BIO: Newley was born in the Adelaide suburb of Lower Mitcham and began playing basketball as a junior with the Forestville Eagles basketball program.

Newley originally attended Colonel Light Gardens Primary School, in the nearby suburb of Colonel Light Gardens, before moving with his family to the North Territory and then Queensland. Settling down in Queensland, he attended Mountain Creek State High School on the Sunshine Coast, before moving back to Adelaide and attending Pasadena High School, where he played alongside future NBA player Joe Ingles.

Recognised for his ultra-competitive attitude, Newley is known as a elite-level threat in transition, with a uncanny ability to finish plays and score the basketball.

The 198cm small forward has experience from across the globe, representing Australia at both the Beijing Olympics and London Olympics. He’s competed in three World Championships (2006, 2010, 2014) and won two Commonwealth Games gold medals (2006, 2018). Newley was drafted by the Houston Rockets with the 54th pick in the 2007 NBA Draft and has also enjoyed successful stints in Greece, Turkey, Lithuania, and Spain. Newley received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2003. He spent one year there and played for the program’s state league team.

FAMILY: Brad Newley is the son of Arthur Newley who played 21 games in the NBL.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Brad Newley made his NBL debut with the Townsville Crocodiles at 19 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.

After graduating from the AIS in 2004, Brad Newley signed with the Townsville Crocodiles of the NBL. He had an outstanding rookie season in 2004/05, averaging 16.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists as the Crocodiles finished in third place with a 19–13 record.

Newley’s exceptional season earned him the NBL All-Star Game MVP award and saw him claim both the Rookie of the Year and Best Sixth Man honors, becoming the first player in league history to achieve such a feat in the same season.

2005/06
Initially declaring for the 2006 NBA Draft, Newley later withdrew his name and returned to the Crocodiles for the 2005/06 NBL season. That year, he averaged 19.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. On December 2006, Newley recorded his NBL career-high 46 points in a game against the Cairns Taipans. He also participated in the 2006 NBL All-Star Game, held in Adelaide, and was selected to the All-NBL Second Team at the season’s end.

Despite Newley establishing himself as the franchise player for the Crocodiles, the team struggled throughout the season, finishing ninth on the ladder with a 9–23 record.

2006/07
In the 2006/07 season, Newley elevated his game further, averaging 22.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. Alongside teammates Larry Abney (21.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.2 steals) and John Rillie (19.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists), Newley helped lead the Crocodiles to a strong regular-season finish in fifth place with a 19–14 record.

In the playoffs, Newley was instrumental in the Crocodiles’ push but ultimately fell short as they were defeated in the elimination final by the Sydney Kings. Over three seasons with the Crocodiles, Newley appeared in 102 games, posting career averages of 19.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.

In April 2007, Newley initially agreed to a two-year deal with the Adelaide 36ers. However, following his selection in the NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, he opted to play in Europe at their request, marking the next chapter of his professional basketball career.

SYDNEY KINGS
2016/17
The Sydney Kings entered the 2016/17 season determined to reclaim relevance both on the court and among Sydney’s basketball fans. Their first major move was signing Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze to a three-year deal as head coach.

Shortly after, the Kings convinced star import Kevin Lisch to reject a contract extension from the Illawarra Hawks and sign a lucrative three-year deal, making him the highest-paid player in the NBL. Gaze, along with Kings GM Jeff Van Groningen, aimed to rebuild the roster following a disappointing 6–22 record and last-place finish the previous season.

Key additions included two Australian Boomers. First, swingman Brad Newley (via Spain) was brought in, followed by Aleks Maric, whose physical, inside-focused playstyle earned him the nickname “Truck.” Lisch, Newley, and Maric joined a returning core featuring Tom Garlepp, Jason Cadee, Jeromie Hill, and Julian Khazzouh.

An additional roster boost came when Lisch gained Australian citizenship in March, opening three import slots for the Kings. The team opted not to re-sign previous imports Josh Childress and Al Harrington. Instead, they added Michael Bryson, Greg Whittington, and Josh Powell.

Powell’s signing proved pivotal when a quadriceps injury sidelined Khazzouh for the entire season. In the opening game, Kevin Lisch led the Kings with 20 points, but the team lost 77–73 to Brisbane. The Kings bounced back in their second game with Josh Powell debuting for 14 points and six rebounds in an 88–84 victory over Illawarra. A celebratory video of the win went viral, fueling playoff hopes for Sydney, who hadn’t reached the postseason since re-entering the league.

However, Michael Bryson (1.8 points, 1 rebound, and 0.8 assists) struggled to make an impact and was replaced by 13-year NBA veteran Steve Blake. Despite Bryson’s struggles, Brad Newley (17.6 points, 5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.2 steals), Kevin Lisch (16.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.9 steals), and Jason Cadee (13 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists) helped Sydney climb to the top of the ladder with a 3-1 record.

On November 12, 2016, Kevin Lisch delivered a season-high 30 points in an 87–71 win over Melbourne, solidifying the Kings as title favorites. Lisch’s standout play earned praise from both coach Gaze and teammate Blake, who suggested Lisch had the skillset to play in the NBA.

The Kings’ early momentum faltered as the demands of their front-loaded home schedule took a toll. Steve Blake (5.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) struggled and eventually left the team for personal reasons. Sydney’s performance dipped, with the team losing five of eight games by Christmas and falling to third place on the ladder with an 11-8 record.

Sydney signed forward Garrett Jackson, who had been playing in the state league, to bolster their roster. Injuries plagued the team further, as Tony Tolovae suffered a season-ending ankle injury after just one game. The Kings brought in William McDowell-White (2.1 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists) as a development player. McDowell-White, who had attracted NCAA offers from major programs, had recently failed to gain clearance to play at Fresno State.

Under first-year coach Gaze, the Kings experimented with various lineups but failed to recapture their early-season form. After an 8-3 start, the team slumped to a 5-12 finish, losing nine of their final twelve games. Sydney concluded the season in seventh place with a 13-15 record, missing the playoffs.

Despite the team’s underwhelming season, Brad Newley and Kevin Lisch earned All-NBL Second Team honors, recognizing their individual excellence.

2017/18
In the 2017/18 season, Newley averaged 11.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. Although he continued to play a significant role for the Kings, the team finished in seventh place with an 11-17 record.

2018/19
Sydney entered the 2018-19 season with high expectations after significant roster improvements, including the signing of Andrew Bogut. Bogut, returning to Australia after a decorated 14-year NBA career, brought championship pedigree as a 2015 NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors.

The Kings also capitalized on the NBL’s newly implemented Next Stars program by signing Brian Bowen, a McDonald’s All-American who bypassed college basketball to prepare for the NBA Draft. The team strengthened further by re-signing star guard Jerome Randle and adding Daniel Kickert (via Brisbane), David Wear (via Spain), Deng Deng (via Big V – McKinnon), Kyle Adnam (via Melbourne), and Tom Wilson (via Melbourne).

As part of their preseason, Sydney faced the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBLxNBA series on September 30, 2018. Despite a valiant effort, the Kings fell 110–91. Brad Newley contributed 8 points, Kevin Lisch added 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Jerome Randle led the team with 25 points. The Kings kept the game close, cutting the deficit to within one point twice, but ultimately could not keep up with the Clippers’ speed and size.

Brad Newley was a consistent force throughout the season, providing veteran leadership while averaging 10.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. His ability to excel in both starting and bench roles proved invaluable. Notable performances included an 18-point, 6-rebound, 4-assist outing in a 95–85 victory over Cairns on November 9, 2018. He followed that with a 20-point, 5-rebound, and 3-assist effort in a 102–96 win over Adelaide on December 23, 2018. Later in the season, he recorded 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in a tightly contested 91–89 loss to Melbourne on March 3, 2019.

Alongside Newley’s steady contributions, Kevin Lisch averaged 14.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, while Jerome Randle led the team with 17.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. Andrew Bogut anchored the defense with averages of 11.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.7 blocks, earning both the NBL’s Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Midway through the season, Sydney bolstered its roster by signing Ray Turner, who averaged 1.7 points and 0.7 rebounds, to provide additional depth in the frontcourt. Turner’s presence helped maintain stability during a period when Bogut dealt with minor injuries.

The Kings finished the regular season with an 18–10 record, securing third place and advancing to the playoffs. In the semifinals, they faced Melbourne United in a best-of-three series.

Sydney opened the series with a 95–73 loss to Melbourne. Newley contributed 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists, but Melbourne’s depth overwhelmed the Kings. Casper Ware led United with 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists, while DJ Kennedy added 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Kevin Lisch and Jerome Randle each scored 13 points, but Sydney struggled to match Melbourne’s offensive output.

In the second game, Newley delivered another strong performance with 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. Despite his efforts, Sydney fell 90–76 as Casper Ware dominated with 30 points and 5 rebounds, while Chris Goulding contributed 23 points and 4 rebounds. Andrew Bogut added 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Kings, but Melbourne’s offensive firepower proved too much, ending Sydney’s playoff run.

Newley’s veteran presence and ability to perform under pressure were crucial throughout the season. His contributions highlighted a year in which the Kings reestablished themselves as a playoff contender. While the team fell short of a championship, Newley’s consistent play demonstrated his value to a roster navigating high expectations and intense competition.

2019/20
The Sydney Kings sought to reestablish themselves as title contenders in the 2019/20 season after underwhelming performances under coach Andrew Gaze. They appointed Australian Boomers assistant Will Weaver as head coach and made several key roster changes, including the return of Brad Newley for his fourth season with the team. Newley continued to provide veteran leadership and a steady presence on the court, averaging 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across the season.

Sydney revamped its roster by re-signing Kevin Lisch on a multi-year deal and replacing star imports Jerome Randle and David Wear with Casper Ware (via Melbourne) and Jae’Sean Tate. Local talents Xavier Cooks (Winthrop University), Shaun Bruce (via Adelaide), and Lucas Walker (via Cairns) were added to bolster depth, while Didi Louzada, a draft pick of the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, joined via the NBL’s ‘Next Stars’ program.

Early in the season, Sydney faced adversity when Kevin Lisch (6.9 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.1 steals) fractured his left ankle in Round 2 and was sidelined for two months. To compensate, the Kings brought in Deshon Taylor (6.6 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists), who filled the gap until Lisch returned for the final three regular season games. Despite Lisch’s absence, the Kings dominated the league, finishing in first place with a 20–8 record.

Brad Newley played a pivotal role throughout the season, showcasing his scoring and rebounding abilities in key moments. He contributed strong performances to maintain Sydney’s momentum, including his role in a balanced offensive attack orchestrated by Weaver. The team’s standout players included Casper Ware (19.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists), who led Sydney in scoring, and Jae’Sean Tate (16.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals), whose all-around contributions earned him a place on the All-NBL First Team and the Kings’ MVP honors. Andrew Bogut, while showing signs of decline, averaged 8.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks, earning All-NBL Second Team recognition for his defensive impact.

The Kings advanced to the semifinals, facing Melbourne United in a best-of-three series. Sydney secured a hard-fought victory, winning 2–1. Brad Newley played a consistent supporting role, contributing on both ends of the court, while Casper Ware and Jae’Sean Tate delivered standout performances to propel the team to the Grand Final.

In the Grand Final against Perth, the Kings narrowly lost the opening game 86–88, despite Kevin Lisch leading the team with 17 points. Brad Newley added valuable minutes, playing a key part in Sydney’s efforts to stay competitive. As the series shifted to Perth, the decision was made to play without fans due to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic. Sydney bounced back in Game 2, with Jae’Sean Tate scoring 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting and Andrew Bogut delivering a season-best 24 points and 14 rebounds to level the series at 1–1.

In Game 3, Perth’s Nick Kay recorded a career-high 30 points along with 12 rebounds and 4 assists, while Bryce Cotton contributed 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. The Kings struggled defensively and fell 111–96. Brad Newley and his teammates fought valiantly but could not contain Perth’s offensive firepower.

Before Game 4, the Kings made the unprecedented decision to withdraw from the series due to travel restrictions and uncertainties caused by COVID-19. With a 2–1 series lead, Perth was awarded the championship, marking their tenth NBL title. Bryce Cotton was named Grand Final MVP after averaging 30.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists across the series.

Brad Newley’s contributions during the 2019/20 season underscored his value as a veteran leader and reliable scorer. Despite the season ending under unusual circumstances, his performances highlighted his consistency and importance to Sydney’s success.

2020/21
The Sydney Kings faced significant roster turnover heading into the 2020/21 season. The departures of Jae’Sean Tate and head coach Will Weaver to the NBA’s Houston Rockets, along with the retirements of veterans Kevin Lisch, Andrew Bogut, and Lucas Walker, left a leadership void. Assistant coach Adam Forde was promoted to head coach and retooled the roster by signing import Jarell Martin, Angus Glover (via Illawarra), and rookie Dejan Vasiljevic (via Miami University).

Sydney endured an injury-plagued preseason, losing forward Xavier Cooks to a foot injury and later signing Tom Vodanovich (via New Zealand) as his replacement. Further setbacks came when Angus Glover tore his ACL just two games into the season, sidelining him for the remainder of the year.

The Kings struggled early, dropping three of their first four games to sit seventh on the ladder. However, the mid-season NBL Cup, designed to mitigate COVID-19 travel challenges, provided a turning point. Sydney went 4–4 during the tournament, regaining form with back-to-back home victories afterward to climb into the top four by Round 12.

Co-captain Casper Ware (17.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists) and Jarell Martin (17.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists) anchored Sydney’s offense, with Martin’s 29-point performance against New Zealand standing out. Dejan Vasiljevic (15.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) was a revelation, earning Rookie of the Year honors, while Jordan Hunter (9.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks) finished runner-up in Most Improved Player voting. Xavier Cooks returned late in the season, averaging 10.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, including a 19-point, 11-rebound game against Illawarra.

Brad Newley provided veteran stability, averaging 6.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assist, and celebrated his 250th NBL game in the season finale—a one-point victory over Brisbane. Despite their efforts, Sydney’s inconsistent perimeter shooting (33.4%, tied for worst in the league) and poor road record (losing 50% of away games) hindered their playoff aspirations. The Kings finished fifth with a 19–17 record, narrowly missing the postseason.

Newley’s experience and leadership remained vital during a transitional year for Sydney. As the Kings navigated roster changes and injuries, his contributions helped maintain competitiveness, even as the team fell short of their playoff ambitions.

MELBOURNE UNITED
2021/22
After Sydney decided not to re-sign Brad Newley, the veteran dual Olympian considered joining his hometown Adelaide 36ers before ultimately inking a one-year deal with Melbourne United for the 2021/22 season. Newley joined a team that had just secured the 2021 NBL Championship but was undergoing significant roster changes. Melbourne lost its leading scorer Jock Landale, who signed with the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs, and starting point guard Mitch McCarron, who became the league’s highest-paid local player after signing a three-year deal with Adelaide.

United wasted no time rebuilding their roster, re-signing Lual-Acuil Jr., David Barlow, and Shea Ili while welcoming back Jack White from an ACL injury. They also added Newley from Sydney, Dion Prewster, fresh off an NZNBL MVP season, and NBA champion Matthew Dellavedova on a three-year deal. Caleb Agada, a Nigerian Olympian, replaced Scotty Hopson as an import, and German prospect Ariel Hukporti joined under the NBL’s Next Stars program.

Despite starting the season 0-2, Melbourne quickly found their rhythm, winning their next three games to close December and losing only one game in January, during which all matches were played on the road. The team maintained dominance throughout February, winning four of five games and cementing their place atop the NBL ladder with a 12-4 record. Melbourne remained in the top position for the rest of the season, finishing first with a 20-8 record.

Brad Newley played a reliable role throughout the season, appearing in 31 games and averaging 4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 0.6 assists. While his individual scoring numbers were modest, his veteran leadership and ability to contribute off the bench were crucial for United’s regular-season success. Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. led the team in scoring with 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks, earning a spot on the All-NBL First Team. Chris Goulding, who averaged 15.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, was named to the All-NBL Second Team. Meanwhile, Shea Ili’s impact off the bench was rewarded with the Sixth Man of the Year award.

In the semifinals, Melbourne faced the Tasmania JackJumpers, who had exceeded expectations in their debut season by finishing fourth on the ladder. United claimed the first game of the series with a 74-63 win, showcasing their defensive prowess and efficient ball movement. However, Tasmania leveled the series with a victory in Game Two, marking their first home playoff game in franchise history. The decisive Game Three took place without captain Chris Goulding, who was ruled unfit to play. This absence proved critical as Tasmania capitalized on their defensive strategy. United struggled offensively, particularly from beyond the arc, with Dellavedova, Agada, White, and Baba combining for a dismal 1-21 shooting performance from three-point range. Melbourne shot just 20% from deep compared to Tasmania’s 31%. Despite keeping the game close, United fell 76-73, ending their playoff run and enabling the JackJumpers to reach the Grand Final in their inaugural season.

2022/23
Heading into the 2022/23 season, Melbourne United looked to bounce back from their early playoff exit. However, the team faced significant challenges before the season even began, losing key players to injuries and overseas opportunities. Jo Lual-Acuil Jr., the team’s leading scorer, departed for China, while Matthew Dellavedova and Jack White secured NBA deals with Sacramento and Denver, respectively. These late departures left United scrambling to fill roster spots, eventually signing Isaac Humphries (via Adelaide), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (via Illawarra), Rayjon Tucker, and Jordan Caroline. David Barlow, who had announced his retirement, returned to assist with depth.

The challenges continued when Next Star Ariel Hukporti suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during the NBL Blitz in Darwin. With Humphries returning from knee issues, Melbourne was forced to rely heavily on veteran forwards Barlow, Newley, and import Jordan Caroline to play extended minutes at the center position.

Despite these setbacks, United opened the season with a thrilling 101-97 overtime win against New Zealand, led by Xavier Rathan-Mayes’ 33 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists. However, the team struggled with consistency, sitting at 5-6 after three months. Calls for changes to their import roster grew louder, particularly surrounding Jordan Caroline, who was later replaced by Marcus Lee in November. Lee’s addition brought much-needed size and defense, averaging 9.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks.

United’s fortunes began to shift after a disappointing loss to Illawarra, a team with just one win at the time. The loss served as a wake-up call, and Melbourne responded with a 104-88 victory over Brisbane. The game showcased the team’s potential, with Goulding (20 points), Tucker (20 points), Lee (18 points), Ili (15 points), and Rathan-Mayes (8 points, 10 rebounds) all contributing.

Melbourne closed the season on an impressive 11-3 run, entering the final day with hopes of qualifying for the Play-In Tournament. Tucker delivered a standout 31-point performance in a 116-107 win over Adelaide, but Perth’s victory over Sydney ended United’s postseason hopes based on points percentage.

Brad Newley appeared in 27 games, averaging 4.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. While his role was reduced, his veteran presence remained valuable in a turbulent season. United also participated in historic moments, including the first-ever NBL Christmas Day game, which drew over 300,000 viewers. Despite Tucker’s game-high 31 points, United lost 101-80 to Sydney. The team also spearheaded the NBL’s inaugural Pride Round, celebrating LGBTQ+ inclusion, further solidifying their off-court impact.

2023/24

Brad Newley played eleven seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Townsville Crocodiles, Sydney Kings and Melbourne United. He averaged 11.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2 assists in 323 NBL games.

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Dan Boyce (817 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.