BIO: Brendan Le Gassick was born in Melbourne (VIC) but grew up in the Gold Coast (QLD). As a junior, Le Gassick was one of the Coast’s finest talents and he was quickly scooped by the AIS Basketball Program for their 1989 intake. Le Gassick received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 1989. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (1989, 1990).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Brendan Le Gassick made his NBL debut with the Gold Coast Rollers at 20 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

When Brendan Le Gassick returned to the Gold Coast from the Australian Institute of Sport in 1991, a professional basketball contract awaited. Having played under Rollers coach Dave Claxton as a junior, Le Gassick’s contract was merely a formality despite attracting interest from Perth and Newcastle.

Le Gassick signed with the Rollers as a backup to American import and multiple golden hands winner Andre LaFleur. The Rollers finished eighth in their first season but Le Gassick noted he never felt like he solidified his spot.

1993

TOWNSVILLE SUNS
1994
In their sophomore NBL season, the Townsville Suns set out to improve on their 4-win debut year. Head coach Mark Bragg refreshed the squad with several new pieces, saying goodbye to Rimas Kurtinaitis, Paul Simpson, and Tonny Jensen (the latter two joining Newcastle), while welcoming Simon O’Donnell (via Newcastle), Cameron Dickinson (via state league), and American import Jeff Warren to support returning star Ricky Jones.

The Suns started the campaign on a high note, defeating Hobart 96–79 behind standout performances from Ricky Jones (32 points, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 4 assists) and debutant Jeff Warren (20 points and 7 rebounds). Hobart’s Lamont Middleton was the Devils’ top scorer with 22 points.

Warren’s stint was short-lived, cut after just five games despite averaging (14.0 points and 8.2 rebounds). He was briefly replaced by Howard Chambers, who delivered 19 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds in his lone game against Newcastle. Chambers was then replaced by Darryl Johnson, whose all-around game stabilised the Suns’ backcourt. Johnson (25.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 2.8 steals) proved to be a valuable addition across 20 games.

Ricky Jones (27.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks) once again led the team in scoring, averaging and providing a dominant interior presence. Cameron Dickinson (12.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists) emerged as a strong second option, while captain Graham Kubank (9.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists) provided veteran stability.

Townsville produced several entertaining clashes, including a dominant 114–90 win over Canberra powered by Darryl Johnson’s 40-point explosion (14/21 FG, 8/8 FT), 7 rebounds and 5 steals. Ricky Jones added 36 points and 8 boards, while Jason Reese led the Cannons with 23 points. In a later shootout against Geelong, Jones (39 points) and Johnson (31 points) combined for 70, but Townsville fell 140–111 with Geelong’s Vince Hinchen pouring in 35.

One of the season’s biggest highlights came in the penultimate round when Townsville stunned title contenders South East Melbourne 108–107 at home. Jones again led with 34 points, while Johnson (23 points, 10 assists) and Dickinson (23 points) helped the Suns outlast a Magic side led by Adonis Jordan and Andrew Parkinson, who each scored 23.

The regular season ended with a heavy 141–105 defeat to Brisbane, where Shane Heal erupted for a career-high 61 points (12/19 3P). Despite Jones (32 points) and Johnson (29 points and 5 assists) fighting back, the duo was outgunned by Heal and support from Leroy Loggins (19 points) and Andre Moore (18 points).

Brendan Le Gassick (2.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists) would also add bench depth and defensive hustle across key stretches of the season He appeared in 13 games in what would be his last NBL season.

The Suns improved slightly on their inaugural campaign, finishing with a 6–20 record and avoiding the wooden spoon, which went to Hobart.

Brendan Le Gassick played four seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Townsville Suns and the Gold Coast Rollers. He averaged 3.4 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 63 NBL games.