NICKNAME/S: King Conk

BIO: Conklin was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon where he attended North Eugene High School. As a junior in 2006/07, he averaged 19.6 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, leading his team to a perfect 28–0 record, the 5A Oregon State championship and was subsequently named the 2007 Player of the Year. As a senior in 2007/08, he averaged 20.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2.7 blocks and 1.3 steals per game, leading his team to a 25–4 record, and the No.1 ranking in the state.

FAMILY: In 2012, Conklin married his long-time partner, Kristina. The couple’s first child was born in North Queensland in 2015.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Brian Conklin made his NBL debut with the Townsville Crocodiles at 24 years of age. He scored 12 points in his first game.

Prior to the 2013/14 season, Barrier Reef Basketball relinquished its ownership of Townsville’s NBL license, putting the Crocodile’s’ 2013/14 season in doubt. the Crocodiles would, however, manage to stay afloat with the team moving from a owner-operated model to a community-owned club. This resulted in head coach Paul Woolpert not being retained, and Perth Wildcats assistant Shawn Dennis signed as his replacement.

Dennis made the decision to focus on giving opportunities to the team’s younger talent, namely Todd Blanchfield and Mitchell Norton, whom he hoped to build a roster around over the next two or three seasons.

Veterans Peter Crawford, Jacob Holmes and team captain Russell Hinder all returned, and in a major signing for the club, added Steven Markovic, a Australian Boomers squad member who had spent the previous few seasons playing in Europe. Lastly, imports Joshua Pace and Brian Conklin were brought in to round out the roster.

Townsville had found quite a talent in Conklin, who scored 33 points in his second game, a win over the New Zealand Breakers (91–78). It was the second-highest score by a Crocs player since 40-minute games were introduced into the NBL in 2010. Despite being unanimously selected to finish in last place, Townsville recorded upset wins over top team’s Melbourne (90-75) and Adelaide (98-94) to start the season, defeated New Zealand twice and by round 10 they sat just outside the playoffs in fifth spot.

With Pace (14.9 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) and Markovic (13.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists) both failing to deliver what Townsville had expected and with the team’s inexperienced beginning to show, the team lost their next eight games in a row.

Despite the losses, Conklin (16.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists) was a revelation for the club, using his strength and speed to overcome any height disadvantage and finishing in the top seven scorers in the league. His impact was clearly felt after the team lost him to a hamstring injury against the Melbourne Tigers, which kept him out of the team’s last four games of the season.

Townsville finished second last on the ladder with a record of 10-18, while Conklin’s efforts were rewarded with him being named part of the All-NBL Second Team.

2014/15
Townsville were able to secure the services of star import Brian Conklin for another season, and together with the development of young players like Todd Blanchfield and Mitchell Norton looked to improve in Shawn Dennis’ second year as coach. Veterans Peter Crawford (Adelaide) and Russell Hinder (Retired) were not re-signed, and underperforming import Joshua Pace was replaced with former NBA shot blocker Mickell Gladness.

Dennis replaced the outgoing Crawford and Hinder with Mackay product Clint Steindl and New Zealand born Leon Henry.

While Townsville became quite a force at home, they were never able to win consistently on the road. Townsville’s home success saw the team finish with a winning home record (8-6) for the first time since 2012, but due to finishing with only three wins on the road all season (11-17 record).

High spots for the season included Blanchfield (14.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) receiving high-profile recognition across the league and even appearing on a number of NBA radars after winning the NBL’s Most Improved Player and earning a spot on the All-NBL Second Team. Conklin (18.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) delivered a even better second season with the Crocodile’s. He shot 50.7 percent shooting from the field and finished fourth in the league in scoring, including a 33 point and 11 rebound effort in a 79–75 loss to the Cairns Taipans. Conklin finished the season being named the NBL’s Most Valuable Player as well as earning a spot on the All-NBL First Team.

2015/16
After finishing sixth with an 11-17 record the previous season, front office changes and financial limitations left Townsville struggling to gain clarity on its future in the competition and made player recruitment difficult. Todd Blanchfield (to Melbourne), Steven Markovic (to Sydney), Mickell Gladness, Jacob Holmes (retired) and Greg Vanderjagt (retired) departed, with Vanderjagt moving onto Shawn Dennis’ coaching staff. Clint Steindl, Mitchell Norton, Mirko Djeric and Leon Henry returned, while Dennis added Nicholas Kay (via Metro State), Luke Schenscher (via Adelaide), Corey Maynard and Mitchell Young (both via Cairns) and import Jordair Jett. Reigning NBL MVP Brian Conklin was re-signed and appointed captain.

Townsville opened the season against Melbourne at the Townsville Entertainment Centre on October 9, where Conklin (25 points and 5 rebounds) produced his highest-scoring game of the season, making 9-of-17 field goals and seven free throws. Steindl (13 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Djeric (11 points) provided support, while former Crocodile Blanchfield (29 points and 8 rebounds) led Melbourne to a 99-84 victory.

Conklin (13.5 points and 6.6 rebounds across 13 games) remained one of Townsville’s main offensive options but was unable to reproduce his MVP season, when he had averaged 18.9 points per game. Townsville recovered from its 0-2 start to win its next two games and move to 2-2 before falling to 2-9 as its inexperienced roster struggled for consistency. Conklin did not miss a game through injury during his shortened season.

Conklin became the centre of controversy against Perth at the Townsville Entertainment Centre on November 4, where Conklin (14 points) was involved in an incident late in the fourth quarter when his elbow struck Damian Martin and broke the Wildcats captain’s jaw. Jett (24 points and 5 assists) and Steindl (15 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Townsville to an 89-77 victory, while Jesse Wagstaff (17 points) led Perth. Conklin was charged with striking but the NBL tribunal cleared him after finding it could not be satisfied his actions were intentional, reckless or negligent.

Conklin’s best all-round game came in Adelaide on November 14, where Conklin (21 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) made 7-of-16 field goals as Townsville lost 89-65. Jett (12 points) and Henry (8 points and 2 blocks) provided support, while Jerome Randle (22 points) led Adelaide. Conklin was again involved in an elbow incident, this time striking Mitch Creek, and was subsequently found guilty of striking and handed a three-match suspension, with two games suspended for the remainder of the season. He served the active game of the suspension against Melbourne on November 20, which was the only game he missed before being released.

Conklin returned for Townsville’s next two games, with his final appearance coming against Illawarra on November 28. Conklin (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals) led the Crocodiles, with Kay (14 points and 4 rebounds) and Jett (11 points) providing support, but Kirk Penney (31 points) led the Hawks to a 108-70 victory which left Townsville at 4-10. Two days later the Crocodiles terminated Conklin’s contract, citing a number of “sub-par performances” and a desire to explore other options. “Thank you to all the Crocs fans and my team-mates and coaches for this wonderful season and for a great three seasons,” Conklin said. “Unfortunately the club has terminated my contract and I will no longer be able to captain this club. All the best to the boys and coaches going forward.” General manager Rob Honan said, “Brian Conklin has been a tremendous player and we cannot praise him enough for what he has done for his team on and off the court in the past three seasons,” while the club maintained, “There are no outside factors or reasons behind this decision – we simply want to give this club the best chance of being successful in the competition.” Conklin disputed the club’s explanation and maintained financial considerations were behind his release.

Omar Samhan (via Texas Legends) was signed for the remainder of the season to replace Conklin. Samhan (13.3 points and 8.9 rebounds across 12 games) appeared in every one of Townsville’s remaining games. Schenscher (4.1 points and 3.1 rebounds across 13 games) had ruptured a ligament in his left ankle in late October and also dealt with back complaints, leading Townsville to use Harry Froling (via Canberra AIS/Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence) as an injury replacement. Froling (1.6 points across 9 games) had already made a brief appearance as a development player in the season opener before receiving further opportunities while Schenscher was unavailable. Maynard (6.1 points across 25 games) later suffered an ankle injury in January, leading former Crocodile Christopher Cedar (via Mackay) (1.5 points across 2 games) to return on a two-game injury-replacement contract before Maynard returned against New Zealand on January 21.

Townsville went 7-7 over its final 14 games following Conklin’s release. Jett (15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across all 28 games) led the Crocodiles in scoring and won the Kevin Sugars Medal as club MVP, while Steindl (12.7 points and 3.5 rebounds across all 28 games) was named the NBL’s Most Improved Player and Kay (10.7 points and 6.6 rebounds across all 28 games) won Rookie of the Year. Norton (8.8 points across all 28 games) remained a consistent presence in the backcourt and Djeric (5.3 points across 24 games) produced his best NBL season to that point, while Dennis was rewarded with the NBL Coach of the Year award. Townsville again finished 8-6 at home but managed only three road victories.

Conklin was no longer with the club when Townsville closed the season against Sydney on February 13, where Samhan (25 points and 13 rebounds) and Steindl (25 points and 3 rebounds) led the Crocodiles, while Jason Cadee (32 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists) led the Kings as Townsville won 126-123. The victory completed an 11-17 season and proved to be the Crocodiles’ final NBL game, with the club withdrawing from the 2016/17 competition after being unable to raise sufficient community funding.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS
2018/19
After finishing fifth with a 12-16 record and missing the playoffs the previous season, Illawarra reshaped its roster. Nick Kay (to Perth) and Mitch Norton (to Perth) departed, Oscar Forman (retired), while Demitrius Conger (to France), Rotnei Clarke (to Italy), Delvon Johnson (to Slovakia), Cody Ellis (free agent) and Rhys Martin (free agent) also moved on. Tim Coenraad, AJ Ogilvy, Nic Pozoglou and captain Kevin White returned, while Todd Blanchfield (via Sydney), David Andersen (via Melbourne), Cedric Jackson (via USA), Jordair Jett (via NZNBL), Emmett Naar, Daniel Grida and Marshall Nelson were added under coach Rob Beveridge.

On July 13, 2018, Brian Conklin signed with Illawarra (via France), returning to the NBL for the first time since his previous stint with Townsville ended during the 2015/16 season. The former 2015 NBL MVP had spent the previous season with Limoges in France and his return gave Conklin another opportunity in the league after being released by Townsville three seasons earlier. Beveridge backed Conklin to make the most of his second chance, saying, “he’s back to redeem himself as well and he won’t take a backward step at all.”

Illawarra opened the season at home against defending champions Melbourne and produced a quadruple-overtime thriller before falling 122-123. Conklin (17 points and 6 rebounds) hit a baseline fade at the end of the first overtime to keep the Hawks alive, while Blanchfield (26 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Jett (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Illawarra and Josh Boone (24 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocks) was Melbourne’s best. Conklin later recalled, “I knew I was coming down with the ball at all costs”, before going to his preferred baseline fade.

Welcome back to the NBL, @BrianConklin14.#NBL19 #MELatILL pic.twitter.com/e2RiU5vKD7

— The NBL (@NBL) October 12, 2018

Two days later, Illawarra travelled to Perth still recovering from the four-overtime opener and suffered a 61-101 loss. Conklin (17 points and 2 rebounds) was the Hawks’ leading scorer, with Jett (13 points) and Coenraad (10 points and 8 rebounds) providing the next best returns, while Terrico White (20 points) led Perth.

Conklin (14.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists across 28 games) led Illawarra in scoring and did not miss a game through injury. He remained available throughout the season even after Greg Hire was charged with unduly rough play for high contact to Conklin’s head. The Hawks briefly moved into fifth following a two-game winning streak in October but struggled to find consistency and a four-game losing streak during November left them chasing the top four for much of the season.

Conklin’s best all-around game of the season came in Cairns on October 21, where he finished with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists as Illawarra defeated the Taipans 104-93. Blanchfield (32 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals) and Jett (22 points, 5 assists, and 4 steals) combined with Conklin to carry the Hawks offensively, while Melo Trimble (28 points and 5 assists) led Cairns.

His season-high scoring performance came eight days later against Melbourne, where Conklin (24 points and 5 rebounds) led Illawarra in a 93-99 loss. Ogilvy (15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks) and Jackson (15 points and 5 assists) provided support for the Hawks, while Casper Ware (26 points) led Melbourne.

Another of Conklin’s best performances came against Adelaide on January 10, finishing with 22 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block in a 96-102 loss. Blanchfield (19 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) and Coenraad (12 points) were Illawarra’s next best scorers, while Nathan Sobey (23 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Adelaide.

Blanchfield (13.5 points and 4.2 rebounds) was named Illawarra’s club MVP, while Jett (11.8 points and 1.5 steals), Ogilvy (9.4 points and 6.6 rebounds), Coenraad (8.7 points and 4 rebounds), Andersen (8.3 points and 3.5 rebounds), Jackson (7.9 points and 3.8 assists) and Grida (5.1 points) were the Hawks’ other major contributors. Grida also finished third in Rookie of the Year voting.

With Illawarra already eliminated from finals contention, Conklin (to Piratas de Quebradillas) agreed on February 11 to return to Puerto Rico for the 2019 BSN season, despite the Hawks still having one game remaining. After completing the NBL season he was listed as an Illawarra free agent and was not retained for 2019/20. Conklin played 14 games for Piratas before moving to Indios de Mayagüez and later returned to Limoges in July, with the 2018/19 season ultimately proving to be his final year in the NBL.

Illawarra finished the season in Wellington on February 14, where New Zealand produced the highest score recorded in a 40-minute NBL game at the time and defeated the Hawks 130-96. Conklin (11 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) completed his final NBL appearance, with Grida (17 points) and Ogilvy (12 points and 4 rebounds) leading Illawarra, while Shawn Long (21 points and 8 rebounds) led the Breakers as the Hawks finished seventh with a 12-16 record.

Brian Conklin played four seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Illawarra Hawks and the Townsville Crocodiles. He averaged 16.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 93 NBL games.