The Wollongong Hawks’ 2001 NBL Championship: The defining moment of an underdog’s rise
March 15, 2025
Charles Thomas
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 3/10/70
- Place of Birth: Dayton, Ohio (USA)
- Position: PG
- Height (CM): 194
- Weight (KG): 100
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: Eastern Michigan (1987–1991)
- NBL DEBUT: 20/10/00
- AGE AT DEBUT: 30
- LAST NBL GAME: 5/03/04
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 33
- NBL History: Wollongong 2001-02 | Adelaide 2003/04
- Championships: 1
- Wollongong (2001)
BIO: Charles Thomas was born in Dayton, Ohio (USA).
NBL EXPERIENCE
Charles Thomas made his NBL debut with the Wollongong Hawks at 30 years of age. He scored 18 points in his first game.
The 2000/01 season began with head coach Brendan Joyce doing a major overhaul of the Hawks roster, bringing in Charles Thomas, Damon Lowery, Axel Dench, Grant Kruger, and Matt Shanahan. Among the new additions, Charles Thomas made an immediate impact in his rookie NBL season, averaging 16.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.6 steals, complementing the Hawks’ established stars Melvin Thomas and Glen Saville in the forward rotation.
With Thomas slotting in seamlessly, the Hawks became one of the most well-rounded teams in the league. Their balanced offensive attack allowed them to compete against powerhouse squads built around superstar duos. Alongside Thomas, Melvin Thomas (18.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.8 blocks) and Glen Saville (15.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.1 blocks) formed the Hawks’ core, while Damon Lowery (13.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals) controlled the backcourt. Axel Dench (13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks) was a key contributor in his debut season and later won NBL Rookie of the Year.
Wollongong finished the regular season with a franchise-best 21-7 record, tying with Perth but placing fourth due to the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Hawks excelled in tight contests, going 12-0 in games decided by three points or fewer, while also recording the league’s best road record at 12-2. Despite this success, no Hawks player was named to the All-NBL First or Second Team, underscoring the team’s balanced, selfless approach in a league that heavily featured superstar duos like Andrew Gaze & Mark Bradtke (Melbourne), Ricky Grace & Paul Rogers (Perth), and Darnell Mee & Brett Maher (Adelaide).
The qualifying finals saw the Hawks take on Perth, and they made an early statement with a 97-90 win in Game 1 at home. Melvin Thomas (22 points, 13 rebounds) led the way, while Damon Lowery (19 points), Charles Thomas (10 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists), and Mat Campbell (10 points and 5 rebounds) all made significant contributions.
Game 2 in Perth was a hard-fought battle, but the Wildcats responded with a 106-95 victory. Charles Thomas (25 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) delivered one of his best games of the season, keeping the Hawks within striking distance, but it wasn’t enough to secure the series. With everything on the line, the deciding Game 3 in Perth saw the Hawks pull off a massive 98-88 upset, led by Glen Saville (26 points, 16 rebounds), Damon Lowery (20 points), and Charles Thomas (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists). The victory sent Wollongong to the semi-finals for the first time in franchise history.
In the semi-finals, the Hawks faced Adelaide, a team featuring Darnell Mee and Kevin Brooks. In Game 1, Charles Thomas (17 points and 6 rebounds) was a key factor on both ends of the floor, helping Wollongong secure a narrow 84-83 win in Adelaide. The series shifted to Wollongong for Game 2, but the 36ers fought back to claim a 111-100 victory. Charles Thomas (11 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) played well, but the Hawks couldn’t contain Adelaide’s offensive firepower.
The decisive Game 3 at WIN Entertainment Centre became one of the most dramatic finishes in NBL history. With Adelaide leading 108-106 in the final moments, Damon Lowery was fouled on a three-point attempt with no time remaining. He calmly sank all three free throws to complete a thrilling 109-108 win and send the Hawks to their first-ever Grand Final. Charles Thomas (5 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) battled foul trouble throughout the game but played a key role in the team’s defensive efforts.
The 2001 NBL Grand Final saw Wollongong go head-to-head with Townsville. In Game 1, the Hawks capitalized on their home-court advantage, securing a 104-101 victory. Charles Thomas (17 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal) played a well-rounded game, helping the Hawks take an early series lead.
Game 2 in Townsville saw the Crocodiles fight back, winning 114-97. Despite the loss, Charles Thomas (20 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals) was one of Wollongong’s best performers, stepping up when needed to keep the Hawks competitive.
The championship-deciding Game 3, played the very next day, was a grueling battle between two relentless teams. Wollongong showed their blue-collar mentality, grinding out a 97-94 victory to secure their first-ever NBL title. Charles Thomas (23 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists) delivered his biggest performance of the season, leading the Hawks in scoring. Glen Saville (18 points and 12 rebounds) played a key role and was later awarded NBL Finals MVP.
With the Hawks’ 2-1 series victory, they became the first New South Wales club to win an NBL championship. Brendan Joyce was recognized as NBL Coach of the Year for leading the team to an unprecedented title, while Axel Dench completed his rookie season with NBL Rookie of the Year honors. However, Charles Thomas’ impact on the team was undeniable, as he stepped up in crucial moments throughout the playoffs and Grand Final. His scoring, passing, and defensive versatility played a major role in Wollongong’s championship success.
For Thomas, winning the NBL Championship in his rookie season was a career-defining moment. His ability to contribute in every facet of the game made him a cornerstone of the Hawks’ first-ever title, and his clutch performances throughout the playoffs solidified his place as one of the most impactful first-year players in Wollongong’s history.
Charles Thomas played four seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Wollongong Hawks and the Adelaide 36ers. He averaged 16.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5 assists in 136 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-04 | 33 | Adelaide | 14-19 (8) | 34 | 1,295.0 | 520 | 156 | 202 | 38 | 118 | 55 | 17 | 93 | 97 | 187 | 459 | 41% | 95 | 266 | 36% | 51 | 66 | 77% | 53% | 51% | 36 |
| 2002-03 | 32 | Adelaide | 16-14 (5) | 33 | 1,242.0 | 601 | 175 | 195 | 36 | 139 | 68 | 19 | 97 | 84 | 193 | 470 | 41% | 92 | 250 | 37% | 123 | 156 | 79% | 55% | 51% | 30 |
| 2001-02 | 31 | Wollongong | 16-14 (4) | 32 | 1,210.0 | 477 | 131 | 144 | 31 | 100 | 60 | 6 | 81 | 91 | 167 | 397 | 42% | 78 | 232 | 34% | 65 | 85 | 76% | 55% | 52% | 38 |
| 2000-01 | 30 | Wollongong | 21-7 (4) | 37 | 1,461.0 | 609 | 177 | 151 | 42 | 135 | 58 | 10 | 118 | 113 | 221 | 488 | 45% | 102 | 259 | 39% | 65 | 79 | 82% | 58% | 56% | 30 | Totals | 136 | 5208 | 2207 | 639 | 692 | 147 | 492 | 241 | 52 | 389 | 385 | 768 | 1814 | 42.3% | 367 | 1007 | 36.4% | 304 | 386 | 78.8% | 56% | 52% | 38 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-04 | 33 | Adelaide | 14-19 (8) | 34 | 38.1 | 15.3 | 4.6 | 5.9 | 1.1 | 3.5 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 2.7 | 2.9 | 5.5 | 13.5 | 41% | 2.8 | 7.8 | 36% | 1.5 | 1.9 | 77% | 53% | 51% | 36 |
| 2002-03 | 32 | Adelaide | 16-14 (5) | 33 | 37.6 | 18.2 | 5.3 | 5.9 | 1.1 | 4.2 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 2.5 | 5.8 | 14.2 | 41% | 2.8 | 7.6 | 37% | 3.7 | 4.7 | 79% | 55% | 51% | 30 |
| 2001-02 | 31 | Wollongong | 16-14 (4) | 32 | 37.8 | 14.9 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 3.1 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 5.2 | 12.4 | 42% | 2.4 | 7.3 | 34% | 2.0 | 2.7 | 76% | 55% | 52% | 38 |
| 2000-01 | 30 | Wollongong | 21-7 (4) | 37 | 39.5 | 16.5 | 4.8 | 4.1 | 1.1 | 3.6 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 6.0 | 13.2 | 45% | 2.8 | 7.0 | 39% | 1.8 | 2.1 | 82% | 58% | 56% | 30 | Total | 136 | 38.3 | 16.2 | 4.7 | 5.1 | 1.1 | 3.6 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 5.6 | 13.3 | 42.3% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 36.4% | 2.7 | 7.4 | 78.8% | 56% | 52% | 38 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 38 | 10 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 11 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
Thomas played 36 games in the NBA. He averaged 1.3 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- July 18, 1991: Signed as a free agent with the Detroit Pistons.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 86% | 97% | 96% | 77% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 38 | 14 | 6 | 3 | ||||||
| Total | 768 | 1814 | 42.3% | 367 | 1007 | 36.4% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991-92 | 22 | Detroit | SG | 36 | 0 | 156 | 48 | 22 | 22 | 6 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 51 | 2 | 17 | 10 | 15 | 42% | 37% | Total | 36 | 0 | 156 | 48 | 22 | 22 | 6 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 51 | 35% | 2 | 17 | 12% | 10 | 15 | 67% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991-92 | 22 | Detroit | SG | 36 | 0 | 4.3 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 35% | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 42% | 37% | Total | 36 | 0 | 4.3 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 35% | 0.1 | 0.5 | 12% | 0.3 | 0.4 | 67% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Cyprus - ? | Finland - ?
COLLEGE
Thomas played college basketball at Eastern Michigan during the 1987-88 season and stayed with the program through 1990-91, finishing as a four-year letterman under head coach Ben Braun.
In 1987-88, Eastern Michigan went 22-8 overall and 14-2 in Mid-American Conference play, and Thomas appeared as a freshman guard with per-game averages of 0.3 points, 0.3 rebounds, and 0.1 assists as the Hurons earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament and secured the program’s first MAC Tournament championship, winning the title game 94-80 over Ohio in Toledo.
As a sophomore in 1988-89, Thomas increased his role and produced 7.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game as Eastern Michigan finished 16-13 on the floor (later adjusted to 17-12) and played to a 7-9 MAC record (later adjusted to 8-8).
In 1989-90, Thomas posted 5.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while Eastern Michigan finished 19-13 overall and 8-8 in conference play.
As a senior in 1990-91, Thomas suited up on an Eastern Michigan team that went 26-7 overall and 13-3 in the MAC, winning both the MAC regular season and MAC Tournament titles before advancing to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, and he averaged 10.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game while ranking second on the team with 55 made three-pointers.
Eastern Michigan recorded the program’s first NCAA Tournament win on March 15, 1991, beating Mississippi State 76-56, then advanced again on March 17, 1991 with a 71-68 overtime win over Penn State, and in the Sweet 16 game versus North Carolina, Thomas’ offensive-rebound putback was noted among key late plays in the closing stretch of Eastern Michigan’s historic run.
Across his Eastern Michigan career, Thomas played in 109 games with 42 starts, helped the program compile an 84-40 record during his four seasons, totaled 710 points and 347 rebounds, finished with 241 assists, and made 116 career three-pointers while shooting 36.1% from three (116-of-321).
In the 1991 NCAA Tournament, Thomas started and scored nine points versus Mississippi State, 11 versus Penn State, and eight against North Carolina, and he received Eastern Michigan’s Most Improved and Defensive Player recognition following the 1990-91 season.
Related
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