BIO: Ben Melmeth was born in Waratah(NSW) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Newcastle basketball program.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Ben Melmeth made his NBL debut with the Newcastle Falcons at 21 years of age. He scored 14 points in his first game.

1997
After finishing ninth with an 11-15 record and missing the playoffs in 1996, Newcastle entered 1997 amid growing financial problems. David Van Dyke (to Perth), Scott Ninnis (to Adelaide), Matthew Reece (to North Melbourne), Lachlan Armfield (to Illawarra) and Matthew Moore (to South East Melbourne) departed, while Butch Hays, Scott McGregor, Ben Melmeth, Ben Pepper, Martin McLean and Mathew Low returned. Tom Wisman left for a coaching job in Japan, resulting in assistant Shawn Dennis being promoted to his first NBL head coaching role, while Tonny Jensen (via North Melbourne), Dave Simmons (via Melbourne), Greg Blake (via Salt Lake Community College) and Damien Robertson (via Albury-Wodonga) were added. “Like most young coaches you think you are ready until you get into that hot seat and you go, ‘oh my gosh, this is crazy’,” Dennis later said.

Newcastle opened the season at Beaton Park on April 12, where Melmeth (16 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) produced a double-double as Simmons (22 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Jensen (20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) helped the Falcons defeat Wollongong 112-96, while Clayton Ritter (25 points and 7 rebounds) led the Hawks.

Melmeth (12.3 points and 8 rebounds across 27 games) remained one of Newcastle’s main interior players during his second NBL season and led the Falcons in rebounding. He did not play against Melbourne on August 25, Wollongong on September 13 or Sydney on September 15, with no injury listed for the three absences.

His best game came against Sydney at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on July 5, where Melmeth (20 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) scored a season-high 20 points as Hays (27 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) and Simmons (17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) helped Newcastle defeat the Kings 97-86, while Aaron Trahair (19 points and 4 assists) led Sydney.

Melmeth also represented Australia at the 1997 FIBA 22 & Under World Championship in Melbourne, helping the host nation defeat Puerto Rico 88-73 in the gold medal game and become the first Australian men’s national team to win gold at a World Championships event.

Jensen (22.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.6 steals across 30 games) led Newcastle in scoring, while Hays (17.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.4 steals across 30 games) remained the Falcons’ main playmaker and McGregor (15.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists across 30 games) developed into another major perimeter contributor. Simmons (12.2 points and 7.4 rebounds across 30 games) provided another experienced frontcourt option, while Pepper (10 points and 5.9 rebounds across 30 games) produced a breakout season and won both the NBL Most Improved Player and Best Sixth Man awards.

Newcastle closed the season at Dandenong Basketball Stadium on September 28, where Melmeth (16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks), Jensen (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists) and McGregor (14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led the Falcons, while Sam Mackinnon (25 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) helped South East Melbourne win 108-99, leaving Newcastle ninth with a 12-18 record and outside the playoffs.

1998
After finishing 12-18 and missing the playoffs the previous season, Newcastle coach Shawn Dennis made significant changes to his roster. Scott McGregor (to Sydney) and Ben Pepper (to North Melbourne) departed, while aging imports Dave Simmons and Butch Hays were moved on. Terry Johnson (via Illawarra) joined after spending most of his career as a shooting guard but believing he could run an NBL team at point guard. After the Hawks told him he was not a “point guard’s bootlace”, Newcastle gave him the opportunity to handle the position. Tonny Jensen (via Townsville) and Marc Brandon (via Illawarra) were added alongside former Sydney Kings import Isaac Burton and former NBA centre Todd Mundt.

Newcastle opened the season against South East Melbourne at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on January 30, where Melmeth (2 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) struggled to score as Burton (21 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Jensen (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Falcons. Clint McDaniel (29 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) led the Magic to a 93-73 victory. Newcastle lost its next three games to begin the season 0-4 before finally breaking through against Townsville.

Melmeth (21.6 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 30 games) emerged as one of the biggest individual success stories of the season, lifting his production from 12.3 points and 8 rebounds the previous year. The Newcastle local played all 30 games, became the Falcons’ leading scorer and rebounder and finished second in the NBL in rebounding behind Townsville’s Ray Owes.

The Falcons claimed their first victory against Townsville on February 21, with Melmeth (25 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) producing a double-double in a 110-96 win at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre. Johnson (28 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) delivered his highest-scoring game of the season and Mundt (20 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) provided another strong interior performance, while Clarence Tyson (23 points and 8 rebounds) led Townsville.

One of Newcastle’s biggest wins came against NSW rival Sydney on March 3, when Melmeth (17 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) contributed at both ends as the Falcons won 112-85 at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre. Jensen (32 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals) and Burton (27 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 block) led Newcastle, while Shane Heal (21 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists) was Sydney’s leading scorer.

Melmeth (22 points and 18 rebounds) was again prominent against Illawarra on April 3, but Newcastle was beaten 102-94 at home. Jensen (25 points) led the Falcons in scoring, while Clayton Ritter (31 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Hawks.

Newcastle produced one of the season’s major upsets against eventual champion Adelaide on April 9, with Melmeth (24 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 assists) controlling the interior as the Falcons won 111-85 at Adelaide Arena. Burton (20 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals) and Mundt (20 points and 7 rebounds) helped Newcastle shoot 59 percent from the field, while Darnell Mee (21 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) led Adelaide.

Melmeth (16 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) collected a season-high 20 rebounds against Perth on May 9, but the Wildcats defeated Newcastle 97-90. Jensen delivered his season-high 29 points alongside 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals, while Burton added 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Ricky Grace (29 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth.

Six days later Newcastle defeated Sydney 109-96 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, with Melmeth (24 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) producing another strong all-round performance. Former King Burton erupted for a season-high 38 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block, while Johnson added 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Shane Heal (23 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led Sydney.

Melmeth produced one of his strongest performances in Townsville on May 29, finishing with 30 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals as Newcastle defeated the Suns 91-86. Burton added 21 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals and Jensen contributed 13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 steals.

Burton (19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.2 steals across 29 games) finished behind Melmeth in scoring and gave Newcastle another major offensive option, while Jensen (18.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.3 steals across 30 games) remained one of the Falcons’ most productive perimeter players. Mundt (13.6 points and 6 rebounds across 28 games) provided another presence inside and Johnson (10.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.8 steals across 29 games) performed well in his move to point guard, earning an invitation to a Boomers selection camp. Newcastle received little production from its reserves, with the bench combining for around 12 points per game and Brandon (3.1 points across 28 games) the highest-scoring player among them. The lack of depth made it difficult for Newcastle to maintain leads whenever its starters rested.

Melmeth’s jump from 12.3 points and 8 rebounds the previous season to more than 21 points and 12 rebounds was recognised when he was named the NBL Most Improved Player. He was also selected at centre in the All-NBL First Team alongside Derek Rucker, Steve Woodberry, Andrew Gaze and Ray Owes.

Newcastle closed its season against Melbourne at Melbourne Park on June 7, where Melmeth produced his season-high 36 points to go with 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks. Jensen (23 points, 2 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Burton (21 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) provided support, while Andrew Gaze (28 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists) led Melbourne to a 102-100 victory. The Falcons finished tenth with a 9-21 record and missed the playoffs.

1998/99
In 1998/99, Melmeth averaged 17.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists as the Falcons finished in ninth place with a record of 9-17.

SYDNEY KINGS
1999/00
Sydney underwent a familiar narrative during the 1999/00 season. One that began with compiling a impressive roster on paper to start the season, only to see it fall apart (like a violet crumble) by the end of the year. Expectations were high with the continued development of Sydney underwent a familiar narrative during the 1999/00 season. One that began with compiling a impressive roster on paper to start the season, only to see it fall apart (like a violet crumble) by the end of the year. It started with a coaching change, Brett Brown replacing Bill Tomlinson (the team’s fourth coach in six seasons). Then, with Sydney seemingly stockpiling much of the league’s best young talent, adding Ben Melmeth (Newcastle) and Derek Moore (South Carolina-Aiken University) and to the talented young core of Matthew Nielsen, Aaron Trahair and Scott McGregor, re-signing one of the most dominant big men in NBL history, Acie Earl and poaching the reigning league MVP, Steve Woodberry from the Brisbane Bullets expectations were high.

The Kings started the year with a 98–76 win over Canberra, but it was clear Earl’s fitness wasn’t where it was the previous season. He managed 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists and was released before their next game. Meanwhile, Kevin Brooks who had just led Adelaide to back-to-back championships. Brooks’s signing was unusual, with Adelaide signing him to a contract which the league determined it would not approve, claiming it would put the club over the salary cap considering it also had added Paul Maley to its championship unit only a few weeks earlier. Brooks found himself without a team to play for until the Kings contacted him and signed him as Earl’s replacement.

After a mediocre start to the season (2-2), import Steve Woodberry suffered a season ending injury forcing the Kings to find a replacement for him also. This came in the form of NBA talent Drew Barry who was also the son of NBA legend Rick Barry.

The Kings went 6-5 with Barry (7.6 points, 4 rebounds and 6.3 assists) but with his production not being anywhere near where they expected for a NBA level point guard, he too received the axe and was replaced with Kendrick Johnson.

From here, Johnson (21.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists) led the team in scoring, alongside Brooks (16.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists) and Nielsen (16.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists) and the team finished their season with a record of 11-17. Melmeth averaged 11.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists as the Kings missed the playoffs for the fourth season in a row.

One of the few bright spots for the Kings roller-coaster season was the development of Derek Moore (9.2 points and 5.1 rebounds) who was named Rookie of the Year at season’s end.

2000/01
The 2000/01 season saw Melmeth average 16.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists and play a key role in helping the Kings finish in fifth place during the regular season (17-11).

2001/02
During the 2001/02 season Melmeth averaged 15.6 points, 11 rebounds, and 1.7 assists and helped the Kings finish the regular season in a eighth place (14-16).

2002/03
During the 2002/03 season, Melmeth averaged 9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists and was a part of the Kings squad which finished in first place (22-8).

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
2003/04
In March 2003, Three Waikato businessmen, Michael Redman, Dallas Fisher and Keith Ward, acquired a NBL licence for a team based in New Zealand. The inaugural Breakers roster was built from the core playing group of New Zealand’s national team, which had finished in fourth place at the FIBA World Championships six months prior.

Phill Jones, who had been the ‘Tall Blacks’ leading scorer (18.2 ppg) at the World Champs, Paul Henare, Dillon Boucher, Paora Winitana and Pero Cameron (who was named team captain) formed the Breakers’ local core. The roster was then filled out with up and coming New Zealand talent like Aaron Olsen and Lindsey Tait and some Australian NBL veterans like Ben Melmeth and Brad Williams to add leadership. Lastly, Casey Frank, a long-time import in the New Zealand national league, was signed as the team’s second import.

Jeff Green was implemented as the team’s first coach and, despite the Breakers being picked by many to finish dead last, they pulled out a win in their very first NBL game against Adelaide (111-110).

After initial success, the Breakers went on to lose ten of their next eleven games (proving the pundits right) to languish near the bottom of the NBL ladder for the remainder of the season.

Twelve games into the season (2-10), Green was fired and succeeded by the team’s assistant coach Frank Arsego, who had also headed up the basketball program at the Australian Institute of Sport for the past five years. Arsego would then bring in Mike Chappell (22.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists), who finished top five in the league in both points and three-point shooting while playing in Canberra the season before. Both Casey Frank and Brad Williams would be released to make way for Chappell, who went on to lead the team in scoring and named Breakers club MVP.

Chappell’s presence delivered a mid-season resurgence where a five game winning streak towards the end of the season gave the Breakers a realistic shot of qualifying for the playoffs. Needing to win both of their final games in the final round to claim a playoff berth, the Breakers instead went winless and finished in tenth place (12–21).

Melmeth averaged 13.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists alongside teammates Jones (13.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals) and Ben Melmeth (13.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) who were the best among the team’s local talent.

HUNTER PIRATES
2004/05
In the Pirates second NBL season, Adrian Hurley was enticed out of semi-retirement to take on the role of head coach. Feeling that the team’s roster was weak and a direct result for their poor performance last season. Hurley retained only three players, Geordie Cullen, Brendan Mann and Josh Morgan from the previous season’s squad that won only two games.

Ben Melmeth (via New Zealand), Russell Hinder (via West Sydney), Brad Davidson (via Townsville), Damon Lowery (via Townville) and Larry Davidson formed the Pirates new look roster and imports Brian Wethers and Kavossy Franklin were signed to provide offensive scoring power.

Under the guidance of former Australian coach Adrian Hurley, the Pirates became a force to be reckoned with and after a slow start (1-4), the Pirates began reeling off victories against some of the league’s best team’s, including a away win over Perth (83-77) and defeating league leaders Wollongong (90–81). Ten games into the season and the Pirates sat in fifth spot on the ladder (5-5) with much of the credit going to the unselfish play of imports Brian Wethers (24.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists) and Kavossy Franklin (20.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.2 steals).

Weathers would go on to be selected in the All-NBL first team and win the league’s Most Valuble Player award and after winning the last two games of the season, Hunter would secure the final playoff berth and finish in eighth place (13-15).

In the Elimination Finals, however, Hunter fell short to Brisbane (99-113), a loss which ended playoff run.

Melmeth would appear in all 33 games and average 13.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.

2005/06
Melmeth averaged 14.3 points and 8.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists during a lacklustre season where the Pirates finished in eighth place (13-19) for the second straight season.

SINGAPORE SLINGERS
2006/07
In 2006, the Singapore Slingers entered the league, taking over the licence of the defunct Hunter Pirates. With former Sydney Kings legendary coach Bob Turner charged with setting up the team, he first convinced centre Ben Knight to leave the Kings for a opportunity to captain the NBL’s first Asian based team.

Import duo Mike Helms (22.6 points, 5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists) and Marquin Chandler (19.1 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) would lead the team in scoring alongside Knight (15.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists) and Ben Melmeth (12.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists).

The Slingers suprised many and qualified for the playoffs in their inaugural season, finishing in eighth place (13-20). There, they would lose to Townsville in the Elimination Finals (93-106) behind huge games from both John Rillie (37 points, 12 rebounds, and 6.0 assists) and Brad Newley (23 points). Chandler and Helms would top score for the Slingers (22 points each).

GOLD COAST BLAZE
2007/08
In 2007/08, Melmeth averaged 8.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists and helped the Blaze finish the season in eighth place (15-15).

2008/09
The 2008/09 season saw Melmeth average 8.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 0.9 assists during his last NBL season. Gold Coast would finish in tenth place with a 8-22 record.

Ben Melmeth played fourteen seasons across six NBL teams. This included the Newcastle Falcons, Hunter Pirates, Singapore Slingers, Sydney Kings, New Zealand Breakers and Gold Coast Blaze. He averaged 13.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 353 NBL games.

CAREER RANKINGS:
– 19th in total rebounds