BIO: Dexter Kernich-Drew was born in Melbourne (VIC) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Waverly basketball program.

He attended Caulfield Grammar School, where he competed in basketball, volleyball and track and field.

He led the school’s basketball team to the 2008 McDonald’s Cup Senior Boys State Championship, where he was named the tournament MVP.

Caulfield went on to capture the National School Basketball Tournament (NSBT) Championship, defeating Mountain Creek State High School.

He spent four years playing college basketball at Washington State before spending a year playing in Brazil before signing his first NBL deal.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Dexter Kernich-Drew made his NBL debut with the Perth Wildcats at 24 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

After finishing second with an 18-10 record and defeating New Zealand 2-1 in the 2016 Grand Final, Perth entered the season as defending champions, but Nathan Jawai (to Cairns), Tom Jervis (to Brisbane) and Jermaine Beal (to Brisbane) departed from the championship roster. Coach Trevor Gleeson retained captain Damian Martin, Matthew Knight, Jesse Wagstaff, Greg Hire, Shawn Redhage and Casey Prather and added Dexter Kernich-Drew (via Perth training roster), Angus Brandt (via Sydney), Jameel McKay (via Iowa State) and Jaron Johnson (via Rio Grande Valley). The Victorian guard signed a two-year deal on July 29 after spending significant time as a train-on player with Perth during the previous season following a brief stint in Brazil. “I’m so pleased to earn a position in this program,” he said. Knight had undergone stabilisation surgery on his left shoulder before suffering a subluxation of his right shoulder during the preseason and being initially ruled out for two months, leading Perth to add Lucas Walker (via Adelaide) as an injury replacement.

Perth opened the season in Brisbane on October 6, where Dexter (0 points) made his NBL debut and played 2:42 from the bench as the Bullets defeated the Wildcats 72-65. Jameel McKay (18 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 blocks) led Perth and Prather (9 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) provided support, while Torrey Craig (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) was Brisbane’s best.

Kernich-Drew (2.3 points across 29 games) remained a reserve throughout the season, appearing in 27 of Perth’s 28 regular-season games and two of its five playoff games without making a start. No injury or illness was reported during the season. Knight (9.4 points and 6.1 rebounds across 27 games) returned ahead of schedule against Illawarra on October 21, allowing Walker (1 point across 2 games) to be removed from the active roster while remaining with Perth as a training player. Martin fractured his jaw against Melbourne two days later before returning and suffering a grade-three MCL tear against Adelaide on November 5, while Jarrod Kenny also suffered a groin injury as Perth’s backcourt became depleted.

Johnson (13.1 points and 4.6 rebounds across 14 games) was deactivated after only three games as Perth looked for better roster balance and more perimeter shooting, with three-point specialist Andre Ingram (via Los Angeles D-Fenders) signed in his place. Ingram (8.5 points across 2 games) helped Perth defeat Illawarra and Melbourne before requesting his release and returning to the United States citing mental health issues. Johnson had remained in Perth and continued training with the Wildcats and was restored to the active roster with Martin and Kenny unavailable, but his return proved temporary as the defending champions struggled through the first half of the season.

Kernich-Drew’s season-high scoring game came in Wollongong on October 28, where Kernich-Drew (14 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) made three three-pointers and five of seven free throws in 17:10 from the bench. Prather (20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) led Perth and Knight (10 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) recorded a double-double, while Marvelle Harris (27 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) led Illawarra to an 81-76 victory.

Perth eventually fell to 7-9 and last place before Johnson was released for the second time on December 23 as the Wildcats again attempted to improve the balance of their roster. His departure left Perth searching for another import guard while Martin remained sidelined, with Gleeson and the Wildcats’ basketball department working through Christmas as they assessed potential replacements.

Kernich-Drew’s best game came against Illawarra at the WIN Entertainment Centre on December 31, where Kernich-Drew (13 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) made four of eight field goals and three of five three-pointers in 16:10 from the bench. Perth trailed by seven midway through the fourth quarter before he scored eight of his 13 points during the final period, hitting consecutive three-pointers during the comeback as Wagstaff (20 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals), Prather (19 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 steals) and McKay (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists) helped the Wildcats win 95-87. Oscar Forman (20 points and 2 rebounds) and Rotnei Clarke (17 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) led Illawarra. The victory lifted Perth to 8-9 and off the bottom of the ladder with incoming import Bryce Cotton still unavailable.

Perth had reviewed around 35 players during a two-week search before former NBA guard Cotton (via Anadolu Efes) became a realistic option, having initially spoken with him without realising his availability, timing and price could work. Cotton had left Turkish club Anadolu Efes in December citing family reasons and security concerns and signed for the remainder of the season on January 3 to replace Johnson, with Gleeson describing him as the “missing piece” Perth had been searching for. Cotton (23.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.3 steals across 16 games) immediately provided another scorer and ball-handler alongside Prather. Perth won seven of Cotton’s 11 regular-season appearances and eight of its final 12 regular-season games from the December 31 victory onwards after falling to last place, before going 5-0 in the playoffs and 12-4 across Cotton’s 16 appearances.

Prather (19.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.6 steals across 32 games) remained Perth’s other major offensive weapon and earned All-NBL First Team honours after finishing second in MVP voting with 107 votes behind Adelaide’s Jerome Randle with 147. Wagstaff (9 points across 33 games), McKay (7.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 33 games) and Brandt (6 points across 33 games) provided frontcourt support around Knight, while Martin (4.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.7 steals across 22 games) returned from his injuries and again anchored the defence. Perth finished with the NBL’s best defence, while Prather received the Gordon Ellis Medal as club MVP, the Players’ Player and Members MVP awards, Martin was named Best Defensive Player, Brandt received the Most Improved Player award and Walker received the Coaches’ Award. Redhage announced during the season that he would retire at its completion.

Perth entered the final round needing to win both games to guarantee its 31st consecutive postseason appearance, beginning with a 101-74 victory over Sydney at Perth Arena on February 10. Kernich-Drew (0 points) played 3:24 from the bench as Prather (29 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) and Cotton (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Perth, while Brad Newley (19 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) was Sydney’s leading scorer. Two days later Kernich-Drew (0 points) played 1:57 as Perth defeated Melbourne 96-94 behind Prather (26 points, 2 rebounds, 11 assists, and 1 steal), Cotton (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Knight (15 points and 10 rebounds), while Josh Boone (27 points and 11 rebounds) and Casper Ware (27 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) led Melbourne. The victory left Perth third with a 15-13 record and secured its 31st consecutive postseason appearance.

Perth opened the semifinals at the Cairns Convention Centre, where Kernich-Drew (0 points) played 1:16 as the Wildcats defeated the Taipans 91-69. Cotton (34 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals), Prather (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Knight (14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) led Perth, while Travis Trice (15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) was Cairns’ leading scorer.

Kernich-Drew did not play in game two at Perth Arena, where Prather (24 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Wagstaff (20 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 steals) led the Wildcats, while Trice (22 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) led Cairns. Perth won 74-66 to complete the semifinal sweep.

Kernich-Drew did not play in the opening Grand Final game against Illawarra at Perth Arena, where Prather (22 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals), Cotton (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Knight (18 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth to an 89-77 victory, while Cody Ellis (12 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) was Illawarra’s leading scorer.

Game two moved to the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Kernich-Drew (0 points) played the final 25 seconds as Perth again won 89-77. Cotton (20 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals), Prather (18 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block), Brandt (15 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) and Martin (12 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) led the Wildcats, while AJ Ogilvy (21 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) and Clarke (21 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) led Illawarra. Knight suffered concussion symptoms following contact early in the third quarter and was ruled out of game three.

Kernich-Drew did not play in game three at Perth Arena, where Cotton (45 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) made 12-of-17 field goals, seven three-pointers and 14-of-15 free throws to set a new NBL Grand Final single-game scoring record. Prather (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Wagstaff (10 points and 3 assists) provided support, while Clarke (30 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) led Illawarra. Perth won 95-86 to complete a 3-0 Grand Final sweep and a perfect 5-0 postseason, claiming its eighth NBL championship and first back-to-back titles since 1991, with Cotton named Grand Final MVP after averaging 27.7 points across the series.

2017/18
Following consecutive championship seasons, Perth re-signed Grand Final MVP Bryce Cotton but lost two-time club MVP Casey Prather (to Melbourne), Jameel McKay (to Spain) and Shawn Redhage (retired). Devondrick Walker (via Delaware) initially signed as Prather’s replacement, but fractured his left foot during the preseason and was ruled out before playing a regular-season game, with JP Tokoto (via Rio Grande Valley) signed as his replacement. Derek Cooke Jr (via Northern Arizona) replaced McKay, while Lucas Walker was elevated from training player to the full-time roster.

Kernich-Drew entered the second season of the two-year deal he signed with Perth in 2016 after spending the offseason with the Rockingham Flames. His SBL season ended in July when he suffered a broken jaw against Perry Lakes, ruling him out for the remainder of the competition. Kernich-Drew recovered in time for Perth’s preseason and scored 26 points, including five three-pointers, against Melbourne United during the NBL Blitz.

Kernich-Drew (2 points across 21 games) made his first appearance of the season in Perth’s second game against Illawarra on October 13. Kernich-Drew (11 points) produced his best game of the season in just over 10 minutes, making four of seven field goals and two of five three-pointers as Perth defeated the Hawks 74-64 in a rematch of the previous season’s Grand Final. Brandt (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Wildcats, while Rotnei Clarke (16 points) and Demitrius Conger (16 points and 5 rebounds) led Illawarra as Perth held the Hawks to seven points in the third quarter.

Kernich-Drew (5 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) received another 11 minutes against Cairns on October 22, making a three-pointer and both of his free throws, but the Taipans handed Perth its first loss of the season with a 90-69 victory. Mitch McCarron (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Michael Carrera (15 points and 5 rebounds) led Cairns.

Kernich-Drew (5 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) added another productive performance against Sydney on November 3, making two of five field goals in 10 minutes as Perth defeated the Kings 93-69. Perry Ellis (19 points and 7 rebounds) and Isaac Humphries (13 points) led Sydney as the Wildcats improved to 5-1.

Matthew Knight had planned to retire at the end of the season, but three head knocks during the opening weeks forced him to bring his retirement forward after five games. Clint Steindl (via Greece), who had spent time with Perth during the preseason before joining Panionios, was granted a release from the Greek club and signed with the Wildcats on November 11 as Knight’s replacement.

Perth won 10 of its first 13 games before injuries disrupted the rotation, with Martin missing two games after injuring his ankle against Illawarra and Hire missing seven games across two calf injuries as the Wildcats slipped to 13-9 by the middle of January. Kernich-Drew remained in a limited bench role, with no further injury reported after recovering from his broken jaw before the season.

Kernich-Drew (0 points in 0:43) was on court for the final seconds of Perth’s 111-90 win over Adelaide on February 2 when Brendan Teys (0 points and 1 rebound) heavily fouled Wildcats debutant Lochlan Cummings (2 points and 1 steal). Kernich-Drew retaliated with a heavy bump on Teys, sparking an all-in melee which resulted in four players being ejected. He was charged with unduly rough play, graded as intentional body contact with high impact, and was also charged with engaging in the melee.

With the tribunal process yet to be completed, Kernich-Drew remained eligible for the rematch in Adelaide two days later and Kernich-Drew (5 points and 1 block) made both of his field goals, including a three-pointer, in just over four minutes as the 36ers defeated Perth 94-82.

Kernich-Drew accepted a $375 fine for his involvement in the melee but challenged the separate two-game suspension for unduly rough play. His appeal was dismissed on February 7, ruling him out of Perth’s games against Cairns on February 9 and Melbourne on February 16. The other six regular-season games in which he did not appear came while he was outside the playing rotation rather than because of a reported injury.

Kernich-Drew (3 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) returned from suspension for the regular-season finale against Cairns on February 18, making his only field-goal attempt as Perth defeated the Taipans 89-61. Cameron Gliddon (12 points) and Jerry Evans Jr (12 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Cairns as Perth finished third with a 16-12 record and qualified for the postseason for a 32nd consecutive season.

Cotton (19.5 points and 1.2 steals across 30 games) and Tokoto (15.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals across 30 games) led Perth offensively, while Brandt (9.6 points and 4.3 rebounds across 30 games), Wagstaff (9 points and 3.1 rebounds across 29 games), Lucas Walker (8.4 points and 5.6 rebounds across 30 games), Cooke Jr (5.6 points and 5.3 rebounds across 30 games) and Martin (4.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.5 steals across 28 games) were the other major contributors. Cotton was named NBL MVP and selected to the All-NBL First Team, Tokoto earned All-NBL Second Team honours and Martin won the NBL Best Defensive Player Award for a record sixth time.

Perth opened the semifinals in Adelaide, where Kernich-Drew (4 points and 2 rebounds) played six minutes off the bench as the 36ers defeated the Wildcats 109-74. Cotton (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals), Brandt (8 points and 6 rebounds) and Cooke Jr (8 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) provided Perth’s main contributions, while Josh Childress (22 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals), Mitch Creek (20 points and 11 rebounds), Shannon Shorter (18 points and 7 assists), Daniel Johnson (16 points and 10 rebounds) and Nathan Sobey (15 points and 4 assists) led Adelaide. The 35-point defeat was Perth’s second-biggest finals loss behind its 55-point defeat to North Melbourne in 1989.

Game two moved to Perth Arena, where Kernich-Drew did not take the court as Cotton (31 points and 3 assists) scored a Wildcats finals-record 19 points during the opening quarter and helped Perth build an 18-point lead. Tokoto (14 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists), Brandt (14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Jarrod Kenny (12 points) provided support, while Childress (25 points and 11 rebounds) scored the go-ahead basket with 24 seconds remaining and Creek (22 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Sobey (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) helped Adelaide recover from five points down during the final minute to defeat Perth 89-88 and complete the semifinal sweep.

CAIRNS TAIPANS
2018/19
After finishing sixth with an 11-17 record the previous season, Cairns moved in a new direction, parting ways with long-time coach Aaron Fearne and appointing Mike Kelly. The Taipans also lost Cameron Gliddon (to Brisbane), Mitchell McCarron (to Melbourne), Jarrad Weeks (to New Zealand) and Stephen Weigh (retired).

Kelly rebuilt the roster by adding Lucas Walker (via Perth), Jarrod Kenny (via Perth), Rob Loe (via New Zealand) and Mitch Young (via Brisbane), alongside imports Melo Trimble, Devon Hall and DJ Newbill (via New Zealand), while Nathan Jawai, Alex Loughton and Kuany Kuany returned.

After Perth elected not to offer him a new contract, Dexter Kernich-Drew (via Perth) signed with Cairns on May 9. The two-time NBL champion had spent the previous two seasons in a limited role with the Wildcats and joined Walker and Kenny in moving from Perth to Cairns.

Cairns opened the season in Brisbane on October 13, where Kernich-Drew (3 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist) made his Taipans debut off the bench as Cairns defeated the Bullets 88-70. Trimble (32 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Newbill (16 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led the Taipans, while Reuben Te Rangi (18 points and 3 rebounds) was Brisbane’s leading scorer.

Kernich-Drew (3.3 points and 1.4 rebounds across 18 games) started twice and saw his playing time increase from his final season in Perth, but Cairns struggled to build momentum after its opening victory and lost its next 14 games.

Kernich-Drew’s best game came against Adelaide on October 26, where he made his first start for Cairns and hit four three-pointers to finish with 17 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. He hit consecutive three-pointers during the fourth quarter to give Cairns a 73-72 lead before another three cut Adelaide’s advantage to four points with 46 seconds remaining, but the 36ers recovered to win 91-83. Hall (12 points and 4 rebounds) and Jawai (11 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks) provided support, while Nathan Sobey (22 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 steals) led Adelaide.

After playing against Illawarra on December 7, Kernich-Drew missed Cairns’ next nine games and on December 13 was ruled out for six weeks after being diagnosed with multiple undisplaced fractures around his eye socket and cheekbone. He returned against Brisbane on January 19, recording 0 points, 1 rebound, and 1 block in 10 minutes. Kernich-Drew did not play against New Zealand two days later, with no separate injury publicly reported for that absence, before returning on January 24 and appearing in each of Cairns’ final seven games.

Trimble (22.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals across 28 games) led Cairns offensively, finishing as the NBL’s leading scorer and earning All-NBL Second Team honours along with the Taipans’ Most Valuable Player and Members’ Choice MVP awards. Newbill (14.3 points and 4 rebounds across 27 games) was named the club’s Best Defensive Player, while Jawai (10 points and 5.2 rebounds across 27 games), Hall (8.8 points and 4.3 rebounds across 28 games), Loe (7.5 points and 4.8 rebounds across 28 games), Loughton (6.5 points across 25 games) and Walker (6.1 points and 4 rebounds across 26 games) were the other main contributors. Kenny (4.9 points across 28 games) received the Coaches Award as Cairns went 3-11 at home and 3-11 on the road.

Cairns closed the season against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on February 16, where Kernich-Drew (0 points) played six minutes off the bench as the Kings defeated the Taipans 89-84. Trimble (21 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Loughton (17 points and 3 rebounds) led Cairns, while Andrew Bogut (12 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 blocks) led Sydney, leaving Cairns last with a 6-22 record.

SYDNEY KINGS
2020/21
Sydney faced significant roster turnover after finishing runners-up to Perth in the COVID-induced conclusion to the 2020 Grand Final. Jae’Sean Tate (to Houston) and head coach Will Weaver (to Houston) departed for the NBA, while Kevin Lisch (retired), Andrew Bogut (retired) and Lucas Walker (retired) also left. Adam Forde was promoted to head coach and added Jarell Martin, Angus Glover (via Illawarra) and Dejan Vasiljevic (via Miami University), while Xavier Cooks suffered a preseason foot injury and Tom Vodanovich (via New Zealand) was signed as his injury replacement.

After Glover suffered a partial ACL sprain in his right knee two games into the season, Dexter Kernich-Drew (via South East Melbourne) signed with Sydney on February 5 as an injury replacement. Kernich-Drew had spent the previous months as a training player with the Phoenix after serving as an injury replacement with Melbourne the previous season and had previously played under Forde as part of Perth’s 2017 championship team. “I think Dexter ticks a lot of boxes for us,” Forde said.
“His familiarity with the league, and my past experience with him – I know that he’s going to fit really well with the group and our culture.”

Kernich-Drew made his Kings debut the following night against Adelaide at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, where Kernich-Drew (0 points) played almost eight minutes as Sydney defeated the 36ers 94-75. Ware (27 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) and Martin (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) led Sydney, while Johnson (21 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Adelaide.

Kernich-Drew (0.9 points across 8 games) remained Glover’s nominated injury replacement through most of the season but saw only sporadic playing time. No injury was reported during his Sydney stint, with his non-appearances coming as he moved in and out of the Kings’ rotation.

Kernich-Drew produced his highest-scoring game against South East Melbourne at John Cain Arena on April 22, where Kernich-Drew (4 points and 1 assist) played almost 15 minutes as Sydney defeated the Phoenix 101-81. Hunter (19 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks) and Ware (19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) led Sydney, while Creek (29 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) led South East Melbourne.

Two nights later, Kernich-Drew’s best game came against Illawarra at WIN Entertainment Centre, where Kernich-Drew (3 points and 1 rebound) made his only field goal attempt during Sydney’s 79-75 overtime victory. Ware (18 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Hunter (16 points, 10 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) led the Kings, while Froling (22 points, 12 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) led Illawarra.

Martin (17.9 points and 7 rebounds) and Ware (17.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists) led Sydney’s offence, while Vasiljevic (15.4 points and 3.6 rebounds), Hunter (9 points and 6.3 rebounds) and Louzada (8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds) provided further support. Kernich-Drew’s last appearance came against Melbourne on May 2 before Jarrad Weeks (via New Zealand) later replaced Glover for the remainder of the season.

Sydney won its final three games and closed the season against Brisbane at Qudos Bank Arena on June 5, where Martin (28 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) and Ware (14 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Kings to an 83-82 victory, while Sobey (22 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists) led Brisbane. Sydney finished fifth with a 19-17 record and missed the playoffs.

Dexter Kernich-Drew played four seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Perth Wildcats, Cairns Taipans and Sydney Kings. He averaged 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in 76 NBL games.