CJ Bruton
February 2, 2021
Bj Anthony
- Nationality: NZL/GBR
- Date of Birth: 20/07/88
- Place of Birth: Auckland (New Zealand)
- Position: FRD
- Height (CM): 198
- Weight (KG): 86
- Junior Assoc: NZ - Waitakere
- College: None
NBL CAREER OVERVIEW
NBL DEBUT
20/10/10
Age 22
LAST NBL GAME
1/04/15
Age 26
TEAM HISTORY
4 seasons | 2 teams- 2011-12NB
New Zealand Breakers2 seasons - 2014-15A3
Adelaide 36ers2 seasons
CHAMPIONSHIPS
New Zealand (2011-12)BIO: BJ Anthony was born in Auckland (New Zealand).
FAMILY: Anthony’s father, Benny Sr., is a former player and coach in the New Zealand NBL.
NBL EXPERIENCE
BJ Anthony made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 22 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.
2014/15
BJ Anthony remained with Adelaide for a second season after helping the 36ers reach the 2014 Grand Final. Joey Wright also retained captain Adam Gibson, Anthony Petrie, Luke Schenscher, Mitchell Creek and Brendan Teys, while Daniel Johnson (to Zielona Góra), Gary Ervin (to Wollongong), Jason Cadee (to Sydney) and Rhys Carter (to New Zealand) departed. Jamar Wilson (via Cairns), Peter Crawford (via Townsville), Daequon Montreal and Tom Daly (via Mount Gambier) were added before the season began.
Adelaide opened against Cairns on October 10, with Anthony (2 points and 3 rebounds) playing 13 minutes off the bench. Wilson (22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Creek (16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) led the 36ers, but Scottie Wilbekin (23 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to carry the Taipans to a 97-87 victory.
Anthony (5.1 points and 4.2 rebounds across 18 games) produced the best scoring and rebounding averages of his NBL career while providing frontcourt depth behind Adelaide’s established big men. His production increased from 3.6 points and 3 rebounds the previous season before injury brought his campaign to an early end.
His best and highest-scoring game came against Wollongong on October 23, when Anthony (15 points and 6 rebounds) played 18 minutes as Adelaide routed the Hawks 94-73. Gibson (18 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) controlled the backcourt and Schenscher (14 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) produced his strongest all-round game of the season, while former 36er Ervin (26 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) was Wollongong’s best.
Adelaide altered its frontcourt during November, releasing Montreal after five games before signing Brock Motum following his release by the Utah Jazz. Motum quickly moved into a major offensive role, giving Wright another option alongside Anthony, Petrie and Schenscher.
Anthony’s season ended against his former club New Zealand on January 4. Anthony (11 points and 9 rebounds) scored 10 consecutive Adelaide points during the second quarter before rupturing the Achilles tendon in his left leg midway through the fourth quarter. Motum (19 points and 5 rebounds) led Adelaide and Gibson added 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Tai Wesley (18 points) led the Breakers to an 81-74 victory. Scans the following day confirmed the rupture and ruled Anthony out for the remainder of the season.
The loss left Adelaide at 7-11. Daniel Johnson (via Zielona Góra) returned to the 36ers on January 21 for the remainder of the season, with Adelaide then winning each of its final 10 regular-season games while Anthony remained sidelined. Wilson (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists across 26 games) led the team in scoring, won the Mark Davis Trophy as club MVP and earned All-NBL Second Team honours. Motum (17.5 points and 7.1 rebounds across 24 games) led Adelaide in rebounding and was selected to the All-NBL First Team, while Creek (11.2 points and 4.4 rebounds across 26 games), Gibson (10.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.6 steals across 30 games) and Petrie (10.3 points and 6.3 rebounds across 30 games) formed the other main contributors as Adelaide finished third with a 17-11 record.
Anthony remained unavailable when Adelaide opened its semifinal series against New Zealand at Vector Arena. Wilson (21 points) and Johnson (14 points and 8 rebounds) led the 36ers, while Corey Webster (24 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Cedric Jackson (13 points and 10 assists) powered the Breakers to a 111-82 victory and a 1-0 series lead.
Anthony again did not play in game two as the series returned to Adelaide. Wilson (23 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals) and Johnson (16 points and 7 rebounds) led the 36ers, but Jackson (18 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals) and Ekene Ibekwe (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks) carried New Zealand to a 94-83 victory, completing the 2-0 semifinal sweep and ending Adelaide’s season.
BJ Anthony played four seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Adelaide 36ers and the New Zealand Breakers. He averaged 3.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.4 assists in 85 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 26 | Adelaide | 17-11 (3) | 18 | 261 | 91 | 76 | 5 | 34 | 42 | 0 | 5 | 15 | 40 | 37 | 80 | 46% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 17 | 35 | 49% | 48% | 46% | |
| 2013-14 | 25 | Adelaide | 18-10 (2) | 32 | 345 | 115 | 95 | 16 | 44 | 51 | 10 | 4 | 21 | 70 | 44 | 99 | 44% | 0 | 4 | 0% | 27 | 46 | 59% | 48% | 44% | |
| 2011-12 | 23 | New Zealand | 21-7 (1) | 20 | 150 | 56 | 34 | 7 | 17 | 17 | 3 | 4 | 20 | 33 | 25 | 55 | 45% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 6 | 10 | 60% | 47% | 45% | 9 |
| 2010-11 | 22 | New Zealand | 22-6 (1) | 15 | 85 | 45 | 23 | 5 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 18 | 19 | 35 | 54% | 1 | 1 | 100% | 6 | 12 | 50% | 56% | 56% | 13 | Totals | 85 | 841 | 307 | 228 | 33 | 108 | 120 | 16 | 14 | 63 | 161 | 125 | 269 | 46.5% | 1 | 7 | 14.3% | 56 | 103 | 54.4% | 15 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 26 | Adelaide | 17-11 (3) | 18 | 14.5 | 5.1 | 4.2 | 0.3 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 2.1 | 4.4 | 46% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.9 | 1.9 | 49% | 48% | 46% | |
| 2013-14 | 25 | Adelaide | 18-10 (2) | 32 | 10.8 | 3.6 | 3.0 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 44% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 0.8 | 1.4 | 59% | 48% | 44% | |
| 2011-12 | 23 | New Zealand | 21-7 (1) | 20 | 7.5 | 2.8 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 2.8 | 45% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 0.3 | 0.5 | 60% | 47% | 45% | 9 |
| 2010-11 | 22 | New Zealand | 22-6 (1) | 15 | 5.7 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 54% | 0.1 | 0.1 | 100% | 0.4 | 0.8 | 50% | 56% | 56% | 13 | Total | 85 | 9.9 | 3.6 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 46.5% | 14.3% | 54.4% | 15 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 15 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
|---|
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Anthony was selected to join the Tall Blacks on 17 August 2009 for the first time as an injury replacement for Jeremiah Trueman. He participated in the 2009 FIBA Oceania Championship and the 2010 FIBA World Championships where Kirk Penney led the team in scoring (24.7 ppg) and New Zealand finished in 12th place.
Anthony was selected to play for the Tall Blacks at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain. There, New Zealand (3-2) advanced to the second round of the tournament where they were eliminated by Lithuania (71-76). Corey Webster (13.7 ppg) and Kirk Penney (10.8 ppg) would lead the team in scoring as New Zealand finished 15th overall.
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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 26 | 5 | 43 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 66.7% | 1 | 2 | 50.0% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| 2010 | 22 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0.0% | 0 | 1 | 0.0% | 3 | 4 | 75.0% | Total | 8 | 53 | 20 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 53% | 1 | 3 | 33% | 3 | 4 | 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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 26 | 5 | 8.6 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 66.7% | 0.2 | 0.4 | 50.0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0% |
| 2010 | 22 | 3 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0% | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0% | 1.0 | 1.3 | 75.0% | Total | 8 | 6.6 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 53% | 0.1 | 0.4 | 33% | 0.4 | 0.5 | 75% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
-
Germany
- Herzoege Wolfenbuettel2008–2010
- SG MTV/BG 93 Wolfenbuttel2008–2009
- BBC Solarto Eagles Magdeburg2013
New Zealand
- Harbour Heat2008–2010
- Waikato Pistons2011
- Otago Nuggets2013
- Wellington Saints2014, 2016–2018
England
- Plymouth Raiders2015
Anthony joined Harbour Heat for the 2008 New Zealand NBL season, playing his first professional season in New Zealand and beginning a three-year run with the Auckland-based club through 2010.
During the 2008–09 German season, Anthony played for Herzöge Wolfenbüttel in the third-tier ProB under coach Mahmut Ataman, averaging 13.3 points per game as the club finished runner-up in the division. He also appeared for SG MTV/BG 93 Wolfenbüttel in the lower Regionalliga during that season. He returned to Herzöge Wolfenbüttel in 2009–10 and increased his ProB scoring average to 15.3 points per game. The ProB and Regionalliga assignments are distinct competitions; these were not top-tier BBL appearances. During Germanys offseason he also represented Harbour Heat in the New Zealand NBL, a separate national competition.
Anthony joined Waikato Pistons for the 2011 New Zealand NBL season after agreeing to the move on 26 February 2011. He averaged 10.7 points and 5.2 rebounds across 14 games, giving Waikato a local frontcourt option after his three seasons with Harbour.
Anthony agreed to join Otago Nuggets for the 2012 New Zealand NBL season but missed the entire year due to injury. The Nuggets brought him back for 2013, and he returned with his strongest individual New Zealand NBL season, averaging 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 17 games.
In January 2013, Anthony returned to Germany and joined BBC Solarto Eagles Magdeburg for the second half of the 2012/13 season. He earned Regionalliga All-Star Five honours in Germany, then carried that form back into the New Zealand NBL season with Otago, where he scored 36 points against the Manawatu Jets and was named to the NZNBL All-Star Five and Most Outstanding Kiwi Forward/Centre.
Anthony joined Wellington Saints for the 2014 New Zealand NBL season and became part of a championship team. He averaged 15.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists across 11 NZNBL games as Wellington won the league title, adding the first of his three New Zealand NBL championships with the Saints.
Anthony agreed to join Super City Rangers for the 2015 New Zealand NBL season after his Wellington title year, but missed the entire season due to injury and made no NZNBL appearances for the club. The contract is recorded here but does not count as a played overseas club season in FU.
For the 2015/16 British Basketball League season, Anthony signed with Plymouth Raiders after the club announced him on 3 June 2015. He appeared in five games before being released on 7 November 2015 due to poor behaviour off the court.
Anthony returned to Wellington Saints for the 2016 New Zealand NBL season and won a second championship with the club. He averaged 11.2 points and 4.5 rebounds across 19 appearances, fitting back into a Saints group that added another league title.
In the June 3 semifinal, Wellington defeated the Southland Sharks 79–75 behind Torrey Craig (21 points), Tai Wesley (20 points), Bryan Davis (13 points) and Shea Ili (13 points), with Alex Pledger (17 points) leading Southland.
In the June 4 Grand Final, Anthony contributed 14 points as Wellington defeated the Super City Rangers 94–82. Leon Henry (26 points), Wesley (19 points) and Torrey Craig (15 points) led the Saints, while Lindsay Tait (20 points) led Super City. Wesley earned Finals MVP honours.
Anthony remained with Wellington for the 2017 New Zealand NBL season and won a third championship. His role reduced from his earlier Saints season, but he played 16 games and averaged 7.4 points and 4.6 rebounds during another title-winning year.
Anthony played a fourth season with Wellington in 2018, averaging 1.7 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.6 assists across seven games before a broken foot ended the rest of his season.
AWARDS
- 3× NZNBL champion (2014, 2016, 2017)
- NZNBL All-Star Five (2013)
- NZNBL Most Outstanding Kiwi Forward/Centre (2013)
- German Regionalliga All-Star Five (2013)
Related
HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PLAYER?
Whilst we try to source as much information as we can for every player who has ever played in the NBL some information on a player profile may be missing. If you have additional information on a player you'd like us to add to a profile, please send it to us using the enquiry form below.
Submissions are then sent to info@aussiehoopla.com