BIO: Bobby Locke was born in Chicago, Illinois (USA).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Bobby Locke made his NBL debut with the Geelong Supercats at 24 years of age. He scored 50 points in his first game.

Bobby Locke’s arrival in the 1990 NBL season became one of the league’s most electrifying storylines.

After the Geelong Supercats began the year with four straight losses and released import forward Brian Vaughns (17.0 points and 12.0 rebounds), head coach Barry Barnes turned to Locke to revitalise the offence. What followed was one of the most memorable debuts in NBL history.

In his first game for Geelong, Locke erupted for 50 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 5 steals against the Wollongong Hawks, setting the league record for most points scored in a debut. He took 39 shots and made 13 trips to the free throw line, instantly energising the Supercats and offering fans new hope after a rocky start to the season.

Locke (31.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.4 steals per game) didn’t slow down after his historic opener. He played the final 22 games of the season and finished as the NBL’s fourth-leading scorer.

His presence allowed 19-year-old Shane Heal (22.4 points, 8.3 assists) to flourish in the backcourt, forming one of the most exciting guard pairings in the league.

Although Geelong dropped the next three games following Locke’s arrival, his impact helped the Supercats snap a seven-game losing streak with a breakthrough win over Adelaide. That victory marked a turning point in the season. Alongside Heal’s breakout campaign—culminating in Most Improved Player honours—and frontcourt dominance from Daren Rowe (18.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 3.2 blocks), Locke helped lead Geelong to 11 wins. It was a significant improvement for a team that had only managed five combined wins across the previous two seasons.

Locke’s ability to consistently create his own shot, withstand defensive pressure, and finish at the rim gave Geelong the offensive threat they had been missing. His explosive scoring wasn’t just entertaining—it drove meaningful improvement and laid the groundwork for a more competitive Supercats outfit, even as the team ultimately finished 10th with an 11–15 record.

1991
After three difficult years that yielded just 16 wins, the 1991 season marked a dramatic shift for the Geelong Supercats. Thanks to a retooled roster, renewed culture under head coach Barry Barnes, and financial backing from a committed group of local owners and shareholders, the Supercats emerged as one of the NBL’s surprise contenders. Geelong surged to a 17–9 record—their best since 1984—and made their long-awaited return to the postseason.

Key offseason moves helped shape the new identity. Defensive-minded import Terry Dozier replaced outgoing forward Daren Rowe, eventually winning the league’s Best Defensive Player award. Rising wing Andrew Parkinson left for Southern Melbourne, making room for rookie Leigh Cleary to join the rotation. But it was the first full season from dynamic American guard Bobby Locke that truly elevated the team to a new level.

Geelong began the year with a shaky 0–3 start, falling to North Melbourne (109–112), Eastside Spectres (100–119), and Perth (105–110). A 126–106 win on the road against Brisbane proved the turning point, as the Supercats went on to win 16 of their next 22 games, finding rhythm on both ends of the floor and riding the momentum into a top-three finish.

Locke, who had lit up the league after arriving mid-season in 1990, became the Supercats’ primary offensive weapon and emotional leader. He averaged 25.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and a league-best 3.0 steals per game, showcasing his ability to not only score at will but disrupt opposing backcourts. His aggressive style, quick hands, and knack for late-game heroics made him one of the most dangerous players in the NBL.

Locke was flanked by a strong core that included Vince Hinchen (24.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists), Shane Heal (23.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 7.8 assists), Terry Dozier (22.0 points, 9.7 rebounds), and John Dorge (14.3 points, 13.7 rebounds, 4.3 blocks), forming one of the most balanced starting fives in the league. All five starters averaged over 33 minutes per game, with Jim Bateman (7.5 points, 5.1 rebounds) providing veteran minutes off the bench. Bruce Hultgren, Leigh Cleary, Mark Griffin, and Shane Crothers rounded out the squad.

Geelong’s final 17–9 record tied them with Eastside for second place, but they were awarded the third seed due to the league’s head-to-head tiebreaker—despite splitting their matchups 1–1, Eastside had a +1 point advantage in their two games.

In the Elimination Finals, Locke and the Supercats made a powerful statement in Game 1, crushing North Melbourne 139–119 at The Arena. Geelong shot 57% from the field and dominated in every category. Heal led the charge with 36 points and 11 assists, Hinchen scored 31, and Locke added 24 points with 7 assists and 2 steals.

The Giants bounced back in Game 2, taking a 136–116 win on their home floor. In Game 3, back in front of a passionate home crowd, Locke dropped 31 points and dished 6 assists, but it wasn’t enough. Despite 27 from Heal and 23 from Hinchen, Geelong fell 125–113, eliminated by a North Melbourne side powered by Paul Maley (24 points, 12 rebounds) and Scott Fisher (30 points on 14-of-20 shooting).

Still, the 1991 season was a turning point for both the Supercats and Bobby Locke.

1992
While a influx of cash had seen the Supercats return to the playoffs on the back of great seasons from Shane Heal, Bobby Locke, Daren Rowe and Jim Bateman, the team had been fighting to stay alive. The club’s financial woes almost saw them out of the league if not for a interest free loan they received from the NBL to keep them in the competition. The lack of finances resulted in the club unable to re-sign the majority of it’s roster, having to replace coach Barry Barnes with former St Kilda Saints player Steve Breheny and losing five of the team’s top six scorers to other clubs. Vince Hinchen (to Perth), Shane Heal (to Brisbane), Terry Dozier (to Newcastle), John Dorge (to South East Melbourne) and Jim Bateman (to Gold Coast) all exiting.

The Supercats attempted to fill the gaps by signing naturalised import Cecil Exum (via North Melbourne), Wayne Larkins (via South East Melbourne), rookie Matthew Alexander. Import Lafester Rhodes was also signed with the team playing out the season with only eight players getting regular minutes.

Rhodes (23.5 points, 7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.7 blocks) put up impressive numbers during his stint with Geelong, but six games in and the team elected to replace him with Chris Harris (20.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 3.3 steals). Geelong was able to get productive seasons from both the returning Bobby Locke (31.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 steals) and new additions Exum (17.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.4 steals, and 1.5 blocks) and Larkins (12.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists). Despite this, Geelong would still plummet to the bottom of the ladder, finishing dead last (2-22). This equalled the second fewest win total in a NBL season, a record set by Geelong’s zero win season in 1988.

Bobby Locke played three seasons the Geelong Supercats. He averaged 29.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 73 NBL games.

CAREER RANKINGS:
– 8th in points per game.
– 11th in steals per game.

Dan Boyce (835 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.