Joe Wieskamp
July 11, 2024
Anzac Rissetto
- Nationality: NZL
- Date of Birth: 24/01/01
- Place of Birth: Auckland (New Zealand)
- Position: CTR
- Height (CM): 208
- Weight (KG): 120
- Junior Assoc:
- College: University of North Carolina (2019-2021)
- NBL DEBUT: 16/09/22
- AGE AT DEBUT: 21
- LAST NBL GAME: 17/02/24
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 23
- NBL History: South East Melbourne 2023-24
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Anzac Rissetto was born in Auckland (NZ) and grew up in the city’s southern suburbs. Growing up without his father and approached by gangs, it was his mother who lead him towards basketball and put him on the straight and narrow. He would go on to attend Auckland Grammar School where he was coached by former New Zealand national team player Lindsay Tait.
Later on he would attend a basketball camp run in New Zealand by NBA star Steven Adams who would became a mentor to Rissetto.
FAMILY: Rissetto is a descendant of one of the founders of NZ rugby, Thomas Ellison. He is also related to Tamati Ellison and former NFL star Riki Ellison.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Anzac Rissetto made his NBL debut with the South East Melbourne Phoenix at 21 years of age. He scored three points in his first game.
After an injury-plagued finish dropped South East Melbourne from second to sixth and outside the NBL22 finals, coach Simon Mitchell retained Mitch Creek, Ryan Broekhoff, Kyle Adnam, Reuben Te Rangi, Dane Pineau and Owen Foxwell. Xavier Munford (to Hapoel Tel Aviv), Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’Afa (to New Zealand), Cameron Gliddon (to New Zealand) and Adam Gibson (retired) departed, while Gary Browne (via Piratas de Quebradillas), Trey Kell III (via Olimpia Milano), Alan Williams (via Lokomotiv Kuban), Junior Madut (via Hawaii), Grant Anticevich (via California) and Anzac Rissetto (via Franklin Bulls) joined. Zhou Qi later made a last-minute decision to return, creating a twin-towers frontcourt with Williams.
The New Zealand centre signed a one-year deal as a development player in August. He was not an injury replacement or nominated replacement player, joining South East Melbourne to train against the club’s experienced frontcourt and continue his development.
“Being able to learn from coach Mitchell and banging bodies with players like Reuben Te Rangi, Alan Williams, and Mitch Creek every day…” Rissetto said.
Rissetto’s NBL debut was also his best game of the season, coming against Illawarra at John Cain Arena on November 27. Rissetto (3 points and 1 rebound) made three free throws in 1:42 as South East Melbourne celebrated Creek’s 300th NBL appearance with a 112-78 victory. Creek (27 points and 6 rebounds) and Kell III (24 points) led the Phoenix, while Tyler Harvey (17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) was Illawarra’s best.
Rissetto (1.2 points across 5 games) remained outside the regular rotation behind Williams, Qi and Pineau, with Anticevich and nominated replacement player Tohi Smith-Milner also receiving frontcourt minutes. He did not miss any games through injury, illness or suspension, with his limited appearances resulting from his development-player status and selection decisions. Qi’s midseason return to China for family reasons created further opportunities, while Rissetto’s energy at training and enthusiastic support of his teammates from the bench made him a cult favourite among Phoenix supporters.
Creek (23.4 points and 7 rebounds across 29 games) produced the highest-scoring season of his career, earned All-NBL First Team honours and won the Phoenix MVP award, while Williams (16.6 points and 9.9 rebounds across 28 games) led the NBL in rebounding. Browne (12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.5 steals across 20 games) led the league in assists, while Kell III (12.5 points and 3.8 rebounds across 24 games), Broekhoff (10.3 points and 4.1 rebounds across 20 games), Adnam (8.4 points across 27 games), Qi (6.2 points and 4.4 rebounds across 9 games) and Te Rangi (5.1 points and 3 rebounds across 29 games) were the other main contributors. Te Rangi also received the NBL’s Gametime by Kmart Community Award.
South East Melbourne finished fifth with a 15-13 record and hosted Perth in the Play-In Qualifier at John Cain Arena, where Rissetto was unused and Broekhoff returned from his groin injury but was restricted to 14 minutes. Creek (24 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal), Browne (20 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Williams (16 points, 17 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block) helped the Phoenix lead by 13 points early in the fourth quarter, but Bryce Cotton (26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals), Brady Manek (24 points) and TaShawn Thomas (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists) led Perth as the Wildcats outscored South East Melbourne 41-23 during the final period and eliminated the Phoenix 106-99.
NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
2023/24
Following a 15-13 finish and Play-In Qualifier loss to Perth, South East Melbourne appointed Mike Kelly as head coach in place of Simon Mitchell. Kyle Adnam (to Sibiu), Trey Kell III (to Adelaide), Ryan Broekhoff (retired), Dane Pineau (to New Zealand) and Junior Madut (to Tasmania) departed, while Ben Ayre (via Cairns), Gorjok Gak (via Brisbane), Matt Kenyon (via Tasmania), Rhys Vague (via Kagawa), Craig Moller (via Würzburg) and import Will Cummings (via China) joined returning players Mitch Creek, Alan Williams, Gary Browne, Reuben Te Rangi and Owen Foxwell. A preseason knee injury to Williams also led to Tyler Cook being signed as an injury replacement.
Rissetto returned as a development player for a second season, with his agreement including a club option for another year as a fully rostered player. He spent the off-season with the Taranaki Airs in New Zealand before returning to Melbourne, having already become a cult favourite at the Phoenix through the energy and support he provided his teammates from the bench.
“Re-signing with the Phoenix for another two years was a no-brainer for me, to help me continue to grow and become the best version of myself both on and off the court. I can’t wait to see what the next two years has in store for us.” said Rissetto upon re-signing with South East Melbourne.
South East Melbourne opened NBL24 against Melbourne United at John Cain Arena on September 28, where Rissetto (0 points) played five minutes off the bench in an 82-67 loss. Ayre (17 points) and Cummings (14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) led the Phoenix, while Travers (20 points and 8 rebounds) was Melbourne’s best.
Rissetto (1.9 points across 18 games) increased his involvement after appearing only five times during NBL23, averaging 7.1 minutes as a development player and receiving greater opportunities when injuries depleted South East Melbourne’s frontcourt.
On Christmas Day in Hobart, Rissetto (6 points and 6 rebounds) produced his best rebounding game of the season in 12 minutes as an undermanned Phoenix defeated Tasmania 85-77. Nader (20 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Browne (20 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists) led South East Melbourne, while McVeigh (20 points and 4 rebounds) was Tasmania’s leading scorer.
Rissetto’s best game came against Tasmania at John Cain Arena on February 10, where Rissetto (8 points and 4 rebounds) produced a career-high scoring performance in 16 minutes. With Creek, Williams, Browne, Moller and Foxwell unavailable, Nader (19 points, 3 assists, and 1 block) and Ayre (13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) led the Phoenix, while Magnay (11 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) helped Tasmania win 94-67.
Injuries and roster changes continually altered South East Melbourne’s rotation. Cook (13.3 points and 7 rebounds across 3 games) departed when Williams returned, Moller (6.2 points and 5.3 rebounds across 12 games) suffered a season-ending patellar tendon rupture, and Cummings (14.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals across 12 games) was released in December before Nader (14.4 points and 3.9 rebounds across 8 games) arrived as his replacement.
Creek (20.8 points and 6.7 rebounds across 23 games) remained the Phoenix’s leading scorer and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Williams (16.7 points and 10.9 rebounds across 15 games) led the NBL in rebounding despite his injury-shortened season. Browne (13.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals across 20 games) and Ayre (10.7 points across 27 games) were the other major offensive contributors, with Kenyon (5.9 points and 5.1 rebounds across 25 games), Te Rangi (5.8 points across 26 games) and Gak (5.4 points and 4.9 rebounds across 17 games) filling out the rotation.
After the season, South East Melbourne informed Rissetto he would not be offered a contract for NBL25, ending his time at the Phoenix after 23 appearances across two seasons.
South East Melbourne closed the season against Sydney at John Cain Arena on February 17, where Rissetto (6 points and 4 rebounds) scored on two of three shots in nine minutes. Foxwell (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Creek (13 points and 3 rebounds) led the Phoenix, while Hogg (25 points and 7 rebounds) powered the Kings to a club-record 122-67 victory as South East Melbourne finished last with a 10-18 record.
Anzac Rissetto played two seasons the South East Melbourne Phoenix. He averaged 1.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0 assists in 23 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 23 | South East Melbourne | 10-18 (10) | 18 | 127.5 | 35 | 30 | 1 | 16 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 27 | 11 | 31 | 35% | 0 | 5 | 0% | 13 | 15 | 87% | 46% | 35% | 8 |
| 2022-23 | 22 | South East Melbourne | 15-13 (5) | 5 | 12.1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 4 | 8 | 50% | 52% | 0% | 3 | Totals | 23 | 140 | 41 | 32 | 1 | 18 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 30 | 12 | 33 | 36.4% | 0 | 5 | 0.0% | 17 | 23 | 73.9% | 48% | 36% | 8 |
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 | 23 | South East Melbourne | 10-18 (10) | 18 | 7.1 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 1.7 | 35% | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0% | 0.7 | 0.8 | 87% | 46% | 35% | 8 |
| 2022-23 | 22 | South East Melbourne | 15-13 (5) | 5 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 50% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.8 | 1.6 | 50% | 52% | 0% | 3 | Total | 23 | 6.1 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 36.4% | 0.0 | 0.0% | 0.2 | 73.9% | 48% | 36% | 8 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- Knox (2024)
Rissetto joined Knox for the 2024 NBL1 South season, where he played for the Raiders in his only verified Australian state league stint to date. He averaged 10.96 points and 5.0 rebounds across the season and was part of a Knox side that finished the regular season 13–9 in seventh place before moving into the post-season.
Rissetto made an immediate impact early in the 2024 NBL1 South campaign, posting 11 points and 6 rebounds in the season-opening win over Sandringham. He added 15 points and 4 rebounds against Kilsyth on 1 June, then produced 16 points, 3 rebounds and 3 blocks in a 110–68 win over Casey later in the regular season.
His biggest scoring night came on 23 June 2024 against North West Tasmania, when he delivered 30 points and 9 rebounds in a 95–70 win. In that performance he shot 9-for-9 from the field, made both of his three-point attempts, and went 10-for-11 at the foul line, giving him the top individual scoring game of his Australian state league career.
Rissetto remained in the frontcourt rotation for Knox in the NBL1 South finals and had 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in the 98–91 elimination-final loss to Dandenong, which ended the Raiders’ South conference title defence in week one of the playoffs.
He was also part of Knox’s run at the 2024 NBL1 National Finals after the South season had ended. In the championship game against Mackay, Rissetto produced a key fourth-quarter burst with an individual 7–0 run and then scored eight straight points late as Knox recovered to win 87–84 and secure back-to-back NBL1 national championships.
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Rissetto represented his home country at the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup in Argentina, he averaged 6.3 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- New Zealand - Wellington Saints (2019), Nelson Giants (2021), Franklin Bulls (2022), Taranaki Airs (2023), Tauranga Whai (2025)
Rissetto joined the Wellington Saints for the 2019 New Zealand NBL season in New Zealand, signing on April 1, 2019 and appearing in 11 games as the Saints won the 2019 NZNBL championship.
The centre has carved out a impressive resume in a short time in the NZNBL. He spent the 2019 season at the Wellington Saints, averaging 2.5 points and 1.1 rebounds whilst teaming up with Reuben Te Rangi and winning the 2019 NZNBL championship. He averaged 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.7 assists across 15 games for the Nelson Giants in 2021 before moving across to the Franklin Bullets. where he averaged 10.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 0.8 assists during the 2022 season.
Rissetto joined the Nelson Giants for the 2021 New Zealand NBL season and started all 15 games while averaging 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.7 assists.
He then moved to the Franklin Bulls for the 2022 New Zealand NBL season, where he played 18 games and posted 10.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game.
Rissetto continued in the NZNBL with the Taranaki Airs in 2023, averaging 13.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.7 blocks across 17 games.
In 2025, Rissetto played for the Tauranga Whai in the NZNBL,
He joined Tauranga Whai for the 2025 New Zealand NBL season on May 16, 2025 and averaged 12.3 points and 7.2 rebounds across 11 games as the Whai reached the finals and went 1–1 in the postseason.
During Tauranga’s 2025 finals run, Rissetto recorded 17 points and 10 rebounds against the Taranaki Airs in the elimination final and followed with 24 points and 7 rebounds against Wellington in the semi-final.
COLLEGE
Anzac Rissetto played two NCAA seasons at UNC Charlotte from 2019–20 to 2020–21, developing under head coach Ron Sanchez while working closely with former NBL coach Aaron Fearne on the 49ers’ staff.
As a freshman in 2019–20, Rissetto saw action in eight games off the bench, scoring his first collegiate points in four minutes during the win over USC Upstate on November 30, then adding his first career steal against Maryland Eastern Shore on December 19, his only made field goal of the season on a single attempt at WKU on January 18, and his first career blocked shot at Louisiana Tech on March 7.
He took a bigger step in 2020–21, appearing in 25 games and averaging 3.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 15.1 minutes per game, while shooting 49.2 percent from the field, as his role expanded into late-season starts.
Rissetto made his first career start at UTEP on February 27, 2021, and finished the season starting Charlotte’s final five games as the 49ers looked for frontcourt stability down the stretch.
His best run of production came in the second half of the season, highlighted by a perfect shooting night at Marshall on March 5 where he went 6-for-6 from the field and 2-for-2 at the line for a career-high 14 points, plus his first double-figure scoring game with 11 points and eight rebounds against Belmont Abbey on January 9.
He also posted several notable “role-player impact” games, including a career-high five assists in the win over FIU on January 30, a career-high four blocks against South Carolina State on December 7, and a productive Conference USA Tournament outing versus UTSA on March 10 with seven points and six rebounds.
Following the 2020–21 season, Rissetto’s college career ended after two years in Charlotte’s program before returning to the NZNBL pathway and later signing in the Australian NBL with South East Melbourne.
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