Brett Wheeler
July 23, 2020
Brian Tolbert
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 20/06/74
- Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan (USA)
- Position: PG
- Height (CM): 188
- Weight (KG): 82
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: Eastern Michigan (1992-1996)
- NBL DEBUT: 11/04/97
- AGE AT DEBUT: 22
- LAST NBL GAME: 1/11/97
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 23
- NBL History: South East Melbourne 1997
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Brian Tolbert was born in Detroit, Michigan (USA).
NBL EXPERIENCE
Brian Tolbert made his NBL debut with the South East Melbourne Magic at 22 years of age. He scored 22 points in his first game.
After capturing the 1996 NBL championship, the South East Melbourne Magic retained most of their winning lineup heading into the 1997 season, making just a few key changes. Import guard Brian Tolbert (12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals) replaced departing star Billy McCaffrey, while promising 18-year-old forward Frank Drmic (8.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists) stepped in following the retirement of veteran defender Darren Lucas. These adjustments didn’t slow the Magic, who powered through the regular season to finish atop the NBL ladder with a franchise-record 22–8 mark.
The hallmark of the Magic’s success was their balance and depth, with five players averaging double-digit scoring and only a four-point gap between their top scorer and fifth-leading scorer. Veteran leader Tony Ronaldson (16.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists) set the tone offensively, closely backed by rising talents Sam MacKinnon (15.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists) and Chris Anstey (13.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.8 blocks), who anchored the team’s interior defense. Defensive specialist Mike Kelly (12.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals) once again set a relentless defensive tone in the backcourt, earning his second consecutive NBL Best Defensive Player award. Head coach Brian Goorjian expertly managed this talented and deep roster, earning recognition as the league’s Coach of the Year.
Earning a first-round playoff bye, the Magic faced the fourth-seeded Perth Wildcats in the semi-finals. Game One in Perth featured standout performances by Anstey (19 points, 16 rebounds, 5 steals) and Ronaldson (18 points), guiding the Magic to a crucial 92–82 away victory. Returning home for Game Two, South East Melbourne stepped up their defensive intensity to dismantle the Wildcats 96–69, led offensively by MacKinnon’s 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. This series sweep sent the Magic into a much-anticipated Grand Final rematch with their city rivals, the Melbourne Tigers.
The 1997 Melbourne Tigers presented a formidable challenge, boosted by mid-season import Marcus Timmons and propelled by a remarkable 13-game regular-season winning streak that had extended to 15 straight by the time they faced the Magic. In Game One, the Tigers unleashed their offensive power, winning decisively 111–74 behind Lanard Copeland’s 29 points, Timmons’ 24 points and 9 rebounds, and Andrew Gaze’s 23 points and 9 assists. Anstey was effectively neutralised, managing only 6 points.
Goorjian responded in Game Two by adjusting the lineup for added physicality, starting veteran John Dorge to free up Anstey. This strategic move worked perfectly, with Anstey delivering a postseason-best 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks to spark an 84–78 victory, snapping the Tigers’ 17-game winning streak and forcing a deciding Game Three.
The final game began tightly contested, but a decisive second-quarter run by the Tigers shifted momentum firmly in Melbourne’s favour. Ronaldson’s game-high 26 points were not enough to overcome the Tigers’ balanced attack, as they held Anstey (8 points) in check. Melbourne secured their second-ever NBL championship with a 93–83 victory. Lanard Copeland, who scored 26 points in Game Three, was named Finals MVP, averaging 27.6 points and 3.3 rebounds on 56% shooting throughout the series.
Despite Copeland’s offensive brilliance, the Tigers highlighted the pivotal late-game impact of forward Warrick Giddey, whose contributions went beyond traditional stats (0 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block). Giddey delivered three game-changing plays: a physical foul that broke Sam MacKinnon’s nose, a critical block against Frank Drmic, and a bone-rattling screen on Mike Kelly, sealing the Tigers’ championship triumph.
Brian Tolbert played one season in the NBL. He averaged 12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 35 NBL games.
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 23 | South East Melbourne | 22-8 (1) | 35 | 1,217.0 | 427 | 126 | 131 | 28 | 98 | 39 | 8 | 106 | 95 | 161 | 393 | 41% | 51 | 166 | 31% | 54 | 79 | 68% | 50% | 47% | 23 | Totals | 35 | 1217 | 427 | 126 | 131 | 28 | 98 | 39 | 8 | 106 | 95 | 161 | 393 | 41.0% | 51 | 166 | 30.7% | 54 | 79 | 68.4% | 50% | 47% | 23 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 23 | South East Melbourne | 22-8 (1) | 35 | 34.8 | 12.2 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 4.6 | 11.2 | 41% | 1.5 | 4.7 | 31% | 1.5 | 2.3 | 68% | 50% | 47% | 23 | Total | 35 | 34.8 | 12.2 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 4.6 | 11.2 | 41.0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 30.7% | 1.5 | 4.7 | 68.4% | 50% | 47% | 23 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 23 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
|---|
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 74% | 93% | 86% | 65% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 23 | 8 | 3 | 1 | ||||||
| Total | 161 | 393 | 41.0% | 51 | 166 | 30.7% |
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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 23 | South East Melbourne | 22-8 (1) | 35 | 1,217.0 | 427 | 126 | 131 | 28 | 98 | 39 | 8 | 106 | 95 | 161 | 393 | 41% | 51 | 166 | 31% | 54 | 79 | 68% | 50% | 47% | 23 | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Related
HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PLAYER?
Whilst we try to source as much information as we can for every player who has ever played in the NBL some information on a player profile may be missing. If you have additional information on a player you'd like us to add to a profile, please send it to us using the enquiry form below.
Submissions are then sent to info@aussiehoopla.com
