BIO: Born in Melbourne (VIC), Brendan Joyce grew up playing both basketball with the Nunawading Spectres and also played Australian rules football. As a junior he received a invitation to train and play for the North Melbourne Kangaroos but Joyce decided to continue with basketball and went on to play in the NBL.
FAMILY: Brendan’s son Daniel Joyce also played 131 games in the NBL.
Brendan Joyce made his NBL debut with the Nunawading Spectres at 18 years of age. He scored four points in his first game.
In what was NBL’s inaugural season, the league chose to simply have the two top team’s play for in the league’s first championship game. This season the Spectres were led offensively buy Bill Palmer and Gary Fox who both averaged 17.8 points per game. Nunawading, who had finished the season by winning their last 3 games, finished with the second-best record (13 wins, 5 losses) but would miss out on playing in the Grand Final with Canberra having finished with +2 points in their head-to-head matchups (1-1). Canberra was awarded second place and went on to lose to St Kilda, the league’s first championship team.
Joyce would see limited playing time as a rookie, appearing in only 5 games and scoring a total of 10 points.
1980
In 1980, Joyce increased his production to 4.5 points per game and became a regular part of the team’s rotation. Gary Fox (19.5 ppg) and Bill Palmer (15.9 ppg) led the Spectres in scoring for the second year in a row as the team finished the year in fourth place with a 14-9 record. They would lose to eventual champions St Kilda in the semifinals, 101-77.
1981
The 1981 season saw Joyce average 9.5 points and play a key role in helping the Spectres to a fourth place finish in the regular season with a 13-9 record.
The Spectres went on to lose to Launceston Casino City in the 1981 NBL Grand Final.
1982
During the 1982 season Joyce averaged 7.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists and helped the Spectres finish with a record of 19-7 and end the regular season in third place.
1983
During the 1983 season, Joyce averaged 5.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists and was a part of the Saints squad which finished in eighth place with a record of 12-10.
1985
In 1985 Joyce averaged 6.7 points and 3.5 rebounds, and helped guide the Spectres to a third place finish in the regular season with a 19-7 record.
1986
In 1986 Joyce averaged 8.9 points and 4.8 rebounds, and helped guide the Spectres to a ninth-place finish during the regular season with a 12-14 record.
1987
In 1987, Joyce averaged 9.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.4 assists as the Spectres finished with a record of 13-13 and in eighth place during the regular season.
WESTSIDE MELBOURNE SAINTS
1988
In 1988, Joyce averaged 10.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 6.4 assists, playing a key role in the Saints rotation, helping the team finish reach a first place finish in the regular season with a 9-15 record.
1989
The 1989 season saw Joyce average 13.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists and play a key role in helping the Saints to a ninth-place finish during the regular season with a 8-16 record.
1990
During the 1990 season Joyce averaged 10.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists and helped the Saints finish with a record of 3-23 and end the regular season in fourth place.
BRISBANE BULLETS
1991
During the 1991 season, Joyce averaged 4 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists and was a part of the Bullets squad which finished in tenth place with a record of 13-13.
Joyce captained both Nunawading and the Westside Melbourne Saints.
Joyce was renowned for his defensive play and ability to penetrate and create opportunities for his teammates and retired having dished out more assists than any other play in NBL history at that time.
Brendan Joyce played thirteen seasons across five NBL teams. This included the Nunawading Spectres, Westside Melbourne Saints, Eastside Melbourne Spectres and Brisbane Bullets. He averaged 8.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 289 NBL games.
CAREER RANKINGS:
– 25th in total assists
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.
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1991 | 31 | Brisbane | 13-13 (10) | 24 | 679.0 | 96 | 49 | 73 | 15 | 34 | 26 | 1 | 36 | 75 | 32 | 92 | 35% | 5 | 26 | 19% | 27 | 41 | 66% | 43% | 38% | 9 |
1990 | 30 | Westside Melbourne | 3-23 (14) | 26 | 1,068.0 | 266 | 85 | 153 | 20 | 65 | 43 | 2 | 72 | 62 | 96 | 268 | 36% | 43 | 137 | 31% | 31 | 63 | 49% | 45% | 44% | 28 |
1989 | 29 | Westside Melbourne | 8-16 (9) | 24 | 1,102.0 | 331 | 69 | 161 | 16 | 53 | 44 | 0 | 61 | 78 | 123 | 285 | 43% | 55 | 144 | 38% | 30 | 49 | 61% | 54% | 53% | 22 |
1988 | 28 | Westside Melbourne | 9-15 (11) | 24 | 1,060.0 | 247 | 87 | 189 | 18 | 69 | 50 | 2 | 65 | 74 | 87 | 208 | 42% | 30 | 91 | 33% | 43 | 64 | 67% | 52% | 49% | 19 |
1987 | 27 | Eastside Melbourne | 13-13 (8) | 26 | 1,069.0 | 250 | 90 | 166 | 18 | 72 | 45 | 4 | 77 | 65 | 92 | 232 | 40% | 46 | 111 | 41% | 20 | 36 | 56% | 50% | 50% | 30 |
1986 | 26 | Nunawading | 12-14 (9) | 26 | 0.0 | 231 | 124 | 175 | 27 | 97 | 44 | 3 | 82 | 63 | 88 | 215 | 41% | 28 | 68 | 41% | 27 | 43 | 63% | 49% | 47% | 18 |
1985 | 25 | Nunawading | 19-7 (3) | 24 | 0.0 | 160 | 85 | 199 | 25 | 60 | 38 | 2 | 60 | 59 | 70 | 183 | 38% | 10 | 29 | 34% | 10 | 23 | 43% | 41% | 41% | 17 |
1984 | 24 | St Kilda | 9-14 (13) | 13 | 0.0 | 118 | 31 | 54 | 3 | 28 | 17 | 0 | 29 | 22 | 50 | 112 | 45% | 1 | 10 | 10% | 17 | 27 | 63% | 47% | 45% | 19 |
1983 | 23 | St Kilda | 12-10 (8) | 25 | 0.0 | 141 | 46 | 56 | 10 | 36 | 21 | 4 | 42 | 46 | 58 | 143 | 41% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 25 | 39 | 64% | 44% | 41% | 17 |
1982 | 22 | Nunawading | 19-7 (3) | 27 | 0.0 | 192 | 77 | 94 | 26 | 51 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 64 | 81 | 201 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 30 | 44 | 68% | 43% | 40% | 23 |
1981 | 21 | Nunawading | 13-9 (4) | 22 | 0.0 | 210 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 94 | 188 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 22 | 36 | 61% | 51% | 50% | 18 |
1980 | 20 | Nunawading | 14-9 (4) | 23 | 0.0 | 104 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 45 | 90 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 14 | 22 | 64% | 52% | 50% | 11 |
1979 | 19 | Nunawading | 13-5 (3) | 5 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 2 | 100% | 56% | 0% | 4 | Totals | 289 | 4978 | 2356 | 743 | 1320 | 178 | 565 | 328 | 18 | 571 | 693 | 920 | 2225 | 41.3% | 218 | 616 | 35.4% | 298 | 489 | 60.9% | 48% | 46% | 30 |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1991 | 31 | Brisbane | 13-13 (10) | 24 | 28.3 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 3.8 | 35% | 0.2 | 1.1 | 19% | 1.1 | 1.7 | 66% | 43% | 38% | 9 |
1990 | 30 | Westside Melbourne | 3-23 (14) | 26 | 41.1 | 10.2 | 3.3 | 5.9 | 0.8 | 2.5 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 3.7 | 10.3 | 36% | 1.7 | 5.3 | 31% | 1.2 | 2.4 | 49% | 45% | 44% | 28 |
1989 | 29 | Westside Melbourne | 8-16 (9) | 24 | 45.9 | 13.8 | 2.9 | 6.7 | 0.7 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 2.5 | 3.3 | 5.1 | 11.9 | 43% | 2.3 | 6.0 | 38% | 1.3 | 2.0 | 61% | 54% | 53% | 22 |
1988 | 28 | Westside Melbourne | 9-15 (11) | 24 | 44.2 | 10.3 | 3.6 | 7.9 | 0.8 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 0.1 | 2.7 | 3.1 | 3.6 | 8.7 | 42% | 1.3 | 3.8 | 33% | 1.8 | 2.7 | 67% | 52% | 49% | 19 |
1987 | 27 | Eastside Melbourne | 13-13 (8) | 26 | 41.1 | 9.6 | 3.5 | 6.4 | 0.7 | 2.8 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 8.9 | 40% | 1.8 | 4.3 | 41% | 0.8 | 1.4 | 56% | 50% | 50% | 30 |
1986 | 26 | Nunawading | 12-14 (9) | 26 | 0.0 | 8.9 | 4.8 | 6.7 | 1.0 | 3.7 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 3.2 | 2.4 | 3.4 | 8.3 | 41% | 1.1 | 2.6 | 41% | 1.0 | 1.7 | 63% | 49% | 47% | 18 |
1985 | 25 | Nunawading | 19-7 (3) | 24 | 0.0 | 6.7 | 3.5 | 8.3 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.9 | 7.6 | 38% | 0.4 | 1.2 | 34% | 0.4 | 1.0 | 43% | 41% | 41% | 17 |
1984 | 24 | St Kilda | 9-14 (13) | 13 | 0.0 | 9.1 | 2.4 | 4.2 | 0.2 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 2.2 | 1.7 | 3.8 | 8.6 | 45% | 0.1 | 0.8 | 10% | 1.3 | 2.1 | 63% | 47% | 45% | 19 |
1983 | 23 | St Kilda | 12-10 (8) | 25 | 0.0 | 5.6 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 5.7 | 41% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 1.0 | 1.6 | 64% | 44% | 41% | 17 |
1982 | 22 | Nunawading | 19-7 (3) | 27 | 0.0 | 7.1 | 2.9 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.7 | 2.4 | 3.0 | 7.4 | 40% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 1.1 | 1.6 | 68% | 43.3% | 40% | 23 |
1981 | 21 | Nunawading | 13-9 (4) | 22 | 0.0 | 9.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 4.3 | 8.5 | 50% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 1.0 | 1.6 | 61% | 51.2% | 50% | 18 |
1980 | 20 | Nunawading | 14-9 (4) | 23 | 0.0 | 4.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 3.9 | 50% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.6 | 1.0 | 64% | 51.8% | 50% | 11 |
1979 | 19 | Nunawading | 13-5 (3) | 5 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 50% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.4 | 0.4 | 100% | 55.9% | 0% | 4 | Total | 289 | 17.2 | 8.2 | 2.6 | 4.6 | 0.6 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 3.2 | 7.7 | 41.3% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 35.4% | 0.8 | 2.1 | 60.9% | 48% | 46% | 30 |
POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 30 | 10 | 19 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 0 |
---|
Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 0 | 61% | 96% | 86% | 42% | ||||||
2 | 0 | 30 | 19 | 7 | 2 | ||||||
Total | 920 | 2225 | 41.3% | 218 | 616 | 35.4% |
YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1991 | 31 | Brisbane | 13-13 (10) | 24 | 679.0 | 96 | 49 | 73 | 15 | 34 | 26 | 1 | 36 | 75 | 32 | 92 | 35% | 5 | 26 | 19% | 27 | 41 | 66% | 43% | 38% | 9 |
1990 | 30 | Westside Melbourne | 3-23 (14) | 26 | 1,068.0 | 266 | 85 | 153 | 20 | 65 | 43 | 2 | 72 | 62 | 96 | 268 | 36% | 43 | 137 | 31% | 31 | 63 | 49% | 45% | 44% | 28 |
1989 | 29 | Westside Melbourne | 8-16 (9) | 24 | 1,102.0 | 331 | 69 | 161 | 16 | 53 | 44 | 0 | 61 | 78 | 123 | 285 | 43% | 55 | 144 | 38% | 30 | 49 | 61% | 54% | 53% | 22 |
1988 | 28 | Westside Melbourne | 9-15 (11) | 24 | 1,060.0 | 247 | 87 | 189 | 18 | 69 | 50 | 2 | 65 | 74 | 87 | 208 | 42% | 30 | 91 | 33% | 43 | 64 | 67% | 52% | 49% | 19 |
1987 | 27 | Eastside Melbourne | 13-13 (8) | 26 | 1,069.0 | 250 | 90 | 166 | 18 | 72 | 45 | 4 | 77 | 65 | 92 | 232 | 40% | 46 | 111 | 41% | 20 | 36 | 56% | 50% | 50% | 30 |
1986 | 26 | Nunawading | 12-14 (9) | 26 | 0.0 | 231 | 124 | 175 | 27 | 97 | 44 | 3 | 82 | 63 | 88 | 215 | 41% | 28 | 68 | 41% | 27 | 43 | 63% | 49% | 47% | 18 |
1985 | 25 | Nunawading | 19-7 (3) | 24 | 0.0 | 160 | 85 | 199 | 25 | 60 | 38 | 2 | 60 | 59 | 70 | 183 | 38% | 10 | 29 | 34% | 10 | 23 | 43% | 41% | 41% | 17 |
1984 | 24 | St Kilda | 9-14 (13) | 13 | 0.0 | 118 | 31 | 54 | 3 | 28 | 17 | 0 | 29 | 22 | 50 | 112 | 45% | 1 | 10 | 10% | 17 | 27 | 63% | 47% | 45% | 19 |
1983 | 23 | St Kilda | 12-10 (8) | 25 | 0.0 | 141 | 46 | 56 | 10 | 36 | 21 | 4 | 42 | 46 | 58 | 143 | 41% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 25 | 39 | 64% | 44% | 41% | 17 |
1982 | 22 | Nunawading | 19-7 (3) | 27 | 0.0 | 192 | 77 | 94 | 26 | 51 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 64 | 81 | 201 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 30 | 44 | 68% | 43% | 40% | 23 |
1981 | 21 | Nunawading | 13-9 (4) | 22 | 0.0 | 210 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 94 | 188 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 22 | 36 | 61% | 51% | 50% | 18 |
1980 | 20 | Nunawading | 14-9 (4) | 23 | 0.0 | 104 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 45 | 90 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 14 | 22 | 64% | 52% | 50% | 11 |
1979 | 19 | Nunawading | 13-5 (3) | 5 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 2 | 100% | 56% | 0% | 4 | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
- 1x NBL Assists Leader
Following his playing career, Brendan Joyce became one of the most successful coaches in the NBL, coaching in more than 400 games.
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
POS | TEAM | W | D | L | PTS |
1 |
|
21 | 3 | 3 | 66 |
2 |
|
20 | 4 | 3 | 64 |
3 |
|
19 | 4 | 4 | 61 |
4 |
|
18 | 2 | 6 | 56 |
5 |
|
18 | 2 | 4 | 56 |
Nick Horvath joins the podcast to reflect on a one-of-a-kind basketball journey—becoming the only player to ever win a NBL, NZNBL and NCAA championship. Horvath opens up about writing his debut novel Sledge Vs, the highs and lows of his pro career, and what it was really like playing under legends like Mike Krzyzewski and Brian Goorjian. We go deep on the South Dragons’ fiery 2009 Grand Final clash with the Melbourne Tigers, including the now-infamous Game 3 brawl and Chris Anstey’s ejection. Horvath shares…
READ MOREChinese basketball standout Lin Wei is emerging as one of the most intriguing international prospects ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft—and he's already drawing serious interest from NBL heavyweights. The Sydney Kings and Melbourne United are currently leading the race to sign the dynamic guard should he not land on an NBA roster this offseason. Wei, a 191 cm, 85 kg combo guard, recently declared for the 2025 NBA Draft and is viewed as a borderline second-round candidate. While he’s intent on chasing his NBA…
READ MOREBelow is an up-to-date roster for each NBL team and a list of rumours and potential signings derived from discussions with NBL staff and media. Players listed as contracted come from information supplied by the National Basketball League. * = Denotes import player ** = Naturalised Australian DP = a member of the team's development roster SRP = the previously named Asian player exception denoting an Asian player who qualifies as a local in the NBL. MP = Marquee players listed as known Click here…
READ MOREWith Adam Caporn taking over as head coach of the Australian Boomers, the national team enters a critical phase in its evolution. A student of both Brian Goorjian and Andrej Lemanis, Caporn intends to build on their foundations, blending their distinct philosophies to create a balanced, adaptable, and high-performing team. In a recent interview with Aussie Hoopla, Caporn outlined his vision for the Boomers, his approach to coaching, and how he plans to shape the roster heading into major tournaments like the 2027 FIBA World…
READ MOREFormer NBL player and current Casey Cavaliers head coach Luke Kendall joins the podcast to share his journey—from his junior basketball days to professional success and now a rising coaching career. Kendall developed under legendary coach Mike Dunlap at Metro State, where he won a national championship before moving to the NBL. He played for the Sydney Kings, Melbourne Tigers, Perth Wildcats, and Gold Coast Blaze, winning a championship with the Kings before injuries forced an early retirement. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of…
READ MOREThe possibility of an NBL expansion team in Geelong has gained momentum, with league owner Larry Kestelman confirming the city is a strong candidate—provided it can secure a suitable venue. However, much like we outlined in an article a number of years ago, How the Geelong Supercats could return to the NBL within 3 years, the missing piece isn’t just a stadium, but a real estate-backed development plan to make the project financially viable. Kestelman recently acknowledged Geelong’s growing basketball scene, citing record participation numbers…
READ MOREThere have been championship runs in the NBL defined by dominance and the sheer weight of talent that could overwhelm opponents before the ball was tipped. The dynasties of Perth, the star-studded reign of Melbourne, and the rise of Sydney’s financial muscle all tell tales of powerhouses that knew how to stay at the top. But there has only ever been one championship like Wollongong’s in 2001—a title won through sheer resilience, a team that had no business being there until they forced their way…
READ MOREThe Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award is supposed to recognise the most dominant defender in the NBA. If that’s the case, then Dyson Daniels should already have his name engraved on the trophy. But as the season winds down, there’s a growing concern that Daniels might get overlooked simply because he’s a guard. If that happens, it won’t just be unfair—it will be a disgrace. Daniels is Leading the NBA in Every Key Defensive Stat There’s no argument against Daniels’ defensive dominance this…
READ MOREFitur dan layanan dari toto togel 4D difokuskan pada kemudahan bagi pengguna untuk mengakses dan bertransaksi