NICKNAME/S: Jook

BIO: Born in Rumbek, South Sudan, Majok came to Australia as a eight-year-old, his family settling in Perth. As a youth he initially played soccer before developing a liking for basketball during his high school years spent at Kingsway Christian College.

After drawing interest from overseas scouts, he moved to the United States and played two years of high school ball at Northfield Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts.

Majok played two years at Northfield Mount Hermon for coach John Carroll, leading his team to the finals of the prep school national tournament in the 2009/10 season. Majok was named to the All-New England Preparatory School Athletic Council Second Team and Northfield Mount Hermon compiled a 59-11 record during his two seasons there.

He went on to play college basketball with Midland College (2010- 2012) and Ball State (2012-2014).

FAMILY: Son of Maker Majok and Hellen Majwec. He is also cousins with NBL player Majok Majok

NBL EXPERIENCE

Majok Majok made his NBL debut with the Melbourne United at 22 years of age. He scored eight points in his first game.

Melbourne entered 2015/16 after finishing fifth with a 13-15 record and missing the playoffs during its first season under the United name, when Chris Anstey resigned after the opening game and assistant Darryl McDonald coached the remainder of the season on an interim basis. Former NBA assistant Dean Demopoulos was appointed head coach, while Jordan McRae (to Delaware), Stephen Dennis (to Bnei Herzliya), Mark Worthington (to Cairns), Daryl Corletto (to Plymouth) and Lucas Walker (to Adelaide) departed. Daniel Kickert and Nate Tomlinson returned, with Demopoulos adding Chris Goulding (via Zaragoza), Todd Blanchfield (via Townsville), Stephen Holt (via Canton), Majok Majok (via Helios Suns), Igor Hadziomerovic (via Boise State) and Ekene Ibekwe (via New Zealand). David Barlow remained with Melbourne but suffered a season-ending Achilles injury before the season, leading to Brad Hill (via Illawarra) joining as his injury replacement. Ibekwe (to Gießen) requested a compassionate release on September 18 so he could return to Europe to be with his pregnant partner and was replaced before the regular season by Hakim Warrick (via Torku Konyaspor). Melbourne then went undefeated at the NBL Blitz and claimed the Loggins-Bruton Cup, with Holt sharing the Ray Borner Medal as tournament MVP.

Majok signed with Melbourne on July 9 after spending the previous season with Helios Suns in Slovenia, where homesickness contributed to his decision to return to Australia. He became the first South Sudanese player to join Melbourne United and was initially expected to provide energy from the bench. “Every opportunity you get you have to take advantage of,” he said.

He made his NBL debut in Townsville on October 9, where Majok (8 points, 13 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) started at centre as Melbourne defeated the Crocodiles 99-84. Blanchfield (29 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block) and Warrick (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led United, while Brian Conklin (25 points and 5 rebounds) was Townsville’s best.

Majok (5.5 points and 7.1 rebounds across 30 games) quickly moved from the expected bench role into Melbourne’s starting lineup, starting 28 of his 30 appearances and playing in all 28 regular-season games and both semifinals. He did not miss a game through injury, illness or selection. By mid-November, Majok was leading the NBL in rebounding and had emerged as one of the surprise performers of the season. “It has been fun being physical with all the other teams,” Majok said.

Majok’s best game came against Perth at Hisense Arena on October 29, where Majok (12 points, 12 rebounds, and 1 block) made six of nine field-goal attempts and tipped in Holt’s missed drive with 12 seconds remaining to put Melbourne ahead before helping stop Jermaine Beal on Perth’s final possession as United won 75-73 and improved to 6-0. Goulding (19 points) and Holt (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) provided support, while Matthew Knight (17 points and 12 rebounds) was Perth’s best.

Three days later, Majok (5 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 assist) continued his work on the glass as Melbourne defeated Sydney 96-82 at Hisense Arena for its seventh consecutive win to open the season. Goulding (25 points and 4 assists) and Kickert (21 points and 1 steal) led United, while Marcus Thornton (29 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals) was Sydney’s best, with Demopoulos becoming the first coach in his debut NBL season to begin 7-0.

Majok’s season-high scoring performance came against Adelaide at Hisense Arena on December 6, where Majok (15 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks) made seven of 11 shots as Melbourne defeated the 36ers 89-86. Goulding (19 points and 6 rebounds) and Holt (14 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) provided support, while Jerome Randle (25 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) led Adelaide.

Warrick (14.2 points and 6 rebounds across 23 games) suffered a groin injury after Melbourne’s opening five games and was placed on the short-term injury waiver. Garrett Jackson (5.2 points across 6 games) (via North-West Tasmania) signed a one-month deal on October 29 as Warrick’s injury replacement and appeared in six games, with his final appearance coming on November 20. Warrick returned to the active roster on November 22, ending Jackson’s replacement stint, with Jackson (to North-West Tasmania) leaving Melbourne and returning to the Thunder after already signing with the club for the 2016 SEABL season.

Goulding (18.4 points and 3.7 rebounds across 29 games) led Melbourne in scoring, while Holt (15.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists across 30 games), Kickert (14.8 points and 3.8 rebounds across 28 games) and Blanchfield (9.6 points and 6.5 rebounds across 30 games) provided the other major contributions alongside Warrick and Majok. Kickert shot 52.5 percent from the field, 47.2 percent from three-point range and 90.5 percent from the free-throw line but finished four made free throws short of the minimum requirement for a 50-40-90 season. Goulding received October Player of the Month honours, finished runner-up in NBL MVP voting with 84 votes and joined Kickert on the All-NBL First Team, while Holt was selected to the All-NBL Second Team and Warrick was named the NBL’s Best Sixth Man.

Melbourne completed the regular season against New Zealand at Hisense Arena on February 14, where Majok (2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block), Goulding (22 points, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Kickert (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal) led United, while Tai Wesley (23 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) led the Breakers to a 70-68 victory. Melbourne finished first with an 18-10 record and claimed the minor premiership through the head-to-head tiebreaker over Perth.

Melbourne opened the semifinals at Hisense Arena, where Majok (2 points and 3 rebounds) started as Warrick (24 points, 13 rebounds, 1 steal, and 4 blocks), Goulding (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Holt (13 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) led United. Cedric Jackson (20 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals), Thomas Abercrombie (16 points and 4 rebounds) and Mika Vukona (11 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals) led New Zealand, with a 10-0 fourth-quarter run carrying the Breakers to a 91-82 win.

Game two moved to Vector Arena, where Majok (2 points and 1 rebound) came from the bench as Goulding (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists), Warrick (17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Kickert (16 points and 3 rebounds) led Melbourne, while Abercrombie (23 points and 4 rebounds), Cedric Jackson (19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Wesley (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led New Zealand as the Breakers won 91-78 and completed the two-game sweep.

2016/17
A year after finishing first with an 18-10 record before being swept 2-0 by New Zealand in the semifinals, Melbourne entered Dean Demopoulos’ second season with another reshaped roster. Stephen Holt (to Zaragoza), Hakim Warrick (to Olympiacos) and Daniel Kickert (to Brisbane) departed, while Cedric Jackson (via New Zealand), Ramone Moore (via Pasvalys), Devin Williams (via West Virginia), Tai Wesley (via New Zealand) and David Andersen (via ASVEL) joined United, with Wesley able to register as a local under the NBL’s Asian player rule.

Majok entered the second year of the two-year deal he had signed with Melbourne on July 9, 2015 after returning from Helios Suns in Slovenia, where homesickness had led him to return to Australia.

Melbourne opened the season in Auckland against New Zealand on October 7, where Majok (7 points and 6 rebounds) started and played 18 minutes as United lost 76-71. Wesley (15 points) and Jackson (14 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Melbourne, while Thomas Abercrombie (14 points and 5 rebounds) was New Zealand’s leading scorer.

Majok (5.5 points and 5.5 rebounds across 28 games) started all 28 games and did not miss a game through injury, illness or suspension, with Wesley (8.5 points and 3.3 rebounds across 28 games) the only other Melbourne player to appear in every game.

Majok’s highest-scoring game came against Perth at Hisense Arena on October 23, where Majok (12 points and 5 rebounds) led Melbourne in scoring with Goulding sidelined by an ankle injury, but the Wildcats won 72-69. Wesley (10 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) and Andersen (9 points and 5 rebounds) provided support, while Casey Prather (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Perth.

Four days later in Cairns, Majok (10 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks) remained productive inside, but Melbourne lost 83-75. Moore (15 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Andersen (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) led United’s scoring, while Travis Trice (28 points) was Cairns’ leading scorer.

Majok’s best game came against New Zealand on November 4, where Majok (11 points, 11 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) played 33 minutes and recorded a double-double as an injury-hit Melbourne pushed the Breakers to overtime before losing 98-92. Kyle Adnam (19 points) and Wesley (17 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) led United’s scoring with Goulding and Blanchfield sidelined, while Alex Pledger (20 points and 10 rebounds) led New Zealand.

Off the court, Majok and Wesley were named Melbourne’s Australia Post NBL Multicultural Player Ambassadors in December as part of the league’s community and diversity program. Majok said, “A lot of the kids these days look up to guys like us playing in a professional league.”

Melbourne’s early struggles resulted in Jackson (8.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.3 steals across 9 games) being released on November 9 with United sitting 3-6, with the club describing the move as a decision designed to give it the best chance of winning. Another loss left Melbourne 3-7 before Casper Ware (via Washington) was signed on November 14 as Jackson’s replacement. Ware (22.1 points, 4.5 assists, and 1.3 steals across 18 games) played every remaining game and immediately changed the direction of the team, with Melbourne going 10-8 over its final 18 games.

Injuries forced further changes to the frontcourt. Andersen (9.8 points and 4.4 rebounds across 19 games) suffered a knee injury against Perth in December and missed almost eight weeks, while Williams (3.2 points and 3.9 rebounds across 16 games) was sidelined for five weeks with a knee injury. Josh Boone (via Pınar Karşıyaka) initially joined on December 23 as a temporary injury replacement after both big men were sidelined, before Boone (10.1 points and 9.3 rebounds across 12 games) was retained for the remainder of the season when Williams returned to full fitness. Williams was released on January 31 to pursue opportunities in the United States, while Boone finished as the league’s leading rebounder and Melbourne’s best player in several advanced metrics including PER, ORtg, DRtg, eFG%, TRB% and BLK%. Moore (10 points across 20 games) then suffered a season-ending calf injury and Lasan Kromah (via Patras) was signed as his injury replacement, with Kromah (1 point across 3 games) appearing in three games.

Goulding (16.4 points across 22 games) remained Melbourne’s main scoring option despite missing six games with ankle problems, while Blanchfield (7.9 points and 3.6 rebounds across 22 games) missed time with a groin injury and later a delayed concussion. Barlow (5.1 points across 19 games) missed the opening nine games with a calf injury after an Achilles injury had wiped out his previous season. Only five Melbourne players appeared in at least 21 games, while United finished with the second-worst true shooting percentage in the league and went 3-5 in games decided by five points or fewer. Ware earned All-NBL First Team honours and Melbourne’s AHG MVP award, Blanchfield was named Best Defensive Player, Adnam (3.6 points across 20 games) received the Coach’s Award and Goulding was named Best Club Person. Tensions between Demopoulos and several of Melbourne’s veterans also became public during the season and the club did not renew his contract.

With Melbourne already eliminated from the finals race, Majok (2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 block) made his 28th consecutive start against Perth at Hisense Arena on February 12 in front of 9,545 fans. Boone (27 points and 11 rebounds) and Ware (27 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) led United, while Prather (26 points and 11 assists) led Perth as the Wildcats held on for a 96-94 win and secured their 31st consecutive Finals appearance, leaving Melbourne sixth with a 13-15 record.

2017/18
Following a sixth-place finish with a 13–15 record and no playoff appearance, Melbourne replaced Dean Demopoulos with former Sydney assistant Dean Vickerman on a two-year deal. Todd Blanchfield (to Sydney), Ramone Moore (to Adelaide) and Nate Tomlinson (retired) departed, while David Barlow, Josh Boone and Casper Ware re-signed. Craig Moller (via Sydney), Casey Prather (via Perth) and Daniel Dillon (via Hiroshima) were added, although Dillon ruptured his Achilles while playing for Kilsyth before the season and was ruled out for six-to-eight months, leading United to sign Peter Hooley (via Ballarat) on August 3 as his replacement. Hooley had recently been named MVP while playing with a Sydney Kings invitational team at the Atlas Challenge in China and said, “I haven’t spent more than three months in Australia [since finishing high school] so to be able to come back and play the sport that I love, it’s really exciting.”

Melbourne opened the season in Adelaide on October 5, where Hooley (5 points) made both of his field-goal attempts, including his only three-pointer, in 5:27 off the bench as United defeated the 36ers 99–97. Ware (23 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Prather (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Melbourne, while Nathan Sobey (21 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists) was Adelaide’s best.

Hooley (2.7 points across 32 games) suffered an ankle injury in practice during Melbourne’s trip to Oklahoma City, ruling him out of United’s NBLxNBA game against the Thunder. He then missed Melbourne’s next three NBL games against Adelaide, Perth and New Zealand before returning against Brisbane on October 28, and did not miss another game for the remainder of the season, appearing in 25 regular-season games and all seven playoff games.

After the season began, Durrell McDonald (via Mercyhurst) and Felix Von Hofe (via Eastern Washington) were added as development players on October 13, while Chinese centre Jet Meng (via Shanghai) joined United as a training player in November.

Hooley’s best game for the season came against Adelaide on December 22, where Hooley (11 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) made two three-pointers in almost 20 minutes off the bench as Melbourne defeated the 36ers 99–91. Ware (24 points and 5 assists) and Chris Goulding (22 points) led United, while Daniel Johnson (20 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) was Adelaide’s best as Melbourne improved to 9–6.

Hooley produced another strong performance in Sydney on January 28, where Hooley (6 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal) made two three-pointers in 13 minutes as Melbourne defeated the Kings 93–76. Boone (22 points, 13 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Goulding (21 points and 4 rebounds) led United, while former Melbourne forward Blanchfield (18 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals) was Sydney’s leading scorer.

Hooley’s season-high scoring game came in Auckland on February 11, where Hooley (13 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) made four of six shots and both of his three-point attempts in 21 minutes as Melbourne defeated New Zealand 100–82. Goulding (21 points) and Boone (19 points and 7 rebounds) led United, while Edgar Sosa (25 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists) was New Zealand’s best. The victory was Melbourne’s fifth consecutive win, its first in New Zealand since becoming United and secured the minor premiership and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

On December 16, Prather (15.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 23 games) had dislocated his left elbow against Illawarra and was ruled out for at least eight weeks. Von Hofe was initially elevated before former NBA forward Carrick Felix (via Long Island Nets) was signed on December 22 as Prather’s injury replacement. Felix (8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds across 10 games) started all ten games during his stint and helped Melbourne go 9–1. With injuries also affecting Melbourne’s frontcourt, Chris Patton (via Cairns) joined on January 24 as an injury replacement. Prather returned against Perth on February 16 after passing the required medical tests, which required Felix to be removed from the active roster under NBL rules, although Felix remained with United for the remainder of the season.

Melbourne had already secured top spot when Hooley (4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) played 14 minutes in the final regular-season game against Illawarra on February 18. Boone (14 points and 3 assists) and Tai Wesley (14 points and 4 rebounds) led United, while Nicholas Kay (27 points and 7 rebounds) and Tim Coenraad (24 points and 6 rebounds) led the Hawks to a 94–84 win as Melbourne finished first with a 20–8 record.

Ware (16.6 points and 4.3 assists across 35 games) and Goulding (14.7 points across 33 games) were Melbourne’s two leading scorers, while Boone (12.9 points and 8.9 rebounds across 35 games) and Wesley (11.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks across 35 games) joined Prather as United’s other major contributors. Ware and Boone were named to the All-NBL First Team, Wesley earned All-NBL Second Team honours and Vickerman was named Coach of the Year.

Melbourne opened the semifinals against New Zealand with an 88–77 win at Hisense Arena, where Hooley (5 points and 2 rebounds) provided nine minutes off the bench while Ware (33 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Prather (15 points and 5 rebounds) led United. DJ Newbill (19 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Shea Ili (16 points and 5 assists) led the Breakers.

Game two moved to Spark Arena, where Hooley (4 points) again contributed off the bench as Melbourne completed the sweep with an 88–86 overtime victory. Boone (33 points, 15 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) scored the winning putback at the buzzer, while Ware (15 points and 6 assists) and Goulding (14 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) also contributed. Newbill (21 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Kirk Penney (17 points) led New Zealand as United advanced to the Grand Final. Adelaide swept reigning champion Perth in the other semifinal to set up the Grand Final.

Melbourne opened the Grand Final with a 107–96 win at Hisense Arena, where Hooley (5 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) delivered one of his most productive games of the season in 17 minutes off the bench. Goulding (26 points and 4 rebounds), Ware (20 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Boone (17 points and 7 rebounds) led United, while Johnson (18 points and 5 rebounds) and Shannon Shorter (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals) led Adelaide. Ware suffered a hip injury during the first quarter but returned after halftime.

Adelaide levelled the series with a 110–95 win in game two, where Hooley (0 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) played eight minutes off the bench. Prather (20 points and 7 rebounds) and Goulding (19 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Melbourne, while Majok Deng (18 points and 6 rebounds), Mitch Creek (17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Moore (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Adelaide. Josh Childress (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block) suffered a broken scapula during the fourth quarter and missed the remainder of the series.

The series returned to Melbourne for game three, where Hooley (4 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists) played 14 minutes as United held on for a 101–98 win. Ware (25 points and 3 assists), Prather (23 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) and Goulding (15 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Melbourne, while Johnson (20 points and 3 assists), Moore (18 points and 2 steals) and Deng (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Adelaide. Sobey (9 points and 4 assists) was ejected following a halftime clash with Prather which sparked a melee involving both teams, while Deng missed a potential game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds.

Game four moved back to Adelaide, where Hooley (0 points and 1 rebound) played eight minutes as the 36ers built a 55–31 halftime lead and defeated Melbourne 90–81 to force a deciding game five. Prather (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Goulding (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led United, while Johnson (21 points and 9 rebounds), Sobey (16 points and 4 rebounds) and Shorter (14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) led Adelaide.

The deciding game five returned to Hisense Arena, where Hooley (6 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists) made all four of his free throws in ten minutes as Melbourne defeated Adelaide 100–82 in front of a sold-out crowd of 10,300. Goulding (23 points and 4 rebounds), Ware (23 points), Prather (19 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals, and 1 block), Wesley (14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Boone (10 points and 12 rebounds) led United, while Shorter (20 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block), Johnson (17 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block) and Creek (15 points and 10 rebounds) led Adelaide. Goulding was named Grand Final MVP after averaging 19.6 points and 3.6 rebounds across the five-game series as Melbourne won the series 3–2 and Hooley collected his first NBL championship.

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
2018/19
After finishing fourth with a 15-13 record and being swept by Melbourne in the semifinals the previous season, a new era began at the Breakers when a consortium headed by former NBA player Matt Walsh became majority shareholders through Breakers Basketball Ltd, ending the 13-year ownership of Liz and Paul Blackwell.

Paul Henare’s 15-year association with the club as a player and coach came to an end, Kirk Penney retired, while Alex Pledger (to Melbourne), Mika Vukona (to Brisbane), and Robert Loe (to Cairns) also departed. Thomas Abercrombie was appointed captain and former Breakers guard Kevin Braswell became head coach, with Corey Webster (via Europe), Tai Wesley (via Melbourne), Jarrad Weeks (via Cairns), Patrick Richard, Armani Moore, and Shawn Long also added to the roster.

Majok Majok (via Melbourne) joined New Zealand on May 4 on a one-year deal after three seasons with Melbourne, having been part of United’s 2018 championship team. His final season in Melbourne had been disrupted by injury and limited opportunities in a deep frontcourt, with Majok arriving at the Breakers looking to re-establish himself after saying, “I kind of thought maybe people had forgotten what I can do.” He also spent the off-season playing for the Wellington Saints, helping them reach the New Zealand NBL championship game before joining the Breakers for the Australian NBL season.

Before the regular season, New Zealand travelled to the United States to face the Phoenix Suns in an NBLxNBA game. The new Breakers centre (2 points and 1 rebound) played 11 minutes off the bench as New Zealand pushed Phoenix before falling 91-86, with Webster (27 points and 7 assists) and Wesley (15 points and 7 rebounds) leading the Breakers, while Deandre Ayton (21 points and 15 rebounds) led the Suns.

He made his Breakers regular-season debut against Brisbane at Spark Arena on October 11, contributing 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist in eight minutes off the bench as New Zealand was beaten 86-73, with Cameron Gliddon (29 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) leading Brisbane.

Majok (2 points across 20 games) came off the bench throughout the season and averaged just over six minutes per game as he struggled to establish himself in a crowded frontcourt rotation. He did not appear in eight of New Zealand’s 28 games, but no injury was reported as the reason for those absences during the 2018/19 season, with post-season coverage instead noting that he had been unable to break through into the Breakers’ main rotation.

In his first regular-season game back in Melbourne on October 14, Majok (6 points and 6 rebounds) played 16 minutes against his former club as the Breakers recovered from a 12-point first-quarter deficit to defeat defending champion Melbourne 88-81, while Chris Goulding (22 points) led United.

Majok’s best game of the season came against Cairns on November 9, when Majok (10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) made all four of his field goal attempts in 17 minutes off the bench as New Zealand defeated the Taipans 104-81. Richard (21 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Long (11 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) helped the Breakers pull away, while Melo Trimble (23 points and 3 assists) led Cairns.

Long (18.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks) emerged as New Zealand’s leading scorer and finished second in the NBL in both rebounding and blocked shots, earning All-NBL Second Team honours and the Breakers Club MVP award. Wesley (14.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists) was another consistent contributor, while Richard (11 points and 3.6 rebounds), Webster (10.4 points), Weeks (10.1 points), Abercrombie (8.5 points and 5.1 rebounds), Delany (8 points), Ili (7.9 points), and Moore (7.1 points and 4.3 rebounds) rounded out the main rotation. Weeks produced the best season of his career and finished runner-up for both Best Sixth Man and Most Improved Player, but the Breakers won only four of their first 12 games, endured a five-game losing streak through November and December and later fell to 8-12 after three consecutive January losses.

With his one-year contract completed, Majok (to Perth) returned to Melbourne and joined Frankston for the inaugural NBL1 season. He remained an NBL free agent when selected for the league’s June tour of China before signing a two-year deal with the Perth Wildcats on July 8, ending his time with New Zealand after one season.

Majok did not play when New Zealand closed the season against Brisbane on February 16, with Long (23 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Wesley (17 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) leading the Breakers, while Lamar Patterson (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Brisbane to an 84-78 victory as New Zealand finished sixth with a 12-16 record and missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

PERTH WILDCATS
2019/20
After defeating Melbourne United 3-1 in the 2019 Grand Final to claim their ninth NBL championship, Perth focused on keeping its championship core together. Four-time championship-winning coach Trevor Gleeson re-signed on a three-year deal, while Damian Martin, Jesse Wagstaff and import Terrico White also returned. Wani Swaka Lo Buluk was elevated from development player to the full roster following Greg Hire’s retirement, while Majok Majok (via New Zealand) and Dario Hunt (via Spirou Charleroi) were added after Tom Jervis (retired) and Angus Brandt (to Pistoia) departed.

Majok signed a two-year deal with Perth after struggling for court time during his season with New Zealand and returned to Western Australia looking to make an impact with his rebounding and defence. Having spent several seasons playing against the Wildcats, he said, “They are a tough team in the league that plays defence and have a next man-up mentality.”

Perth opened its championship defence against Melbourne United at RAC Arena on October 5, where Majok (4 points, 1 rebound, and 1 block) played 11 minutes off the bench as the Wildcats won 94-93. Bryce Cotton (21 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) and White (20 points and 2 steals) led Perth, while Melo Trimble (25 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) was Melbourne’s best. White hit the game-winning three-pointer with 11 seconds remaining as Perth closed the game on a 12-2 run.

Majok (2.8 points and 3.2 rebounds across 33 games) provided rebounding and size in a reserve centre role, shooting 67 per cent from the field and appearing in all 28 regular-season games. His role increased in December when he moved into the starting lineup, starting nine consecutive games from December 6 through January 10.

On New Year’s Day, Majok (8 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists) played a season-high 20 minutes and made four of five field-goal attempts as Perth rallied from 12 points down at three-quarter time before falling 100-97 to Adelaide. White (23 points and 6 rebounds) and Cotton (22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals) led Perth alongside him, while Eric Griffin (24 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) was Adelaide’s best. Majok, Hunt and Nick Kay all fouled out late, leaving Perth short on rebounding power as Adelaide won the rebounding count 6-2 over the final two minutes.

Following consecutive losses to begin 2020, Perth released Hunt (8.6 points and 6 rebounds across 21 games) and replaced him with seven-year NBA veteran Miles Plumlee (via Zhejiang Lions; 8.6 points and 6.7 rebounds across 12 games). With only seven regular-season games remaining, Plumlee was required to appear in all seven to qualify for the postseason and Majok returned to the bench after his nine-game run as a starter.

Majok’s best game of the season came against South East Melbourne on January 17, where Majok (8 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists) made three of four field-goal attempts in 20 minutes off the bench as Perth defeated the Phoenix 97-71 at RAC Arena. Cotton (25 points and 7 assists) and Mitchell Norton (18 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led the Wildcats, while Devondrick Walker (16 points) was South East Melbourne’s leading scorer.

Cotton (22.6 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.6 steals across 32 games) won his second NBL MVP award and became the first import to lead the league in scoring for three consecutive seasons, while Kay (15.9 points, 8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals across 33 games) was named to the All-NBL First Team. White (15 points and 3.6 rebounds across 30 games), Clint Steindl (9.6 points across 32 games) and Norton (6.8 points across 33 games) provided Perth’s other main scoring options as the Wildcats won six of their final seven games to finish second with a 19-9 record and secure their 34th consecutive finals appearance.

Perth opened its semifinal series against Cairns with a 108-107 overtime win at RAC Arena, where Majok (0 points and 2 rebounds) played five minutes off the bench. Cotton (42 points and 6 assists) made 10 three-pointers to tie the NBL finals record and Kay (23 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) also starred, while Scott Machado (31 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists) and DJ Newbill (25 points) led Cairns.

Game two moved to Cairns, where Majok (0 points and 1 rebound) played three minutes as the Taipans defeated Perth 85-74. Steindl (18 points and 3 rebounds) and White (13 points and 4 rebounds) led the Wildcats, while Cameron Oliver (22 points and 19 rebounds) and Newbill (16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) helped Cairns tie the series at 1-1.

Back at RAC Arena for the deciding game three, Majok (0 points and 1 rebound) again played limited minutes as Perth defeated Cairns 93-82. White (26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Kay (24 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led the Wildcats, while Oliver (20 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Machado (19 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) led Cairns as Perth won the series 2-1 and advanced to its 15th NBL Grand Final.

The Grand Final opened at Qudos Bank Arena, where Majok (2 points) played two minutes off the bench as Perth defeated Sydney 88-86 in front of 11,647 fans. Cotton (32 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Kay (14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) led the Wildcats, while Andrew Bogut (18 points and 12 rebounds) and Kevin Lisch (17 points) led Sydney as Perth took a 1-0 series lead.

Ahead of game two, the developing COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the remainder of the Grand Final series being played behind closed doors. Majok (0 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 blocks) played seven minutes as Sydney defeated Perth 97-83 at an empty RAC Arena. Cotton (27 points and 5 rebounds) and Kay (17 points and 7 rebounds) led Perth, while Jae’Sean Tate (20 points) and Bogut (19 points and 13 rebounds) helped Sydney level the series at 1-1.

Game three returned to Sydney, where Majok (2 points) played nine minutes as Perth defeated the Kings 111-96. Cotton (31 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists), Kay (30 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Plumlee (13 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) led Perth, while Tate (20 points and 6 rebounds) and Brad Newley (19 points and 5 rebounds) led Sydney as the Wildcats moved ahead 2-1. Gleeson later described Majok’s contribution in the game as “superb, probably his best game for the Wildcats.”

Sydney subsequently withdrew from the series amid concerns surrounding COVID-19 and uncertainty over travel restrictions, leading the NBL to cancel the remaining two games. Two days later Perth was officially awarded its tenth NBL championship, giving Majok his second NBL championship after winning with Melbourne in 2018 and his first with the Wildcats.

2020/21
Perth exercised their option on Majok Majok’s contract for the 2020/21 season, keeping him on the roster after he had been part of the Wildcats’ 2020 championship team. However, before the season began, Majok suffered an Achilles injury in November 2020, ruling him out for the entire campaign.

Without Majok available, Perth added John Mooney to the frontcourt, who went on to become one of the league’s best big men. Majok remained sidelined as the Wildcats finished second with a 25-11 record and returned to the Grand Final, where they fell to Melbourne United.

2021/22
After finishing second with a 25-11 record and being swept by Melbourne in the Grand Final, Perth entered the season with major changes. Trevor Gleeson (to Toronto) left for the NBA after leading the Wildcats to five championships, while John Mooney (to Chiba), Will Magnay (to Tasmania), Clint Steindl (to Tasmania), Jarrad Weeks (to Tasmania), Jarred Bairstow (to Tasmania) and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (to Sydney) also departed.

Perth appointed Scott Morrison as head coach and added Vic Law (via Brisbane), Michael Frazier II (via Delaware), Jack Purchase (via Adelaide) and Matthew Hodgson (via Brisbane), while Bryce Cotton, Jesse Wagstaff, Mitch Norton, Todd Blanchfield and Luke Travers returned.

After spending the entire previous season recovering from the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered at Wildcats training in November 2020, Majok re-signed with Perth on a two-year deal. He returned during the preseason after going 611 days without playing a game. “It’s been almost a year and half since I last played,” Majok said.

Perth opened the season against Adelaide at RAC Arena on December 3, where Majok (9 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks) helped the Wildcats to an 85-73 win. Law (37 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) set a Wildcats record for points on debut and Cotton (16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) provided support, while Johnson (22 points and 6 rebounds) led Adelaide.

Majok (5.3 points and 5.2 rebounds across 28 games) returned from the Achilles injury to play every game, becoming one of only three Wildcats to appear in all 28 games and did not miss any time through injury. Perth played its first five games at home before Western Australia’s border restrictions forced the Wildcats into 14 consecutive games on the road.

Majok’s best game came against Brisbane at RAC Arena on December 12, where Majok (9 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) helped Perth force double overtime before the Bullets won 97-94. Law (29 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) and Cotton (19 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals) led Perth, while Patterson (27 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) was Brisbane’s best.

Majok (13 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) produced another strong performance against Melbourne on March 10 as Perth defeated the defending champions 97-87 at John Cain Arena. Norton (26 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Law (20 points, 18 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) led the Wildcats, while Lual-Acuil (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks) was Melbourne’s best.

Perth finally returned to RAC Arena against New Zealand on March 20, where Majok (8 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists) helped the Wildcats overcome a 34-point opening quarter from the Breakers and win 95-85. Law (26 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Cotton (25 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth, while Wetzell (15 points and 6 rebounds) was New Zealand’s leading scorer.

The Wildcats returned to Western Australia sitting second with a 13-6 record and nine games remaining. Perth then attempted to replace Frazier II (7.8 points and 4.6 rebounds across 19 games) with John Brown III (via UNICS Kazan) after Brown left Russia amid humanitarian concerns. Brown arrived in Perth and trained with the Wildcats, but complications involving his former club and the FIBA clearance process prevented him from being registered before the deadline, forcing Perth to return Frazier II to the active roster as Brown returned to the United States.

Earlier today, @PerthWildcats head coach Scott Morrison addressed the awkward nature of how things have played out with Michael Frazier II and John Brown III.#NBL22 pic.twitter.com/scxWbnKfDQ— NBL (@NBL) April 6, 2022

Cotton (22.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.5 steals across 28 games) and Law (20.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks across 26 games) led Perth’s offence as the Wildcats averaged a league-best 89.1 points per game, with both selected to the All-NBL First Team. Blanchfield (10.4 points and 4.4 rebounds across 23 games) underwent knee surgery and reinjured the same knee after returning, while Norton (9.6 points and 3.8 assists across 18 games), Travers (7.8 points and 5.4 rebounds across 27 games), Hodgson (6.9 points and 4.7 rebounds across 18 games) and Wagstaff (6.2 points across 28 games) provided further support. Norton, Hodgson and Frazier II also missed games during the season, while Cotton played all 28. Law suffered a right ankle syndesmosis injury against Cairns on April 16 and was ruled out for the remainder of the season.

With Law unavailable, Majok’s season-high scoring game came against Illawarra at RAC Arena on April 22, where Majok (16 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 steal) made eight of nine shots in an 82-77 loss. Cotton (25 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Frazier II (11 points and 3 rebounds) provided support, while Harvey (22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Illawarra. The result left Perth’s finals hopes dependent on Tasmania’s game against Melbourne.

After Tasmania defeated Melbourne, Perth entered its final game against South East Melbourne at RAC Arena on April 24 needing a win to reach the postseason. Majok (4 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist) came off the bench as the Wildcats built an eight-point lead before the Phoenix fought back and Cotton tied the game to force overtime. Cotton (28 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Frazier II (22 points and 6 rebounds) led Perth, while Munford (24 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals) led South East Melbourne. The Phoenix won 102-100 in overtime, leaving Perth fifth with a 16-12 record and ending the Wildcats’ run of 35 consecutive finals appearances, with Perth missing the postseason for the first time since 1986.

2022/23
After missing the playoffs for the first time in 35 years, Scott Morrison stepped down after one season to return to Canada for family reasons, with former Townsville Crocodiles guard John Rillie appointed as Perth’s new head coach on a three-year deal. Kevin White (to Illawarra), Matt Hodgson (to Taiwan), Vic Law (not re-signed), Michael Frazier II (not re-signed) and Jack Purchase (free agent) departed, while Bryce Cotton, Todd Blanchfield and Jesse Wagstaff re-signed, Majok Majok and Oliver Hayes-Brown had their club options exercised and Kyle Zunic was elevated from development player to the full roster. Corey Webster (via Franklin Bulls), TaShawn Thomas (via Le Mans) and Brady Manek (via North Carolina) completed the roster.

Perth opened the season against Brisbane at RAC Arena on October 2, where the returning centre scored 2 points and grabbed 2 rebounds in nine minutes off the bench. Cotton (23 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 steals), Wagstaff (14 points) and Thomas (12 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth, while Devondrick Walker (16 points and 5 rebounds) was Brisbane’s leading scorer as the Wildcats recovered from 24 points behind to win 87-73.

Majok (2.4 points and 2.2 rebounds across 23 games) served as Thomas’s primary backup and made two starts. A preseason ankle injury kept him out of a September practice game, but he recovered before the season and did not miss an NBL23 game because of injury. Perth general manager of basketball operations Danny Mills had backed him to build on his return from the Achilles injury which wiped out his 2020/21 season.

“Majok is coming off his best season since 2017, which is especially impressive considering he was returning from a major injury,” Mills said.

With Thomas sidelined by an ankle injury, Majok (0 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) made his first start of the season against Cairns at the Cairns Convention Centre on October 10. Cotton (24 points and 7 rebounds), Blanchfield (17 points) and Mitchell Norton (16 points and 9 assists) led Perth, while Keanu Pinder (18 points and 15 rebounds) was Cairns’ best as the Wildcats won 105-76 and improved to 3-0.

Perth then lost five consecutive games and dropped to seventh before ending the losing streak against Adelaide. Majok’s best game came against Brisbane at Nissan Arena on December 1, where he made four of his six field-goal attempts and finished with 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block in 11 minutes. Cotton (30 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists), Manek (17 points and 7 rebounds) and Thomas (13 points) led Perth, while Nathan Sobey (28 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists), Tyler Johnson (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists), Tanner Krebs (18 points) and Jason Cadee (15 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists) carried Brisbane as the Bullets won 106-95 in overtime.

Two nights later at Spark Arena, Majok (8 points) matched his season-high while making all four of his field-goal attempts in 10 minutes. Webster (26 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals), Manek (18 points and 6 rebounds) and Cotton (17 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists) led the Wildcats, while Barry Brown Jr (27 points) was New Zealand’s leading scorer as Perth ended the Breakers’ five-game winning streak with a 92-84 victory.

With ten regular-season games remaining, Perth added Tai Webster (via Petkim Spor), reuniting him with his older brother Corey, while Corey Shervill (released) remained with the club as a training player. Majok played in Perth’s first 20 games, but Rillie shortened his rotation during the playoff race and used him in only two of the final eight regular-season games. He did not enter six late-season games or the Play-In Qualifier against South East Melbourne, with all seven non-appearances coming through coaching decisions rather than injury.

Cotton (23.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.6 steals across 30 games) led the NBL in scoring, finished second in MVP voting, earned All-NBL First Team selection and received Perth’s club MVP award. Corey Webster (14.2 points across 29 games), Thomas (13.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists across 28 games), Manek (13.1 points and 5.3 rebounds across 30 games), Luke Travers (9.7 points and 5.7 rebounds across 29 games), Tai Webster (7 points across 8 games), Norton (5.1 points across 28 games), Wagstaff (5 points across 30 games) and Blanchfield (4.4 points across 26 games) formed Perth’s other main contributors. Travers received Perth’s Best Defensive Player award, while the Wildcats finished with the NBL’s highest offensive rating and ranked second in scoring at 92.1 points per game, but recorded the league’s worst defensive rating and ranked last in rebounding at 33.5 per game.

Majok did not play against Tasmania at MyState Bank Arena on January 29, where Thomas (19 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals), Webster (17 points and 4 assists) and Cotton (17 points and 2 steals) led Perth. Milton Doyle (21 points and 4 assists), Rashard Kelly (18 points and 5 rebounds) and Jack McVeigh (18 points and 5 rebounds) led Tasmania as the JackJumpers outscored Perth 27-15 in the fourth quarter and won 102-94.

Majok also did not enter Perth’s final home game against Cairns on February 3, where Cotton (28 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Thomas (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led the Wildcats. Bul Kuol (15 points and 9 rebounds), DJ Hogg (14 points) and Majok Deng (14 points and 11 rebounds) led Cairns to an 84-71 victory, leaving Perth needing to defeat first-placed Sydney by at least 11 points in the final round to qualify for the postseason.

Majok remained out of the rotation against Sydney at RAC Arena on February 5, with the Kings holding Cotton (7 points) to one made field goal. Webster (26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals), Travers (22 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Manek (21 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals) carried Perth, while Dejan Vasiljevic (18 points and 7 rebounds) led Sydney. The Wildcats won 96-84, secured the required margin by one point and finished sixth with a 15-13 record.

The Play-In Qualifier moved to John Cain Arena on February 9, where Majok did not play as Perth trailed South East Melbourne for most of the game before outscoring the Phoenix 41-23 during the fourth quarter. Cotton (26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals), Manek (24 points), Thomas (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists), Webster (12 points), Travers (11 points and 9 rebounds) and Norton (10 points) led the Wildcats, while Mitchell Creek (24 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists), Gary Browne (20 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Alan Williams (16 points, 17 rebounds, and 3 steals) led South East Melbourne as Perth won 106-99.

Perth then faced Cairns at the Cairns Convention Centre on February 12, with the winner advancing to the semifinals. Hogg (32 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks), Kuol (23 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Sam Waardenburg (15 points and 10 rebounds) led the Taipans, while Cotton (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists), Thomas (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks), Webster (14 points and 4 rebounds) and Manek (13 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists) were Perth’s best as Cairns won 91-78, with Majok (0 points) playing 27 seconds.

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS
2023/24
After leaving Perth without a contract extension, Majok Majok signed with Tasmania as a short-term nominated replacement player, providing frontcourt cover while Will Magnay recovered from a foot injury.

The JackJumpers retained their core under Scott Roth, with Milton Doyle, Jack McVeigh, Jordon Crawford, Sean MacDonald, Clint Steindl, Fabijan Krslovic and Magnay returning after another playoff season. Tasmania added Majok Deng (via Cairns), Marcus Lee, Junior Madut and Tom Vodanovich, while Majok remained with the group as frontcourt insurance but did not appear in a regular-season game.

Tasmania finished third with a 16-12 record, with McVeigh (17.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists), Crawford (16.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.0 steals), Doyle (15.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals), Magnay (10.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks), MacDonald (8.0 points and 2.4 assists), Deng (7.5 points and 2.6 rebounds), Drmic (6.8 points and 4.7 rebounds) and Lee (6.1 points and 5.4 rebounds) forming the main rotation.

MacDonald was named the NBL’s Most Improved Player, while Doyle and McVeigh were both named to the All-NBL Second Team. McVeigh also claimed the club MVP award as Tasmania returned to the postseason.

Tasmania opened the playoffs with a 92-76 win over Illawarra in the seeding qualifier behind McVeigh (26 points and 11 rebounds), Magnay (25 points and 10 rebounds) and Crawford (20 points), while Gary Clark (21 points and 10 rebounds), Tyler Harvey (15 points) and Sam Froling (10 points and 5 rebounds) led the Hawks.

The semifinal series opened in Perth, where the Wildcats defeated Tasmania 89-81 behind Keanu Pinder (25 points and 7 rebounds), Bryce Cotton (15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Jordan Usher (11 points), while Crawford (19 points), McVeigh (17 points), Lee (16 points) and Doyle (12 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists) led the JackJumpers.

Game two moved to Tasmania, where the JackJumpers evened the series with a 102-94 win behind Doyle (24 points and 6 rebounds), McVeigh (22 points), Deng (18 points and 5 rebounds) and Magnay (15 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists), while Cotton (26 points), Kristian Doolittle (20 points and 9 rebounds) and Tai Webster (9 points) led Perth.

Game three saw Tasmania advance to the Grand Final with a 100-84 win behind McVeigh (27 points and 6 rebounds), Doyle (24 points and 9 assists) and Magnay (18 points and 9 rebounds), while Cotton (21 points), Hyrum Harris (13 points) and Alexandre Sarr (9 points) led Perth.

The Grand Final series opened in Melbourne, where United defeated Tasmania 104-81 behind Chris Goulding (22 points), Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (20 points and 11 rebounds), Ian Clark (18 points and 6 rebounds) and Matthew Dellavedova (11 points and 6 assists), while Anthony Drmic (18 points), Doyle (16 points and 8 rebounds), McVeigh (13 points and 7 rebounds) and Magnay (10 points and 5 rebounds) led Tasmania.

Game two moved to Tasmania, where the JackJumpers responded with a 82-77 win behind McVeigh (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists), Crawford (13 points), MacDonald (13 points) and Doyle (13 points and 10 rebounds), while Shea Ili (20 points), Goulding (19 points) and Lual-Acuil Jr (9 points and 11 rebounds) led Melbourne.

Game three stayed in Tasmania, where the JackJumpers took a 2-1 series lead with a 93-91 win behind McVeigh (18 points and 12 rebounds), Deng (15 points), Crawford (14 points) and Doyle (14 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals), while Dellavedova (21 points and 8 assists), Goulding (17 points) and Luke Travers (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks) led Melbourne.

Melbourne forced a deciding game five with a 88-86 win in game four behind Clark (18 points), Travers (17 points and 11 rebounds), Goulding (17 points) and Dellavedova (15 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists), while McVeigh (28 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals), Crawford (14 points), MacDonald (14 points) and Doyle (14 points and 6 rebounds) led Tasmania.

Game five saw Tasmania win its first NBL championship with a 83-81 win over Melbourne behind Crawford (32 points), McVeigh (14 points and 8 rebounds), Magnay (11 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Doyle (11 points and 10 rebounds), while Lual-Acuil Jr (14 points and 6 rebounds), Dellavedova (13 points and 7 assists), Goulding (13 points) and Travers (13 points and 7 rebounds) led United.

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
2024/25
Following its last-place finish, South East Melbourne signed three-time NBL champion Majok Majok (via Tasmania) to a one-year deal on August 15, 2024, adding the veteran centre to back up Jordan Hunter and finalising the Phoenix roster for NBL25.

Majok (1 point across 4 regular-season games) remained at the end of the rotation. His best performance came against Tasmania on January 25, where Majok (2 points and 1 rebound) played 3:58 as South East Melbourne won 116-80 behind Hurt (29 points and 6 rebounds) and Wieskamp (20 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 blocks), while Crawford (18 points and 5 assists) led the JackJumpers.

The Phoenix recovered from an 0-5 start to finish fourth with a 16-13 record. Majok’s only postseason appearance came against Perth, where Majok (0 points) played 1:26 in a 122-105 loss. He was not used again as South East Melbourne’s season ended with a 126-96 game-three semifinal loss to Illawarra.

Majok Majok played eight seasons across four NBL teams. This included the Melbourne United, Perth Wildcats, New Zealand Breakers and South East Melbourne Phoenix. He averaged 3.8 points, 4 rebounds, and 0.4 assists in 190 NBL games.

HIGHLIGHTS:

When your team mates decide to heckle you during an interview 😂@majok55majok @MelbUnitedHQ @SBSNews pic.twitter.com/rA8BEIjWJ8

— Abby Dinham (@abbydinham) November 21, 2016