Player of the Week – Week One
October 10, 2017
Sunday Adebayo
- Nationality: NIG
- Date of Birth: 12/09/73
- Place of Birth: Benin City, Edo (Nigeria)
- Position: G/F
- Height (CM): 197
- Weight (KG): 100
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: Arkansas (1995–1996, 1997–1998) / Memphis (1996–1997)
- NBL DEBUT: 1/11/02
- AGE AT DEBUT: 29
- LAST NBL GAME: 3/04/03
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 29
- NBL History: Perth 2003
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Sunday Adebayo was born in Benin City, Edo (Nigeria).
NBL EXPERIENCE
Sunday Adebayo made his NBL debut with the Perth Wildcats at 29 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.
In 2002, club legend and captain Andrew Vlahov retired after 12 seasons, leaving Ricky Grace as the only remaining Wildcat from the team’s early championships in the 1990s. Following Vlahov’s retirement, Grace became captain of the Wildcats’ (a role he continued until his retirement) before the closure of the Perth Entertainment Centre saw the Wildcats return to their old home, the Superdrome (now HBF Stadium), for the 2002/03 season.
Vlahov’s retirement created a enormous gap in both leadership and frontcourt that seemed impossible to fill. However, as a result of the unexpected demise of the Victoria Titans, Vlahov’s fellow Australian Boomers teammate Tony Ronaldson would join the team and capably fill his role. Big man Brett Wheeler would also move across from Victoria to Perth and fill the shoes of the recently departed Paul Rogers, who had decided to return to his hometown 36ers.
The team hardly missing a step despite losing Vlahov and Rogers, starting the season 5-1. The new-look squad delivered a balanced offensive attack with seven players, all scoring in double figures. Import Rob Feaster (19.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists) would lead the team in scoring, the recently acquired Wheeler (12.1 points and 8.6 rebounds) led the team in rebounds and Grace (18.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 8.0 assists) led both the team and league in assists. Key rotation players James Harvey (14 ppg), Stephen Black (12.6 ppg), Tony Ronaldson (12 ppg) and Matthew Burston (11.6 ppg) all scoring in double figures and Adebayo adding 5.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 0.9 assists.
As a result, the Wildcats were unbeatable at home, finishing with a 14-1 home record and ending the regular season on a four-game winning streak. Perth and Sydney ended the season with equal records (22-8) but due to the Kings having the head-to-head advantage (2-1), the Wildcats finished in second place, with the Kings claiming top spot.
The Wildcats balanced roster saw a number of players recognised at the 2003 NBL awards night. Stephen Black earned the Sixth Man of the Year award, and Matthew Burston won the league’s Most Improved Player award, having leapt from 2.3 ppg in 6 minutes of game time to 11.6 ppg and 6.8 rpg and averaging 21 minutes per game. Grace’s continued form saw him named to the All-NBL First team for the fourth time.
The Qualifying Finals saw Perth matchup against their former teammate Rogers and the Adelaide 36ers. Perth would win games one and three behind big games from Grace, who came up big in Perth’s wins in game one (29 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists) and game three (32 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists).
Perth’s semi-final matchup would be against fourth-seed Illawarra, who they swiftly eliminated in two straight games with the one-two punch of Grace and Wheeler really hitting its stride. Game one saw Grace (24 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists) and Wheeler (21 points and 7 rebounds) destroy the Hawks 121-90 at home before a similar result saw Grace (26 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists) and Wheeler (27 points and 14 rebounds) eliminate the Hawks in Perth for game two (113–84). The win saw Perth reach their seventh Grand Final in 17 years.
The Kings had followed a similar playoff path to the Wildcats, defeating Melbourne (2-1) in the Qualifying Finals before convincing wins over Townsville (2-1) resulted in the two squads who had led the competition all season facing off in the Grand Final.
The Kings lineup, which featured league MVP Chris Williams, Shane Heal and Matt Nielsen, guided Sydney to a narrow victory at home for the opening game, overcoming the phenomenal play of Grace (15 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists), who recorded the second triple double ever in a grand final series. With Williams (26 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals) shooting 12/23 from the field, the Kings claimed the opening game (98-94).
Even with game two being held in Perth and Feaster (40 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal) doing everything he could, including scoring 30 points in 4th quarter, the same result followed. Behind a near triple double from Shane Heal (23 points, 9 rebounds, and 12 assists), a big defensive effort from Nielsen (21 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks), and another stellar performance from Williams (24 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists), this time shooting a even higher percentage (10/17 shooting), Sydney won their first NBL championship (117-101). Williams would be a unanimous choice for named Finals MVP.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-03 | 29 | Perth | 22-8 (2) | 22 | 245.0 | 110 | 97 | 19 | 26 | 71 | 13 | 6 | 32 | 36 | 44 | 78 | 56% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 22 | 33 | 67% | 59% | 56% | 14 | Totals | 22 | 245 | 110 | 97 | 19 | 26 | 71 | 13 | 6 | 32 | 36 | 44 | 78 | 56.4% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 22 | 33 | 66.7% | 59% | 56% | 14 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-03 | 29 | Perth | 22-8 (2) | 22 | 11.1 | 5.0 | 4.4 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 3.5 | 56% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 1.0 | 1.5 | 67% | 59% | 56% | 14 | Total | 22 | 11.1 | 5.0 | 4.4 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 3.5 | 56.4% | 0.0 | 0.0% | 66.7% | 59% | 56% | 14 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 14 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
|---|
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 47% | 52% | 63% | 69% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 2 | ||||||
| Total | 44 | 78 | 56.4% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-03 | 29 | Perth | 22-8 (2) | 22 | 245.0 | 110 | 97 | 19 | 26 | 71 | 13 | 6 | 32 | 36 | 44 | 78 | 56% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 22 | 33 | 67% | 59% | 56% | 14 | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Germany - TSK uniVersa Bamberg (2000–2001)
Name: Adebayo, Sunday | college: Arkansas (1995–1996, 1997–1998) / Memphis (1996–1997) Graduated prior to: 2002| Additional Info: Adebayo played college basketball at Arkansas during the 1995-96 season before transferring to Memphis, where he competed in 1996-97, then returned to Arkansas for the 1997-98 season to complete his NCAA career.
Adebayo committed to Arkansas on April 18, 1995, and in 1995-96 he suited up for an Arkansas team that finished 20-13 overall and 9-7 in SEC play, and he appeared in 22 games with 14 starts, averaging 26.1 minutes per game.
In that 1995-96 Arkansas season, he totaled 232 points (10.6 per game) while shooting 95-for-166 from the field (57.2%), did not attempt a three-pointer, and went 42-of-69 at the free-throw line (60.9%).
Across those 22 games, he produced 168 total rebounds (7.6 per game) with 75 offensive rebounds and 93 defensive rebounds, along with 30 assists (1.4 per game), 30 steals, eight blocks, 50 turnovers, and 47 personal fouls.
On March 1, 1996, Arkansas declared Adebayo ineligible for the remainder of the season, and he missed the final 11 games after eligibility questions led to an NCAA review that included issues tied to junior college transcript certification and an impermissible early start to practice prior to the season.
After the NCAA cited extenuating circumstances and indicated he would have immediate eligibility if he transferred outside the SEC, Adebayo moved to Memphis and played the 1996-97 season with the Tigers, appearing in 26 games with 23 starts while averaging 31.6 minutes per game and posting 13.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per contest.
During that 1996-97 Memphis season, he shot 57.9% from the field and 61.9% at the foul line, and his year included a return game in Fayetteville on February 1, 1997, when he posted 15 points and 15 rebounds against Arkansas, including 11 offensive boards, while adding two assists in 36 minutes.
The NCAA reinstated Adebayo to return to Arkansas on October 8, 1997, and he came back for the 1997-98 season on an Arkansas team that went 24-9 overall and 11-5 in SEC play, with his re-entry slowed early by an ankle sprain and his scholarship relinquished as part of compliance requirements tied to broader NCAA sanctions.
In 1997-98, Adebayo played 22 games and started six times, averaging 15.2 minutes per game while totaling 136 points (6.2 per game) on 47-for-92 shooting from the field (51.1%) with no three-point attempts and 42-of-62 free throws (67.7%).
Across those 22 games back at Arkansas, he recorded 79 total rebounds with 34 offensive rebounds and 45 defensive rebounds, plus 29 assists, 17 steals, four blocks, 39 turnovers, and 41 personal fouls, closing his Arkansas career as a two-season contributor who played under two separate eligibility windows with the program.
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