BIO: Bruce Hope was born in Geelong (VIC) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Geelong basketball program.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Bruce Hope made his NBL debut with the Geelong Cats at 18 years of age. He scored six points in his first game.

On the back of winning a state league title in 1981, Geelong and a successful appeareance in the NBL preseason tournament where the Cats defeated multiple NBL squads, Geelong was entered into the NBL for the 1982 season.

No one would have predicted that Geelong would reach the NBL Grand Final in their first year in the competition, especially after starting the year with a 2-3 record which included a drubbing at the hands of Nunawading.

Bruton began the year carrying the offensive load for the Cats, in fact, he was the league-leading scorer for the first seven weeks of the season until eventual winner Reg Biddings took over, on the back of his 63 point effort, which remains the highest score in a 40-minute NBL game.

As a result of the team’s slow start, coach Tim Kaiser was fired and replaced with the team’s high-scoring guard Cal Bruton, who would act as a player-coach for the remainder of the season. A stunning 13-game winning streak followed, culminating with Geelong finishing in second place (20-6).

Hope averaged 3.1 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.8 assists for the season, alongside Bruton (23.4 points 3.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists) and fellow import James Crawford (26.0 points and 10.9 rebounds) as the team got their revenge on Nunawading by defeating them in the semifinals (71-59).

Geelong then advanced to the Grand Final where they would face West Adelaide who had lost only five games for the year, twice by one point and once by two points before eliminating Coburg in the semifinals to reach the Grand Final. In fact, during the last round of the season, West Adelaide had thrashed Geelong by 29 points at Apollo Stadium to cement themselves into a first-place finish.

The championship game was played at the neutral venue of Broadmeadow Basketball Stadium (Newcastle), as a neutral venue, where the Bearcats would prove far too strong.

Behind the team’s ‘Big Three’ of Al Green (23.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists), Leroy Loggins (25.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) and player/coach Ken Richardson (14.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists), they resisted a courageous second-half challenge by Geelong to win the Grand Final (80-74), becoming the team from South Australia to win the national championship.

In their 15 seasons of NBL competition from 1982 to 1996, this would prove to be Geelong’s only NBL Grand Final appearance. At the end of the season, Bruton received the league’s Coach of the Year award, and Crawford earned a spot on the All-NBL First Team.

1983
James Crawford (24.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 0.3 assists) and player/coach Cal Bruton (19.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists), who had become a naturalised Australian that same year would lead the Cats in scoring this season, as well as both earning selection to the All-NBL First Team.

Hope would appear in 13 games, averaging 1.8 points, 0.2 rebounds, and 0.1 assists alongside the team’s two superstars as Geelong finished in finished the regular season in second place (18-4).

With the NBL broken into two conferences of eight teams this season, the playoff format consisted of a round-robin fixture for the top eight teams, two semi-final games, and one championship-deciding grand final. In Geelong’s round robin games, the Cats would defeat St Kilda (94–95) by one point, but lost to Canberra (81–86) and Nunawading (74-107) to finish third and fail to qualify for the semifinals.

1984
In 1984, player/coach Cal Bruton would go on a major recruiting drive, adding Wayne Mcdaniel, Danny Morseu and Brad Dalton to the roster. Geelong would then reel off an amazing season, losing only one game at home and one game away all season.

James Crawford (28.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.6 blocks) would lead the team in scoring and rebounding while Bruton (22.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.7 steals) led the team in assists and for the second season in a row, both would be selected to the All-NBL First team.

New additions McDaniel (23.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists 1.2 steals, 1.2 blocks), Morseu (20.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.1 blocks) and Dalton (10.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.7 blocks) saw the Cat’s starting line-up combine for an incredible 105 points per game. As part of Geelong’s second unit, Hope appeared in 26 games and also contributed 3.6 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists.

Geelong (21-2) finished first in the league’s Western Diviision, setting the record for fewest regular season losses of all time. The NBL playoff format for this season, saw the top four teams in each division competed in a 1v2/3v4 elimination finals fixture between 22 June and 23 June, with the loser of 1v2 playing the winner of 3v4 for a spot in the semifinals.

Canberra (16-7), who finished 5 games behind Geelong in the Western Conference, defeated the Cats in the elimination finals (81-87), with Crawford (29 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks) leading the team in scoring, but high scoring teammates failing to deliver their usual performances. Dave Nelson (22 points and 8 rebounds), Herb McEachin (21 points, 12 rebounds and 3 steals) and Phil Smyth (21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) doing the damage for the Canons. The loss, sent Canberra onto the semifinals but forced Geelong to defeat Nunawading (14-9) to make it through.

The Cats resumed their high-scoring ways to defeat the Spectres (115-91) and reach the semifinals. Morseau (34 points, 9 rebonds 4 assists, and 3 blocks)bounced back after finishing were a mere 8 points against the Cannons in the previous game, giving Crawford (28 points, 14 rebounds and 2 blocks) the help needed to reach the next round.

There Geelong faced Brisbane (19-5), who had finished first in the league’s Eastern Division, behind stars Leroy Loggins (29.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 3.4 steals, and 1.8 blocks), Ron Radliff (20 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.0 steals), and Larry Sengstock (18.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks). Although the Cats got big games from each of their stars, Morseau (19 points and 3 rebounds), McDaniel (21 points and 8 rebounds), Crawford (22 points and 12 rebounds), and Bruton (31 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) delivering his best game of the playoffs, the Bullets were able to equal their offensive abilities, and came away as victors (107-103). Loggins (32 points and 6 rebounds) and Radliff (28 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) leading Brisbane on the stats sheet, in what was really a well rounded team game for the Bullets.

Canberra would go on to defeat Brisbane in the Grand Final by two points (84-82).

1985
During the 1985 season Hope averaged 2.2 points, 0.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists and helped the Cats finish the regular season in seventh place (15-11).

1986
During the 1986 season, Hope averaged 4.2 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists and was a part of the Cats squad which finished in a seventh place with a record of 14-12.

SYDNEY SUPERSONICS
1987
In 1986, the Adelaide 36ers, led by coach Ken Cole, produced the most successful season in NBL history (24–2), winning the championship amidst significant controversy. During the campaign, Cole admitted publicly to smoking marijuana and was suspended by Adelaide’s management prior to the Grand Final. Strong backlash and boycott threats from players ultimately forced his reinstatement. Cole successfully steered Adelaide to the title, but the club’s board, wary of sponsor reactions and public perception, controversially terminated his contract immediately following the championship victory, despite overwhelming support from both players and fans.

Adelaide’s dramatic decision quickly turned into a boon for the Sydney Supersonics, who seized the opportunity to appoint the reigning Coach of the Year. Cole replaced outgoing coach Owen Wells, arriving in Sydney with a reputation for flamboyant coaching, motivational skills, and proven championship credentials. He wasted no time reshaping the Supersonics’ roster, playing style, and overall culture.

Cole’s arrival marked a bold new chapter for the Supersonics, ushering in sweeping roster changes alongside his trademark intensity. With key contributors Kendal Pinder (to Perth) and Wayne Burden (to Hobart ) departing and leaving major scoring gaps, Sydney moved swiftly to reshape the lineup. The club lured dynamic scorer Bruce Hope away from Geelong and secured the signature of little-known American import Marc Ridlen. To bolster the bench, the Supersonics also added Mike Kenny, Robert Croker, and James Hewlett, reinforcing depth across multiple positions.

Returning star Derick Polk anchored the frontcourt, while Scott Fenton and promising young forward Andrew Svaldenis formed the core of a youthful Supersonics lineup. Cole consciously replicated the successful Adelaide blueprint, with Polk and Ridlen mirroring the dominant Adelaide tandem of Mark Davis and Bill Jones, and young guard Fenton attempting to embody the aggressive playmaking style of Al Green.

The revamped Supersonics endured a disappointing debut in their opening game on April 25, losing decisively to Eastside Melbourne (98–76). Bruce Hope (12 points) struggled in his first Sydney appearance, shooting just 4-of-20 from the field, while Polk (21 points, 14 rebounds) and Svaldenis (12 points, 11 rebounds) provided more reliable efforts. Poor team shooting (32%) and turnover issues proved costly.

Despite Sydney’s early struggles, Bruce Hope (16 points, 4-of-8 from three) responded strongly in the team’s second game of the season against the West Sydney Westars. Showing poise and range, Hope provided much-needed outside scoring to balance the Supersonics’ interior-focused offense. Marc Ridlen (35 points, 17 rebounds) announced himself as a dominant force in the league with a commanding performance, while Derick Polk (24 points, 13 rebounds) continued his consistent production in the paint. Although Sydney suffered another defeat (124–104), Hope’s sharp shooting underscored his value as a reliable perimeter threat and essential piece alongside the Supersonics’ twin towers.

After a rough 1–5 start, Hope again played a pivotal role on May 23 as Sydney delivered their most notable win of the season—a surprise victory against playoff-bound North Melbourne (105–98). Hope (13 points) was effective and perfectly complemented dominant performances from Ridlen (31 points, 13 rebounds) and Polk (29 points, 17 rebounds).

Sydney’s only winning streak of the season soon followed, highlighted by a hard-fought 86–81 triumph over cross-town rivals West Sydney in late May. Bruce Hope (15 points) remained a steady contributor, knocking down key shots to stretch the defense, while Marc Ridlen (16 points, 17 rebounds) and Derick Polk (18 points, 7 rebounds) once again anchored the Supersonics on both ends of the floor. The trio’s balanced production proved decisive in a physical contest that gave Sydney rare back-to-back wins.

Hope delivered perhaps his most memorable performance of the year in Sydney’s impressive 129–76 blowout win against the Melbourne Tigers on August 22. Scoring 17 points, he combined seamlessly with Ridlen (36 points, 16 rebounds) and Audie Matthews (28 points, 12 rebounds) to orchestrate Sydney’s most emphatic offensive showing. Polk’s towering 25 rebounds and Svaldenis’ efficient 10 points further underlined Sydney’s offensive capabilities.

Despite these encouraging victories, inconsistency plagued the Supersonics throughout the season. A mid-season slump—with consecutive losses against Canberra (142–117), North Melbourne (138–104), Geelong (102–98), and Newcastle (140–137)—effectively extinguished playoff ambitions. Sydney regularly engaged in high-scoring shootouts, averaging over 105 points per game but conceding roughly 110, reflecting significant defensive frailties and challenges executing in close-game scenarios.

While Ridlen (30.5 points, 16.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.2 blocks) emerged as an elite offensive star—earning All-NBL Second Team honours—and Polk (20.2 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3.0 blocks) dominated defensively, Bruce Hope (13.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.9 steals) consistently provided perimeter scoring and timely three-point shooting. His versatility on both ends of the court added crucial balance and depth to Sydney’s offensive attack.

Veterans Audie Matthews (12.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.6 steals) and Curt Forrester (12.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 steals) also provided steady contributions, while Scott Fenton (10.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists) demonstrated exceptional accuracy at the free-throw line, leading the league in percentage.

The Supersonics concluded their turbulent campaign on a positive note, convincingly defeating Westside Saints 118–98 on September 18 in the franchise’s farewell game under the Supersonics name. Ridlen (40 points, 26 rebounds), Polk (18 points, 21 rebounds, 5 blocks), Forrester (17 points), Matthews (17 points), and Hope (16 points) each excelled, providing fans with a fitting finale.

Coach Cole praised the team’s closing performance, remarking they had “finally put it all together for 48 minutes.” This victory symbolized a memorable send-off for the franchise, which merged weeks later with the West Sydney Westars to form the Sydney Kings in October 1987. “The Sonics are dead – long live the Kings,” proclaimed local media, marking the dramatic end of the Supersonics era.

Ultimately, Cole’s memorable—if turbulent—one-year stint laid important foundations for the future of professional basketball in Sydney. While the Supersonics closed the season with a disappointing 9–17 record, the campaign was marked by Marc Ridlen’s breakout dominance, Derick Polk’s interior consistency, and the emergence of Bruce Hope as a dependable and timely scorer. Young talents like Scott Fenton and Andrew Svaldenis added further promise to the roster. However, the franchise’s transition to the newly formed Sydney Kings came with difficult decisions—Hope was not retained in the merger and returned to Geelong, bringing his brief but impactful NBL stint in Sydney to a close.

GEELONG CATS
1988
Geelong suffered at the hands of financial difficulties and ownership problems during the latter part of the 1980′s, with it reaching its apex in 1987 when these issues resulted in a mass exodus of the team’s top talent. The Cats lost their five highest-scoring players from 1987 when Greg Giddings, Ian Davies, Mark Leader, Mark Dalton and Brad Dalton all left the club. Geelong used whatever the finances they had to recruit imports Sam Foggin and Ray Shirley (both via North Melbourne), Craig Fitzsimmons (via Perth) and entice Geelong local Bruce Hope (via Sydney) to return and help field a competitive roster.

After starting the season 0-4, the axe swung on import Ray Shirley (19.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.3 steals) and Leonard Mitchell (24.1 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.5 steals, and 2.0 blocks) brought in as his replacement.

After starting the season 0-4, the axe swung on import Ray Shirley (19.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.3 steals) and Leonard Mitchell (24.1 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.5 steals, and 2.0 blocks) brought in as his replacement. New recruit Hope (13.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists) managed to play in only ten games as he battled through injuries as it become evident that the combination of the reduction in the player salary cap and high volume of player turnover were too difficult to overcome and Geelong failed to win a game for the entire season.

Hope managed to put up averages of 13.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists as Geelong finished with the worst season in NBL history (0-22).

At the end of the 1988 season a group of local businessmen gathered to save the club and injected the team with some much needed financial assistance. As a result, the team was then rebranded from Cats to Supercats and granted a license to ensure Geelong’s ongoing participation in the NBL.

Hope appeared in 10 games this season, averaging 13.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.

Sam Foggin (24.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists 0.9 steals, 0.8 blocks across 24 games
Leonard Mitchell (24.1 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists 2.5 steals, 2 blocks across 23 games
Ray Shirley (19 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists 1.3 steals, 0.5 blocks across 4 games
Bruce Hope (13.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists 0.3 steals, 0 blocks across 10 games
Craig Fitzsimmons (, 0.1 blocks across 24 games
David Leslie (8.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4 assists 1 steals, 0.4 blocks across 23 games
Ricky Skinderis (8.5 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists 0.9 steals, 0.1 blocks across 21 games
Sandy Caldwell (6.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1 assists 0.5 steals, 0.8 blocks across 24 games
Darren Sharp (3.1 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.9 assists 0.5 steals, 0.1 blocks across 18 games
Richard Driscoll (2.2 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists 0.1 steals, 0.1 blocks across 10 games
Darrell Corcoran (1.3 points, 1 rebounds, and 1 assists 0 steals, 0 blocks across 3 games
Damien Armour (1.3 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.6 assists 0.7 steals, 0.1 blocks across 18 games
Hank Terpstra (1 points, 1 rebounds, and 0 assists 0 steals, 0 blocks across 1 games
Peter Woolard (0.3 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.3 assists 0 steals, 0.2 blocks across 6 games

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1989
At the end of the 1988 a group of local business men fought together to save the club, injected the team with some much needed financial assistance. The team was rebranded from Cats to Supercats Barry Barnes, who had been replaced by Brian Goorjian at Eastside Melbourne, was named head coach. Barnes had been a mentor to up and coming guard Shane Heal, who after winning Rookie of the Year with Brisbane, joined Barnes in Geelong for the 1989 season. Naturalised big man Jim Bateman (via Illawarra) was also signed to provide some addition scoring punch. The team was led by new import duo Daren Rowe (14.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists) and Aubrey Sherrod (14.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists). New recruits Bateman (17.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists) and Heal (14.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists) also impressed in their first seasons with the Supercats.

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Hope averaged 6.1 points, 2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game as

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Geelong improved from going winless the season prior to a 5-19 record in 1989 despite all of the off-court distractions.

Daren Rowe (23.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 3 assists 2.4 steals, 1.5 blocks across 24 games
Aubrey Sherrod (22.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists 2 steals, 0.3 blocks across 24 games
Jim Bateman (17.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2 assists 1 steals, 0.8 blocks across 24 games
Shane Heal (14.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists 1.4 steals, 0 blocks across 22 games
Ray Shirley (10.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists 1.4 steals, 0.8 blocks across 16 games
Bruce Hultgren (7.4 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists 0.8 steals, 0.2 blocks across 24 games
Bruce Hope (6.1 points, 2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists 0.8 steals, 0 blocks across 18 games
Andrew Parkinson (4.4 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.4 assists 0.2 steals, 0.1 blocks across 17 games
Craig Irvine (2.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.5 assists 0.4 steals, 0.1 blocks across 18 games
Mark Griffin (2.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.2 assists 0.2 steals, 0.6 blocks across 11 games
Craig Fitzsimmons (1.7 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 0.5 assists 0.2 steals, 0 blocks across 10 games
Damien Armour (0 points, 0 rebounds, and 0 assists 0 steals, 0 blocks across 3 games
Brad Barnes (0 points, 0 rebounds, and 0.3 assists 0.3 steals, 0 blocks across 3 games”

Bruce Hope played nine seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Geelong Cats and the Geelong Supercats. He averaged 5.5 points, 1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 166 NBL games.

Dan Boyce (836 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.