NICKNAME/S: The Silent Assassin

BIO: Darnell Mee was born in Cleveland, Tennesee (USA).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Darnell Mee made his NBL debut with the Canberra Cannons at 25 years of age. He scored 22 points in his first game.

Mee averaged 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.9 assists during his debut NBL season. During that time, his play was limited by a serious knee injury which he battled through all season. Playing alongside NBL legend Rob Rose, the Cannons would record a 16-10 record before going on to eliminate Leon Trimmingham and the Sydney Kings in the quarter-finals.

Once into the semi finals, Canberra defeated Melbourne Tigers in game one (98–87) in front of a home crowd at AIS Arena. The Cannons fell short in both games two and three, both played in Melbourne, with the Tigers eliminating Canberra and moving on to face South East Melbourne in the NBL Grand Final.

At season’s end the Cannons felt he never lived up to his NBA expectations and wasn’t offered a contract for the following season.

ADELAIDE 36ERS
1998
After finishing seventh with a 14-16 record and missing the playoffs for the first time since 1992, Adelaide replaced Dave Claxton, who had coached the team for one season following Mike Dunlap’s unexpected departure, with former 36ers guard Phil Smyth. Imports Leon Trimmingham and Jeff Brown departed, while Brett Wheeler (to South East Melbourne), Brad McKinnon, Willie Simmons and Nathan Hawkes were also no longer with the club.

Captain Brett Maher rejected serious interest from Sydney and returned alongside Mark Davis, Martin Cattalini, John Rillie, Rupert Sapwell and Scott Ninnis. Smyth added Paul Rees (via North Melbourne), Dean Brogan (via AIS), Paul Bauer and Jason Williams, while former Adelaide championship guard Herb McEachin recommended Darnell Mee, who joined the 36ers (via Canberra) after spending the previous season in France rehabilitating the knee injury which had limited him during his first NBL season.

After signing with Adelaide, he recommended former Denver Nuggets teammate Kevin Brooks to Smyth. The 36ers signed Brooks to a two-year deal, although his unusual shooting action, which saw him release the ball almost from behind his head, initially left teammates wondering whether he would survive his first week in the NBL.

In his Adelaide debut against Townsville at the Clipsal Powerhouse on January 31, the former Canberra guard finished with 8 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal as the 36ers defeated the Crocodiles 125-86. Cattalini (26 points and 9 rebounds), Brooks (20 points and 7 rebounds) and Davis (18 points and 11 rebounds) led Adelaide, while Smyth received an ovation which continued for almost two minutes before coaching his first NBL game.

Mee (14.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks) provided Adelaide with an impact across every major statistical category as the 36ers won seven of their first eight games. Adelaide was less consistent after its strong start, going 12-10 across its remaining 22 regular-season games.

One of his strongest games came against South East Melbourne on February 8, where Mee finished with 27 points, 4 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocks, making four three-pointers as Adelaide suffered its first loss of the season, 96-94. Cattalini (22 points and 10 rebounds), Maher (12 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Davis (10 points and 7 rebounds) provided support as the Magic escaped the Clipsal Powerhouse by two points.

Mee produced another all-round performance against Brisbane at the Convention Centre on April 19, finishing with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 block as Adelaide defeated the Bullets 102-86. Maher (26 points and 4 rebounds), Cattalini (16 points and 5 rebounds) and Rillie (15 points and 7 rebounds) helped the 36ers complete a successful road trip.

Against Perth at the Clipsal Powerhouse on May 3, Mee recorded 20 points and 13 rebounds as Adelaide defeated the Wildcats 106-97. Brooks (24 points), Cattalini (24 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Davis (12 points and 5 rebounds) also contributed as the 36ers recorded their second win over Perth for the season.

Mee’s best scoring game came in Sydney on May 10, where he made four three-pointers and finished with 31 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block as Adelaide defeated the Kings 147-121. Maher (32 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists), Brooks (22 points and 11 rebounds) and Davis (14 points and 7 rebounds) provided support as the 36ers scored 55 points in the final quarter and recorded the most points Sydney had conceded in a home game.

His final major performance of the regular season came against Wollongong on May 29, where Mee finished with 20 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals as Adelaide defeated the Hawks 112-89. Rillie (18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Sapwell (17 points and 5 rebounds) provided support, while Brooks was limited to 14 minutes with a broken finger and was rested for the final three games before returning for the playoffs.

Brooks (19.1 points and 6.7 rebounds) led Adelaide in scoring, with Maher (17.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals) and Cattalini (15.8 points and 6.7 rebounds) giving the 36ers four major scoring options. Rillie (9.8 points and 4.3 rebounds), Davis (9.8 points and 4.8 rebounds), Rees (7.4 points and 5.1 rebounds), Sapwell (6.1 points) and Ninnis (5.4 points) completed Smyth’s main rotation.

Adelaide lost its final three games against Newcastle, South East Melbourne and Brisbane, but still finished second with a 19-11 record and recorded its highest number of regular-season victories since 1988.

The 36ers entered the semifinals against a Perth team which had lost only four games during the regular season. Adelaide had won two of the three meetings between the teams, defeating the Wildcats 103-87 and 106-97 at the Clipsal Powerhouse before narrowly losing 106-103 in Perth.

Before game one, Perth coach Alan Black suggested the Wildcats’ inside game would be Adelaide’s undoing, but Smyth responded, “Their concern should be how they’re going to guard us. Who’s going to guard Kevin, for example? Or Mahersy?”

The semifinal series opened at Challenge Stadium on June 19, where Mee (16 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists) terrorised Perth’s backcourt and established an aggressive defensive tone as Adelaide defeated the Wildcats 114-97. Maher (36 points and 6 assists) produced a career-high scoring game and made seven three-pointers, while Cattalini (20 points and 5 rebounds), Rillie (15 points) and Brooks (10 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) helped Adelaide shoot 57 per cent from the field. James Crawford (22 points and 6 rebounds), Ricky Grace (20 points), Scott Fisher (19 points and 10 rebounds) and Todd Lichti (12 points) led Perth as the Wildcats suffered only their fifth loss of the season.

Game two moved to the Clipsal Powerhouse, where Mee (12 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) delivered another strong all-round performance as Adelaide defeated Perth 117-110 to complete the sweep. Maher (26 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists), Brooks (22 points), Cattalini (20 points and 5 rebounds), Rillie (19 points and 5 assists) and Rees (11 points) gave Adelaide six double-figure scorers, while Andrew Vlahov (32 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Grace (26 points and 5 assists), Fisher (18 points and 11 rebounds) and Lichti (12 points and 5 assists) led Perth.

The Grand Final matched Adelaide against defending champion South East Melbourne, which had finished first with a 26-4 record and swept Brisbane in the semifinals. The Magic had also defeated Adelaide in all three regular-season meetings, winning 96-94 at the Clipsal Powerhouse, 77-74 at Melbourne Park and 99-98 at the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre, with the three games decided by a combined six points.

Before the series, Brooks and Mee suggested the entire Adelaide team shave their heads. “It was KB and Darnell who came up with the idea, but they already had nice tight cuts,” Sapwell later said.

The Grand Final opened at the Clipsal Powerhouse on June 28, where Mee (14 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks) delivered another strong all-round performance as Adelaide defeated South East Melbourne 100-93. Brooks (24 points and 8 rebounds) led the 36ers in scoring, while Davis (16 points and 4 rebounds), Cattalini (16 points and 8 rebounds) and Rillie (15 points and 6 rebounds) provided support. Brett Wheeler (29 points and 9 rebounds), Clinton McDaniel (20 points) and Tony Ronaldson (18 points and 8 rebounds) led the Magic.

Adelaide led by 19 points at halftime before South East Melbourne reduced the margin to three with 43 seconds remaining, but Brooks responded with a three-pointer and a reverse lay-up to secure the victory. The result was only Adelaide’s second win over the Magic since Eastside Melbourne and Southern Melbourne merged in 1992.

Game two moved to Melbourne Park on July 1, where Mee (11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) helped Adelaide overwhelm South East Melbourne defensively. Brooks (21 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks) and Cattalini (20 points and 6 rebounds) led the scoring, while Maher (11 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) and Rillie (10 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals) also contributed. Wheeler (12 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Ronaldson (11 points and 6 rebounds) were the Magic’s only double-figure scorers as Adelaide forced 26 turnovers, held South East Melbourne below 15 points in three quarters and won 90-62 to complete the Grand Final sweep, with Brooks named Grand Final MVP and Mee collecting his first NBL championship.

After 40 games for the Nuggets in the NBA. Darnell Mee carved out a nice career over here in Australia. @nblhistory @NBL @Adelaide36ers @nuggets pic.twitter.com/PV4onfwJQP— RANDOM HOOPS (@HoopsRandom) March 11, 2023

1998/99
After winning the 1998 NBL championship, Adelaide entered the league’s first summer season without John Rillie (to West Sydney), Dean Brogan (to Newcastle) and Scott Ninnis, who retired from playing and joined Phil Smyth’s coaching staff. Captain Brett Maher, Kevin Brooks, Martin Cattalini, Mark Davis, Paul Rees, Rupert Sapwell, Paul Bauer and Jason Williams returned, while David Stiff (via North Melbourne) was added to the frontcourt.

Following his impact during Adelaide’s championship season, Darnell Mee signed a three-year deal to remain with the 36ers. Brooks initially appeared likely to leave after Adelaide could not match offers he received from Europe and South America within the salary cap, but Smyth eventually convinced him to return on a one-year deal.

“There was never any doubt I wanted to come back and help defend the title but as professionals us players have to market ourselves at the highest possible price and my agent was adamant I could earn a lot more money elsewhere. I started to look at other possibilities in Spain, Italy and Turkey where I was being offered 30-40 per cent more money than I’m getting here but in the end Adelaide was the place I wanted to be,” Brooks said.

Adelaide opened its title defence against Perth at the Perth Entertainment Centre on October 10, where Mee (14.8 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1.2 blocks) finished with 18 points, 7 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block in a 106-96 loss. Brooks (22 points), Cattalini (20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 steal) and Maher (12 points) led Adelaide, while Scott Fisher (26 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists), Andrew Vlahov (19 points) and Paul Rogers (16 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) led Perth.

The defending champions began the NBL’s first summer season slowly, winning only two of their opening six games and falling to 2-4 after consecutive home losses against West Sydney and Brisbane. Mee scored 22 points with 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block against Melbourne on November 8, while Maher (19 points and 5 assists), Cattalini (18 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Brooks (17 points and 8 rebounds) contributed, but Mark Bradtke (28 points and 8 rebounds), Andrew Gaze (24 points) and Marcus Timmons (24 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists) led the Tigers to a 112-105 victory.

Adelaide responded by winning five of its next six games, with Mee delivering the winning basket on Boxing Day against the newly formed Victoria Titans. He finished with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks as Adelaide defeated Victoria 93-91 at Melbourne Park, while Brooks (18 points and 7 rebounds), Maher (17 points and 5 rebounds) and Cattalini (16 points and 7 rebounds) also contributed.

Mee produced one of his strongest all-round performances against Wollongong on January 23, finishing with 9 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal as Adelaide defeated the Hawks 87-72. Cattalini (18 points and 8 rebounds), Maher (17 points and 7 rebounds) and Brooks (17 points) led the scoring, while Cameron Dickinson (19 points) and Theron Wilson (12 points and 7 rebounds) were Wollongong’s best.

Mee’s best scoring game came in Newcastle on January 29, where he made seven three-pointers and finished with 28 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks as Adelaide defeated the Falcons 97-77. Cattalini (15 points and 8 rebounds), Brooks (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Sapwell (9 points and 6 rebounds) provided support as the 36ers collected their fourth consecutive win.

Another strong performance came against Sydney at the Clipsal Powerhouse on February 19, where Mee finished with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks as Adelaide defeated the Kings 96-89. Maher (17 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) and Cattalini (17 points and 10 rebounds) helped the 36ers continue their push towards first place.

Adelaide entered the final round needing road wins against Brisbane and Townsville, as well as Melbourne to lose at home against Perth, to secure the minor premiership. The 36ers defeated Brisbane 98-83 behind Mee (17 points and 8 rebounds), Cattalini (17 points and 13 rebounds), Sapwell (17 points and 6 rebounds) and Brooks (16 points), before Mee (15 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block), Brooks (27 points and 8 rebounds) and Maher (22 points and 6 rebounds) led Adelaide past Townsville 107-92.

Perth defeated Melbourne, allowing Adelaide to complete a 9-1 finish to the regular season and claim its first minor premiership since 1988 with an 18-8 record.

Maher (19.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals) led Adelaide in scoring, while Brooks (17.3 points and 6.1 rebounds), Cattalini (14.9 points and 7 rebounds) and Mee gave the 36ers four major contributors. Stiff (9.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks) combined with Davis, Rees and Cattalini to give Adelaide additional frontcourt depth, while Sapwell, Bauer and Williams completed Smyth’s rotation.

Mee’s defensive impact was recognised when he was named the NBL Best Defensive Player for the first time and selected to the All-NBL Second Team, with Brooks earning All-NBL First Team honours.

Adelaide opened the qualifying finals against a Perth team which had defeated the 36ers in both regular-season games at the Perth Entertainment Centre, although Adelaide had recorded a 105-92 home victory over the Wildcats in December.

Game one was played at Challenge Stadium, where Mee (13 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) helped Adelaide defeat Perth 99-87. Brooks (24 points and 10 rebounds), Davis (18 points and 5 rebounds) and Maher (14 points) led the scoring, while Vlahov (26 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists), Fisher (20 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Anthony Stewart (18 points and 5 rebounds) were Perth’s best.

Game two moved to the Clipsal Powerhouse, where Mee (25 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) delivered one of his best performances of the season as Adelaide defeated Perth 97-80 to complete the sweep. Maher (22 points), Cattalini (16 points and 8 rebounds) and Sapwell (10 points) provided support, while Fisher (17 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists), Ricky Grace (16 points and 5 assists), Stewart (15 points) and Vlahov (12 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks) led Perth.

The semifinal series opened at the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Mee (8 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals) helped Adelaide defeat Wollongong 93-81. Maher (25 points and 7 rebounds), Brooks (22 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Cattalini (14 points and 5 rebounds) led the 36ers, while Clayton Ritter (23 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals), Mat Campbell (15 points and 6 assists) and CJ Bruton (13 points and 5 assists) led Wollongong.

Game two moved to the Clipsal Powerhouse, where Wollongong led by 16 points late in the third quarter and remained ahead 88-85 with 9.9 seconds remaining. Sapwell missed a three-pointer, but Stiff saved the rebound from going out of bounds and returned the ball to Sapwell, who made a three-pointer to force overtime.

Mee (9 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks) played more than 51 minutes as Adelaide defeated Wollongong 99-98 in overtime to complete another series sweep. Stiff (22 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 blocks), Maher (19 points), Brooks (16 points and 7 rebounds) and Sapwell (11 points) led Adelaide, while Bruton (27 points), Campbell (20 points) and Ritter (9 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists) were Wollongong’s best.

Adelaide entered the Grand Final undefeated during the postseason against the Victoria Titans, a new club containing much of the South East Melbourne Magic roster the 36ers had defeated in the previous year’s championship series.

The Grand Final opened at Melbourne Park, where Mee (25 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) won his point guard battle with Darryl McDonald and helped Adelaide defeat Victoria 104-94. Mee made five three-pointers and forced McDonald into eight turnovers, while Maher (31 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists), Sapwell (11 points) and Stiff (7 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks) contributed. McDonald (23 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals), Tony Ronaldson (19 points) and Ben Pepper (18 points) led Victoria.

Game two moved to the Clipsal Powerhouse, where Mee (9 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) contributed as Victoria defeated Adelaide 88-82 to level the series. Maher (25 points) was the only 36er to score more than 12 points as Adelaide shot 39 per cent from the field, while Ronaldson (22 points), Brett Wheeler (18 points and 9 rebounds), Jason Smith (15 points) and McDonald (12 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists) led the Titans.

The deciding game remained in Adelaide because the 36ers had finished first during the regular season. Adelaide held Victoria to 32 first-half points before defeating the Titans 80-69 in front of more than 7,000 supporters, becoming the first team to win consecutive NBL championships since Perth in 1990 and 1991. Cattalini (19 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks), Maher (15 points and 7 rebounds), Brooks (13 points and 6 rebounds) and Sapwell (13 points) led Adelaide, while Pepper (15 points) and Ronaldson (15 points) led Victoria, with Maher named Grand Final MVP and Mee finishing with 4 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals.

1999/00
Coming off back-to-back championships, Adelaide entered the season aiming for a three-peat but suffered a major blow when the NBL reduced the salary cap by $70,000 to $625,000, leaving the 36ers unable to retain Kevin Brooks (to Sydney). Head coach Phil Smyth kept the remainder of the championship core together and added Paul Maley (via Victoria).

Days later, Martin Cattalini briefly agreed to join ASVEL Villeurbanne in France, but backflipped and re-signed with Adelaide prior to the season in the hope that a big year would earn him selection for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

Adelaide opened the season at home on October 2, where Mee (6 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals) helped the 36ers defeat Perth 109-89. Maher (25 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Cattalini (25 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Adelaide, while Paul Rogers (20 points and 11 rebounds) was Perth’s best.

Mee (13.6 points, 7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.2 blocks across 31 games) appeared in every Adelaide NBL game and again filled almost every category on the stat sheet.

As defending NBL champions, Adelaide travelled to Milan during the first month of the season for the McDonald’s Championship, losing 90-79 to Brazilian side CR Vasco da Gama before defeating Lebanese club Hekmeh BC 91-84 in the fifth-place playoff.

After returning to Australia, Adelaide won three straight games before travelling to Townsville on November 6. Mee (18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) contributed at both ends, while Maher (40 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) made his first five three-pointers and scored 15 points during the opening quarter to finish with a career-high. Cattalini (27 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists) also produced a strong game, but Townsville defeated Adelaide 131-127 in overtime and handed the 36ers their first loss of the season.

Maley then missed an extended period with a recurring back injury, which saw Stiff enter the starting lineup. On December 10, Mee (13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) helped Adelaide defeat Wollongong 111-103, with Stiff (35 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) shooting 70 per cent from the field and setting a new career-high, while Cattalini (27 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 steals) also controlled the frontcourt.

Mee’s best regular-season game came at Melbourne Park on Boxing Day, where Mee (19 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) delivered one of his four season-high 19-point performances as Adelaide defeated Victoria 103-77. Maher (29 points and 4 rebounds) and Cattalini (21 points and 11 rebounds) helped the 36ers deliver one of their most convincing wins of the season.

Mee again filled the stat sheet when Victoria visited Adelaide on January 8, finishing with 19 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks as the 36ers defeated the Titans 94-75. Davis (21 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Cattalini (20 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) provided the scoring support.

Six days later, Mee (19 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 steals) recorded his season-high in assists as Adelaide defeated Sydney 124-99 at Adelaide Arena. Maher (33 points and 6 rebounds) and Cattalini (26 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks) led the offence as the 36ers collected another comfortable home win.

On February 5, Adelaide participated in the league’s first open-air game, with 10,318 fans watching at Melbourne Park. Mee (13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks), Maher (19 points and 3 rebounds) and Stiff (12 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks) led the 36ers, but Jason Smith (24 points and 7 rebounds), Tony Ronaldson (17 points and 7 rebounds) and Darryl McDonald (10 points, 7 assists, and 5 steals) helped Victoria win 83-75.

Cattalini (20.3 points and 7.5 rebounds) and Maher (20.2 points and 4.3 rebounds) led Adelaide’s offence, while Stiff (13.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.4 blocks) responded to his larger role. Maley (12.3 points and 6.1 rebounds across 18 games), Davis (8.2 points and 5.3 rebounds), Rees (7.8 points and 5.2 rebounds) and Sapwell (7.1 points and 3.5 rebounds) rounded out the main rotation.

Maher earned All-NBL First Team honours, while Cattalini and Mee were selected to the All-NBL Second Team. Mee also won the NBL Best Defensive Player award for the second straight season, while Maher and Cattalini were later selected to represent the Australian Boomers at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

Adelaide closed the regular season at home on March 11, where Mee (13 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists), Cattalini (27 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Stiff (23 points and 9 rebounds) led the 36ers to a 93-85 win over West Sydney. Adelaide finished level with Townsville and Perth at 22-6 but secured first place through the for-and-against tiebreaker and received a first-round bye.

After Victoria eliminated Melbourne, Adelaide faced a Brian Goorjian led team in the playoffs for the third consecutive season. The semifinals opened at Melbourne Park, where Mee (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists), Maher (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Cattalini (14 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) led Adelaide, but Ronaldson (26 points and 5 rebounds) and McDonald (24 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) carried Victoria to a 101-86 win.

Game two moved to Adelaide Arena, where Mee (22 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block) produced his strongest playoff performance and Cattalini (24 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Adelaide in scoring. Maher (15 points and 6 rebounds) also contributed, while Ronaldson (17 points and 5 rebounds), Frank Drmic (14 points) and Jason Smith (13 points) led Victoria before the 36ers won 95-72 and forced a deciding game.

Game three remained at Adelaide Arena, where Mee (22 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) made five of seven three-pointers and played all 48 minutes, while Cattalini (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Stiff (14 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists) provided support. McDonald (24 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals), Ben Pepper (21 points and 7 rebounds) and Drmic (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Victoria as the Titans won the decider 93-89.

2000/01
After Victoria ended Adelaide’s bid for a third consecutive championship in the 2000 semifinals, leading scorer Martin Cattalini (to Seville) left the club to play in Spain, while captain Brett Maher, Darnell Mee, David Stiff, Paul Maley, Mark Davis, Paul Rees, Rupert Sapwell and Jason Williams returned for Phil Smyth’s third season as coach.

Smyth brought former Grand Final MVP Kevin Brooks (via Sydney) back to Adelaide after his one season with the Kings and added Mark Nash (via Brisbane), who was expected to help replace the size and versatility lost through Cattalini’s departure.

Adelaide opened the season at the Perth Entertainment Centre on October 21, where the defensive guard (18 points, 4 steals, and 3 blocks), Maher (21 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists), Brooks (17 points and 8 rebounds), Sapwell (14 points and 5 rebounds) and Stiff (12 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks) led the 36ers to a 92-84 win over the defending champions, while Paul Rogers (20 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks), Scott Fisher (20 points and 14 rebounds) and Andrew Vlahov (17 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists) were Perth’s best. Stiff aggravated a groin injury during the victory and was later diagnosed with osteitis pubis, forcing him to miss more than half of the regular season.

Mee (18.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.6 steals, and 1.6 blocks across 34 games) appeared in every Adelaide game and delivered the highest-scoring season of his NBL career, while also producing career highs in assists and blocks as the 36ers began the season with five consecutive wins.

Behind the strong opening, the group became increasingly unsettled. Stiff’s injury removed the starting centre for much of the season, uncertainty surrounding Maley’s contract became a source of tension and Brooks and assistant coach Scott Ninnis reportedly came to blows at training as Adelaide struggled to maintain the chemistry of its championship teams.

One of Mee’s strongest all-round performances came against Canberra on November 25, where he finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals, and 9 blocks as Adelaide defeated the Cannons 102-81. Brooks (33 points and 7 rebounds) and Maher (26 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) also dominated, while Jayson Wells (22 points and 8 rebounds) and Troy Pilon (19 points) were Canberra’s leading scorers.

Mee’s best regular-season scoring game came at Melbourne Park on December 2, where he made 12-of-17 shots from the field and eight of ten three-pointers to finish with 33 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals. Maher (30 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists) provided support, but Andrew Gaze (31 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists), Mark Bradtke (30 points and 17 rebounds) and Lanard Copeland (25 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists) led Melbourne to a 121-115 win.

On January 20, Mee (32 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks) made six three-pointers and carried Adelaide at the State Sports Centre, with Brooks (18 points and 10 rebounds) and Maher (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists) also contributing, but West Sydney defeated the 36ers 107-101.

On February 3, Mee (25 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) and Rees (22 points and 13 rebounds) led Adelaide against Wollongong, while Maher (20 points, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) tied the score during overtime before the 36ers pulled away for a 104-98 win. Damon Lowery (21 points), Melvin Thomas (18 points and 12 rebounds), Matt Garrison (14 rebounds) and Glen Saville (13 rebounds) were Wollongong’s main contributors.

Six days later, Mee (15 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, and 6 steals), Maher (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists), Brooks (21 points and 5 rebounds) and Stiff (17 points and 5 rebounds) helped Adelaide establish a 52-36 halftime lead and an 88-74 advantage with 7:05 remaining at Wollongong. Lowery (20 points), Thomas (19 points) and Axel Dench (16 points and 6 rebounds) then led a 13-0 closing run as the Hawks held Adelaide scoreless over the final 4:28 and won 96-93.

Adelaide’s only victory from its final seven regular-season games came against Victoria on February 24, where Maher (24 points and 9 assists), Brooks (27 points and 13 rebounds), Mee (12 points, 12 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Nash (11 points and 7 rebounds) led a 99-92 win. Chris Anstey (23 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks), Darryl McDonald (15 points and 4 assists) and Jason Smith (14 points and 6 rebounds) were Victoria’s best.

The regular season ended at Melbourne Park on March 31, where Mee (29 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 steals), Maher (28 points) and Brooks (15 points and 6 rebounds) led Adelaide, but Smith (26 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals), Tony Ronaldson (23 points), Anstey (18 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks) and McDonald (15 points, 10 assists, and 3 steals) carried Victoria to a 113-98 win. The defeat completed a four-game losing streak and left Adelaide sixth with a 16-12 record.

Maher (20.9 points, 5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals) led Adelaide in scoring after returning from Australia’s fourth-place finish at the Sydney Olympics and was later named the 2001 Gaze Medal winner as Australia’s international player of the year. Brooks (19.6 points and 7.1 rebounds) returned as one of the league’s leading offensive imports, while Nash (9.9 points and 6.6 rebounds), Maley (9 points and 3 rebounds), Stiff (7.3 points and 5.3 rebounds across 19 games), Rees (6.9 points and 5 rebounds), Davis (6.2 points and 3.2 rebounds) and Sapwell (6 points) completed Smyth’s main rotation.

Mee was selected to the All-NBL First Team and won the NBL Best Defensive Player award for the third consecutive season. Although Adelaide’s salary-cap position and an offer from Bayer Leverkusen shaped his move to Germany, Mee later explained that the way the Wollongong series ended was also a major reason he left Australia. The loss had left him with anger and bitterness which he believed would have made remaining in the NBL unhealthy, with Mee particularly affected that Davis and Maley had ended their Adelaide careers in that fashion. His family still loved Adelaide, but the ending dominated his thoughts whenever he considered Australian basketball and brought his four-year tenure with the 36ers to an end despite having committed to another three seasons.

The campaign also proved the last in Adelaide for Brooks (to Södertälje), while Maley retired after his recurring back injury forced career lows across every major statistical category. Davis also retired after 482 games, all with Adelaide, as the NBL’s all-time leader with 5,200 rebounds and the 36ers’ record holder with 8,752 points and 301 blocks.

Adelaide opened the Qualifying Finals at the Clipsal Powerhouse against first-placed Victoria, where Mee (18 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks), Brooks (24 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Maher (19 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) led the 36ers. Anstey (27 points, 16 rebounds, and 1 block), Brett Wheeler (18 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and McDonald (13 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists) carried Victoria to a 101-96 win.

Game two moved to Melbourne, where Brooks (34 points and 9 rebounds), Maher (24 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists), Mee (12 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) and Maley (10 points and 4 rebounds) carried Adelaide to a 96-83 win. Ronaldson (22 points and 7 rebounds), Wheeler (12 points and 11 rebounds) and McDonald (12 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Victoria as the 36ers forced a deciding game.

Game three remained in Melbourne, where Mee’s best game of the season saw him make six three-pointers and 11-of-12 free throws to finish with 35 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. Maley (22 points and 4 rebounds), Maher (18 points) and Brooks (16 points) provided support, while Anstey (21 points and 15 rebounds), Darren Smith (21 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Mark Dickel (17 points and 5 rebounds) led Victoria before Adelaide won 115-103. Mee averaged 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists across the series, while Brooks averaged 25 points and 7 rebounds as Adelaide advanced to the semifinals, although the first-placed Titans also moved on as the highest-ranked losing team.

The semifinals opened at the Clipsal Powerhouse, where Maher (22 points and 4 rebounds), Mee (18 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals), Brooks (14 points and 11 rebounds) and Stiff (12 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Adelaide. Thomas (18 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks), Charles Thomas (17 points and 6 rebounds) and Saville (14 points, 18 rebounds, and 4 assists) carried Wollongong to an 84-83 win after Charles Thomas made contact with Mee on Adelaide’s final drive and Melvin Thomas made contact with Stiff as he attempted to score from the rebound, with neither incident called as a foul. NBL referees commissioner Gary Fox later said a foul should have been called against Melvin Thomas.

Game two moved to the Wollongong Entertainment Centre, where Brooks (30 points), Mee (24 points, 10 rebounds, 6 steals, and 3 blocks), Maher (20 points and 7 assists), Rees (11 points and 6 rebounds), Stiff (10 points and 6 rebounds) and Nash (8 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Adelaide. Dench (26 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists), Thomas (22 points and 11 rebounds), Saville (17 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Mat Campbell (14 points) were Wollongong’s main contributors before the 36ers made seven consecutive three-pointers, outscored the Hawks 36-18 during the fourth quarter and won 111-100 to force a deciding game.

The deciding game remained at The Sandpit, where Brooks (26 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks), Maley (21 points and 4 rebounds) in his final NBL appearance, Nash (20 points and 5 rebounds), Maher (16 points and 3 rebounds), Mee (14 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) and Stiff (8 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Adelaide. Thomas (28 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 blocks), Lowery (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists), Campbell (19 points and 4 rebounds), Garrison (14 points and 4 assists) and Saville (13 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists) kept Wollongong close as the score was tied five times and the lead changed seven times during the fourth quarter. Mee split two free throws during the final 82 seconds, missing the second attempt which would have extended Adelaide’s lead to four, before Brooks also split a pair and gave the 36ers a 108-106 advantage with 54.2 seconds remaining. Maher missed a drive on Adelaide’s following possession and Wollongong moved the ball to Lowery, whose final three-point attempt was blocked by Mee before referee Eddie Crouch called a shooting foul with less than half a second left. Video replays showed Mee cleanly block the shot before the follow-through created the disputed contact, while Fox defended the decision as correct, “gutsy and courageous.” Lowery said, “I thought three for a dollar – make these three and we’re in the grand final. I don’t feel pressure – up until today. I was scared as hell today. Once I went to the line, I thought these are situations everybody wants to be in.” Smyth said, “We’re disappointed and possibly we shouldn’t be. We were supposed to be out a week-and-a-half ago and we’ve managed to get this far. But once you get this far you feel like you’re in there with a good chance. Right now, we’re trying to deal with that.” Smyth added, “The club will pursue two incidents now that have happened in the play-offs, through the proper channels, and we would expect that we would get an interesting answer from that. Twice in a three-game series is just a little bit hard to deal with so we’ll just see what the response is.” The Adelaide changeroom remained silent for roughly 20 to 25 minutes, with Mee particularly affected that the loss had ended the Adelaide careers of Davis and Maley, after Lowery made all three free throws, the last bouncing around the rim eight times before dropping as Wollongong won 109-108. Mee would play the following season overseas.

CAIRNS TAIPANS
2002/03
After finishing 11th with a 9-21 record, Cairns lost Aaron Trahair (to West Sydney), Jamie Pearlman and Dewey Michaels, while head coach Guy Molloy retained Jayson Wells, Ben Knight, Anthony Stewart, Ron Kelley, Tony Rampton, Kane Oakley and Aaron Grabau. Brad Davidson (via Townsville), Rupert Sapwell (via Adelaide) and Ben Arkell (via West Sydney) were added, with Davidson and Wells named co-captains.

The Taipans opened the season with a 4-4 record before releasing Kelley, whose production had fallen to 5.1 points across eight games after earning another contract with Cairns by averaging 12 points and 5.6 rebounds during the final 11 games of the previous season. Cairns then signed Darnell Mee (via BC Besançon) for the remainder of the campaign, signalling its intention to enter the NBL title race. Molloy said, “This is the marquee type of player we have wanted to bring in, and with his history of success, his versatility and all the skills he brings to the club, he will be an excellent fit.”

The move marked the two-time NBL champion’s return to Australia after spending the previous season with Bayer Leverkusen in Germany and beginning 2002/03 in France. He arrived while Cairns was preparing to face his former club in Adelaide and said, “I never turned my back on the 36ers.” He explained that his departure had been heavily influenced by the controversial finish to Adelaide’s 2000/01 season, recalling that the changeroom remained silent for approximately 20 to 25 minutes after the loss.

Cairns split its road games against Perth and Adelaide before the returning guard made his debut at the Cairns Convention Centre on November 27. He finished with 5 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal, while Wells (20 points and 7 rebounds) and Davidson (18 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals) led the Taipans, but Randy Rutherford (30 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) carried Brisbane to an 86-71 win.

Mee (12.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2.1 steals across 20 games) appeared in every remaining game after joining Cairns, with the Taipans going 8-12 following his debut.

Mee’s best scoring game came against West Sydney on December 13, where he made ten of 12 shots from the field and four of five three-pointers to finish with 25 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals. Stewart (22 points) and Wells (19 points and 5 rebounds) provided support as Cairns defeated the Razorbacks 103-91.

Against Perth on January 10, Mee (18 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks), Wells (21 points and 8 rebounds) and Stewart (17 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals) led Cairns, while Rob Feaster (31 points and 10 rebounds) was Perth’s best before fouling out with 2:24 remaining. The Taipans forced overtime and defeated the Wildcats 98-96 in front of 4,183 fans.

Mee produced his second-highest scoring game against Melbourne on February 26, finishing with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Wells (27 points and 13 rebounds) and Knight (17 points and 9 rebounds) also delivered strong performances before the Tigers won 108-99.

Wells (20.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists) led Cairns throughout the season, with Knight (17 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 25 games), Stewart (14.4 points), Davidson (11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.4 steals), Rampton (10 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks) and Sapwell (6.7 points and 4.4 rebounds) completing Molloy’s main rotation. Knight and Stewart shared the Taipans’ MVP award, Arkell received the Coaches Award and Mee was named Cairns’ Best Defensive Player.

Cairns closed the season against defending champion Adelaide at the Cairns Convention Centre, where Mee (17 points and 6 assists), Knight (30 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals) and Wells (27 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Taipans, while Brett Maher (24 points and 5 rebounds) was Adelaide’s best as Cairns won 128-109 and finished eighth with a 13-17 record.

WOLLONGONG HAWKS
2003/04
After being swept by Perth in the previous season’s semifinals, Wollongong farewelled Cortez Groves, Melvin Thomas (to Cairns), Matt Garrison (to Beirut), Ben Pepper (to Victoria), Geordie Cullen (to Hunter), Matthew Shanahan (to Hunter) and Luke Doherty.

Head coach Brendan Joyce retained Glen Saville, captain Mat Campbell, Damon Lowery and Axel Dench, while adding Darnell Mee (via Cairns) on a two-year deal, Ben Knight (via Cairns), Troy Pilon (via Brisbane), Adam Caporn (via Saint Mary’s), John Mueller and John Philip. The signing also placed the former Adelaide guard alongside Lowery, whose three free throws after the siren had ended the 36ers’ season following the controversial finish to the 2001 semifinals.

Wollongong opened the season at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 6, where the new guard (35 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) made seven three-pointers and produced his NBL career-high as the Hawks defeated Hunter 131-108. Mueller (21 points and 7 rebounds) and Lowery (16 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals) provided support, while Kevin Brooks (30 points and 6 rebounds), Matthew Shanahan (18 points and 8 rebounds) and Chris Harriman (16 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) were Hunter’s best.

Mee (14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.9 steals across 35 games) appeared in every Wollongong game and led the NBL with 68 total steals, giving the Hawks another proven scorer, playmaker and defender throughout the season.

On December 6, Mee (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) helped Wollongong defeat defending champion Sydney 117-99 at the WIN Entertainment Centre. Knight (37 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists), Dench (24 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists), Campbell (16 points) and Saville (11 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 blocks) led the Hawks, while Matthew Nielsen (30 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) and CJ Bruton (21 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals) were Sydney’s best.

Mee’s second-highest scoring game came against Melbourne at the WIN Entertainment Centre on December 27, where he made nine of 14 shots from the field and three of five three-pointers to finish with 28 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. Campbell (19 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists), Knight (18 points and 8 rebounds) and Saville (18 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists) supported him, while Andrew Gaze (27 points) and Mark Bradtke (25 points and 11 rebounds) led Melbourne before Wollongong won 110-101.

On January 2, Mee (19 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, and 4 steals) controlled the backcourt as Wollongong defeated Adelaide 121-75 at the WIN Entertainment Centre. Saville (30 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Dench (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) helped the Hawks record a 46-point victory, while Dusty Rychart (24 points and 14 rebounds) was Adelaide’s best.

Mee produced another of his three highest-scoring games against Victoria on January 21, finishing with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block as Wollongong defeated the Giants 109-79 at the WIN Entertainment Centre. Saville (16 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals), Knight (12 points and 9 rebounds) and Dench (11 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) also contributed as the Hawks recorded a 30-point victory.

On February 14, Mee (11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) helped Wollongong defeat Townsville 95-90 at the Townsville Entertainment Centre. Saville (29 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists), Knight (12 points and 8 rebounds) and Lowery (11 points) led the Hawks, while Andrew Goodwin (18 points and 8 rebounds), Robert Rose (17 points and 9 rebounds) and Ruben Nembhard (15 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) were Townsville’s main contributors.

Saville (16.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.7 steals) led Wollongong in scoring and remained the team’s main all-round contributor, while Campbell (14.5 points and 3.1 rebounds), Knight (14.3 points and 7.9 rebounds), Lowery (11.9 points), Dench (10.7 points and 5.6 rebounds), Mueller (9.2 points and 5.9 rebounds) and Pilon (6.5 points and 5.1 rebounds) gave Joyce one of the league’s deepest rotations.

Wollongong won ten of its final 12 games and closed the regular season at home on February 27, where Mee (17 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists), Saville (30 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals), Knight (17 points, 3 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocks) and Campbell (13 points) led the Hawks to a 99-88 win over Perth. Rashad Tucker (24 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Matthew Burston (21 points and 15 rebounds) led the Wildcats as Wollongong finished second with a 25-8 record and a 14-3 road mark to earn a direct place in the semifinals.

Saville was named the Hawks MVP for the fifth time, finished fourth in voting for the NBL MVP award and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Mee was selected to the All-NBL Third Team. Joyce was also named NBL Coach of the Month in November and February.

The semifinals opened at the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Campbell (20 points), Mee (15 points, 6 assists, and 2 blocks), Saville (14 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Knight (10 points and 8 rebounds) led Wollongong. John Rillie (25 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals), Simon Dwight (22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Sam Mackinnon (12 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists) carried West Sydney to a 107-91 win.

Game two moved to the State Sports Centre, where Mee (18 points and 4 assists), Dench (17 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks), Saville (17 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks), Knight (12 points and 10 rebounds), Campbell (11 points) and Pilon (10 points and 12 rebounds) led Wollongong. Rillie (45 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals), Russell Hinder (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists), Dwight (15 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) and Mackinnon (13 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 blocks) led West Sydney to a 110-95 win and completed the sweep.

CAIRNS TAIPANS
2004/05
After finishing second with a 25-8 record before being swept by West Sydney in the semifinals, Wollongong lost Ben Knight (to Sydney), Damon Lowery (to Hunter), Axel Dench and John Mueller, while Glen Saville, Darnell Mee, captain Mat Campbell, Troy Pilon and Adam Caporn returned. Mee entered the second season of the two-year deal he signed with Wollongong the previous year.

Head coach Brendan Joyce added Adam Ballinger (via Victoria), Mike Kelly (via Townsville), Andrew Rice (via Perth) and Cameron Rigby (via Hunter), giving the Hawks another import scorer and additional depth around their returning group.

Wollongong opened the season at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 1, where Darnell (19 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists), Campbell (24 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, and 5 steals) and Saville (19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) in his 300th NBL game led the Hawks to a 96-88 win over Melbourne, while Mark Bradtke (24 points and 10 rebounds) was the Tigers’ best.

Mee (14.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 2.1 steals across 36 games) led the NBL in assists and continued to fill almost every category on the stat sheet, missing only Wollongong’s December 18 road game against Cairns.

Mee’s best regular-season scoring game came against Townsville on October 20, where he made six of ten shots from the field and 11-of-12 free throws to finish with 25 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. Saville (23 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks) and Campbell (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) provided support, while John Rillie (16 points and 11 rebounds) was Townsville’s best as Wollongong won 95-83 and improved to 4-0.

On December 17, Mee (20 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks) recorded a triple-double as Wollongong defeated Townsville 105-97 at the Townsville Entertainment Centre. Campbell (22 points and 4 assists) and Saville (20 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) helped the Hawks collect the road win, while Rillie (22 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Crocodiles.

In his next appearance on December 22, Mee (13 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals) recorded his second consecutive triple-double as Wollongong defeated Adelaide 105-81 at the WIN Entertainment Centre, making him one of only two players that have recorded triple-doubles in consecutive NBL matches. Campbell (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Saville (18 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) supported him, while Willie Farley (19 points) was Adelaide’s leading scorer.

Saville (17.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.2 blocks) delivered a career-best season and led Wollongong in scoring, while Ballinger (17 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks) provided a second offensive threat. Campbell (14.4 points and 4.3 rebounds), Rice (8.6 points and 4.8 rebounds), Kelly (8.1 points), Pilon (6.3 points and 4.4 rebounds) and Rigby (5.5 points and 3.4 rebounds) supplied the remainder of Joyce’s main rotation.

Mee’s performances during the two triple-doubles helped him earn NBL Player of the Month honours for December. He was later selected to the All-NBL First Team and won the NBL Best Defensive Player award for the fourth time, while Saville finished fifth in NBL MVP voting, earned All-NBL Second Team honours and was named the Hawks MVP.

Wollongong closed the regular season before a club-record home crowd of 5,839 on February 18, where Mee (6 points, 6 rebounds, and 11 assists), Saville (29 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocks) and Ballinger (14 points and 8 rebounds) led the Hawks to an 85-77 win over Sydney, while Rolan Roberts (21 points and 11 rebounds) was the Kings’ best. The victory secured second place for Wollongong with a 20-12 record and earned the Hawks a direct place in the semifinals.

Wollongong opened the semifinals at the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Mee (17 points, 7 rebounds, 12 assists, and 4 steals), Campbell (21 points and 5 rebounds) and Saville (19 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) led the Hawks to a 100-84 win over Townsville. Brad Newley (17 points and 4 rebounds), Rillie (15 points and 6 rebounds) and Robert Brown (14 points and 8 rebounds) were the Crocodiles’ main contributors.

Game two moved to the Townsville Entertainment Centre, where Saville (24 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks), Kelly (20 points), Pilon (19 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Mee (7 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals) led Wollongong. Newley (22 points and 6 rebounds), Casey Calvary (20 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks), Brown (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Kelvin Robertson (16 points) kept Townsville close before the Hawks won 109-105, completed the sweep and advanced to the Grand Final.

The Grand Final series opened at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, where Mee (12 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals), Saville (15 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists), Rigby (13 points and 7 rebounds) and Campbell (12 points and 5 rebounds) led Wollongong. Jason Smith (28 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals), Roberts (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) and CJ Bruton (13 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) led Sydney to a 96-73 win.

Game two moved to the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Mee (13 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, and 4 steals), Saville (15 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals) and Pilon (13 points and 5 rebounds) led the Hawks. Bruton (26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 steals), Mark Sanford (23 points and 5 assists) and Roberts (21 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks) powered Sydney to a 105-80 win.

Game three returned to the Sydney Entertainment Centre, where Mee (18 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals), Caporn (12 points) and Rigby (12 points and 9 rebounds) led Wollongong, while Smith (38 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 steals), Sanford (15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Brad Sheridan (14 points and 3 rebounds) led Sydney. The Kings won 112-85 to complete the sweep and become the first team in NBL history to win three consecutive championships, with Smith named Grand Final MVP.

2005/06
After missing the playoffs and finishing tenth with an 11-21 record, Cairns replaced Guy Molloy with former championship coach Alan Black. Marcus Timmons, Tony Rampton, Quintaris Sherrill, Brad Robbins, Tim Behrendorff and Brendan Clowry were not retained, while Anthony Stewart, Nathan Crosswell, Aaron Grabau, Gary Boodnikoff, Melvin Thomas and Deba George returned.

Black brought Darnell Mee (via Wollongong) back to Cairns and added Martin Cattalini (via Adelaide), Tate Decker (via Argentina), Matt Smith and the returning Kane Oakley. Mee joined Cattalini as co-captain, while Decker was signed as a temporary replacement for Chris Burgess, who was recovering from offseason ankle surgery, and played the opening eight games before Burgess returned.

Cairns opened the season at Trusts Stadium on September 4, where Mee (6 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks), Boodnikoff (30 points, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) and Cattalini (23 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) led the Taipans to a 126-104 win over New Zealand, while Aaron Olson (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists) was the Breakers’ best.

Mee (13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.7 steals across 36 games) appeared in every regular-season game, providing Cairns with a proven playmaker and defender as the Taipans produced the best regular-season finish in club history to that point.

On November 4, Mee (27 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) made nine of 14 shots from the field, three of five three-pointers and all six free throws as Cairns defeated Brisbane 129-115 at the Brisbane Convention Centre and ended a three-game losing streak. Cattalini (38 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Burgess (15 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks) helped the Taipans shoot 58 percent from the field, while Bobby Brannen (20 points and 12 rebounds) was Brisbane’s best.

Mee’s best regular-season scoring game came against Melbourne on January 14, where he made nine of 12 shots from the field, four of six three-pointers and nine of 11 free throws to finish with 31 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Cattalini (25 points and 4 rebounds) and Burgess (13 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks) provided support, while Chris Anstey (23 points and 8 rebounds) led Melbourne before Cairns won 110-104 and ended the Tigers’ nine-game winning streak.

Cairns closed the regular season against minor premier Sydney on February 4, where Mee (5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals), Burgess (18 points and 12 rebounds) and Boodnikoff (17 points and 3 rebounds) led the Taipans to a 107-84 win, while Sedric Webber (16 points and 4 rebounds) was Sydney’s leading scorer. The victory secured Cairns a home elimination final and a fifth-place finish with an 18-14 record.

Cattalini (19 points and 6.4 rebounds) led Cairns in scoring and was named the club’s MVP, while Boodnikoff (15.5 points and 5.2 rebounds) was named the NBL Most Improved Player. Burgess (13.5 points, 11 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks), Stewart (12.8 points and 3.5 rebounds), Decker (10.5 points and 6.4 rebounds across 8 games), Crosswell (8.6 points and 3.7 assists), Grabau (7 points) and Thomas (6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds) completed Black’s main rotation.

Mee won the NBL Best Defensive Player award for a record fifth time and was also named Cairns’ Best Defensive Player. Mee, Cattalini and Burgess were selected to the All-NBL Third Team, while Oakley (5 points) received the club’s Coaches Award.

Cairns opened the playoffs at the Cairns Convention Centre against Hunter, where Cattalini (24 points, 18 rebounds, and 3 assists), Burgess (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 block) and Mee (10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) led the Taipans. Ben Melmeth (29 points) and Mike Helms (16 points) were Hunter’s leading scorers before Cairns won 88-80 and eliminated the Pirates. Burgess left the game during the third quarter after injuring the ankle which had required offseason surgery, with Stewart saying, “He had ankle surgery in the off-season so that’s a bit of a worry how he comes back.”

The next elimination final moved to Adelaide, where Grabau (20 points and 7 rebounds), Boodnikoff (20 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists), Mee (16 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 block), Cattalini (14 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists), Crosswell (13 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Burgess (8 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks) led Cairns. Dusty Rychart (25 points and 8 rebounds), Willie Farley (24 points and 7 rebounds), Brett Maher (17 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals) and Oscar Forman (12 points and 6 rebounds) led Adelaide. Mee entered the fourth quarter with two points before scoring 12 during the period on five of six shooting, but his missed free throw with 4.8 seconds remaining allowed Forman to score at the buzzer and force overtime at 96-96. Mee scored the opening basket of the extra period before Stewart returned for the final possession and made a corner three-pointer with 1.6 seconds remaining, giving Cairns a 106-103 win and sending the Taipans into the semifinals for the first time.

The semifinals opened at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, where Stewart (18 points and 4 assists), Oakley (16 points and 4 rebounds), Cattalini (16 points and 9 rebounds), Crosswell (12 points and 4 rebounds) and Mee (10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Cairns. Mark Worthington (22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Jason Smith (16 points and 5 rebounds) and Ben Knight (13 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Sydney to a 112-87 win. Boodnikoff injured his ankle during his opening minutes and was unable to play in game two.

Game two moved to the Cairns Convention Centre, where Burgess (19 points, 25 rebounds, and 1 block), Cattalini (15 points and 5 rebounds), Stewart (14 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Mee (12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led the Taipans, while Luke Kendall (21 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) and Knight (17 points and 3 assists) led Sydney. Cattalini had an opportunity to force overtime during the final seconds, but his short jump shot rolled off the rim as Sydney completed the sweep with an 84-82 win.

2007/08
After defeating the South Dragons and Perth before being swept by Melbourne in the previous season’s semifinals, Cairns lost Anthony Stewart, Kevin Owens, Damon Thornton, Luke Martin (to South Dragons), Kane Oakley and Robert Rose, while head coach Alan Black retained captain Martin Cattalini, Darnell Mee, Aaron Grabau, Gary Boodnikoff, Matt Smith, Scott Cook, Dwayne Vale and Deba George.

Black added Stephen Black (via Brisbane), Larry Abney (via Townsville), Nathan Jawai (via AIS) and Rashad Tucker (via Melbourne), although injury prevented Mee from playing during Cairns’ opening ten games.

Mee made his season debut at the Cairns Convention Centre on November 10, finishing with 1 point, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block as the Taipans defeated Wollongong 103-86. Jawai (23 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks) and Boodnikoff (14 points) led Cairns, while Kavossy Franklin (19 points) was Wollongong’s best.

Mee (8.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals across 9 games) appeared in only eight regular-season games and the elimination final. After playing four games during November, ankle problems sidelined him for another six weeks and continued to restrict his availability throughout the remainder of the season.

Mee’s best scoring game came against New Zealand at the North Shore Events Centre on November 22, where he made nine of 14 shots from the field, two of three three-pointers and ten of 12 free throws to finish with 30 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal. Jawai (27 points and 9 rebounds) and Abney (20 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists) helped Cairns respond to a 20-point loss against the Breakers five days earlier, while Kirk Penney (31 points and 4 rebounds) led New Zealand before the Taipans won 128-103.

After six weeks out with ankle problems, Mee returned against Perth at the Cairns Convention Centre on January 9, with Black saying, “He’s been out for a long time and we’re hoping to gradually reintroduce him to the group.” Mee (6 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals, and 1 block) played 19 minutes, while Stephen Black (26 points and 5 assists) and Abney (25 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Cairns to a 93-89 win.

Tucker (8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists across 10 games) was replaced during December by Jared Newson (13.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 steals across 14 games), who gave Cairns another scorer and defender throughout the second half of the season.

Stephen Black (17.4 points and 5.6 assists) narrowly led Cairns in scoring, while Jawai (17.3 points and 9.4 rebounds) delivered one of the best rookie seasons in league history and Abney (16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds) remained a consistent interior contributor. Cattalini (13.6 points and 4.5 rebounds across 15 games), Boodnikoff (8.8 points and 3 rebounds), Grabau (7.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 20 games), Vale (6.8 points) and Cook (6.1 points) supplied the remainder of Black’s main rotation.

Jawai was named NBL Rookie of the Year, earned All-NBL Second Team honours and won the Taipans’ MVP award, while Cattalini received the Coaches Award and Grabau was named Cairns’ Best Defensive Player.

Mee was unavailable for Cairns’ final three regular-season games, including the 108-88 home win over Townsville that closed the campaign, as the Taipans finished sixth with a 16-14 record and qualified for the elimination final.

The elimination final was played at the Cairns Convention Centre, where Mee (3 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) returned for the Taipans, with Stephen Black (20 points and 4 assists), Boodnikoff (13 points and 4 rebounds), Cattalini (13 points and 4 rebounds), Abney (11 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Newson (10 points and 7 rebounds) Cairns’ main contributors. Penney (30 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists), Derrick Alston (19 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks) and Orien Greene (17 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks) led New Zealand as the Breakers won 100-78.

2008/09
After reaching the playoffs for a third consecutive season before losing to New Zealand in the elimination final, Cairns lost Nathan Jawai (to Toronto), Jared Newson and Rashad Tucker. Head coach Alan Black retained captain Martin Cattalini, Stephen Black, Larry Abney, Gary Boodnikoff, Darnell Mee, Aaron Grabau, Scott Cook, Dwayne Vale, Matt Smith and Dean Brebner.

Black added Ian Crosswhite (via Sydney), Dave Thomas (via Melbourne) and rookie Kerry Williams, who had progressed through the Cairns Marlins program.

Cairns won its opening two games, with early coverage identifying the rebuilt Taipans as the team most capable of challenging defending champion and title-favourite Melbourne.

Cairns opened the season at the Cairns Convention Centre on September 13, where Darnell (12 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists), Cattalini (21 points and 6 rebounds) and Thomas (13 points and 8 rebounds) led the Taipans to a 98-92 win over the South Dragons, while Mark Worthington (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) was the Dragons’ best.

Mee (7.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals across 28 games) remained an experienced playmaker and defender for Cairns, appearing in 28 of the team’s 30 games during what became his final NBL season.

Mee’s best scoring game came against New Zealand at the North Shore Events Centre on October 9, where he made six of 12 shots from the field, two of four three-pointers and 12-of-14 free throws to finish with 26 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals. Thomas (22 points and 6 rebounds) and Crosswhite (21 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) provided support, while Rick Rickert (25 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists) was New Zealand’s best as Cairns won 122-111.

Cairns was unable to sustain its early momentum and had fallen to 6-12 when major sponsor Pacific Toyota could no longer continue underwriting the club, resulting in the Taipans being placed into voluntary administration on December 10. The remaining players agreed to a 45 per cent pay cut so Cairns could complete the season, while imports Abney (15.1 points and 8.4 rebounds across 18 games) and Thomas (11.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 16 games) were released. Black said, “It was either that or not move forward, they were our two choices.”

Vale (5.3 points across 27 games) described losing two teammates as “a shock to the system” and said he had major respect for how Abney and Thomas handled being forced out. Cattalini (15.9 points and 6.1 rebounds across 29 games) said the remaining players wanted to keep the club viable and repay the community which had supported them, adding, “We want to keep on playing and we want to keep on playing for the fans.”

The reduced Taipans responded by defeating Gold Coast 97-88 in their first game after entering administration, although Mee was limited to 10 minutes and finished with 1 rebound and 1 steal. Cairns went 5-7 following the administration announcement after recording a 6-12 mark beforehand.

Black initially accepted the pay reduction but was subsequently sacked by the administrators, with assistant coach and Taipans chief executive Mark Beecroft taking over for the final 11 games. Stephen Black (16.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals across 6 games) also stood down after a back complaint left him unable to guarantee that he could play again during the season. Training was moved to evenings so members of the remaining roster could find work during the day, with Beecroft saying, “We all doing what we have to do to make this work.”

Despite losing both imports, its head coach and its leading scorer, Cairns went 4-7 under Beecroft. Basketball Australia, Cairns Regional Council and the local community continued supporting the cash-strapped club, allowing the Taipans to complete the season when their future beyond the final game remained uncertain.

Cattalini led the players who remained and won the Taipans’ MVP award, while Crosswhite (11 points and 6.1 rebounds) received the Coaches Award and Grabau (7.8 points and 3.3 rebounds) was named Cairns’ Best Defensive Player. Boodnikoff (9.1 points and 3 rebounds), Williams (6.2 points and 1.3 steals), Cook (5.8 points), Smith (2.9 points and 3.7 rebounds) and Brebner (2.6 points) filled out the reduced rotation alongside Mee and Vale.

The season marked the end of Mee’s 362-game NBL career with Canberra, Adelaide, Wollongong and Cairns. He became the first player to win the NBL Best Defensive Player award five times, achieving the feat across three different clubs, and remained one of only two players to record triple-doubles in consecutive NBL games.

Mee (4 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) played his final NBL game at the Cairns Convention Centre on February 14, where Cattalini (21 points and 8 rebounds) and Williams (16 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals) led the Taipans, while Donta Smith (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) was the Dragons’ best as South won 82-80, leaving Cairns ninth with an 11-19 record.

Darnell Mee played twelve seasons across four NBL teams. This included the Canberra Cannons, Wollongong Hawks, Adelaide 36ers and Cairns Taipans. He averaged 14.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5 assists in 362 NBL games.

CAREER RANKINGS:
– 48th in total points
– 12th in total assists
– 10th in total steals
– 14th in total blocks
– 43rd in steals per game.

HIGHLIGHTS: