BIO: Dwayne “Dewey” Michaels was born in Chicago, Illinois (USA).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Dewey Michaels made his NBL debut with the Perth Wildcats at 26 years of age. He scored four points in his first game.

Perth’s 17-13 fourth-place finish and semifinal run in 1997 was followed by a change on the sideline, as Adrian Hurley stepped down after five seasons and Alan Black returned for the NBL’s 20th and final winter campaign. David Van Dyke, George Banks, Scott Harkess and Ryan Gardiner left the Wildcats, while captain Andrew Vlahov, Ricky Grace, Todd Lichti, Scott Fisher, James Crawford, Anthony Stewart, Gavin Vanderputten, Phil Doherty, Greg Brown and Nick Lackovic stayed. Greg Smith and Thomas Hill (via Jacksonville) completed the season-opening additions.

Dwayne “Dewey” Michaels made his NBL debut against Newcastle at the Perth Entertainment Centre on March 22 following a midseason import change after Hill’s nine-game stint had ended. The reigning SBL MVP and Grand Final MVP with the Perth Redbacks finished with 4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks in 14 minutes as Perth lost 85-82, its fourth consecutive defeat.

Michaels (6.3 points and 6.1 rebounds across 23 games) gave Perth rebounding and interior depth for the remainder of the campaign, shooting 64 percent from the field while appearing in the Wildcats’ final 19 regular-season games and all four postseason contests. Perth responded to its four-game slide with five consecutive victories through April 11, while Vlahov (12.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.6 steals across 17 games) returned on April 19 after missing the first 17 games. Michaels also played with Rockingham during the 1998 SBL season after his championship year with the Redbacks.

Michaels produced his best and highest-scoring game of the season against Brisbane at the Perth Entertainment Centre on May 24, making 5-of-6 field goals and 4-of-5 free throws for 14 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal in 21 minutes as the Wildcats defeated the Bullets 97-82.

Grace (18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1.5 steals across 34 games) led Perth in scoring and assists and earned All-NBL Third Team honours. Lichti (17.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.7 steals across 32 games) remained one of the Wildcats’ main perimeter options, while Fisher (17.2 points and 9.2 rebounds across 32 games) led the team in rebounding after knee reconstruction had restricted him to two NBL appearances the previous season. Crawford (16 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 34 games) and Stewart (11.7 points and 3.3 assists across 34 games) provided further production, with Vlahov strengthening the frontcourt after his return. Crawford, Fisher and Vlahov were selected to the NBL’s 20th Anniversary Team as Perth finished third with a 17-13 record.

The elimination finals began at Beaton Park on June 12, where Michaels (5 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks) contributed as Fisher (37 points) and Lichti (18 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth to a 95-85 victory. Mat Campbell (27 points and 5 rebounds) was Wollongong’s leading scorer in the final NBL game played at the Snakepit.

Two days later at Challenge Stadium, Michaels (6 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) helped the Wildcats complete the series sweep. Fisher (21 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Lichti (21 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth, while Elliot Hatcher (34 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals) carried Wollongong as the Wildcats won 120-97.

Adelaide visited Challenge Stadium for the opening semifinal, where Michaels (6 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists) made all three of his field-goal attempts. Crawford (22 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Grace (20 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Perth, but Brett Maher (36 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) made seven three-pointers as the 36ers won 114-97. “He was unbelievable,” Adelaide coach Phil Smyth said of Maher’s performance.

Game two moved to Adelaide Arena, where Michaels (1 point, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist) was joined by Vlahov (32 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Grace (26 points, 1 rebound, 6 assists, and 2 steals). Maher (26 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists) led Adelaide to a 117-110 victory, completing the semifinal sweep and ending Perth’s season.

1999/00
After averaging 9.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks across 19 games the previous season, Dwayne “Dewey” Michaels returned to Perth for his third NBL campaign with increased competition for minutes in the Wildcats’ frontcourt. Perth had finished sixth with a 13-13 record in 1998/99 and was eliminated by Adelaide in the opening round of the playoffs. Coach Alan Black retained Michaels alongside captain Andrew Vlahov, Ricky Grace, Scott Fisher, Anthony Stewart, Paul Rogers, James Harvey, Stephen Black, Adrian Majstrovich and Greg Smith, while Todd Lichti, James Crawford, Clinton McDaniel and Sidney Goodman were among those who departed. The Wildcats also underwent an ownership change, with Kerry Stokes handing control of the club to Vlahov and three-time NBA champion Luc Longley. Having failed to reach the Grand Final since 1995, Perth entered the season hoping its experienced lineup could deliver another championship.

The Wildcats opened against Adelaide at the Adelaide Arena on October 2, where Michaels (2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 2 blocks) played 13 minutes off the bench. Rogers (20 points and 11 rebounds) led Perth’s scoring, while Stewart contributed 17 points and 6 assists. Brett Maher (25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists) was Adelaide’s leading performer as the defending champions defeated Perth 109-89. The result began a three-game losing streak for the Wildcats, who struggled to find consistency during the opening weeks.

Michaels (2.5 points across 19 games) saw his opportunities decrease significantly as Perth relied more heavily on its established frontcourt players. After averaging almost 27 minutes per game the previous season, he played approximately seven minutes per appearance in 1999/00, with his role largely restricted to providing short bursts of defensive and rebounding support off the bench. Although his scoring opportunities were limited, Michaels remained an efficient finisher, making 20 of his 32 field-goal attempts for the season (62.5 percent). He appeared in 19 of Perth’s 28 regular-season games, with no confirmed injury or other reason established for his absences.

His best overall and highest-scoring performance came against Townsville at the Cairns Convention Centre on October 12, where Michaels finished with 6 points and 4 rebounds in 15 minutes. He connected on three of his five field-goal attempts and collected two offensive rebounds, providing additional frontcourt support during Perth’s difficult start to the season. Harvey (16 points and 5 rebounds) and Fisher (16 points and 5 rebounds) were the Wildcats’ leading scorers, but Sam Mackinnon (25 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks) dominated for the Crocodiles as Townsville recorded a convincing 123-81 victory. Despite the result, Michaels produced his highest scoring and rebounding totals of the season in what would prove to be his longest appearance of the campaign.

Away from the NBL, Michaels remained a familiar figure in Western Australian basketball. He had joined the Wildcats during the 1998 season after winning the State Basketball League MVP and Grand Final MVP awards with the Perth Redbacks in 1997, establishing himself as a popular local addition to the team. His larger-than-life personality also attracted a dedicated group of courtside supporters known as “Dewey’s Angels”, who attended Wildcats games dressed in white clothing and angel wings. Michaels continued his involvement in the State Basketball League with Rockingham during 1998 and 1999 before returning to the Perth Redbacks in 2000, where he averaged 16.7 points across 12 games. Although his NBL opportunities were becoming limited, he remained an established contributor at state-league level.

Rogers (18.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks across 36 games) became Perth’s leading scorer and rebounder, establishing himself as one of the league’s most dominant centres. His performances were rewarded when he became the first Wildcats player to win the NBL Most Valuable Player award, also earning selection to the All-NBL First Team. Vlahov (14.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.9 steals across 36 games) provided leadership and another strong rebounding presence, while Fisher (12.9 points and 6.4 rebounds across 35 games) remained an important frontcourt contributor. Grace (14.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 7.6 assists across 35 games) directed the offence, with Stewart (12.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists across 36 games) providing perimeter scoring and playmaking. Harvey (8.2 points across 36 games) also increased his contribution considerably after averaging just 1.7 points during his rookie season. With the Wildcats’ frontcourt built around Rogers, Vlahov and Fisher, Michaels found himself further down Black’s rotation and was primarily used when additional interior support was needed.

Perth added another experienced player to its roster midway through the season by signing former Melbourne Tigers import Marcus Timmons (12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals across 16 games). Timmons, who had previously won an NBL championship with Melbourne in 1997, made his Wildcats debut against Wollongong on January 26 and brought additional athleticism, outside shooting and postseason experience. His arrival strengthened Perth’s rotation as the team continued to recover from its disappointing opening stretch, although Michaels’ opportunities remained limited throughout the second half of the campaign.

Michaels made his final appearance of the season against Melbourne at the Perth Entertainment Centre on March 11, contributing 2 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist in six minutes as the Wildcats defeated the Tigers 88-72. Stewart (19 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists) led Perth’s scoring, while Grace added 13 points and 10 assists. The victory completed an eight-game winning streak to finish the regular season, with Perth recovering from its 0-3 start to secure third place with a 22-6 record. Adelaide and Townsville also finished with 22 wins and six losses, with the three teams separated by tiebreaking criteria. Michaels’ 19 appearances all came during the regular season, with the Wildcats entering the playoffs using a tighter rotation.

Michaels did not appear in any of Perth’s postseason games, beginning with the quarterfinal series against West Sydney. The Razorbacks claimed game one 91-80 at the Whitlam Centre on March 15. Perth responded with a 99-88 victory at the Perth Entertainment Centre on March 17 to level the series. The Wildcats then won the deciding third game 82-74 on March 19, completing a 2-1 series victory and advancing to the semi-finals.

Townsville awaited Perth in the semi-finals, with Michaels again not appearing in the series. The Wildcats won the opening game 104-101 at the Perth Entertainment Centre on March 24. Townsville responded with a 101-78 victory at the Townsville Entertainment Centre on March 31, forcing another deciding contest. Perth returned to Townsville on April 2 and secured a convincing 104-84 victory, completing a 2-1 series win and reaching its first Grand Final since 1995.

Perth faced the Victoria Titans in the Grand Final, with Michaels remaining outside the playing rotation. The Wildcats claimed an 84-78 road victory at Melbourne Park on April 7 to take a 1-0 series lead. Game two moved to the Perth Entertainment Centre on April 12, where Perth defeated Victoria 83-76 in front of approximately 8,000 supporters to complete a 2-0 Grand Final sweep. Timmons was named Grand Final MVP as Michaels became an NBL championship-winning player for the first time, with Perth securing its fourth title and what would prove to be its final championship at the Perth Entertainment Centre.

Dewey Michaels played five seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Cairns Taipans and the Perth Wildcats. He averaged 6.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 96 NBL games.