BIO: Scott Ninnis was born in Adelaide (SA) and started playing church basketball at the age of 7 before joining South Adelaide when he was just 11 years old. Scott Ninnis attended Marion High School in Adelaide, and completed Year 12 at Daws Road High School due to their basketball program.

FAMILY: Ninnis’s father Bruce was a championship winning basketball player with South Adelaide during the 1960s.

As of 2016, Ninnis lives in Adelaide with his second wife Rebekah and their 2-year-old son Patrick Bruce. He also has a 12-year-old daughter, Chiara, from his first marriage. After being sacked as the 36ers coach following the 2009/10 NBL season, Ninnis formed his own wine tour company Premium Wine Tours.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Scott Ninnis made his NBL debut with the Adelaide 36ers at 20 years of age. He scored four points in his first game.

After producing a standout 40-point game against the West Adelaide Bearcats in the local Adelaide competition in early 1985, Scott Ninnis caught the eye of coach Ken Cole. This led to an invitation to train with the Adelaide 36ers, where Ninnis went up against stars like Al Green, Darryl Pearce, Mike McKay, Ray Wood, Bill Jones, Peter Ali, and Mark Davis in daily practice. His efforts impressed Cole enough to sign him to the roster for the 1986 season.

Coming off a Grand Final loss to Brisbane, Adelaide rebounded in 1986 with what is considered the greatest season in NBL history. The team made only one major change, adding naturalised import Dwayne Nelson to replace the outgoing Karl Luke. Adelaide dominated the competition, finishing in first place with a league-best (24-2) record. Mark Davis (25.3 points, 16.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists) led the league in rebounding and earned a spot on the All-NBL First Team. Alongside Davis, key contributors included 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), team captain 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). Scott Ninnis, in his rookie season, played 14 games, contributing (0.6 points, 0.1 rebounds) but gaining valuable experience during thistoric campaign.

Nicknamed ‘The Invincibles’ by the South Australian media, this 36ers team set a record with their (24-2) season. Their two losses came on buzzer-beaters—one to West Sydney (87-89) and another to Coburg (114-116)—leaving them mere seconds away from a perfect season. Of their 27 victories, 17 were by 20 points or more. Adelaide averaged (117.3 points) per game while conceding (96.0), giving them an impressive average winning margin of (21.3) points. They secured the regular season championship five wins clear of second-placed Canberra (19-7).

Adelaide was unbeatable at home, winning all (13) of their regular-season games at a sold-out Apollo Stadium. This streak extended to (14) after a semi-final win over Illawarra (116-92), where Pearce (28 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Al Green (27 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists) led the charge. Including the 1985 home games, this extended Adelaide’s home winning streak to (20-0).

The 36ers then faced Brisbane in a Grand Final rematch, with the NBL shifting the series format to a three-game showdown. Adelaide took Game 1 (122-119), with Mark Davis (38 points, 23 rebounds, and 5 assists) delivering his second-highest scoring performance of the season. Bill Jones (30 points, 17 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Darryl Pearce (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) were also key contributors.

Game 2 in Brisbane saw the 36ers suffer a heavy defeat (104-84), with Cal Bruton (38 points) and Larry Sengstock (19 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists) leading the Bullets. Scott Ninnis, while playing limited minutes, contributed his presence during Adelaide’s playoff run, though he did not score in any of the playoff games.

Adelaide rebounded in Game 3 at Apollo Stadium, winning (113-91) to secure their second NBL Championship in five years. Cal Bruton (31 points and 4 rebounds) was Brisbane’s top scorer, while Darryl Pearce (27 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) led Adelaide. Al Green (22 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist) and Peter Ali (11 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) contributed to the win, capping off a historic season.

Although Ninnis’s contributions in terms of stats were modest, his presence on the team and the experience gained during this championship season laid the foundation for his future in the NBL.

1987
When the 36ers fired coach Ken Cole amid a marijuana smoking controversy in 1986 and replaced him with Gary Fox, Ninnis was sent to play with the Adelaide Buffaloes in the SEABL in 1987. The 36ers did have him play in two NBL games to help cover injuries, he played a total of 5 minutes and 18 seconds. Adelaide would finish the regular season in first place (21-5).

1988
Fox recalled Scott Ninnis back into the 36ers squad full-time from 1988, the same season Darryl Pearce and Peter Ali would be named co-captains of the squad and 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). The 36ers would then be eliminated during the semi finals for the second year in a row, this time going down to the Canberra Cannons losing 2-0.

Ninnis would appear in 18 games, and 5.5 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.1 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.

Ninnis would contribute 8.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.5 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 Ninnis would also average 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.

1991
Wanting a change of scenery, Ninnis signed with the Eastside Melbourne Spectres with the aim of developing his game under coach Brian Goorjian. After making the playoffs for the first time in three years, Goorjian was able to bring back almost the entire squad for another shot at the championship, the team’s only key loss being bruising forward Shane Froling.

Behind Eastside’s formidable frontcourt, led by Bruce Bolden (27.2 ppg and 10.4 rpg), Kent Lockhart (18.6 ppg and 5.7 rpg) and Dean Uthoff (16.8 ppg and 13.6 rpg) the Spectres finished the season with a 17-9 record. Ninnis also contributed 9.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists as Eastside finished in second place, earning them a first-round bye in the playoffs. Eastside would then eliminate North Melbourne in the semifinals (2–0) before facing off against the Perth Wildcats, who had finished the season in first place (22-4) and eliminated the Adelaide 36ers in their semi final matchup. The Grand Final series would see Perth come away victorious with a 109-83 win in game one before the Spectres evened things up with a 86-81 win in game two. Behind the stellar play from Perth imports Ricky Grace and Pete Hanson, who would be awarded the Grand Final MVP, Perth defeated Eastside in the deciding game, 90-80. Ninnis would appear in all 31 games, averaging 9.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE MAGIC
1992 – ONE MAGIC YEAR
At the end of 1991, the South Melbourne Saints were in financial crisis and unable to continue operations. In a landmark move, they merged with cross-town rivals the Eastside Melbourne Spectres to form a new NBL franchise: the South East Melbourne Magic. With the Spectres having come within one game of a championship the previous season, head coach Brian Goorjian was retained to lead the newly formed club. Only two Saints players were carried over—Andrew Parkinson and Andrej Lemanis—joining a proven Spectres core that included Bruce Bolden, Tony Ronaldson, Darren Lucas, Scott Ninnis, and Darren Perry.

To finalise the Magic’s inaugural roster, import Milt Newton was recruited alongside John Dorge, who arrived from Geelong after leading the NBL in blocked shots in 1991. With a deep rotation and a defensive-first mentality under Goorjian, the team quickly made headlines as “One Magic Year” became the unofficial motto for their debut campaign. Scott Ninnis entered the season as a key piece of the backcourt rotation, providing versatility, perimeter defence, and timely scoring. Across 30 regular season games, Ninnis averaged 11.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.

The Magic began the year in red-hot form, winning six of their first seven games. Despite solid early contributions from Newton (15.6 points, 8.1 rebounds), the Magic opted for a mid-season change—replacing him with LA Clippers guard Robert Rose. From that point forward, South East Melbourne surged to a 20–4 record and finished the regular season undefeated at home (12–0). Goorjian was named NBL Coach of the Year, and the Magic entered the playoffs as the top seed.

🏀 THROWBACK THURSDAY 💫

Did you believe in Magic? How could you not with this old tune! Before the days of @SEMelbPhoenix we had the South East Melbourne Magic. Do you remember how many NBL Championships Magic had to their name? Read more – https://t.co/OezFZFpFDS #HoopsAtHome pic.twitter.com/mQfmy7kiG4

— Basketball Victoria (@Basketball_Vic) April 16, 2020

After sweeping the Canberra Cannons in the quarterfinals and eliminating the North Melbourne Giants in the semifinals, the Magic advanced to the NBL Grand Final to face their crosstown rivals—the Melbourne Tigers. The Tigers, led by MVP Andrew Gaze (33.8 points per game) and dynamic import Lanard Copeland (28.1 points), had just come off a high-octane playoff run and entered the series full of confidence.

Game 1 was a nightmare start for South East Melbourne. Just 11 minutes into the match, starting point guard Darren Perry tore his ACL, ruling him out for the remainder of the series and the next nine months. The injury threw the Magic’s rotation into chaos, and Melbourne capitalised. Copeland erupted for 34 points, 7 assists, and 3 blocks, while Gaze added 26 in a dominant 116–98 win. Ninnis, thrust into extended minutes, struggled to find rhythm, scoring 7 points on 3-of-9 shooting with 2 rebounds and 2 steals in just under 22 minutes.

With Perry sidelined, the Magic looked to Ninnis and Lucas to stabilise the backcourt—and both delivered in Game 2. While Lucas starred with a season-high 19 points, Ninnis was equally crucial, helping contain Copeland on defence. Copeland—who had torched the Magic in Game 1—was held to just 14 points on 6-of-19 shooting. Ninnis logged 38 minutes and added 7 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal, holding his own at both ends. Although he went just 3-of-9 from the field, his defensive pressure and off-ball movement were pivotal. The Magic levelled the series with a resounding 115–93 victory behind Rose (20 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals) and Bolden (22 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 4 blocks).

Game 3 was one of the most intense deciders in NBL history. With the Magic having gained the psychological edge, their defence suffocated Melbourne from the outset. Gaze was held to 18 points on a woeful 5-of-19 shooting, while Copeland added 24 but was prevented from dominating late. Ninnis played 38 minutes and delivered his best all-around performance of the series—finishing with 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including 1-of-3 from deep and 3-of-4 from the line. He added 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, constantly applying pressure on Melbourne’s guards and helping shut down key plays down the stretch. With Ninnis and Lucas anchoring the perimeter, the Magic held firm and ground out a gritty 95–88 win to secure the championship.

Bolden (21 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks) and Rose (26 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks) both delivered big games in the deciding game, but Ninnis’s ability to step into the starting lineup and perform at both ends was a critical part of the Magic’s title run. Bolden received the NBL Finals MVP award from visiting NBA Commissioner David Stern in a historic moment for Australian basketball.

ADELAIDE 36ERS
1993
After two losing seasons under coach Don Shipway, Adelaide hired American coach Don Monson to replace him and steer the team back to its winning ways. With the 36ers still regrouping from the loss of Australian Boomers big man Mark Bradtke (to Melbourne), they built up the team’s frontcourt by adding Chris Blakemore, a talented young big man from the Australian Institute of Sport, import Paris McCurdy and welcomed back former 36er Willie Simmons (via Canberra). Key additions to the back court included Australian Boomers guard Phil Smyth (via Canberra) and the return of local prodigy Scott Ninnis (via South East Melbourne) who had spent two seasons playing under Brian Goorjian in Melbourne.

After nine games it was clear McCurdy (12.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.0 steals) wasn’t what the team needed and he was replaced by import David Robinson (18.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists) a serviceable import for sure, but not quite the same player as his NBA namesake.

Adelaide improved on last season under Monson, finishing in seventh place (14-12) and returning to the playoffs.

Mark Davis (22.8 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.0 blocks) led the team in scoring and rebounding, Ninnis (19.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.3 steals) delivered the best season of his career and was selected as the league’s Most Improved Player and Blakemore (5.7 points and 4.9 rebounds) went on to claim Rookie of the Year honours.

Once into the playoffs, Adelaide were eliminated in the Quarterfinals by defending champions South East Melbourne.

1994
In 1994, under the coaching of Mike Dunlap, the 36ers reached their first NBL Grand Final since 1986, but the team would be swept 2–0 in the series by the North Melbourne Giants. At the end of the 1995 NBL season, where the 36ers were beaten by the eventual champion Perth Wildcats in the semifinals, Ninnis was cut from the team by Dunlap, who, as a former NCAA college basketball coach, had gained a reputation for favouring the younger players at the expense of the team veterans (during this period the 36ers also cut veterans Phil Smyth (1994) and Robert Rose and Mike McKay (1996).

1995
In 1995, Ninnis averaged 5.6 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, playing a key role in the 36ers rotation, helping the team finish in sixth place (17-9).

NEWCASTLE FALCONS
1993
After being cut by the 36ers coach Mike Dunlap, Ninnis signed for the struggling Newcastle Falcons for the 1996 NBL season. Ninnis (13.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists) would only spend one year with the Falcons, who finished in ninth place (11-15) this season, before again returning to the 36ers in 1997 after Dunlap had been replaced by Dave Claxton.

ADELAIDE 36ERS
1997
Having just shown head coach Mike Dunlap the door, the 36ers hired his assistant and former Gold Coast Rollers coach Dave Claxton as his replacement. Despite finishing sixth the season prior, Adelaide chose to retain the majority of the roster this season, the only major changes being the addition of Rupert Sapwell (Geelong) and replacing import guard Rick Brunson with big man Jeff Brown. Perhaps the biggest change to the roster wasn’t during free agency but when Brett Maher (18.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.9 steals) was handed the team captaincy from club legend Mark Davis (something he would hold until his retirement in 2009).

The plan had been for Brown to play alongside Leon Trimmingham (19.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks) and Mark Davis (9.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists) to form a dominant frontcourt, similar to what had been delivered recent championships for the Perth Wildcats. Six games in, it was clear Brown (7.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steals) wasn’t the player the 36ers needed, and he was swiftly released. Hoping to find a quick replacement, Adelaide brought back former big man Willie Simmons, who hadn’t played in the NBL since 1994 and was now 35 years old. Simmons (5.6 points and 4.0 rebounds) added what he could, but needless to say, Adelaide struggled through the remaining games and finished in seventh place (14-16), missing the playoffs for the first time since 1992. Ninnis would appear in 27 games and averaged 4.2 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists.

1998
At the end of 1997, the 36ers replaced head coach Dave Claxton, who was only signed by the club at the last moment due to unexpectedly losing Mike Dunlap. He was only signed for one season and was subsequently replaced by rookie coach and former player Phil Smyth. Smyth had been hired without any head coaching experience. In fact, his only previous coaching experience being a specialist coach at the Australian Institute of Sport during his playing days in Canberra.

During the off-season, local product Brett Maher engaged in serious talks with the Sydney Kings and almost moved to the nation’s capital to form a all-Australian backcourt with Aaron Trahair. Ultimately, he decided to re-sign with the Adelaide 36ers, who then recruited 205 cm centre Paul Rees (via North Melbourne).

Shortly after, Smyth signed Canberra Cannons guard Darnell Mee who had just spent a season in France after rehabilitating the knee that limited his productivity in his first NBL season.

Once signed, Mee recommended his former teammate Kevin Brooks to the 36ers, and they signed the former NBA forward to a two-year deal. After his first training session with the team, Brooks’ teammates thought he wouldn’t last a week in the NBL with a shooting style that saw him release the ball almost from behind his head. However, they soon found Brooks (19.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists) was for real as he went on to lead the team in points per game with Brett Maher (17.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists) and Mee (14.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4 assists) providing the additional scoring punch.

The 36ers’ gamble on Smyth’s playing experience translating into coaching success also paid off, with Adelaide recording the most wins since 1988 and finished in second place (19–11).

Ninnis also added 5.4 points, 1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists.

Brett Maher’s led the 36ers into the playoffs for the first time as captain and delivered a emphatic punch to Perth’s playoff chin. The 36ers seized a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three semi final series behind a sensational 36-point career-high game by Maher, who also led the Sixers with six assists (shooting 74 percent, including 7-of-11 three-pointers). Darnell Mee was his usual effective self, adding a game-high 14 rebounds to his 16 points as he terrorised Perth’s backcourt and set a aggressive defensive tone from the outset. Adelaide would defeat Perth just as easily as it had in game one, winning 117–110 to set up a Grand Final matchup against the South East Melbourne Magic.

Adelaide was not expected to defeat the Brian Goorjian led Magic, who had compiled a 26-4 record during the regular season and then swept the Brisbane Bullets in the semifinals. In game one, Brooks finished game-high scorer with 24 points (10/18 shooting), and 8 rebounds as the 36ers stunned all, delivering a 100-93 defeat to the defending champs on their home court. Amazingly, game one of the Grand Final was only the second time the 36ers had defeated the Magic since the Eastside Melbourne Spectres and Southern Melbourne Saints had merged to form the Magic in 1992.

The 36ers, who had started the season off slowly, had really found their form by the time of the Grand Final series and, come game two, obliterated the Magic at home (90-62). Adelaide held the Magic to less than 15 points in three of the game’s quarters. Kevin Brooks was again the star, posting 21 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks alongside Martin Cattalini, who added 20 points and 6 rebounds in a game decided by turnovers (the Magic finished with 26 turnovers compared to the 36ers’ 14) and free throws (The 36ers shot 25 from 33 from the free throw line compared to the Magics 6 from 8).

Adelaide collected their first NBL championship since 1986, and Kevin Brooks was named Grand Final MVP in what was the last winter season for the National Basketball League.

Ninnis would see limited playing opportunities in his last season in the NBL, appearing in 30 games and averaging 5.4 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists.

Scott Ninnis played thirteen seasons in the NBL. He averaged 9.2 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 318 NBL games.

Dan Boyce (836 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.