NICKNAME/S: Yeah Yeah Trahair

BIO: Aaron Trahair was born in Bendigo (VIC) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Bendigo basketball program. Trahair received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 1992. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (1992, 1993).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Aaron Trahair made his NBL debut with the Perth Wildcats at 18 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.

Aaron Trahair began his NBL career with the Perth Wildcats in 1994, joining a team that had retained almost its entire roster from the previous season, with the only departure being the retiring Steve Davis. Looking to build for the future, the Wildcats added two promising rookies—AIS graduate Aaron Trahair and CJ Bruton, son of club legend Cal Bruton.

Under head coach Adrian Hurley and team captain Andrew Vlahov, Perth started the season strong, winning its first three games. After five rounds, the Wildcats sat atop the NBL ladder with a 7–2 record. However, inconsistency plagued the team throughout the middle of the season, as losses to Brisbane (127–126), Hobart (93–92), and South East Melbourne (112–94) saw them drop to a 10–5 record. While many expected the Wildcats to bounce back from their Grand Final loss the previous season and contend for a championship, they struggled to find the same level of dominance. The team showed flashes of brilliance, including a dominant 131–108 win over Melbourne in Round 18, but followed it up with a surprising home loss to Newcastle (83–92).

Scott Fisher (20.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists) led the team in scoring for the second consecutive year, while Ricky Grace (18.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists), James Crawford (18.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists), and Andrew Vlahov (17.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists) all had strong seasons. Fisher delivered several standout performances, including a 31-point, 14-rebound, and 6-assist effort in a last-second loss to Brisbane and a 36-point, 16-rebound game against Geelong. Grace also had an incredible stretch in August, posting 40 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists in a win over Brisbane before following it up with 24 points and a season-high 15 assists against Melbourne.

While the veterans carried the bulk of the workload, rookies Trahair (5.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists) and Bruton (4.9 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists) showed promising signs. Bruton made a spectacular entrance into the league, nailing a half-court buzzer-beater on his first shot in the NBL, but ultimately decided to pursue college basketball in the United States after the season, citing limited playing opportunities behind Grace.

Perth finished the regular season with a 16–10 record, securing the sixth seed in the playoffs based on a 2–0 head-to-head advantage over Sydney. In the quarterfinals, they faced South East Melbourne, who outclassed them in Game 1, winning 113–82. With the series shifting to Melbourne, the Magic sealed the series with a 100–86 victory, eliminating the Wildcats in the first round.

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The following year, Trahair was a member of the Australian under 19’s team that won silver at the Junior World Championships, and won his only NBL championship with the Wildcats. In doing so, he was a member of the Wildcat’s squad that travelled to the McDonald’s Championship in London that competed against the NBA’s Houston Rockets and Spain’s Real Madrid.

When the Sydney Kings lost guard Shane Heal to the Minnesota Timberwolves In 1997, the signed Trahair as a replacement. The Kings had high hopes when they signed Aaron Trahair at the beginning of the season, with Trahair was expected to step up and take the reigns of the Kings. Trahair faced a certain degree of difficulty in doing this, up until that time his NBL career had consisted of playing most of his time at shooting guard alongside Ricky Grace at Perth. Stepping into a role as the starting point guard included its challenges and Trahair saw his production decline from 13.4 points (41% from the field) and 3.8 assists with the Wildcats to 11.4 points (36% from the field) and 3.2 assists at the Kings.

Mid-season Trahair was moved to the off-guard role and the Kings allowed Isaac Burton to play point-guard. In his first outing in his new position, Trahair played a nice all around game, scoring 11 points and also contributing 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals. He scored in double figures in his next seven outings, and actually improved his assists average even though he wasn’t running the point. Aaron played his best game of the season in a 88-89 loss to the South East Melbourne on 21st June, scoring a team-high 19 points on 7-11 shooting to go along with 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Trahair suffered a season ending foot injury after the All-Star break, missing the final 6 games of the season.

Prior to the commencement of the 2007/08 season, the unsigned Trahair trained and appeared in several pre-season matches with the Wildcats while in Perth visiting family. Despite early reports that the Wildcats would not sign Trahair (as they held out for the possibility that American forward Shawn Redhage would become a Australian citizen), the guard was officially signed up shortly before the first match of the season against his previous club, the Singapore Slingers. However, after appearing in just eight games with limited minutes for the Wildcats, Trahair was released by the club in December 2007 to allow him to sign with the Wollongong Hawks for the remainder of the season.

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1997
When the Sydney Kings lost star guard Shane Heal to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1997, they signed Aaron Trahair as his replacement. The Kings had high hopes for Trahair, expecting him to step into the starting point guard role and lead the team. However, the transition proved challenging, as he had spent most of his previous NBL career playing as a shooting guard alongside Ricky Grace at the Perth Wildcats. Moving into a full-time point guard role saw his production decline from 13.4 points (41% from the field) and 3.8 assists in Perth to 11.4 points (36% from the field) and 3.2 assists with Sydney. Despite the struggles, he remained a key part of the backcourt, gaining valuable experience in a leadership role.

A year into the Kings’ rebuilding process, Heal’s departure created a massive void in the lineup. To compensate, the team also signed Cameron Dickinson (via Townsville) to help replace the perimeter shooting lost with Heal’s exit. Bruce Bolden was named team captain in Heal’s absence, adding veteran leadership to a squad that was undergoing significant transition.

The 1997 season was one of the most competitive in NBL history, as Hobart, Geelong, and Gold Coast had exited the league after 1996, resulting in a redistribution of talent across the remaining teams. This, coupled with the unexpected loss of Heal, made things difficult for Sydney, who lost three of their first four games. The scoring and playmaking responsibilities largely fell on import Isaac Burton (20.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 3.0 steals), who not only led the Kings in scoring but also finished as the league’s steals leader for the second straight year. His best performance came in a 123–107 win over the Illawarra Hawks, where he recorded 44 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and seven steals while shooting 15-of-22 from the field.

Melvin Thomas (18.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists) anchored the team’s interior and led the Kings in rebounding for the second consecutive season. Stephen Whitehead (12.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) emerged as the team’s third-leading scorer, while a young Matthew Nielsen (9.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) established himself in the rotation, eventually earning NBL Rookie of the Year honors.

Sydney concluded the season with a 12–18 record, finishing in tenth place and missing the playoffs once again. The Kings lost their final three games, unable to generate enough momentum to climb the standings.

1998
After a single season in the NBA, Shane Heal returned to the Sydney Kings in 1998, but his absence the previous year had already forced the team to rebuild. Aaron Trahair, who had been signed as Heal’s replacement in 1997, remained a key part of the team’s backcourt. However, the Kings continued to face challenges in their guard rotation, with Trahair shifting between point and shooting guard roles as the team struggled to find stability.

Since Heal’s departure in 1996, the Kings had undergone several changes. Bill Tomlinson replaced Alan Black as head coach, and Sydney added Matt Nover, a former NCAA Final Four center better known as “Ricky Roe” from the movie Blue Chips, along with 19-year-old Stephen Jackson, who became the youngest import in NBL history. The Kings aimed to build around a young core of Australian talent, including Trahair, Matthew Nielsen, Stephen Whitehead, and Scott McGregor.

Sydney started the season strong, winning three straight games over Canberra, Newcastle, and Melbourne. However, early struggles from imports Nover (7.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 0.9 assists) and Jackson (6.0 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assist) raised concerns. Jackson, who would later become an NBA champion, became the first import in NBL history to go scoreless in his debut game. In Round 3, Sydney traveled to Adelaide looking to extend their win streak, but disaster struck when Jackson suffered a broken foot, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.

Trahair stepped up as a key scorer and playmaker, particularly in Round 6, when he delivered one of his best performances of the season. He exploded for 40 points on 13-of-16 shooting, but despite his efforts, Sydney fell to Wollongong 99–108. Shortly after, the team released Nover and signed former King Dave Simmons and ex-Sacramento Kings forward Evers Burns to strengthen the frontcourt. However, after just six games, Simmons (6.5 points and 6.3 rebounds) was also released, making way for ex-North Carolina State point guard Kelsey Weems, allowing Heal and Trahair to play extended minutes at shooting guard.

The Kings’ roster instability was a recurring issue throughout the season, with a revolving door of imports that included Kenny Payne (who never played a game), Bryan Caver (two games), Jackson (four games), Nover (seven games), Simmons (six games), Burns (22 games), and Weems (12 games). Despite the constant changes, Trahair remained a steady contributor, averaging 13.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game across 27 appearances. However, Sydney’s perimeter defense and offensive distribution remained a problem. Over a seven-game stretch late in the season, the Kings suffered multiple defeats in which their backcourt was exposed by opposition guards. Darnell Hoskins torched them for 40 points, Ricky Grace dominated with 31, Andrew Gaze and Lanard Copeland picked them apart for Melbourne, and Brisbane’s Steve Woodberry posted a triple-double (21 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists) while Leroy Loggins added 27.

Despite individual strong performances from Trahair, Heal (20.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists), and Nielsen (16.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists), the Kings struggled with consistency. The team finished the season with a 12–18 record, placing tenth on the ladder and missing the playoffs once again. Sydney posted a 5–10 record on the road, further highlighting their struggles to compete at a high level.

1998/99
The 1998/99 season represented a transitional phase for the Sydney Kings as the NBL shifted from a winter to a summer schedule. The Kings underwent significant offseason changes, most notably the departure of franchise cornerstone Shane Heal, who opted to play in Greece for Near East. Additionally, longtime captain Bruce Bolden signed with the expansion West Sydney Razorbacks, and veterans Brad Williams and Stephen Whitehead were not retained. In response, the Kings acquired Ben Castle (via Brisbane) and Darren Smith (via state league) while restructuring their roster around emerging Australian talents Matthew Nielsen and Aaron Trahair.

Trahair entered the season as a key component of Sydney’s backcourt, assuming an expanded role alongside veteran guard Brad Rosen, who was named team captain following Bolden’s departure. Kelsey Weems, who had played the final 12 games of the previous season, was re-signed, and import forward Alonzo Goldston was brought in to bolster the team’s interior presence. However, Sydney struggled early, opening the season with a 97–103 loss to the newly formed Razorbacks before dropping seven of their next eight games.

Goldston (14.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks) provided respectable production but developed a reputation for prioritizing off-court activities, ultimately leading to his release after just six games. Seeking stability, Sydney replaced him with former NBA center Acie Earl, a physically imposing 208cm, 110kg presence who had played with the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors. Earl quickly established himself as a dominant force in the NBL, but his work ethic was frequently scrutinized. Despite these concerns, his statistical contributions were undeniable. In just his fifth game with Sydney, he posted 33 points on 12-of-19 shooting, 12 rebounds, and held Brisbane’s star big man Thadderous Delaney to 4-of-14 from the field. Earl concluded the season with averages of 21.6 points (on 50% shooting), 12.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.9 blocks across 20 games, delivering one of the most statistically efficient individual seasons in league history.

The remainder of the Kings’ roster delivered inconsistent performances. Weems (15.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists) was unable to match his production from the prior season, while Scott McGregor (12.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists) played a key role in the forward rotation. Nielsen (20.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks) continued his upward trajectory, increasing his scoring output from 16.4 points per game the previous season and solidifying his status as the franchise’s primary offensive weapon.

Trahair played an integral role throughout the campaign, demonstrating versatility on both ends of the floor. His contributions were particularly evident in the Kings’ backcourt, where he operated as both a primary playmaker and a secondary scoring option. Over 26 games, he averaged 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Despite these individual efforts, Sydney struggled with consistency, finishing the season with a 5–8 home record and a 4–9 road record. The Kings ultimately placed ninth with a 9–17 record, missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.

2003/04
2003/04
The West Sydney Razorbacks entered the 2003/04 season with a bold new approach, opting not to re-sign import Willie Farley and veteran foundation duo Derek Rucker and Bruce Bolden. In doing so, they made history by becoming the first team in the modern NBL era to field an all-Australian roster. With John Rillie returning after spending half of the previous season in Greece and Sam MacKinnon back from injury, the Razorbacks finally had stability and a clear opportunity to build chemistry and push for a championship.

West Sydney opened the season in dominant fashion, securing a 119-103 victory over Hunter, with Simon Dwight (26 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Sam MacKinnon (24 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists) both flirting with triple-doubles. Aaron Trahair made an early impact as well, showcasing his ability to contribute as a scorer and playmaker in the backcourt.

The Razorbacks started 3-1 before running into a tough three-game losing streak, including a loss to Sydney (83-97), where Kings star Matt Nielsen dominated with 29 points and 8 rebounds. They also fell to Wollongong (81-90) and Victoria (101-106), dropping to 3-4 and needing to turn things around quickly.

With their season at a crossroads, West Sydney responded with a dominant 10-game winning streak. This stretch included statement victories over Sydney (97-87), Wollongong (109-105), and Victoria (107-95), propelling them back into the upper tier of the standings. During this run, Trahair proved to be an invaluable member of the starting lineup, consistently providing secondary scoring and distributing the ball effectively alongside Rillie. He averaged 13.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists over the course of the season, providing a steady presence in the backcourt.

John Rillie (20.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists) led the team in scoring, while MacKinnon (17.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks) and Dwight (15.0 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.7 blocks) continued to anchor both ends of the floor. Trahair and Scott McGregor (13.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists) rounded out the starting five, with Russell Hinder (9.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists) and rookie Steven Markovic (8.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) playing key roles off the bench.

A setback came in February when McGregor sustained a season-ending injury in a 110-99 loss to Wollongong. Hinder moved into the starting lineup, while Markovic saw increased minutes. Despite this adversity, the Razorbacks finished the regular season strong, closing with a 22-11 record, securing third place and setting club records for most wins in a season, most home wins, and most road victories.

West Sydney carried this momentum into the playoffs, overpowering Cairns 110-88 in the elimination final. Trahair was instrumental, leading the team with 31 points and 4 assists, while MacKinnon (28 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) and Dwight (11 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, and 6 blocks) controlled the interior.

The Razorbacks then swept Wollongong in the semifinals, winning Game 1 by 16 points (107-91), with Rillie (25 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists) leading the way, supported by Dwight (22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and MacKinnon (12 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists). In Game 2, Rillie delivered a spectacular performance, exploding for 45 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals while shooting 17-of-26 from the field, sealing a 110-95 victory and a trip to the NBL Grand Final.

For the first time in league history, the Grand Final was a best-of-five series, with West Sydney facing minor premiers Sydney (26-7), led by league MVP Matt Nielsen.

Game 1 saw the Kings take control with a 96-76 victory behind CJ Bruton’s sharpshooting (35 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists on 9-of-16 shooting). Dwight (23 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks) led the Razorbacks in scoring.

West Sydney responded in Game 2 with a dominant 87-72 victory, leveling the series. Trahair played a key role, scoring 17 points and helping facilitate the offense, while Rillie (18 points) also made key contributions.

Game 3 was an overtime thriller, with the Razorbacks edging out an 82-80 win to take a 2-1 series lead. Dwight (17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks) continued to make his presence felt inside, while Trahair’s composure and timely scoring helped West Sydney stay ahead in the extra period.

With a chance to close out the series in Game 4, Rillie erupted for 31 points, but the Kings secured an 82-77 victory, setting up the first-ever Game 5 in NBL Grand Final history.

Before a packed crowd of 9,609 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, the Razorbacks fought valiantly but ultimately fell short, losing 90-79. Sydney’s defense tightened up on Rillie, holding him to 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Trahair (20 points) and Dwight (18 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists) put in strong performances. However, an explosive fourth-quarter effort from Ebi Ere (25 points) proved to be the difference, while Brett Wheeler (18 points, 11 rebounds) and Matt Nielsen (14 points, 12 rebounds) dominated the interior. Nielsen was named Grand Final MVP, capping off his stellar season.

Despite falling just short of the championship, the 2003/04 season was one of the Razorbacks’ finest. John Rillie and Sam MacKinnon were named to the All-NBL First Team, while Steven Markovic earned NBL Rookie of the Year honours. Trahair’s strong postseason performances further cemented his importance to the team, as he proved to be a reliable offensive weapon throughout the playoffs. Although West Sydney fell just shy of the ultimate prize, their all-Australian roster had firmly established itself as one of the premier teams in the league.

2004/05
After making a run to the 2004 NBL Grand Final, the West Sydney Razorbacks underwent a significant transformation in the offseason. Longtime head coach Gordie McLeod was let go after six seasons, with assistant Mark Watkins stepping into the head coaching role, backed by player endorsement. At the same time, financial instability plagued the club’s ownership group, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, who were fined $500,000 and stripped of all 37 NRL premiership points due to serious breaches of the NRL salary cap. This financial strain heavily influenced the Razorbacks’ ability to retain talent.

The team saw the departure of several key players, most notably John Rillie (to Townsville), while key role players Russell Hinder (to Hunter) and David Pennisi (to Europe) also left, and Brad Williams retired. These exits left significant gaps in the rotation, requiring West Sydney to rebuild heading into the new season.

Among those returning was Scott McGregor, who had missed the previous season due to a season-ending injury. Reigning NBL Rookie of the Year Steven Markovic took on an expanded role, stepping up in the backcourt to help fill the void left by Rillie. Additionally, Aaron Trahair continued to provide stability at the guard position, bringing experience and playmaking to a team in transition. The Razorbacks also added Nick Horvath (via Duke University), who became the team’s primary scoring option, averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.

Simon Dwight (15.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 3.2 blocks) continued to be a dominant defensive force, leading the league in shot-blocking. Team captain Sam MacKinnon (14.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.2 blocks) remained the team’s most versatile player, contributing across multiple statistical categories. Meanwhile, Scott McGregor (12.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists) resumed his role as a key frontcourt contributor, while Trahair (12.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists) added valuable depth in the backcourt.

West Sydney’s season opener was a 97–120 loss to Perth on October 2, 2004, rather than a victory over Adelaide. Their first win came in Round 2, a 106–75 home win over Brisbane on October 10, followed by a 113–111 road win against Brisbane, where Horvath (23 points, 17 rebounds) and McGregor (26 points) led the way.

However, early momentum was short-lived, as the team suffered a four-game losing streak between late October and early November. The skid included a 97–105 home loss to Melbourne, followed by back-to-back defeats against Adelaide (85–102) and Perth (90–101). The team struggled to replace Rillie’s perimeter scoring, with Trahair and Markovic taking on increased playmaking responsibilities in the backcourt.

The Razorbacks bounced back in Round 8, securing a 96–82 victory over Wollongong, led by Horvath (29 points, 14 rebounds) and MacKinnon (22 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists). In the following game, they defeated Cairns 87–84, with Markovic (18 points, 6 assists) stepping up as an offensive spark. Despite these flashes of strong play, inconsistency continued to plague the team, preventing them from gaining sustained momentum.

A seven-game losing streak from January 2 to January 29, 2005, effectively ended the Razorbacks’ playoff aspirations. The skid included a 123–89 loss to Sydney and a 112–85 loss to Sydney on February 19, highlighting defensive issues and a lack of consistent scoring options outside of Horvath. During this period, Trahair’s veteran presence became crucial, as he helped stabilize the team despite its struggles, averaging 12.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on the season.

The Razorbacks managed to register some late-season highlights, including a 103–76 home win over Hunter on February 2, where McGregor (21 points, 7 rebounds) stepped up. Another key victory came on February 11, when they defeated Wollongong 117–95, showcasing one of their best offensive performances of the season. Trahair played a key role in orchestrating the offense, contributing both as a playmaker and perimeter shooter.

Despite these positive moments, West Sydney finished the season in ninth place with an 11–21 record, missing the playoffs just one year after making the Grand Final. While Horvath, MacKinnon, and Dwight posted strong individual seasons, the Razorbacks struggled with cohesion and lacked a secondary scoring option to support Horvath. Trahair remained a steady presence in the backcourt, providing leadership and efficiency, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the team’s overall lack of depth and firepower.

Aaron Trahair played sixteen seasons in the NBL. He averaged 12.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 422 NBL games.

CAREER RANKINGS:
– 41st in total games played.
– 44th in total points
– 21st in total assists
– 39th in total steals

Dan Boyce (833 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.