outnumbered by losses as Geelong faded from playoff contention. Close defeats included a two-point loss to Sydney (105–107) on August 12 and a 99–114 home loss to Perth on September 8. The season ended with a heavy 103–129 home defeat to South East Melbourne on September 16.
Joey Wright (22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists) emerged as Geelong’s offensive catalyst across 25 games, blending dynamic scoring with creative playmaking. His most memorable performance came in a 106–112 loss to Melbourne on June 24, where—despite hitting only 2-of-10 from the field—he led the Supercats with 28 points. Wright made history at the free throw line, setting a new NBL record by converting 24-of-25 free throws, surpassing the previous mark of 20 set by Forestville’s Reg Biddings in 1981.
Jeff Arnold (19.1 points and 9.4 rebounds) gave Geelong a reliable interior anchor, consistently pairing scoring with strong rebounding to complement Wright’s perimeter game. Both Wright and Arnold would earn selection to the NBL All-Star Game during the mid-season break.
Other key contributors included Simon Kerle (18.1 points and 3.8 assists), who enjoyed a breakout year and established himself as a dependable scoring guard, while David Graham (15.3 points and 3.6 rebounds) provided versatility and shot-making on the wing. Veteran forward Cecil Exum (10.8 points and 7.8 rebounds) and Andrew Svaldenis (10.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) provided a tough inside presence, and Justin Cass (6.8 points and 3.5 rebounds), Greg Smith (5.6 points), and Jason Joynes (3.8 points and 3.2 rebounds) made valuable contributions from the bench.
Joey Wright capped his season with 39 points against the Magic in the final game and was a clear standout throughout the campaign. Geelong finished the regular season with a 9–17 record, missing the playoffs for a third consecutive year under Jim Calvin.
1996
1996 would see coach Jim Calvin replaced by up-and-coming coach Ian Stacker, with the team overhauling its roster. Major moves included securing Rupert Sapwell (via South East Melbourne) and Matt Scalzi (via Adelaide) to fill the departures of David Graham and Justin Cass, and bringing in powerhouse import Ray Owes to replace Jeff Arnold. Owes was joined by returning guard Joey Wright, who was injured after just two games and replaced by high-scoring Orlando Williams.
Wright’s season was cut short almost as soon as it began, as he featured in just two games before injury ended his campaign. He tallied 14 points and 2 assists in the season opener against Newcastle on April 13, playing 42 minutes, then added 4 points, 4 assists, and 2 rebounds in 34 minutes against Wollongong on April 20. Despite showing flashes of his veteran leadership and defensive energy, Wright was quickly ruled out and replaced by Orlando Williams, who went on to average (23.5 points) and become one of the league’s top scorers.
Geelong’s season ended with a 6–20 record and the club surrendering its NBL licence due to financial constraints and league restructuring. Wright’s brief return was a small footnote in a turbulent final campaign for the franchise.
Joey Wright played two seasons the Geelong Supercats. He averaged 21.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in 27 NBL games.
CAREER RANKINGS:
– 40th in assists per game.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 28 | Geelong | 6-20 (13) | 2 | 77.0 | 18 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 19 | 37% | 1 | 7 | 14% | 3 | 8 | 38% | 39% | 39% | 14 |
| 1995 | 27 | Geelong | 9-17 (12) | 25 | 1,095.0 | 556 | 140 | 146 | 53 | 87 | 46 | 6 | 110 | 86 | 169 | 381 | 44% | 55 | 137 | 40% | 163 | 195 | 84% | 59% | 52% | 39 | Totals | 27 | 1172 | 574 | 143 | 152 | 53 | 90 | 46 | 6 | 116 | 89 | 176 | 400 | 44.0% | 56 | 144 | 38.9% | 166 | 203 | 81.8% | 59% | 51% | 39 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 28 | Geelong | 6-20 (13) | 2 | 38.5 | 9.0 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 3.5 | 9.5 | 37% | 0.5 | 3.5 | 14% | 1.5 | 4.0 | 38% | 39% | 39% | 14 |
| 1995 | 27 | Geelong | 9-17 (12) | 25 | 43.8 | 22.2 | 5.6 | 5.8 | 2.1 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 4.4 | 3.4 | 6.8 | 15.2 | 44% | 2.2 | 5.5 | 40% | 6.5 | 7.8 | 84% | 59% | 52% | 39 | Total | 27 | 43.4 | 21.3 | 5.3 | 5.6 | 2.0 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 4.3 | 3.3 | 6.5 | 14.8 | 44.0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 38.9% | 2.1 | 5.3 | 81.8% | 59% | 51% | 39 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 39 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
Joey Wright was drafted by the Phoenix Suns with pick #50 in the 1991 NBA Draft.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Philippines - Presto Ice Cream Kings (1992) | Cyprus - APOEL B.C. (1993–1994)
Wright joined the Presto Ice Cream Kings for the 1992 Philippine Basketball Association season, playing his first season in the Philippines.
Wright arrived during the Third Conference as an import replacement for Jerome Harmon and debuted on October 4, 1992 with 52 points in a 139–135 overtime win over San Miguel, playing alongside Allan Caidic on a Presto team coached that conference by Tommy Manotoc.
His PBA stint ended after five games when an injury cut short his run, and after he was hurt in an October 11 loss to Shell he was replaced by Eldridge Recasner in Presto’s next match as the franchise closed out its final season in the league.
Wright then joined APOEL B.C. for the 1993–1994 seasons in Cyprus, playing in the Cypriot Division A with the Nicosia-based club.
COLLEGE
Wright began his NCAA career at Drake, suiting up for the Bulldogs during the 1986-87 season but receiving little playing time on the court, and Sports-Reference credits him with 16 appearances (0 starts) while averaging 7.4 minutes per game and posting 2.4 points, 0.7 rebounds, 0.6 assists, and 0.3 steals per game on 51.7% shooting from the field (15-for-29), 20.0% from three (1-for-5), and 63.6% at the line (7-for-11).
On the year at Drake, Wright’s totals from those 16 games were 38 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 5 steals, and 12 turnovers, and his main backcourt and frontcourt teammates included senior guard David Miller (14.7 points per game), junior guard Glenn Martin (9.4 points, 3.1 assists), and senior center Michael Morgan (15.4 points, 8.4 rebounds).
Wright transferred after his freshman year to the University of Texas for a chance to play with the school's prestigious Longhorns basketball team, and after sitting out as a redshirt sophomore in 1987-88, Wright was selected as the Longhorn's point guard from 1988 through 1991.
In his first playing season at Texas in 1988-89, Wright stepped into a major role and is credited with averages of 15.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, beginning a three-year run as a primary perimeter scorer while sharing the floor with key teammates including Lance Blanks and Travis Mays.
Wright and teammates' Lance Blanks and Travis Mays stellar offensive performance dubbed the trio as the "BMW Scoring Machine" during the 1989-90 basketball season, and Texas later documented that Blanks (651 points), Mays (772 points), and Wright (644 points) became the first threesome in Southwest Conference history to score 600-plus points each in the same season, while each also topped 300 points in SWC games.
Wright was particularly known for his hustling and effective jump shots that greatly helped contribute to the "Scoring Machine", and one of his signature NCAA moments came on December 30, 1989 when he poured in 46 points in a 102-82 road win at Stetson, a total that ranks as the third-highest single-game scoring performance in Texas men’s basketball history and the second-highest such total in a road contest for the program.
The Longhorn team won the Southwest Conference tournament that season and advanced to the Elite Eight in the 1990 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, and during that run the BMW trio’s production regularly drove the outcome, including a Sweet 16 win over Xavier on March 23, 1990 when Texas won 102-89 and Blanks, Mays, and Wright combined for 86 points.
Wright completed his Texas career across the 1988-89 through 1990-91 seasons, and his 1,819 career points rank seventh on the Longhorns’ all-time scoring list, with his name also appearing in Texas record summaries tied to both his place among the program’s top career scorers and his 46-point outburst at Stetson as one of the highest single-game totals in school history.
COACHING HISTORY
Wright was the head coach of three team's in the NBL, the Brisbane Bullets, which won an NBL championship in 2007, the now-defunct Gold Coast Blaze and the Adelaide 36ers.
He is a three-time NBL Coach of the Year (2003/04, 2006/07 and 2016/17), and was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011.
Related
HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PLAYER?
Whilst we try to source as much information as we can for every player who has ever played in the NBL some information on a player profile may be missing. If you have additional information on a player you'd like us to add to a profile, please send it to us using the enquiry form below.
Submissions are then sent to info@aussiehoopla.com