NICKNAME/S: Swish

BIO: Mike McKay was born in Adelaide (SA) and began playing basketball as a junior with the West Adelaide basketball program.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Mike McKay made his NBL debut with the West Adelaide Bearcats at 17 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.

In 1983, player-coach Ken Richardson retired and the Bearcats lost Brad Dalton (to Sydney). They would add Mike Parsons (via Launceston) and national team player Andy Campbell. ‘King’ Ken Cole would take up the head coaching role but struggled to generate the results of previous years, finishing the regular season in third place (17-5).

Al Green (29.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 steals) would lead the team in scoring once again, while ‘do-it-all’ import Leroy Loggins (24.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.0 steals) backed him up offensively while also being tasked to defending the opposing team’s best player each night. Loggins efforts would also see him named in the All-NBL first team at season’s end. As a rookie, McKay contributed 1.9 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 0.1 assists Over the course of the season, as well.

In what was deemed a cost-cutting measure, the NBL chose to play two divisional finals, a three-game round-robin tournament for the top eight team’s, which strangely saw the league’s two best team’s excluded from the playoffs.

The three-game round-robin tournament resulted in the first-placed team in the Western Divison (Sydney) and the first place team in the Eastern Division (Geelong) being eliminated from a playoff spot due to finishing the three game round robin tournament with 2 wins and 1 loss, a equal record to two other team’s who progressed through based on points percentage.

While they made it through to the playoffs, few expected them to survive the rigours of the first round. Cole, widely regarded as the league’s premier motivator, came through on his pre-season prediction that West contend for the championship despite the loss of Richardson and Dalton as Green, Loggins and company led the Bearcats to a victory over Nunawading (84-77). Canberra would eliminate Coburg (80-75) on the other side of the bracket, pitting the two team’s against each other to decide the championship.

In a final which proved a seesaw ride for spectators, Canberra would be crowned champions after defeating West Adelaide by two points (75-73).

1984
In 1984, McKay averaged 6.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists as the Bearcats finished in tenth place (11-13).

ADELAIDE 36ERS
1985
In 1985, McKay averaged 12.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists, playing a key role in the 36ers rotation, helping the team finish in second place (20-6).

1986
1986
Coming off a Grand Final loss to Brisbane, Adelaide rebounded with what is considered the greatest season in NBL history. Although the team made only one major change, adding naturalised import Dwayne Nelson to replace the outgoing Karl Luke, the 36ers dominated the season to finish in first place (24-2). Mark Davis would lead the league in rebounding and be selected to the All-NBL First Team. Alongside Davis, Al Green (19.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.1 steals), Darryl Pearce (19.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.0 steals), Sixers skipper Bill Jones (19.1 points, 13.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 2.2 blocks), and Mike McKay (13.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) would round out the starting lineup. McKay would appear in all 30 games and averaged 13.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists for the season.

This 36ers team was coined ‘The Invincibles’ in the South Australian media due to finishing with the best regular season record of all time. The team’s 24-2 win-loss record — a 92.3 percent success rate — has never been matched since. The two losses both also were on last-gasp buzzer beaters, keeping Cole’s team just a few seconds short of the perfect 26-0 season. Of their 27 total victories that year, 17 were by at least 20 points, and the 36ers’ only two losses to West Sydney (87-89) and Coburg (114-116) were the results of last second buzzer-beaters, effectively meaning they were about six seconds short of the perfect 26-0 regular season. They averaged 117.3 points a game in their winning spree, conceding 96.0, a winning buffer of 21.3 points. And in claiming the regular season championship, they were five wins clear of the 19-7 second-placed Canberra Cannons.

On top of all that, Adelaide was unbeatable at home, winning all 13 games at a sold-out Apollo Stadium. This was extended to 14-0 after Darryl Pearce (28 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists) and Al Green (27 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists) led the 36ers over the Illawarra Hawks (116-92) in the semi-final. If you include the 36ers home games from 1985, this extended their home streak to 20-0. Adelaide would then meet Brisbane in a grand final re-match, with the NBL deciding to extend the championship series from single elimination to a three-game series from here onwards.

Adelaide won the opening match (119-122), with their big man doing most of the work, Davis (38 points, 23 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) recording his second-highest scoring game of the season. Bill Jones (30 points, 17 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks) and Darryl Pearce (13 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) were also key factors in the win. McKay also added 16 points and 1 assist.

As the series moved to Brisbane, The 36ers seemingly got ahead of themselves and when they travelled to Brisbane, Cal Bruton (38 points on 15 of 24 shooting) and Larry Sengstock (19 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists) dished out a 21-point thrashing (84-104). Ali contributed 4 points and 4 rebounds in Adelaide’s largest loss of the season. Mike McKay adding 10 points, 1 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

The 36ers would return to Apollo Stadium to correct their game two shortcomings and defeat Brisbane (113-91) to bring the second NBL Championship in five years to South Australia. Bullet’s guard Cal Bruton (31 points and 4 rebounds) would finish as the game’s high scorer, with Pearce (27 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) top scoring for the 36ers. Al Green (22 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) managed to fill most columns of the box score, and Mike McKay adding 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist in the championship win.

1987
The Adelaide 36ers entered the 1987 season with a strong and mostly unchanged core, including Mike McKay (14.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists), Mark Davis (26.1 points, 17.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals), Al Green (23.1 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists), Darryl Pearce (20.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists), and Bill Jones (14.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks). Under new head coach Gary Fox, who replaced Ken Cole, the team aimed to defend their 1986 championship and continue their dominance.

Adelaide opened the 1987 season with a commanding win over Westside Melbourne (131-105), but the team faced a tough early stretch, enduring a three-game losing streak that started with a loss to North Melbourne (103-106) and ended with a close defeat to Perth (104-106). Despite these early setbacks, the 36ers quickly regained form and went on a five-game winning streak, starting with a victory over Brisbane (127-111) and concluding with a win over Eastside (98-87).

McKay was a solid contributor throughout the season, providing reliable scoring and helping the team through their winning stretches. The 36ers later achieved an eight-game winning streak, starting with a win over Canberra (118-115) and ending with a victory over Sydney (108-103), before their run was halted by a loss to Hobart (108-112).

One of Adelaide’s standout performances came in their biggest win of the season, a 147-99 blowout over West Sydney on July 17. However, the team also suffered some disappointing defeats, including a heavy loss to Illawarra (108-90) on June 25. McKay played his role effectively as the 36ers finished the regular season with a league-best 21-5 record, wrapping up the season with a win over Geelong (128-97).

McKay’s contributions as a reliable scorer and his ability to play both ends of the court made him an essential part of Adelaide’s success. He worked well alongside the team’s stars, including Mark Davis, Al Green, and Darryl Pearce, ensuring the team remained one of the toughest in the league.

In the playoffs, the 36ers earned a first-round bye and advanced to the semi-finals, where they faced Perth. McKay played his part in Adelaide’s narrow Game 1 victory (99-98). In Game 2, despite McKay and his teammates’ efforts, the 36ers were edged out (99-101). In the deciding Game 3, McKay contributed (3 assists), but Adelaide was ultimately defeated (103-93), losing the series 2-1 and missing the chance to defend their championship.

1988
Darryl Pearce and Peter Ali would be named co-captains of the squad in 1988, the same year Adelaide born centre and Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) attendee Mark Bradtke would make his NBL debut. Bradtke was signed by Ken Cole in 1986 when he was 16 years old and 203 cm tall but due to living in Brisbane at the time, he committed to the AIS for two years before joining Adelaide.

The Sixers had a great start to the season, kicking it off with a 4-1 start that included a 31-point win over Illawarra and had them picked as favourites to win the title in the early stages of the year. During the first month of the season, the 36ers were led by Darryl Peace, who exploded for 48 points, including 11 of 14 three-point attempts, against the Ken Cole coached Falcons in Newcastle in round two, a stat line that remains the highest scoring game in 36ers history.

Bradtke (7.4 points and 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks) came off the bench as a backup to Bill Jones (15.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.6 blocks) and Mark Davis (25.3 points, 13.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.4 steals). Darryl Pearce (20.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.1 steals) and Al Green (20 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.4 steals) would provide the offence from the perimeter, and Adelaide (19-5) finished the regular season in first place during for the third year in a row (second under coach Gary Fox). Adelaide would then lose to Canberra (0-2), falling short in the semifinals for the second year in a row.

Mckay would appear in 20 games and average 20 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists.

1989
1989 would be the last year with Gary Fox as coach after the team dropped to sixth on the regular season ladder with a 15–9 record. Due to the emergence of Mark Bradtke, import centre Bill Jones left the team to join former coach Ken Cole in Newcastle. Adelaide replaced him with import forward Orlando Phillips, the 1983 NCAA West Coast Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Year and a former Los Angeles Lakers draft pick.

Also, the team captaincy would be handed over fully to Darryl Pearce as co-captain Peter Ali chose to step down from the role. As the season began, Mark Davis (25.6 points, 14.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks) would lead the team in scoring and rebounding while also being selected in the All-NBL First Team for a fourth time. Phillips (20.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals) came as advertised, providing the additional scoring needed, and Bradtke (15.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks) made the most of his new role as starting center, winning the league’s Most Improved Player award.

McKay would contribute 13.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists as the 36ers snuck into the playoffs as the sixth seed. Adelaide (15-9) would face Perth (16-8) in the Elimination Finals, where Cal Bruton (35 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists) finished as the game’s high scorer, but it wouldn’t be enough to get past the 36ers who had five players score over 18 points or more. Mark Davis (25 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 steals), Darryl Pearce (25 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists), Orlando Phillips (23 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals), Mike McKay (20 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists) and second year big man Mark Bradtke (18 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocks) combining for 91 points in the game one win (122-124).

With the series returning to Perth for game two, Perth returned to its regular season form, shooting 51% from the field (42/82), and defeating Adelaide by 20 points (114-94). Pinder (25 points and 14 rebounds) and Bruton (22 points and 5 assists) top scoring for the Wildcats, while Mark Davis (22 points and 20 rebounds) racked up a 20/20 game in the 36ers losing effort.

With Bruton (29 points and 7 rebounds) again leading the team in scoring, Perth came away with the win in game three (112-108) and ended 36ers playoff hopes.

1990
36ers long time assistant coach Don Shipway was appointed coach of the team after three-year boss Gary Fox paid the price for the 36ers’ third consecutive playoff failure. In his first season at the helm, Shipway wasn’t able to do much better, with Adelaide missing the playoffs for the first time since 1983, the club’s first ever losing season.

1990 was also the year Mark Davis replaced Darryl Pearce as team captain, a role he would hold until the end of 1996, and it was the last season for local favourite Peter Ali who retired after 279 NBL games (141 of them with the 36ers). This season McKay would also average 13.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game.

1991
Despite Adelaide having their worst season ever in 1990, head coach Don Shipway was able to avoid being fired and looked to rebuild around the squad’s young talent. He began with replacing 37-year-old club legend Al Green with 29 year old, former NBA player Butch Hays as the team’s import point guard, signing him to a two year deal. The 36ers also added 19-year-old Adelaide product Brett Wheeler, who at 208 cm provided the extra size the team needed to support Bradtke.

Butch Hays (24.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 9.0 assists) and Mark Davis (23.0 points and 14.7 rebounds) would lead the team as McKay contributed 19.6 points, 3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists alongside the all-star pair, helping the 36ers return to the playoffs. Finishing in fourth place (16-10) during the regular season, Adelaide faced off against Melbourne in the elimination finals. Adelaide would defeat Melbourne (2-0) to reach the semi finals only to then be eliminated by the defending and eventual champions Perth (0-2).

1991 was also the last season the 36ers would play out of the 3,000 seat Apollo Stadium.

1992
Adelaide had played at the Apollo Stadium since the team’s inception in 1982, but by the early 1990s, ticket demand was far too great to remain there, and the team moved into the 8,000 seat Clipsal Powerhouse prior to the 1992 season. During the off-season, the team was able to retain import point guard Butch Hays and captain Mark Davis but saw local favourite and former captain Darryl Pearce sign with the North Melbourne Giants.

The venue quickly became a fortress for the 36ers, with every game played in front of a sell-out crowd. The increased fan support saw Adelaide open the year with a 106-84 victory over the North Melbourne Giants. After this initial success, however, the team failed to win again across their next seven games, including losses to perennial easy beats like Hobart and Newcastle.

The 36ers would then face a major hurdle after the league’s mid-season break to accommodate the Barcelona Olympics. After the Boomers finished the tournament in fourth place, Bradtke returned with the announcement that he had accepted a lucrative deal (reportedly worth $200,000) to finish the season playing for Spanish team Juver Murcia. In his 17 games prior to the break, Bradtke had clearly become the best local big man in the competition. In his last game wearing a 36ers jersey, he scored a career-high 43 points, grabbed 25 boards against Geelong at home and averaged 20.1 points, 14.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists for the season.

The 36ers, although never looking like a playoff team, were never able to fill the gap left by Bradtke and limped home to a 11-13 record, finishing in the ninth spot.

Davis (23.5 points, 14.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks) again led the team with his spectacular all-around game, with McKay also contributing 18.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3 assists per game.

Despite the disappointing season, two positives came from this season. The first was the rookie debuts of local teenagers Brett Maher (2.2 points in 8 minutes per game), who went on to play a record 525 games for the 36ers, and 18-year-old Paul Rogers, who appeared in five games but later became a big part of the 36ers and the Australian national team. Mark Davis also played his last season as a import, obtaining his Australian citizenship this year and qualifying as a local player until his retirement.

Despite the disappointing season, two positives came from this season. The first was the rookie debuts of local teenagers Brett Maher (2.2 points in 8 minutes per game), who went on to play a record 525 games for the 36ers, and 18-year-old Paul Rogers, who appeared in five games but later became a big part of the 36ers and the Australian national team. Mark Davis also played his last season as a import, obtaining his Australian citizenship this year and qualifying as a local player until his retirement.

Bradtke, who had signed with the Spanish club for only one season, had a agreement to play with Adelaide if he returned in 1993. Upon his return to Australia, Bradtke made it known he did not want to play the final year of his contract in Adelaide, amongst rumours the Melbourne Tigers were actively recruiting him. After negotiations between the two parties broke down, the 36ers gave permission for Bradtke to leave if a team would buy out his remaining contract. However, the NBL stepped in and vetoed the buyout, effectively letting Bradtke leave for Melbourne without the 36ers receiving any compensation. After the fact it became clear Bradtke had decided to move to Melbourne to be closer to then girlfriend (and future wife), pro-tennis player Nicole Provis.

1993
After two losing seasons under coach Don Shipway, Adelaide hired American Don Monson to replace him and steer the team back to its winning ways of the past decade. With the 36ers still regrouping from the huge loss of Boomers big man Mark Bradtke (who had left for Melbourne), they added young talent in Chris Blakemore (AIS) and Scott Ninnis (South East Melbourne) and veterans Phil Smyth (captain of the Australian Boomers at the time) and Willie Simmons from the Canberra Cannons.

McKay averaged 13.8 points, 6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while the team improved to a 14–12 record under Monson and made the playoffs by finishing in seventh place.

At the end of the season, Blakemore (5.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 0.6 assists) claimed Rookie of the Year honours and while Ninnis (19.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.3 steals) delivered his highest scoring season to date and collected the Most Improved Player award. The 36ers were then eliminated in the Quarterfinals by Ninnis’s former team, the defending NBL champions, South East Melbourne Magic.

1994
The 1994 season saw McKay average 8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists and played a key role in helping the 36ers finish in second place (18-8).

1995
During the 1995 season McKay averaged 7.1 points, 2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists and helped the 36ers finish the regular season in sixth place (17-9).

BRISBANE BULLETS
1996
In 1996, the Brisbane Bullets re-loaded by adding veterans Mike McKay (via Adelaide) and Mark Dalton (via Sydney), as well star import Steve Woodberry (23.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists), who was coming off a major injury, led the team in scoring, and was selected to the All-NBL second team. McKay (17.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists) was impressive during his first season in Brisbane while the legendary Loggins (16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) delivered his worst season ever, recording career lows in points, rebounds, assists and steals, prompting many to think he may retire at seasons end.

During a extremely tight season where Brisbane, Sydney, North Melbourne, South East Melbourne and Melbourne all tasted the league’s leadership at some point, the Bullets finished up in eighth place (14-12) under first-year head coach David Ingham. McKay appeared in 29 games, averaging 17.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists.

1997
Although many believed Leroy Loggins would retire after delivering the worst season of his career, he instead bounced back, returning to his previous form. With Loggins (21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists) paired with Steve Woodberry (21.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.0 steals), who was named to the All-NBL third team, the Bullets finished in fifth place (15-15).

The 39-year-old would also drag the Bullets back into the playoffs, facing off against Perth (17-13) in the elimination finals. Brisbane would lose both games one (79-81) and game two (71-88), ending the season prematurely.

McKay, appearing in only 7 games, averaged 18.6 points, 5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.

CANBERRA CANNONS
1998
In 1998, McKay averaged 15.0 points and 3.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, as the Cannons finished in seventh place (14-16).

1998/99
In 1998/99, Mckay averaged 17.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists as the Cannons struggling to be competitive (8-18).

ILLAWARRA HAWKS
1999/00
After being seeing their season end after losing four playoff games in a row, Wollongong entered this season looking improve. Clayton Ritter (to Canberra) was not re-signed after the club was able to convince former star Melvin Thomas to return to the club after a four year absence from the club. With coach Brendan Joyce at the helm and star guard CJ Bruton (22.1 points and 3.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists) controlling the offence, many felt Illawarra would become one of the stronger clubs, but the Hawks just couldn’t seem to get victories over any of the league’s top team’s. The Hawks’ narrative became a view where Bruton was tasked with too much and the Hawks limped home to a eighth-place finish (11-17).

Melvin Thomas (19.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 steals) produced another great season and was named the Hawks co-MVP alongside Glen Saville (14.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.9 steals).

McKay appeared in 28 games and added 5.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists over the course of the season.

Mike McKay played eighteen seasons across five NBL teams. This included the West Adelaide Bearcats, Canberra Cannons, Brisbane Bullets, Adelaide 36ers and Wollongong Hawks. He averaged 12.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 448 NBL games.

CAREER RANKINGS:
– 33rd in total games played.
– 35th in total points

Dan Boyce (815 Posts)

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.