Jordan Hunter (Sydney Kings) on learning from Luc Longley and Andrew Bogut, the mental toll of injuries and passions on and off the court
August 25, 2022
Aleks Maric
- Nationality: AUS/SRB
- Date of Birth: 22/10/84
- Place of Birth: Sydney (NSW)
- Position: CTR
- Height (CM): 211
- Weight (KG): 125
- Junior Assoc: NSW - Sydney
- College: Nebraska (2004–2008)
- NBL DEBUT: 8/10/16
- AGE AT DEBUT: 31
- LAST NBL GAME: 14/05/17
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 32
- NBL History: Sydney 2017
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Aleksandar Marić (Serbian Cyrillic: Александар “Алекс“ Марић) was born on October 22, 1984, in Liverpool, a suburb of Sydney, Australia, to Serbian parents originally from Knin, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia. He later obtained Serbian citizenship.
Marić developed his basketball skills in Sydney before joining the Australian Institute of Sport, a renowned program for nurturing elite basketball talent. Seeking further development, he moved to the United States, where he played high school basketball at Life Center Academy in Burlington, New Jersey.
Maric received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2002. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (2002, 2003).
NBL EXPERIENCE
Aleks Maric made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 31 years of age. He scored six points in his first game.
After finishing last with a 6-22 record in 2015/16, Sydney appointed Australian basketball icon Andrew Gaze on a three-year deal for his first NBL head coaching role. Josh Childress (not re-signed), Al Harrington (not re-signed), Angus Brandt (to Perth), Marcus Thornton (not retained), Rhys Carter (not retained) and Jordan Vandenberg (not retained) departed, while Tom Garlepp, Jason Cadee, Jeromie Hill and Julian Khazzouh returned. Reigning NBL MVP and Best Defensive Player Kevin Lisch (via Illawarra) turned down an extension with the Hawks to accept a more lucrative three-year deal with Sydney which made him the highest-paid player in the NBL, while Brad Newley (via Spain), Aleks Maric (via Obradoiro) and Mirko Djeric (via Townsville) were signed. Djeric requested a release in July (to Serbia) to pursue his career there, before imports Michael Bryson (via UC Santa Barbara) and Greg Whittington (via Sioux Falls) were added, with Craig Moller and Bo Liu joining as development players. Lisch becoming an Australian citizen opened all three import positions, with Josh Powell (via Luoyang Zhonghe) signed on the eve of the season to fill the final spot. Khazzouh remained sidelined while rehabilitating the quadriceps tendon injury suffered the previous season and ultimately did not play during 2016/17.
The veteran centre returned to his hometown after spending his entire professional career overseas, signing a one-year deal with a team option for 2017/18. “It feels awesome,” he said. “My family is over the moon.” He was also selected as part of the Kings’ leadership group.
He made his NBL debut against Brisbane at Qudos Bank Arena on October 8, finishing with 6 points and 4 rebounds in 9 minutes and 50 seconds as Sydney fell 77-73. Lisch (20 points and 3 steals) and Hill (14 points and 3 blocks) led the Kings, while Daniel Kickert (17 points and 4 assists) was Brisbane’s leading scorer.
Maric (5.4 points and 4.7 rebounds across 28 games) started every one of Sydney’s 28 games, did not miss a game through injury or illness and made 60 of 101 field-goal attempts at 59.4 per cent. With Khazzouh unavailable, he remained the starting centre throughout the season, providing physical screens, rebounding and interior defence.
Five days after the opener, Maric (2 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) helped Sydney collect its first victory with an 88-84 win over Illawarra at the WIN Entertainment Centre. Lisch (20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Cadee (20 points and 5 assists) led the Kings, while Powell (14 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) made his Sydney debut after arriving to strengthen the frontcourt and Marvelle Harris (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Illawarra. The victory was followed by a video of the Kings celebrating in the locker room which went viral and added to the excitement surrounding the rebuilt team.
Four games into the season, Bryson (1.8 points across 4 games) (released) was cut after struggling to make an impact, beginning Sydney’s import merry-go-round. Thirteen-year NBA veteran Steve Blake (5.9 points across 9 games) (via Detroit) was signed to replace him in the Kings’ third import position.
Maric’s best game came in Blake’s debut against Brisbane at Qudos Bank Arena on October 30, with Lisch sidelined after straining his calf at training during the week. Maric (9 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) made all three of his field-goal attempts, while Newley (29 points and 8 rebounds), Powell (16 points and 2 blocks) and Blake (12 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) helped Sydney recover from an early deficit and defeat the Bullets 87-78. Torrey Craig (22 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) led Brisbane as Sydney collected its fifth consecutive victory and improved to 5-1.
After opening the season as Khazzouh’s temporary injury replacement, Dion Prewster (0.9 points across 17 games) was signed to the 11-man roster for the remainder of the season after the first seven games, having initially accepted a practice-player role when there was no roster position available.
Maric’s highest-scoring game came against Adelaide at Qudos Bank Arena on November 28, where he opened the game with three consecutive dunks and finished with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks. Lisch (25 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) and Newley (16 points and 9 assists) led Sydney, while Daniel Johnson (22 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) carried Adelaide to a 91-85 victory. Blake (6 points and 4 assists) made what became his final appearance for Sydney.
Blake (to United States – compassionate leave) was granted indefinite leave to return home to be with a sick family member and did not return. Garrett Jackson (3.8 points and 3.5 rebounds across 6 games) (via North West Tasmania) was signed on December 22 after spending time training with the Kings, filling the vacancy created by Blake’s departure. Tony Tolovae (0 points across 1 game) then suffered a season-ending ankle injury, opening a roster position for William McDowell-White (2.1 points across 7 games) (via Fresno State), who joined as a development player after being ruled academically ineligible for the NCAA season. Sydney had reached 8-4 on November 19 but won only five of its final 16 games and lost nine of its final twelve.
Newley (17.6 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.2 steals across 23 games) led Sydney in scoring, while Lisch (16.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals across 27 games), Cadee (13 points and 3.2 assists across 28 games), Whittington (11.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 28 games), Powell (9.4 points and 4.8 rebounds across 27 games) and Garlepp (5.6 points across 28 games) provided the other major contributions. Newley and Lisch were selected to the All-NBL Second Team, Newley won the Kings’ MVP and Members’ Player of the Year awards, Lisch was named the club’s Defensive Player of the Year and Maric received the Mike Wrublewski Most Inspirational Player award.
Sydney travelled to Perth Arena on February 10 needing a victory to keep its playoff hopes alive, where Maric (2 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 3 blocks), Newley (19 points) and Cadee (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) helped the Kings remain within six during the third quarter before Whittington (13 points and 8 rebounds) was ejected after receiving his second technical foul. Casey Prather (29 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth as the Wildcats pulled away for a 101-74 victory, ending Sydney’s season in seventh place with a 13-15 record.
Aleks Maric played one season in the NBL. He averaged 5.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 28 NBL games.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 32 | Sydney | 13-15 (7) | 28 | 497 | 150 | 131 | 33 | 56 | 75 | 32 | 19 | 46 | 90 | 60 | 101 | 59% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 60 | 101 | 59% | 50% | 59% | 12 | Totals | 28 | 497 | 150 | 131 | 33 | 56 | 75 | 32 | 19 | 46 | 90 | 60 | 101 | 59.4% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 60 | 101 | 59.4% | 0.5156765677 | 0.5940594059 | 12 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 32 | Sydney | 13-15 (7) | 28 | 17.7 | 5.4 | 4.7 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 3.6 | 59% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 2.1 | 3.6 | 59% | 50% | 59% | 12 | Total | 28 | 17.7 | 5.4 | 4.7 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 3.2 | 2.142857143 | 3.607142857 | 59.4% | 0.02121640736 | 0.02121640736 | 0.0% | 59.4% | 0.5156765677 | 0.5940594059 | 12 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 12 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- AIS (2002-03)
Maric joined AIS for the 2002 state league season, with the Sydney-born centre beginning his two-year stint in Canberra after receiving an AIS basketball scholarship. The 2002 men’s group included Andrew Bogut, Aaron Bruce, Damian Martin, Daniel Kickert, Blagoj Janev, Larry Davidson and Greg Vanderjagt, with Frank Arsego as men’s head coach and Martin Clarke also on the men’s coaching staff.
Maric continued with AIS for the 2003 state league season, remaining in the Canberra-based program before moving on from the state league pathway. The 2003 men’s group again included Andrew Bogut, Aaron Bruce, Damian Martin and Greg Vanderjagt, while also featuring Matthew Knight, Brad Newley, Steven Markovic, Lucas Walker and Carlin Hughes, with Martin Clarke serving as men’s head coach and Paul Gorris on the men’s coaching staff.
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Aleks Marić was a key member of Australias junior national teams, playing a crucial role in their international success. He was part of the gold medal-winning Australian Emus squad at the 2003 FIBA Under-19 World Championship, a history-making team that included future NBA star Andrew Bogut, as well as Damian Martin and Matthew Knight, under the guidance of head coach Rob Beveridge. Two years later, Marić represented Australia at the 2005 FIBA Under-21 World Championship, where the team finished in fourth place.
At the senior level, Marić competed for the Australian Boomers at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey, where he played six games and averaged 9.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest. The young Australian squad finished 10th in the tournament, with Patty Mills leading the team in scoring (13.8 points per game) and assists (3.4 per game), while David Andersen contributed 10.4 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds per game.
Marić later represented Australia at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, where the Boomers advanced to the quarterfinals but were eliminated by the United States in a 119–86 defeat. Despite media reports suggesting that Marić had expressed interest in playing for Serbia’s national team, he later denied these claims, reaffirming his commitment to the Australian program.
FIBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 28 | 6 | 53 | 17 | 16 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 16 | 43.8% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 3 | 4 | 75.0% |
| 2010 | 26 | 6 | 103 | 55 | 26 | 3 | 10 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 15 | 23 | 41 | 56.1% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 9 | 12 | 75.0% | Total | 12 | 156 | 72 | 42 | 4 | 16 | 26 | 3 | 2 | 19 | 25 | 30 | 57 | 53% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 12 | 16 | 75% |
FIBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 28 | 6 | 8.8 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 43.8% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0% | 0.5 | 0.7 | 75.0% |
| 2010 | 26 | 6 | 17.2 | 9.2 | 4.3 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 3.8 | 6.8 | 56.1% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0% | 1.5 | 2.0 | 75.0% | Total | 12 | 13.0 | 6.0 | 3.5 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 4.8 | 53% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 1.0 | 1.3 | 75% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Greece - Panathinakos (2010-2012) | Serbia - Partizan Belgrade (2009-2010) | Spain - Granada (2008-2009)
Aleks Marić began his professional career in the 2008–09 season with CB Granada in Spains Liga ACB. Over 32 games, he averaged 4.6 points and 3.5 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game, shooting 53.2% from the field and 65.3% from the free-throw line.
In the 2009–10 season, Marić signed with Partizan Belgrade in Serbia. He emerged as a standout player in the EuroLeague, averaging 14.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game, with a field-goal percentage of 60.7% over 18 games. His performance earned him a spot on the All-EuroLeague First Team. Domestically, he contributed to Partizans successes, including winning the Serbian National Championship, the Radivoj Korać Cup, and the Adriatic League title.
Marić joined Greek club Panathinaikos for the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons. In his first season, he played a role in the teams EuroLeague championship run, appearing in 8 games with averages of 3.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in 7.6 minutes per game. He also contributed to Panathinaikos Greek Basket League championship that season. The following year, he helped the team secure the Greek Basketball Cup.
For the 2012–13 and 2013–14 seasons, Marić played with Lokomotiv Kuban in Russia. In the 2012–13 EuroCup, he averaged 11.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, shooting 55.3% from the field over 14 games, aiding the team in winning the EuroCup title. The following season, in the EuroLeague, he averaged 6.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game over 23 appearances.
Marić began the 2014–15 season with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel, where he played 8 EuroLeague games, averaging 2.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 8.8 minutes per game. He then moved to Turkeys Galatasaray, appearing in 7 EuroLeague games with averages of 1.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in 10.0 minutes per game.
In 2015, Marić had brief stints with Petrochimi Bandar Imam in Iran and later with Gran Canaria in Spains Liga ACB.
During the 2015–16 season, Marić played for Budućnost Podgorica in Montenegro. In the Adriatic League, he averaged 9.0 points and 7.1 rebounds per game over 26 games, shooting 60.9% from the field.
After a season back home in Australia, Maric signed with Rio Natura Monbus Obradoiro for the rest of the 2016–17 ACB season.
On 26 June 2017, Marić signed with Al-Muharraq of the Bahraini Premier League. He played only one game for the team before retiring.
COLLEGE
Aleks Maric began his college basketball career at the University of Nebraska, where he played for four seasons from 2004 to 2008. As a freshman in 2004–05, he appeared in 27 games, starting 10, and averaged 8.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 47.9% from the field. His debut season saw him record a double-double in his first career game, and he matched the Nebraska freshman record with three double-doubles throughout the season.
In his sophomore year (2005–06), Maric stepped into a bigger role, starting 26 of 31 games. He averaged 10.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, improving his defensive presence in the paint. His rebounding ability helped Nebraska lead the Big 12 in rebounding margin. He also increased his minutes to 25.3 per game while maintaining a 47.2% field goal percentage.
Maric had a breakout junior season (2006–07), where he became Nebraska’s primary offensive option. He started all 30 games and delivered a dominant campaign, averaging 18.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 56.5% from the field. On February 3, 2007, he scored a career-high 41 points against Kansas State, the second-highest single-game total in program history. His performance earned him a place on the All-Big 12 Second Team.
As a senior in 2007–08, Maric continued his strong play, averaging 15.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 57.5% from the field. He started all 33 games and became one of the best big men in the conference, earning another All-Big 12 Second Team selection. He was also named to the preseason watch list for the John R. Wooden Award.
Over his four-year career at Nebraska, Maric played in 121 games and finished with 1,630 career points and 1,015 rebounds. He became just the second player in program history to surpass both 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds. He ranks second all-time in rebounds and fifth in total points for the Cornhuskers, cementing his legacy as one of Nebraska’s most dominant frontcourt players.
AWARDS
- EuroLeague champion (2011)
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All-EuroLeague First Team (2010)
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EuroCup champion (2013)
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ABA League champion (2010)
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Serbian League champion (2010)
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Serbian Cup winner (2010)
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Serbian Cup MVP (2010)
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Greek League champion (2011)
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Greek Cup winner (2012)
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VTB United League rebounding leader (2013)
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All-VTB United League Second Team (2013)
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Montenegrin Cup winner (2016)
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2× Second-team All-Big 12 (2007, 2008)
COACHING HISTORY
In 2019, he became a assistant coach with the Sydney Kings
Related
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