BIO: Mark Nash was born in Launceston (TAS) and began playing basketball as a fourteen year old for Kingborough District, in Tasmania. He was recruited by the Hobart Devils at the start on the 1996 season.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Mark Nash made his NBL debut with the Hobart Devils at 18 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.

Hobart entered 1994 with a revamped roster under head coach Bill Tomlinson, parting ways with Andrew Svaldenis, David Close, Neil Turner, Justin Cass, Wayne McDaniel, Donald Whiteside, and Jim Havrilla, while bringing in Lamont Middleton (via St. John’s University), Calvin Talford (via East Tennessee State), Darren Perry (via South East Melbourne), Darren Smith (via State League), and Marco Van Buuren (via Gold Coast).

The season began with a loss to Brisbane (103-116), but Calvin Talford stole the show, delivering one of the greatest individual performances in NBL history. Playing all 48 minutes, he erupted for 50 points (15-19 FG, 5-7 3PT, 15-19 FT), 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals, giving Devils fans something to cheer about despite the defeat.

Talford (22 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) later competed in the NBL Dunk Competition at the All-Star Game, finishing as runner-up to Brett Rainbow and becoming a fan favorite across the league.

Other key contributors for the season included Anthony Stewart (18.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5 assists) and veteran Wayne McDaniel (15.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists), both delivering solid numbers.

This season also saw Mark Nash make his NBL debut, appearing in one game for Hobart and recording 2 points and 2 rebounds.

Unfortunately, the season quickly unraveled, as Hobart struggled to compete with the league’s top teams. Darren Perry (9.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, 1.7 steals) was solid but struggled with injuries carried over from his time with the Magic. Middleton was released after seven games, and the team brought in Keith Nelson (21.6 points, 10 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks), who led the league in shot-blocking but did little to change the Devils’ win-loss record.

Hobart finished with a 2-24 record, the second-worst single-season mark in NBL history. Despite the team’s overall struggles, the Devils recorded their only two wins against Gold Coast (90-88) and Perth (93-92) but suffered several close losses, including narrow defeats to Canberra (101-107), Newcastle (97-114), and Townsville (92-93). The lack of depth and reliance on individual performances ultimately doomed their season.

1998
After two consecutive first-round playoff exits, Dave Ingham was released and replaced by returning head coach Brian Kerle, who had previously led the Bullets to championships in 1985 and 1987. Around the same time, rising costs associated with hosting games at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, combined with declining attendance, prompted the team to relocate to the smaller (4,000-seat) Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from the 1998 season onward.

Mark Nash, who had spent the previous season playing in the state league, joined a squad led by Steve Woodberry (26.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists) and 40-year-old Leroy Loggins (18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals per game), who, remarkably, was still starting at small forward despite his age.

The Bullets also added CJ Bruton (15.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4 assists), fresh off his college basketball stint in the USA. Together, the trio formed one of the most potent perimeter attacks in the league, leading Brisbane to a fourth-place finish (16-14) in the regular season.

After four consecutive first-round playoff exits, Brisbane finally broke through, sweeping Melbourne in two straight games to advance to the semifinals.

South East Melbourne dominated the season, losing just four games all year. Given that Brisbane had handed them one of those losses (an 81-76 victory in Round 5), Bullets fans held out hope for an upset. However, the Magic proved too strong, winning Game 1 (106-98) and Game 2 (90-84) to eliminate Brisbane and end their season.

In his first season with Brisbane, Mark Nash appeared in 34 games, averaging 9.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists.

1998/99
During the offseason, the Bullets made several roster changes, signing import Thaddeus Delaney to replace the departing Chuck Kornegay. Brisbane also added Ben Knight and Matthew Shanahan, who were both left without a roster spot following the Giants/Magic merger, as well as Phil Doherty, who left Perth in search of more playing time.

Steve Woodberry (27.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 2.1 steals) delivered the best season of his career, winning the 1999 NBL MVP. Leroy Loggins (18.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 steals) continued to defy age at 41 years old, but beyond them, the Bullets’ roster lacked depth. Delaney (11.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks) put up solid numbers but failed to live up to expectations. Veteran Rodger Smith (6.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists) contributed defensively, while 23-year-old Mark Nash (8.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists) provided support where possible. However, when that’s the kind of production coming from the supporting cast, it meant Brisbane needed a big night from Woodberry and Loggins just to stay competitive.

Brisbane finished the season 13-13, securing fifth place and a qualifying finals matchup against the Melbourne Tigers, who eliminated the Bullets in two straight games.

Nash played in 28 games, averaging 8.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists.

1999/00
The team was unable to retain imports Chuck Kornegay (Spain) and Steve Woodberry (Sydney), both departing for lucrative overseas deals. By the 1999/00 season, Leroy Loggins (16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal per game) was finally beginning to show signs of slowing down. His numbers had dropped to career lows across the board, signaling that the Bullets had to start planning for life after Leroy.

Head coach Brian Kerle brought in his son Simon Kerle and Jason Cameron (both via Townsville) along with Brendan Mann (via Canberra) to develop a local core around the team’s existing young talent, Phil Doherty and Mark Nash. Rod Johnson (via Newcastle) was also signed to add veteran leadership, while imports Kelvin Price and Sheldon Quarles rounded out the roster.

Despite being 42 years old, Loggins (15.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 steals) remained a key part of Brisbane’s offense, continuing to log 29 minutes per game. Kerle (14.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists) contributed where he could, while Price (12.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) and Quarles (11.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists) failed to meet expectations. With less overall talent than the previous season, Brisbane struggled, finishing with a 7-21 record and missing the playoffs—marking only the third time in Loggins’ 20-season NBL career that he did not feature in the postseason.

Mark Nash played 27 games, averaging 6.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists.

ADELAIDE 36ERS
2000/01
The 2000/01 season was one 36ers fans would rather forget. The team scraped into the playoffs with a 16-12 record, finishing sixth on the ladder despite ending the regular season on a four-game losing streak.

Led offensively by captain Brett Maher (20.9 points, 5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals), import Kevin Brooks (19.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists) returning from his one-year stint with Sydney, and Darnell Mee (18.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.6 steals, and 1.6 blocks), who would go on to win his third straight NBL Best Defensive Player award, the 36ers had the talent to contend but lacked consistency.

A key offseason move was the addition of Mark Nash (9.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists) from the Brisbane Bullets. He quickly became an integral part of the starting lineup, providing versatility, hustle, and defensive intensity, filling the gaps left by Maher, Brooks, and Mee, and giving the team a much-needed glue guy.

Despite their late-season struggles, the 36ers pulled off a stunning first-round upset, eliminating the first-placed Victoria Titans in the Qualifying Finals. Adelaide dropped Game 1 at home (96-101) but rebounded in Game 2 on the road (96-83) before clinching the series in Melbourne (115-103) to advance to the semi-finals.

The semi-final series against Wollongong started with a heartbreaking Game 1 loss (83-84) at home after Charles Thomas’ foul on Mee in the final moments was ignored, followed by Melvin Thomas’ clear foul on David Stiff as he grabbed a rebound also going uncalled. Adelaide responded with a dominant Game 2 win (111-100) on the road, forcing a Game 3 decider at The Sandpit.

The series finale became an instant NBL classic, featuring huge shots and momentum swings, before a controversial final-second foul call on Darnell Mee sent Damon Lowery to the free-throw line after the buzzer. With the game and the series on the line, Lowery hit all three free throws, handing Wollongong a 109-108 victory and ending Adelaide’s season in the cruelest possible way.

Mee and Brett Maher fought hard, while Brooks (26 points, 63% shooting) hit two massive three-pointers in the final quarter to keep the 36ers in the fight. Paul Maley, in what turned out to be his final NBL game, gave everything in his last outing before retiring due to injury. Mark Nash had a standout performance, throwing down a spectacular driving dunk through traffic and making big plays in crunch time.

The loss signaled the end of an era, with longtime club legend Mark Davis retiring after 482 games, leaving as Adelaide’s all-time leader in rebounds (5,200), points (8,752), and blocks (301). Meanwhile, Darnell Mee was named to the All-NBL First Team but was lost to salary cap constraints, bringing his four-year tenure with the club to an end.

Despite flashes of brilliance, the 36ers’ season ended in heartbreak, leaving fans wondering what could have been.

2000/01
Following a semi-final exit in 2001, Adelaide 36ers head coach Phil Smyth made significant changes to the roster. Longtime imports Kevin Brooks and Darnell Mee, as well as veteran forwards Paul Maley (34 years old) and Mark Davis (40 years old), were not re-signed as the team shifted towards a younger core.

Smyth traveled to the Long Beach Summer League in the United States, where he scouted and signed 26-year-old Willie Farley, a high-scoring shooting guard he believed could replace Mee. Unlike previous seasons, the 36ers opted for just one import, increasing the responsibility of local talent Brett Maher, David Stiff, Paul Rees, Rupert Sapwell, and Mark Nash. The team also introduced Oscar Forman and Jacob Holmes, two up-and-coming players eager to prove themselves.

The revamped lineup quickly found success, with Farley (25.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists) emerging as an offensive powerhouse. He finished as the second-leading scorer in the NBL, behind Brisbane’s Randy Rutherford. His scoring ability meshed well with Brett Maher (21.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists), while David Stiff (12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists) and Paul Rees (10.2 points and 7.2 rebounds) anchored the frontcourt. Mark Nash (7.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) played an important role as a versatile forward, stepping up in key moments.

Adelaide started the season 6-4, staying in playoff contention. Midseason, the Cairns Taipans released import Matt Garrison due to financial struggles, and the 36ers moved quickly to sign him. Garrison, a key part of Wollongong’s 2001 NBL Championship run, added another layer of depth. Garrison (10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) was a key contributor as Adelaide finished the regular season third (17-13).

The playoffs began with a dominant sweep of Wollongong in the Qualifying Finals. The 36ers stunned the defending champions with a 107-90 victory at WIN Entertainment Centre, led by Farley (26 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals), Sapwell (19 points and 11 rebounds), and Maher (16 points and 6 assists). They closed out the series at home with a 101-95 victory, with Farley (33 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) and Maher (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) sealing the win. Nash (7.5 points and 6.3 rebounds) played a key role, providing defensive versatility and rebounding.

In the semi-finals, Adelaide faced Victoria and delivered a Game 1 upset (99-92) on the road, fueled by Farley (25 points and 4 rebounds) and Maher (23 points and 8 rebounds). The Titans responded in Game 2, winning 86-81 in Adelaide, limiting Farley (24 points) and Maher (15 points) while Nash (6 points and 7 rebounds) battled on the glass.

Back at home for Game 3, Adelaide bounced back with a 103-92 victory, securing a Grand Final spot behind Farley (33 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists), Maher (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists), and Rees (16 points and 9 rebounds). Nash (7 rebounds and 4 assists) made timely plays on both ends.

Adelaide reached its sixth NBL Grand Final, taking on the West Sydney Razorbacks, who were making their first-ever championship appearance. The 36ers started strong, winning Game 1 (106-97) at Adelaide Arena, led by Farley (34 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 steals) and Maher (25 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds), while Nash (8 points and 5 rebounds) provided hustle and perimeter defense.

Game 2 saw West Sydney even the series, thanks to a dominant performance from Simon Dwight (20 points, 21 rebounds, and 4 blocks) and John Rillie (28 points, 7-of-12 from three). The Razorbacks edged out a 103-100 win at the State Sports Centre, despite Farley (24 points and 8 rebounds) and Maher (25 points and 7 assists) keeping Adelaide in the fight.

With the championship on the line, the 36ers delivered one of the most dominant performances in NBL Grand Final history. They shot a record-breaking 19-of-31 from three-point range (61.2%) and posted 125 points—the most in Grand Final history. Nash (18 points, 4-of-6 from three-point range) stepped up in the deciding game, adding crucial outside shooting alongside Farley (22 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Maher (30 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists). Adelaide crushed the Razorbacks 125-107, securing their fourth NBL championship.

Maher was named Finals MVP, averaging 26.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.3 steals over the three-game series