Beyond the Arc: The Greatest Shooters in NBL History
June 22, 2026
Oscar Forman
- Nationality: AUS
- Date of Birth: 16/01/82
- Place of Birth: Adelaide (SA)
- Position: FRD
- Height (CM): 206
- Weight (KG): 103
- Junior Assoc: SA - Sturt
- College: None
- NBL DEBUT: 13/10/01
- AGE AT DEBUT: 19
- LAST NBL GAME: 18/02/18
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 36
- NBL History: Adelaide 2002-06 | New Zealand 2007-10 | Wollongong 2011-15 | Illawarra 2016-18
- Championships: 1
- Adelaide (2002)
BIO: Oscar Forman was born in Adelaide (SA) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Sturt basketball program.
Forman spent 17 seasons in the Australian NBL. While playing primarily as a power forward, Forman was often used in a small forward role as specialist three-point shooter. Forman received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2000. He spent one year there and played for the program’s state league team.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Oscar Forman made his NBL debut with the Adelaide 36ers at 19 years of age. He scored five points in his first game.
In his debut NBL season with the Adelaide 36ers, Forman contributed 2.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.3 assists, providing valuable minutes off the bench. Adelaide finished in third place with a 17-13 record, and the season ended on a high note as the 36ers clinched the NBL Championship. Forman’s early experience with a championship-winning squad helped establish his foundation as a reliable forward.
2002/03
In his second season, Forman’s role grew slightly, and he averaged 3.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game. His increased contribution helped Adelaide to a fifth-place finish (16-14), although they were unable to replicate their championship success from the previous season.
2003/04
The 2003/04 season saw further improvement from Forman, who posted 5.9 points, 4 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game. His expanded role solidified his spot in the 36ers rotation, though Adelaide faced challenges, ultimately finishing in eighth place with a 14-19 record.
2004/05
Forman experienced a breakout season, averaging 10.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 0.7 assists. He led the league in three-point shooting percentage, becoming a potent offensive weapon for Adelaide. The 36ers enjoyed a strong season, finishing fourth (19-13) and making a notable playoff run. Forman’s long-range shooting and versatility were key assets for the team.
2005/06
Building on his success, Forman delivered another solid season, averaging 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. Adelaide finished fourth again with a 19-13 record, and Forman’s consistent play solidified his reputation as a dependable forward with a reliable shooting touch from beyond the arc.
NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
2006/07
Under second-year head coach Andrej Lemanis, New Zealand began the season with most of its 2005/06 core intact, retaining captain Paul Henare, Aaron Olson, Ben Pepper, Mika Vukona, Tim Behrendorff, and Adam Darragh.
The offseason saw Dillon Boucher depart to Brisbane, while Rich Melzer, who had re-signed, was released after landing an NBA contract with San Antonio. To replace that frontcourt production, Lemanis signed Australian forward Oscar Forman (via Adelaide), adding a versatile big man whose perimeter shooting could stretch opposing defences. The club also recruited 2004 NBL MVP Brian Wethers (via Hunter) and high-scoring import Carlos Powell (via NBA D-League) to bolster the wings.
The Breakers started strongly with a 118–97 upset of defending champions Melbourne on 2 November. Wethers top-scored with 31 points, Powell had 28 points and 8 rebounds, Pepper contributed 18 points and 7 rebounds, and Forman chipped in 9 points and 5 rebounds while hitting from outside to keep the floor spaced. On 13 December, New Zealand faced Singapore in the first NBL game between two non-Australian clubs, going down 111–94 despite Powell’s 43 points; Forman added 12 points and 6 rebounds, complementing Pepper’s 17 and 9. Later in the season, Powell produced a league-best 50-point performance against Melbourne, with Forman scoring 11 points and collecting 7 rebounds in the same game.
A major turning point came on 1 January when Wethers suffered a fractured tibial plateau early in a 100–89 loss to Sydney. At the time, he was averaging (19.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 steals) over 22 games. His absence left a large hole in the offence, forcing greater reliance on Powell and Pepper inside, with Forman taking on increased scoring duties from the perimeter. Import guard Pierre Wooten (8.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists across 9 games) was signed as cover, but the Breakers slid into a ten-game losing streak that ended their playoff hopes.
Oscar Forman (10.6 points and 5.2 rebounds) stepped into the Breakers starting line-up, providing valuable spacing and rebounding. Carlos Powell (28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists) led the league in scoring, earning two NBL Player of the Month awards and winning the All-Star Slam Dunk Contest. Ben Pepper (15.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) was the interior anchor, while Aaron Olson (12.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists) remained steady in his final NBL season. Captain Paul Henare (8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.7 assists) orchestrated the offence, and Mika Vukona (5.2 points and 6.2 rebounds) brought energy and defence from the bench.
The Breakers closed the season 10th on the ladder with an 11–22 record, improving on the previous year’s 9–23 finish. While Powell’s scoring feats drew headlines, Forman’s shooting and ability to open up the court for his teammates played a key role in the team’s best wins and helped keep them competitive through a challenging campaign.
2007/08
Following a promising debut season with the Breakers, Forman re-signed on a three-year deal. He averaged 9.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists over 32 games, contributing consistently as New Zealand showed improvement, finishing seventh with a 16-14 record. Forman’s scoring and rebounding helped anchor the team as they continued building toward success.
2008/09
Following the financial collapse of the Brisbane Bullets, head coach Andrej Lemanis strengthened the Breakers by bringing in free agents CJ Bruton and Dillon Boucher. Bruton, a two-time NBL champion, expressed his desire to help New Zealand secure their first championship, joining a core of Paul Henare, Kirk Penney, Phill Jones, Oscar Forman, Tony Ronaldson, and Tim Behrendorff. Import Rick Rickert was later signed, completing a well-rounded lineup.
With Bruton running the point (16.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.7 steals) and Penney lighting up the scoreboard (24.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists), the Breakers played an impressive season. Penney was named NBL MVP—the first New Zealand-born player to earn this honour—and Bruton provided the team with the stability and direction it had been missing. Jones was also recognized as the league’s Sixth Man of the Year.
However, when Bruton suffered a high-ankle sprain in December with the team leading the league at 15–4, New Zealand stumbled, losing eight of their next nine games. Despite the setback, they closed the regular season with an 18–12 record, earning their first home playoff game, where they defeated Adelaide (131–101). However, they fell in the semifinals to defending champions Melbourne, ending their historic season.
Forman showcased his sharpshooting by leading the league in three-point percentage for the second time and finishing with averages of 12.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
2009/10
Fresh off their playoff debut, the Breakers aimed to build on their success, though roster adjustments were necessary as Phill Jones left for Cairns and Tim Behrendorff joined Wollongong. To strengthen the roster, New Zealand initially signed Dave Thomas, but his retirement due to injury led to the addition of former NBA player Awvee Storey. With development player Thomas Abercrombie joining the full squad, the Breakers retained a mix of emerging talent and veteran experience.
The team faced adversity when Kirk Penney missed nine games due to a back injury, significantly impacting their scoring capability. Meanwhile, Storey (7.8 points, 5.1 rebounds) struggled to fit with the team and was released after nine games, with veteran John Rillie temporarily joining the roster. Mid-season, the addition of import Kevin Braswell (9.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 2.3 steals) brought new energy as the Breakers finished the season with six consecutive wins, though they ultimately missed the playoffs by a narrow margin, ending in fifth place (15-13).
Forman saw a notable decrease in his role and production this season, averaging 7.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.7 assists across 27 games.
WOLLONGONG HAWKS
2010/11
This season, the Hawks were led by dynamic import Gary Ervin (20.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists), who won the NBL MVP, becoming the first Hawk to receive the honour since Mike Jones in 1981. Oscar Forman, rejuvenated after his reduced role with the Breakers, emerged as a key contributor, averaging 13.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. His efforts helped Wollongong secure a 15-13 record, finishing in fifth place.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 36 | Illawarra | 12-16 (5) | 26 | 243.5 | 97 | 35 | 6 | 7 | 28 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 26 | 33 | 83 | 40% | 25 | 68 | 37% | 6 | 9 | 67% | 56% | 55% | 18 |
| 2016-17 | 35 | Illawarra | 15-13 (4) | 31 | 382.3 | 204 | 54 | 11 | 12 | 42 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 39 | 67 | 146 | 46% | 54 | 117 | 46% | 16 | 20 | 80% | 66% | 64% | 26 |
| 2015-16 | 34 | Illawarra | 17-11 (3) | 31 | 640.5 | 249 | 109 | 26 | 37 | 72 | 9 | 9 | 16 | 92 | 92 | 215 | 43% | 51 | 133 | 38% | 14 | 17 | 82% | 56% | 55% | 24 |
| 2014-15 | 33 | Wollongong | 6-22 (8) | 28 | 794.0 | 258 | 145 | 22 | 22 | 123 | 3 | 19 | 25 | 64 | 92 | 203 | 45% | 58 | 149 | 39% | 16 | 22 | 73% | 60% | 60% | |
| 2013-14 | 32 | Wollongong | 13-15 (4) | 30 | 893.0 | 321 | 142 | 25 | 34 | 108 | 15 | 20 | 23 | 73 | 113 | 239 | 47% | 79 | 170 | 46% | 16 | 23 | 70% | 64% | 64% | |
| 2012-13 | 31 | Wollongong | 13-15 (3) | 30 | 943.0 | 350 | 183 | 19 | 34 | 149 | 15 | 21 | 29 | 59 | 120 | 258 | 47% | 78 | 164 | 48% | 32 | 44 | 73% | 63% | 62% | 22 |
| 2011-12 | 30 | Wollongong | 9-19 (8) | 28 | 689.0 | 299 | 114 | 28 | 17 | 97 | 7 | 23 | 18 | 67 | 108 | 227 | 48% | 64 | 125 | 51% | 19 | 26 | 73% | 62% | 62% | 29 |
| 2010-11 | 29 | Wollongong | 15-13 (5) | 28 | 795.0 | 369 | 175 | 34 | 51 | 124 | 13 | 18 | 31 | 64 | 140 | 296 | 47% | 52 | 125 | 42% | 37 | 45 | 82% | 58% | 56% | 23 |
| 2009-10 | 28 | New Zealand | 15-13 (5) | 27 | 508.0 | 207 | 72 | 20 | 17 | 55 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 83 | 77 | 168 | 46% | 39 | 112 | 35% | 14 | 22 | 64% | 58% | 57% | 23 |
| 2008-09 | 27 | New Zealand | 18-12 (3) | 33 | 1,009.0 | 415 | 197 | 41 | 31 | 166 | 17 | 13 | 21 | 112 | 151 | 321 | 47% | 100 | 222 | 45% | 13 | 19 | 68% | 63% | 63% | 26 |
| 2007-08 | 26 | New Zealand | 16-14 (7) | 32 | 898.0 | 293 | 154 | 44 | 31 | 123 | 3 | 15 | 20 | 115 | 108 | 265 | 41% | 54 | 158 | 34% | 23 | 29 | 79% | 53% | 51% | 20 |
| 2006-07 | 25 | New Zealand | 11-22 (10) | 33 | 1,073.0 | 350 | 171 | 49 | 39 | 132 | 18 | 20 | 32 | 121 | 124 | 293 | 42% | 81 | 190 | 43% | 21 | 30 | 70% | 57% | 56% | 20 |
| 2005-06 | 24 | Adelaide | 19-13 (4) | 33 | 820.0 | 348 | 147 | 38 | 41 | 106 | 10 | 21 | 36 | 90 | 114 | 254 | 45% | 77 | 168 | 46% | 43 | 58 | 74% | 62% | 60% | 21 |
| 2004-05 | 23 | Adelaide | 19-13 (4) | 33 | 871.0 | 329 | 209 | 24 | 54 | 155 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 86 | 124 | 260 | 48% | 55 | 117 | 47% | 26 | 30 | 87% | 60% | 58% | 23 |
| 2003-04 | 22 | Adelaide | 14-19 (8) | 34 | 701.0 | 201 | 135 | 23 | 46 | 89 | 11 | 20 | 30 | 65 | 81 | 177 | 46% | 22 | 64 | 34% | 17 | 31 | 55% | 52% | 52% | 20 |
| 2002-03 | 21 | Adelaide | 16-14 (5) | 23 | 296.0 | 75 | 64 | 18 | 20 | 44 | 5 | 5 | 16 | 46 | 31 | 81 | 38% | 6 | 28 | 21% | 7 | 13 | 54% | 43% | 42% | 12 |
| 2001-02 | 20 | Adelaide | 17-13 (3) | 28 | 280.0 | 66 | 70 | 9 | 25 | 45 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 46 | 29 | 84 | 35% | 6 | 32 | 19% | 2 | 6 | 33% | 38% | 38% | 8 | Totals | 508 | 11836 | 4431 | 2176 | 437 | 518 | 1658 | 171 | 252 | 367 | 1248 | 1604 | 3570 | 44.9% | 901 | 2142 | 42.1% | 322 | 444 | 72.5% | 59% | 58% | 29 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 36 | Illawarra | 12-16 (5) | 26 | 9.4 | 3.7 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 3.2 | 40% | 1.0 | 2.6 | 37% | 0.2 | 0.3 | 67% | 56% | 55% | 18 |
| 2016-17 | 35 | Illawarra | 15-13 (4) | 31 | 12.3 | 6.6 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 2.2 | 4.7 | 46% | 1.7 | 3.8 | 46% | 0.5 | 0.6 | 80% | 66% | 64% | 26 |
| 2015-16 | 34 | Illawarra | 17-11 (3) | 31 | 20.7 | 8.0 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 6.9 | 43% | 1.6 | 4.3 | 38% | 0.5 | 0.5 | 82% | 56% | 55% | 24 |
| 2014-15 | 33 | Wollongong | 6-22 (8) | 28 | 28.4 | 9.2 | 5.2 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 4.4 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 3.3 | 7.3 | 45% | 2.1 | 5.3 | 39% | 0.6 | 0.8 | 73% | 60% | 60% | |
| 2013-14 | 32 | Wollongong | 13-15 (4) | 30 | 29.8 | 10.7 | 4.7 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 3.6 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 2.4 | 3.8 | 8.0 | 47% | 2.6 | 5.7 | 46% | 0.5 | 0.8 | 70% | 64% | 64% | |
| 2012-13 | 31 | Wollongong | 13-15 (3) | 30 | 31.4 | 11.7 | 6.1 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 5.0 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 8.6 | 47% | 2.6 | 5.5 | 48% | 1.1 | 1.5 | 73% | 63% | 62% | 22 |
| 2011-12 | 30 | Wollongong | 9-19 (8) | 28 | 24.6 | 10.7 | 4.1 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 3.5 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 3.9 | 8.1 | 48% | 2.3 | 4.5 | 51% | 0.7 | 0.9 | 73% | 62% | 62% | 29 |
| 2010-11 | 29 | Wollongong | 15-13 (5) | 28 | 28.4 | 13.2 | 6.3 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 4.4 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 5.0 | 10.6 | 47% | 1.9 | 4.5 | 42% | 1.3 | 1.6 | 82% | 58% | 56% | 23 |
| 2009-10 | 28 | New Zealand | 15-13 (5) | 27 | 18.8 | 7.7 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 2.9 | 6.2 | 46% | 1.4 | 4.1 | 35% | 0.5 | 0.8 | 64% | 58% | 57% | 23 |
| 2008-09 | 27 | New Zealand | 18-12 (3) | 33 | 30.6 | 12.6 | 6.0 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 5.0 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 3.4 | 4.6 | 9.7 | 47% | 3.0 | 6.7 | 45% | 0.4 | 0.6 | 68% | 63% | 63% | 26 |
| 2007-08 | 26 | New Zealand | 16-14 (7) | 32 | 28.1 | 9.2 | 4.8 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 3.8 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 8.3 | 41% | 1.7 | 4.9 | 34% | 0.7 | 0.9 | 79% | 53% | 51% | 20 |
| 2006-07 | 25 | New Zealand | 11-22 (10) | 33 | 32.5 | 10.6 | 5.2 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 4.0 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 8.9 | 42% | 2.5 | 5.8 | 43% | 0.6 | 0.9 | 70% | 57% | 56% | 20 |
| 2005-06 | 24 | Adelaide | 19-13 (4) | 33 | 24.8 | 10.5 | 4.5 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 3.2 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 3.5 | 7.7 | 45% | 2.3 | 5.1 | 46% | 1.3 | 1.8 | 74% | 62% | 60% | 21 |
| 2004-05 | 23 | Adelaide | 19-13 (4) | 33 | 26.4 | 10.0 | 6.3 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 4.7 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 2.6 | 3.8 | 7.9 | 48% | 1.7 | 3.5 | 47% | 0.8 | 0.9 | 87% | 60% | 58% | 23 |
| 2003-04 | 22 | Adelaide | 14-19 (8) | 34 | 20.6 | 5.9 | 4.0 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 5.2 | 46% | 0.6 | 1.9 | 34% | 0.5 | 0.9 | 55% | 52% | 52% | 20 |
| 2002-03 | 21 | Adelaide | 16-14 (5) | 23 | 12.9 | 3.3 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 38% | 0.3 | 1.2 | 21% | 0.3 | 0.6 | 54% | 43% | 42% | 12 |
| 2001-02 | 20 | Adelaide | 17-13 (3) | 28 | 10.0 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 35% | 0.2 | 1.1 | 19% | 0.1 | 0.2 | 33% | 38% | 38% | 8 | Total | 508 | 23.3 | 8.7 | 4.3 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 7.0 | 44.9% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 42.1% | 1.8 | 4.2 | 72.5% | 59% | 58% | 29 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 29 | 15 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- AIS (2000), Sturt (2001–2005), Illawarra (2022)
Forman joined the AIS for the 2000 SEABL season, when he moved to Canberra to attend the Australian Institute of Sport and played in the national development program alongside a strong AIS intake that year.
Oscar Forman joined Sturt for the 2001 Central ABL season, and he then spent the 2001 to 2005 state league years with the Sabres while also establishing himself as one of South Australia’s leading forwards.
Oscar Forman joined Sturt again for the 2002 Central ABL season, and he helped the Sabres win the Central ABL championship that year.
Oscar Forman joined Sturt again for the 2005 Central ABL season, and he capped that run by winning the Woollacott Medal as the league’s most outstanding player.
Oscar Forman joined Illawarra for the 2022 NBL1 East season, and in his return to state league competition he had a brief stint with the Hawks while ranking among the league’s leading rebounders early in the season at 11.0 rebounds per game through the opening rounds.
Oscar Forman joined Illawarra for the 2022 NBL1 East season and produced one of his best games with 16 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Inner West.
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Oscar Forman did not play in a major FIBA tournament, but did represent Australia at the 2005 Boris Stankovic Cup .
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- New Zealand - Harbour Heat (2007-2008), Hawkes Bay (2018)
Related
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