NICKNAME/S: A.J.

BIO: Adrian “A.J.” Majstrovich was born in Turangi, New Zealand, to Croatian parents, and was raised in Carnarvon, Western Australia, on his grandparents’ banana plantation. He later moved to Perth, where he attended Morley Senior High School. In 1996, he made his SBL debut for the East Perth Eagles. Majstrovich spent the majority of his 20-year career playing in the Australian NBL, New Zealand NBL and State Basketball League (SBL). He achieved the most success in New Zealand, winning two championships and earning the Rookie of the Year in 2003 and league MVP in 2004. Majstrovich received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 1997. He spent two years there and played for the program’s state league team (1997, 1998).

FAMILY: Majstrovich is the son of Maja and Ozren, and has an older brother named Ivan who also played state league basketball for East Perth (1994-1999). Majstrovich is married to wife Jaime.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Adrian Majstrovich made his NBL debut with the Perth Wildcats at 18 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

As a rookie, Majstrovich averaged 4.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.7 assists as the Wildcats finished in sixth place (13-13).

1999/00
Adrian Majstrovich returned to Perth for his second NBL season after averaging 4.2 points and 2.1 rebounds across 20 games during his rookie campaign. The former Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holder had developed through the East Perth Eagles before joining the Wildcats, who were looking to improve on a sixth-place finish (13-13) and an opening-round playoff elimination against Adelaide. Coach Alan Black retained an experienced frontcourt featuring Paul Rogers, captain Andrew Vlahov and Scott Fisher, leaving limited opportunities for Majstrovich. Perth also entered a new ownership arrangement after Kerry Stokes handed control of the club to Vlahov and former Chicago Bulls centre Luc Longley, while Todd Lichti, James Crawford, Clinton McDaniel and Sidney Goodman were among those who departed.

Majstrovich (4.0 points across 12 games) continued in a reserve role, appearing in fewer than half of Perth’s 28 regular-season contests. His playing time remained limited behind the Wildcats’ established frontcourt, with most of his opportunities coming in short appearances off the bench. Although his scoring average was largely unchanged from the previous season, he continued to provide additional rebounding support when called upon.

Majstrovich produced one of his strongest all-round performances against Townsville at the Cairns Convention Centre on October 12, recording 7 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist in 12 minutes. He collected four offensive rebounds, making three of his six field-goal attempts and converting one free throw. Scott Fisher (16 points and 5 rebounds) and James Harvey (16 points and 5 rebounds) were Perth’s leading scorers, but Sam Mackinnon (25 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks) dominated for the Crocodiles as Townsville defeated the Wildcats 123-81. Although Perth suffered a heavy defeat, Majstrovich’s rebounding and efficiency represented one of his better individual performances during the campaign.

On February 12, Majstrovich equalled his season-high scoring total against Cairns at the Perth Entertainment Centre, finishing with 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in 18 minutes. He connected on three of his four field-goal attempts and collected three defensive rebounds, providing useful production from the second unit. Anthony Stewart (26 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists) led Perth’s scoring, while Rogers (18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks) controlled the interior. Rashamel Jones (25 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals) was Cairns’ leading performer, but the Wildcats secured a convincing 120-93 victory. Majstrovich matched that eight-point total against Brisbane on March 4, giving him two equal-highest scoring performances for the season.

Rogers (18.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks across 36 games) became Perth’s leading scorer and rebounder, winning the NBL Most Valuable Player award and earning selection to the All-NBL First Team. Vlahov (14.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.9 steals across 36 games) and Fisher (12.9 points and 6.4 rebounds across 35 games) continued to occupy important frontcourt roles, while Marcus Timmons (12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals across 16 games) joined the Wildcats in January and provided additional athleticism and scoring. With Perth relying heavily on its established players, Majstrovich’s opportunities remained limited. He made his final appearance of the season against Melbourne on March 11, contributing 3 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 block as the Wildcats won 88-72. Perth finished the regular season with eight consecutive victories, securing third place with a 22-6 record.

Majstrovich did not appear in any of Perth’s postseason games. The Wildcats lost their opening quarterfinal against West Sydney 91-80 on March 15, before winning game two 99-88 on March 17. Perth then defeated the Razorbacks 82-74 in the deciding game on March 19, completing a 2-1 series victory and advancing to the semi-finals.

Townsville provided the next challenge, with Perth winning the opening semi-final 104-101 on March 24. The Crocodiles responded with a 101-78 victory on March 31 to level the series. Perth secured a 104-84 win in Townsville on April 2, completing another 2-1 series victory and reaching its first Grand Final since 1995.

The Wildcats opened the Grand Final against Victoria with an 84-78 road victory at Melbourne Park on April 7, with Majstrovich remaining outside the playing rotation. Perth then defeated the Titans 83-76 at the Perth Entertainment Centre on April 12, completing a 2-0 championship sweep. Timmons was named Grand Final MVP as Majstrovich became an NBL champion for the first time, with Perth securing its fourth title and what would prove to be its final championship at the Perth Entertainment Centre.

PERTH WILDCATS
2004/05
After being unable to secure a NBL contract for the past four seasons, Majstrovich was offered a chance to return to the Australian NBL in 2004. At that rime Mike Ellis was replaced as coach by Scott Fisher. In addition, co-owner Luc Longley relinquished his majority share of the Wildcats in April 2004, leaving Andrew Vlahov as the sole owner of the franchise.

After Perth’s leading scorer James Harvey chose to play overseas (Israel) this season, Perth were then forced to rebuild. Tony Ronaldson, Matthew Burston, Liam Rush, Ricky Grace (captain) and Rashad Tucker, who had broken every triple-double record the season prior, all returned from the previous season but lost their leading scorer James Harvey to a lucrative contract overseas (Israel). Perth brought in Townsville product Peter Crawford to fill the scoring void left by Harvey and, looking for ways to bolster the frontcourt, signed import Jaron Brown, who wasn’t a great fit and was replaced by Rosell Ellis before the season started. Matthew Shanahan (via Wollongong), Braith Cox (via state league) and Adrian Majstrovich (via NZNBL) were all later added to round out the team’s second unit.

with the Wildcats leading scorer James Harvey opting to play overseas (Israel), the team were then forced to re-tool. Tony Ronaldson, Matthew Burston, Liam Rush, Ricky Grace (captain) and Rashad Tucker, who had broken every triple-double record the season prior, all returned from the previous season but lost their leading scorer James Harvey to a lucrative contract overseas (Israel). Perth brought in Townsville product Peter Crawford to fill the scoring void left by Harvey and, looking for ways to bolster the frontcourt, signed import Jaron Brown, who wasn’t a great fit and was replaced by Rosell Ellis before the season started. Matthew Shanahan (via Wollongong), Braith Cox (via state league) and Majstrovich (via NZNBL) were all later added to round out the team’s second unit.

The Wildcats’ season started out hot, defeating Harvey and the Razorbacks in their opening game (120–97), adding a home win against Cairns in round two (110–93) and then two easy wins over both Hunter (85-72) and Townsville (108–101) to start the season 4-0.

Tucker (17.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.5 steals) was player of the week in round one, and was putting up impressive numbers once again but concerns around his attitude resulted in Perth sacking him by round nine.

The Wildcats then replaced Tucker with Ontario Lett as a means to fill the gap left by a season ending injury to centre Matt Burston (14.8 points and 6 rebounds), who managed to play in only 8 games. Tucker would land on his feet, knocking back offers from Brisbane and Townsville to sign a deal to play with Melbourne shortly after.

Shortly after, media reports suggested that Tucker’s attitude and behaviour were overblown and a result of Fisher wanting to replace one of the team’s imports with Lett and after Rosell Ellis, who was originally destined for the chop, exploded with a 38 point and 15 rebound effort against Townsville, the axe was swung on Tucker.

In either situation, the move failed to improve the team’s win/loss record. With the team struggling to win on the road again, they finished in seventh place (17-15) record for the second consecutive season.

Rosell Ellis (17.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game) collected the Wildcat’s MVP award after he finished as the Wildcat’s leading scorer and rebounder, as well as being the league’s most effective scorer, shooting 61% from the floor. Peter Crawford (15.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists) impressed during his first year in Perth and collected the NBL Most Improved Player award at the season’s end. Majstrovich finished the season with averages of 9.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 0.7 assists.

The 2004/05 season saw the end of a era as captain Ricky Grace played his last game of his career with the Wildcats on 24 February 2005. Grace retired as a four-time NBL champion and a 15-year member of the Wildcats.

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
2005/06
With the Breakers still searching for their first winning season, they chose not to re-sign Mike Chappell, the Breakers’ leading scorer from the past two seasons and appointed a new head coach Andrej Lemanis. Lemanis had played in the NBL during the 1980s and 1990s and spent the previous five seasons as a assistant coach with the Townsville Crocodiles.

Lemanis inherited a Breakers squad who had seen both its national team players, Pero Cameron (Gold Coast) and Dillon Boucher (Perth), leave for better opportunities on other NBL team’s.

Lemanis looked to build around its young turning core group, which included Aaron Olsen, Ben Pepper, Lindsay Tait and Paul Henare, who was named team captain with the departure of co-captain Pero Cameron.

Rugged defender Ben Thompson and New Zealand born Adrian Majstrovich (both via Perth) were added to the roster, as was the import duo of Rich Melzer and Brant Bailey.

The Breakers started the season poorly (1-5) and quickly made the decision to replace Bailey (18.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists) with Brian Green (18.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.5 steals).

Melzer (18.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) would lead New Zealand in scoring while the Breakers continued to see strong development from young gun Aaron Olson (17.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists) and Ben Pepper (14.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks) was a force inside the paint. Majstrovich averaged 8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1 assists, appearing in 12 of the Breakers’ games.

Lemanis’ first season in charge was not particularly memorable. During the season, the Breakers endured a team-worst eleven straight losses, but after making the personnel changes, the team split their final twelve games of the season and finished the regular season tenth out of eleven team’s (9-23).

Majstrovich would see limited playing opportunities with the Breakers, appearing in only 12 games, averaging 8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assists.

Adrian Majstrovich played six seasons across four NBL teams. This included the Perth Wildcats, Brisbane Bullets, New Zealand Breakers and Adelaide 36ers. He averaged 7.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 112 NBL games.