Download and listen to Aussie Hoopla podcast on the links below.
Darnell Mee played college basketball at Western Kentucky University before being drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the 1993 NBA Draft. After being traded to the Denver Nuggets on draft night he went on to play two seasons in the NBA competing against John Stockton, Gary Payton, Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon and a list of other NBA legends.
He averaged 1.9 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game during his time with the Nuggets and was a part of the team’s memorable upset of the Seattle Supersonics in 1994, beating them 3-2 and becoming the first #8 seed to ever beat a #1 in the NBA playoffs.
After the NBA he arrived in Australia and played for the Canberra Cannons in his debut season. Despite averaging 15 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 1.5 blocks and leading the Cannons to a fourth place finish (16-10) he was let go the following year with the team saying the needed an import who was a better scorer.h
After Canberra was eliminated in the semi-finals by Andrew Gaze and the Melbourne Tigers Mee would play in France for BCM Gravelines before being recruited back to the NBL by Phil Smyth to play for the Adelaide 36ers.
Pairing with Kevin Brooks, his former Denver Nuggets teammate, Mee would lead the team to back to back championships in 1998 and 1999. During the 36ers championship years Mee would average 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 block per game.
After putting in his highest scoring season of his career in 2001 (averaging 19 points per game). Darnell would play the remainder of his career with the Cairns Taipans from 2002 until he retired in 2009 except for a for a short stint with Wollongong Hawks (2003-05).
Mee averaged 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists over his 12 seasons in the NBL. He sits 10th all time in the NBL for steals (730) while playing fewer games than any other player in the 10 top. He also sits 14th all-time in blocks (397) with no person shorter than Darnell having more blocks over their career.
During his NBL career, Mee was regarded as the best defensive player in the league. When he retired he had won more NBL Best Defensive Player awards than anyone in league history. He was selected to the NBL’s First Team in 2001 and 2005 and represented Australia in FIBA’s Oceania Championships in 2007, successfully helping the Boomers qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games.
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Topics discussed on the podcast include;
- Darnell shares what he’s been doing since retiring from the NBL (2:00)Thoughts on Lamelo Ball and RJ Hampton skipping college for the NBL and his own advice to his son on college basketball (6:30)
- His experiences playing college basketball at Western Kentucky (9:00)
- He becomes the 34th pick in the 1993 NBA draft (14:00)
- His rookie season with the Denver Nuggets and upsetting the Seattle Supersonics, becoming the first #8 seed to ever defeated a #1 seed in the NBA playoffs (19:00)
- Sharing stories on his Denver Nuggest teammates, Dikembe Mutumbo, Rodney Rogers, Laphonso Ellis, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (23:00)
- Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf’s decision to not stand for the national anthem and how it impacted the team (25:30)
- Stories from playing against John Stockton, Gary Payton, Jimmy Jackson and Stacey Augmon (35:00)
- Why his time in the NBA was cut short after two seasons (40:00)
- Arriving in Australia to play for the Canberra Cannons (46:00)
- His approach to playing defence and how to defend Andrew Gaze in is prime (52:00)
- Winning his first NBL championship with Adelaide in 1998 (59:00)
- The journey to repeat as NBL champions in 1999 (111:00)
- Darnell’s describes his relationship with Kevin Brooks (113:00)
- Finishing his career with Cairns and Wollongong (1:16:00)
- Playing for the Australian Boomers and mentoring a young Patty Mills (1:18:00)
- Darnell’s toughest challenge and fondest memories from his career (1:22:00)
All of this and a whole lot more…
| Aussie Hoopla Podcasts | |
|---|---|
 | Episode 187: Mark Cowan on the Rise and Fall of the South Dragons |
 | Episode 186: Will Weaver on the Sydney Kings 2019-20 season, COVID-19 and mental health |
 | Episode 185: Doug Overton (Illawarra Hawks) the first player to go from the NBL to the NBA |
 | Episode 184: Simon Mitchell on the South East Melbourne Phoenix debut season |
 | Episode 183: Perth Wildcats Trevor Gleeson reflects on Perth's 10th championship and roster plans for next season |
 | Episode 182: Dean Vickerman on United's semi-final loss, what he learned and what needs to change |
 | Episode 181: Adelaide 36ers GM Jeff Van Groningen talks Joey Wright, Twitter comments and the search for a new head coach |
 | Episode 180: Mike Kelly reviews the Cairns Taipans 2019-20 season |
 | Episode 179: Aussies in the NBA: Simmons stars in NBA All-Star game, Bolden heads to Phoenix and Broekhoff waived |
 | Episode 178: Dan Boyce on Kobe Bryant's death and his impact on Australia and Asia (via Al Jazeera TV) |
 | Episode 177: Ebi Ere talks 2004 Kings and 2007 Bullets NBL championships |
 | Episode 176: Shawn Dennis on the Townsville Crocodiles demise and basketball's growth in Japan |
 | Episode 175: Angus Brandt on leaving the Wildcats, Perth's 2019 title and playing in Italy |
 | Episode 174: Aussies in the NBA: Dante Exum traded to Cleveland, Ben Simmons DPOTY and Aron Baynes domination |
 | Episode 173: Brett Brown to replace Andrej Lemanis as Boomers coach but why all the hate? Also NZ Breakers issues and LaMelo Ball (again) |
 | Episode 172: Darryl McDonald (3x NBL Champion) talks Melbourne cross-town rivalries then and now |
 | Episode 171: Tasmania's NBL future determined in 60 days, difficulties replacing imports and Next Stars success |
 | Episode 170: LaMelo's free reign in Illawarra vs RJ Hampton helping New Zealand win, Bogut sledges Gaze and Ben Simmons racially vilified |
 | Episode 170: LaMelo Ball is hurting the Hawks & reviewing the SEM Phoenix marketing plan |
 | Episode 169: 2019-20 NBL Season and NBLxNBA games preview |
 | Episode 168: Canberra Cannons memories with former Coach Brett Flanigan |
 | Episode 167: Boomers Legend Tony Ronaldson on Australia's Semi-Final loss to Spain and bouncing back for a bronze medal game |
 | Episode 166: Australia beats USA: The week in review |
 | Episode 165: Boomers lose to Canada but that's no reason to panic |
 | Episode 164: Australia's FIBA World Cup Roster, Mitch Creek's Omission and Brisbane Bullets bias? |
 | Episode 163: Rob Beveridge on NBL's new TV deal, Ben Simmons Boomers omission and the Illawarra Hawks |
 | Episode 162: Chris Jent (North Melbourne Giants) on his NBL career and the Houston Rockets 1994 championship |
 | Episode 161: Basketball Australia's Paul Maley talks USA Vs Boomers, NZNBL and dissolving SEABL |
 | Episode 160: Darnell Mee on Adelaide's back to back titles (1998-99) and his NBA career |
 | Episode 159: Benny Lewis talks 1980's Melbourne Basketball and his 10 year NBL career |
Episode 158: Next Stars Program, Aussies in the NBA Draft and NBL Select Vs Team China |
|
 | Episode 157: Dusty Rychart on the 2007 Brisbane Bullets championship and his NBL career |
Episode 156: Aussies In The NBA: 2018-19 Season Review |
|
 | Episode 155: Explaining the NBL Next Stars Program and looking at Brian Bowen's NBA draft chances |
 | Episode 153: Former NBL import Mike Helms remembering the Hunter Pirates and Singapore Slingers |
 | Episode 152: Australia Basketball Hall Of Famer Ray Borner on the success of the Boomers from 1982-1996 and his NBL career |
Episode 151: AUSSIES IN THE NBA PODCAST: Simmons All-Star Weekend, Ingles shares autism story and Creek reaches the NBA dream |
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 | Episode 150: NBL Hall Of Famer Bob Turner discussing the current state the NBL |
 | Episode 149: Larry Abney on his time with Townsville, Cairns and now the LA Clippers coaching staff |
 | Episode 147: 1999 NBL MVP Steve Woodberry (Gold Coast Rollers, Brisbane Bullets, Sydney Kings) |
 | Episode 146: AUSSIES IN THE NBA PODCAST: Will Simmons and Butler work? Baynes 3-Point shooting and Ingles hot steak |
 | Episode 145: Former Sydney coach Bill Tomlinson on coaching in China and remembering the Kings Threepeat |
 | Episode 144: Cairns Coach Mike Kelly on rebuilding the Taipans roster and his two year plan for the team |
 | Episode 143: Leroy Loggins (NBL Hall Of Famer) on the Brisbane Bullets 1985 & 1987 championships and the 1992 Olympics |
 | Episode 142: 2018-19 Season Preview Podcast with NBL Legend Bruce Bolden |
 | Episode 141: NBL Blitz Recap feat. Cal Bruton, Leroy Loggins, Andrew Bogut, David Andersen and many more |
 | Episode 140: Bruce Bolden on South East Melbourne returning, 1992 NBL Finals & being a parent/coach to your child |
 | Episode 139: New Adelaide 36ers President Ken Cole on this year's roster and the Mitch Creek situation |
 | Episode 138: Daren Rowe (Geelong Supercats) the only man to record an NBL quadruple-double |
 | Episode 137: Sydney Kings GM Jeff Van Groningen talks Next Stars Program, Brian Bowen II and recruiting for 2018-19 |
 | Episode 136: The Southern Huskies plan to bring NBL basketball back to Tasmania |
 | Episode 135: NBL Expansion: A 9th team confirmed and a 10th soon to be announced. Aust. Basketball Hall Of Famer Bob Turner joins us to discuss. |
 | Episode 134: FIBA Basketbrawl: Andrew Gaze & Rhys Carter join the show to talk Australia Vs Phillipines |
 | Episode 133: Jerome Randle (Sydney Kings) on his NBL career so far... |
 | Episode 132: Darren Lucas (South East Melbourne Magic) talks about the Magic Vs Tigers rivalry of the 90s |
 | Episode 131: How the NBL is using Analytics with NZ Breakers Analytics Manager Andrew Price |
Episode 130: Aussies In The NBA 2017/18 Season Review |
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 | Episode 129: Cairns Alex Loughton gives his thoughts on the new Taipans roster |
 | Episode 128: Adelaide 36ers rookies Jack McVeigh and Harry Froling |
 | Episode 127: Adelaide coach Joey Wright shares his plans to improve the 36ers roster |
 | Episode 126: Andrew Bogut signs with Sydney: Kings Legend Bob Turner looks at what this means for the NBL |
 | Episode 125: Cairns Taipans Kuany Kuany talks about Sudanese Australian Basketball |
Episode 124: Aussies In The NBA - Ben Simmons & Joe Ingles breaking NBA records |
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 | Episode 123: Will Weaver (Boomers Coach) on Boomers Vs USA at Etihad & NBL Finals |
 | Episode 122: Luc Longley on his Boomers Career, Michael Jordan's attitude and the Triangle Offence |
 | Episode 121: Hall of Famer Bob Turner on NBL expansion issues & the 90's era Sydney Kings |
Episode 120: Aussies In The NBA - Simmons Vs Mitchell ROY Race, Dante Exum's return and more |
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 | Episode 119: Lindsay Gaze on the NBL's origins and it's current need to expand |
 | Episode 118: FIBA Qualifiers Recap with Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis, and players Mitch Creek and Angus Brandt |
 | Episode 117: Lindsay Gaze A look at the history of the Australian Boomers |
 | Episode 116: Mitch McCarron Cairns Taipans & Australian Boomers guard |
 | Episode 115: Aussies In The NBA Simmons All-Star snub, Ingles Career Scoring Night & more |
 | Episode 114: Cam Gliddon Cairns Taipans & Australian Boomers |
 | Episode 113: Shawn Dennis (2016 NBL Coach of the Year) on developing culture in basketball teams |
| Episode 112: Aussies In The NBA Lakers release Bogut, Simmons set to be an All-Star |
 | Episode 111: Oscar Forman Illawarra Hawks Oscar reaches his 500th NBL game |
 | Episode 110: Rotnei Clark Illawarra Hawks |
 | Episode 109: Chris Anstey Playing in the NBA & his European experiances |
| Episode 108: Aussies In The NBA Recap (November) |
 | Episode 107: Would having AFL clubs enter the NBL really work? |
 | Episode 106: Ron Radliff Brisbane Bullets Legend Also features Aussies in the NBA (Sep) |
 | Episode 105: Bryce Cotton Perth Wildcats |
 | Episode 104: Kings GM Jeff Van Groningen The CEO responds to angry Kings fans |
 | Episode 103: How to become an NBA scout with Former Minnesota and Dallas scout Pete Philo |
 | Episode 102: NBL Season Kick-Off Show with Former Cairns Taipan Matt Smith |
 | Episode 101: NBL CEO Jeremy Loeliger Talking new NBL teams and expanding into Asia |
 | Episode 100: NBL Blitz Recap 2 feat. CJ Bruton, Mitch Creek, Darryl McDonald, Trevor Gleeson & more |
| Episode 99: NBL Blitz Recap 1 feat. Andrew Gaze, Kevin Lisch, Stephen Holt, Daniel Kickert & more |
 | Episode 98: Andre Moore Former Brisbane Bullets Import |
 | Episode 97: Melbourne United CEO Vince Crivelli & The Age's Roy Ward Melbourne's off-season recruiting success |
 | Episode 96: Jeff Van Groningen Sydney Kings Managing Director |
 | Episode 95: Andrew Gaze Coaching with the Indiana Pacers |
 | Episode 94: NBL Off-Season Update #3 With guest Boti Nagy (NBL Media Legend) |
 | Episode 93: Rashad Tucker (NBL Triple Double Record Holder) |
 | Episode 92: Rob Beveridge (Illawarra Coach) discusses AJ Ogilvy's Boomers omission and finding great imports |
 | Episode 91: NBL Off-Season Update #2 w/Aussie Hoopla Writers |
 | Episode 90: Paul Maley (WNBL GM & 1994 NBL Champion) |
 | Episode 89: BIGV 2017 Mid-Season Review With BigV Communications Coordinator Steve Chalmers |
 | Episode 88: Al Green (Adelaide Basketball Legend) 2x NBL Champion and NBL Hall Of Famer |
| Episode 87: NBL Off-Season Review Feat. Aussie Hoopla Writing Staff |
 | Episode 85: Andrew Gaze The Greatest Player in NBL History |
 | Episode 84: Dean Vickerman Melbourne United Head Coach |
 | Episode 83: Josh Childress Former Sydney Kings Import |
 | Episode 82: Ian Stacker (2x NBL Coach Of The Year) |
 | Episode 81: Jeremy Kendle Former Brisbane Bullets Import |
 | Episode 80: 2017 NBL Season review with Bruce Bolden and Clint Stiendl (Leuven Bears) |
| Episode 79: Jeremy Loeliger (NBL General Manager) |
 | Episode 78: Torrey Craig (Brisbane), Frank Drmic (SE Melb Magic) and Shawn Redhage Retires |
 | Episode 77: Thomas Abercombie (NZ Breakers) & Reggie Smith (Newcastle Falcons) |
 | Episode 76: Paul Rogers (Boomers Legend) and AJ Ogilvy (Illawarra Hawks) |
 | Episode 75: Greg Whittington (Sydney Kings) and Tim Coenraad (Illawarra Hawks) |
 | Episode 74: Mike Mitchell (Gold Coast Rollers) and Rhys Carter (2x NBL Champion) |
 | Episode 73: Charles Thomas (2001 NBL Champion) & Bruce Bolden |
 | Episode 72: Todd Lichti (Denver Nuggets) & Ben Madgen (Panevezys Lietkabelis) |
 | Episode 71: The Professor, AO and Bone Collector (Streetball Legends) |
 | Episode 70: Larry Kestelman (NBL Executive Director) & Bruce Bolden |
 | Episode 69: Andrew Vlahov (Perth Wildcats Legend) & Bruce Bolden |
 | Episode 68: Vince Crivelli (Melbourne United CEO) & Bruce Bolden |
 | Episode 67: Mike Kelly (2x NBL Defensive Player of the Year) |
 | Episode 66: Boomers Olympic Recap II - "Quarter-Finals Time" |
 | Episode 65: Boomers Beat France! Olympic Recap |
 | Episode 64: Rethinking The AIS Basketball Program with Ian Stacker and Phil Smyth |
 | Episode 63: Randy Livingston (200 Game NBA Veteran) |
 | Episode 62: Julian Khazzouh (Sydney Kings) |
 | Episode 61: Lanard Copeland (Melbourne Tigers Legend) |
 | Episode 60: Jason Cadee (Sydney Kings) |
 | Episode 59: John Rillie (Boise State Broncos Coach) |
 | Episode 58: Phil Smyth (Australian Basketball Legend) |
 | Episode 57: Joey Wright (Adelaide 36ers Coach) |
 | Episode 56: Jack White (Duke Blue Devil) |
 | Episode 55: Jamar Wilson (Former Cairns Taipans & Adelaide 36ers Import) |
 | Episode 54: Aaron Fearne (Cairns Taipans Coach) |
 | Episode 53: Kevin Lisch NBL MVP and Defensive Player of the Year |
 | Episode 52: Andrew Gaze (Greatest Player in NBL History) |
 | Episode 51: Shawn Dennis (Townsville Crocodiles Coach) |
 | Episode 50: Terry Dozier 3x NBL Defensive Player of the Year |
 | Episode 49: Chris Anstey 1996 SE Melbourne Magic Championship 20 Year Anniversary |
 | Episode 48: Kavossy Franklin 2003 NBL Champion |
 | Episode 47: Rob Honan Townsville Crocodiles GM |
 | Episode 46: Scott Fisher NBL Hall of Famer |
 | Episode 45: Corey "Homicide" Williams NBL & Streetball Legend |
 | Episode 44: Ryan Broekhoff Lokomotive Kuban |
 | Episode 43: Igor Hadziomerovic Melbourne United Rookie |
 | Episode 43: Building a Basketball League |
 | Episode 42: Bruce Bolden Sydney Kings & West Sydney Razorbacks Legend |
 | Episode 41: Nik Popovic NBL Strength and Conditioning Coach |
 | Episode 40: Chris Goulding Melbourne United |
 | Episode 39: Tony Ronaldson Winningest Player in NBL History |
 | Episode 38: Ricky Grace Perth Wildcats Legend |
 | Hyping the Hoopla "The $6 Million Question" |
 | Episode 37: Ben Madgen Sydney Kings Captain |
 | Episode 36: CJ Bruton 6 Time NBL Champion |
 | Episode 35: Adrian Hurley Basketball Australia Hall of Famer |
 | Episode 34: CJ Bruton 6 Time NBL Champion |
 | Episode 33: Stephen Jackson Sydney Kings Legend |
 | Episode 32: Isaac Burton Sydney Kings Legend |
 | Episode 31: Brett Maher Adelaide 36ers Legend |
 | Episode 30: Jacob Holmes & Rhys Carter discuss the NBL Points system |
 | Episode 29: Damian Martin Perth Wildcats Captain |
 | Episode 28: Shane Heal Australian Boomers Legend |
 | Episode 27: Darryl McDonald All-Time NBL Steals Leader |
 | Episode 26: Mark Bradtke The NBL's Greatest Big Man |
 | Episode 25: Cal Bruton NBL Hall of Famer |
 | Episode 24: Shawn Redhage Perth Wildcats |
 | Episode 23: Leon Trimmingham Sydney Kings Legend |
| Episode 22: Rob Beveridge Perth Wildcats Championship Coach |
 | Episode 21: Brian Goorjian The Greatest Coach in NBL history |
 | Hyping the Hoopla Ep. 7 "Bogut, Ubaka, Goorjian and more" |
 | Hyping the Hoopla Ep. 6 2013/14 NBL Season Preview Show |
 | Adelaide 36ers Feature Podcast with Willie Farley |
 | Episode 20: Brock Motum NBA Draft Prospect |
 | Episode 19: Acie Earl Former Sydney King & Iowa Hawkeye Legend |
 | Episode 18: Ater Majok LA Lakers Draft Pick |
 | Episode 17: Daniel Kickert Australian Boomers |
 | Episode 16: Chuck Harmison NBL General Manager |
 | Episode 15: John Rillie (Part 2) NBL Legend |
 | Episode 14: John Rillie (Part 1) NBL Legend |
 | Episode 13: Sedale Threatt (Part 2) LA Lakers Legend |
 | Episode 12: Sedale Threatt (Part 1) LA Lakers Legend |
 | Episode 11: Derek Rucker Future NBL Hall of Famer |
 | Hyping the Hoopla Basketball Podcast Ep. 4 “Selling Ice to Eskimos” |
 | Episode 10: Simon Kerle The Most Controversial NBL Player Ever |
 | Hyping the Hoopla LIVE PODCAST "First Ever LIVE Australian Basketball Podcast" |
 | Hyping the Hoopla Basketball Podcast Ep. 3 "Dream On" |
 | Episode 9: Willie Farley Adelaide 36ers Legend |
 | Episode 8: Matthew Dellavedova Australian Boomers |
 | Episode 7: Corey "Homicide" Williams NBL & Streetball Legend |
| Hyping the Hoopla Basketball Podcast Ep. 2 "Asian Persuasion" |
 | Episode 6: Daryl Corletto New Zealand Breakers |
| Hyping the Hoopla Basketball Podcast Ep. 1 "The Debut" |
 | Episode 5: Rob Rose NBL Legend |
 | Episode 4: Adris DeLeon Gold Coast Blaze |
 | Episode 3: Mitch Creek Adelaide 36ers |
 | Episode 2: Daniel Dillon Melbourne Tigers |
 | Episode 1: Rhys Carter Former Adelaide 36er |
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
