2022-2023 NBL Depth Charts
February 7, 2023
Kyle Zunic
- Nationality: AUS
- Date of Birth: 4/3/99
- Place of Birth: Wollongong (NSW)
- Position: GRD
- Height (CM): 188
- Weight (KG): 91
- Junior Assoc: NSW - Illawarra
- College: Winthrop University (2017-2021)
- NBL DEBUT: 3/12/21
- AGE AT DEBUT: 22
- LAST NBL GAME: 17/02/24
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 24
- NBL History: Perth 2022-24
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Kyle Zunic was born in Wollongong (NSW) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Illawarra basketball program. Zunic received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2016. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (2016, 2017).
FAMILY: Kyle’s brother, Edin Zunic also played 6 games in the NBL. His brother, Jordan, is a professional golfer.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Kyle Zunic made his NBL debut with the Perth Wildcats at 22 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.
Kyle Zunic made NBL history in his debut season by becoming the first development player to start in his first NBL game. His early performances displayed maturity and potential, with Zunic being thrust into a prominent role due to injuries across the Wildcats roster.
During the season, the Wildcats experienced significant roster changes and challenges. Trevor Gleeson, who had coached the team to five championships in seven seasons, departed to join the NBA’s Toronto Raptors. The Wildcats also lost mid-season signing Will Magnay and half of their bench rotation (Clint Steindl, Jarrad Weeks, and Jarred Bairstow), all of whom signed with the Tasmania JackJumpers under former Wildcats assistant Scott Roth.
To rebuild their roster, Perth hired US coach Scott Morrison and added imports Vic Law (via Brisbane) and Michael Frazier III, as well as Matthew Hodgson (via Brisbane). Zunic, as a development player, initially saw considerable minutes due to injuries to key players like Mitchell Norton, Matthew Hodgson, Todd Blanchfield, and Michael Frazier. However, as the roster became healthier, Zunic’s opportunities decreased. He finished the season averaging 1.7 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game.
Perth’s season began with five home games before embarking on a grueling stretch of 14 consecutive road games due to COVID-19 border closures. Despite these challenges, the Wildcats remained among the top four teams in the league, largely due to the outstanding performances of Bryce Cotton (22.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.4 steals) and Vic Law (20.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks). The duo ranked among the league’s top three scorers, helping Perth lead the league in total points scored (89.1 points per game).
Returning to Western Australia for their final nine games, Perth replaced Frazier with big man John Brown III. However, Brown was unable to secure clearance to play, forcing the team to reinstate Frazier. The Wildcats faced adversity in the form of injuries, with Law suffering a season-ending knee injury and Cotton missing several games toward the end of the season. These setbacks saw Perth win only three of their last nine home games, culminating in a must-win game against South East Melbourne to secure a playoff spot. Despite building an eight-point lead in the second half, the Wildcats faltered, losing in overtime and ending their streak of 37 consecutive playoff appearances.
2022/23
After their historic playoff miss, coach Scott Morrison departed, citing family reasons, and was replaced by former Townsville Crocodiles star John Rillie on a three-year deal.
Perth retained much of its roster, re-signing key players Bryce Cotton (three-year deal), Todd Blanchfield (three-year deal), and Jesse Wagstaff (one-year deal). Kyle Zunic was elevated from development player to the full roster. Additionally, Corey Webster joined as a free agent, and imports TaShawn Thomas (France) and Brady Manek (North Carolina) were signed to bolster scoring.
The Wildcats started the season with three consecutive wins, briefly returning to their dominant form. However, a five-game losing streak dropped them to seventh place, where they remained until the final stages of the season. Late in the season, Perth signed Tai Webster, reuniting him with his brother Corey. The addition saw Corey Shervill released from the 11-man roster.
In their final three regular-season games, Perth lost to Tasmania (102–94) after being outscored 27-15 in the fourth quarter, and then to Cairns (84–71). Facing elimination in their final game against the league-leading Sydney Kings, the Wildcats delivered an upset victory (96-84) on the back of strong performances from Corey Webster (26 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists), Luke Travers (22 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists), and Brady Manek (21 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals). The win secured sixth place for Perth (15-13) and a spot in the league’s inaugural play-in tournament.
In the play-in tournament, Perth overcame South East Melbourne Phoenix with a dominant fourth-quarter performance, outscoring the Phoenix 41-23 to win 106-99. However, they fell short in their next game against Cairns, with DJ Hogg delivering a historic 32-point, 9-rebound, 4-assist performance to eliminate the Wildcats (91-78).
Zunic saw limited playing opportunities throughout the season, appearing in 14 games and averaging 1.6 points, 0.4 rebounds, and 0.4 assists.
Kyle Zunic played three seasons the Perth Wildcats. He averaged 1.4 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 40 NBL games.
HIGHLIGHTS:
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 25 | Perth | 17-11 (2) | 10 | 21.0 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 20% | 1 | 4 | 25% | 3 | 5 | 60% | 32% | 25% | 5 |
| 2022-23 | 24 | Perth | 15-13 (6) | 14 | 51.0 | 22 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 20 | 35% | 2 | 9 | 22% | 6 | 9 | 67% | 45% | 40% | 8 |
| 2021-22 | 23 | Perth | 16-12 (5) | 16 | 162.0 | 27 | 20 | 12 | 4 | 16 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 35 | 29% | 3 | 23 | 13% | 4 | 6 | 67% | 36% | 33% | 13 | Totals | 40 | 234 | 57 | 28 | 20 | 8 | 20 | 9 | 2 | 10 | 15 | 19 | 65 | 29.2% | 6 | 36 | 16.7% | 13 | 20 | 65.0% | 39% | 34% | 15 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 25 | Perth | 17-11 (2) | 10 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 20% | 0.1 | 0.4 | 25% | 0.3 | 0.5 | 60% | 32% | 25% | 5 |
| 2022-23 | 24 | Perth | 15-13 (6) | 14 | 3.6 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 35% | 0.1 | 0.6 | 22% | 0.4 | 0.6 | 67% | 45% | 40% | 8 |
| 2021-22 | 23 | Perth | 16-12 (5) | 16 | 10.1 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 2.2 | 29% | 0.2 | 1.4 | 13% | 0.3 | 0.4 | 67% | 36% | 33% | 13 | Total | 40 | 5.9 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 29.2% | 0.0 | 16.7% | 0.2 | 0.9 | 65.0% | 39% | 34% | 15 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 15 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- BA CoE 2016-17 | USC Rip City 2021 | Warwick 2022 | Keilor 2024
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Zunic was a part of U19 Australian Emus squad which participated in the 2016 Oceania Qualifiers.
Represented Australia at the junior level and at the World University Games in 2019.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 22% | 39% | 38% | 39% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||||||
| Total | 19 | 65 | 29.2% | 6 | 36 | 16.7% |
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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 25 | Perth | 17-11 (2) | 10 | 21.0 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 20% | 1 | 4 | 25% | 3 | 5 | 60% | 32% | 25% | 5 |
| 2022-23 | 24 | Perth | 15-13 (6) | 14 | 51.0 | 22 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 20 | 35% | 2 | 9 | 22% | 6 | 9 | 67% | 45% | 40% | 8 |
| 2021-22 | 23 | Perth | 16-12 (5) | 16 | 162.0 | 27 | 20 | 12 | 4 | 16 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 35 | 29% | 3 | 23 | 13% | 4 | 6 | 67% | 36% | 33% | 13 | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
COLLEGE
Zunic averaged 6.5 points, 1.6 assists and 2.9 rebounds while picking up 73 steals over four years for the Winthrop Eagles. He also led the NCAA in charges-taken and incredibly won 42 of his last 47 games. Led the school to the NCAA Tournament in 2021.
Related
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