BIO: Prewster was born in Santa Ana, California, to a African-American father, Norvell Prewster, and a Samoan mother, Ana Hunt. He was raised by his mother in American Samoa and spent time in Hawaii before moving to Wellington when he was seven.

He grew up in the suburb of Johnsonville and attended Wellington College, before moving to the United States for his senior year of high school. He enrolled at Iowa City High School in Iowa City, Iowa, where he led his team to the Class 4A state championship in 2007/08.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Dion Prewster made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 21 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

After winning their first NBL championship, the Breakers suffered two major losses, the first being leading scorer Kirk Penney’s decision to play in Europe and a off-season achilles injury to Kevin Braswell that saw him still unable to play at the beginning of the 2011/12 season. Coach Andrej Lemanis would replace him with Cedric Jackson and then finalised their roster by adding Daryl Corletto, who the Melbourne Tigers had just released to make room for NBA star Patty Mills.

Jackson (12.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 2.2 steals) would lead the league in both assists and steals and ensure the Breakers didn’t skip a beat as the defending champs. Gary Wilkinson (16.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) and Thomas Abercrombie (15.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) both boosting their offensive output in the absence of Penney, propelling New Zealand to a first-place finish (21-7) for the second consecutive season.

New Zealand would meet Townsville in the semifinals where they would lose the opening contest (82-99) behind big games from Crocodiles stars Peter Crawford (26 points) and Eddie Gill (21 points and 4 steals).

The Breakers re-grouped with CJ Bruton (18 points) top scoring in a game two win (94-83) that saw five New Zealand players all score in double figures. Bruton (20 points) continued to lead the way offensively in game three (97-80), winning the series for New Zealand and propelling them into the Grand Final.

New Zealand would go on to face Perth, winning the opening game in a overtime victory at home (104–98). Bruton (20 points and 3 assists) and Jackson (25 points and 8 assists) led the way in scoring, while Wilkinson added 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 steal.

Despite Wilkinson (28 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) delivering his best game of the season, the Wildcats would rebound from the loss and claim a narrow victory in their second meeting (87-86). Jesse Wagstaff (15 points) and Kevin Lisch (15 points and 5 rebounds) led the way for Perth, while six other Wildcats players also scored in double figures. This set up a third game back in Auckland, where the Wildcat’s built up a slight lead in the second quarter through some brilliant play from Matthew Knight (17 points and 6 rebounds), who had 11 points in the quarter. With centre Luke Nevill (4 points and 3 rebounds in 9 mins) getting into foul trouble and the Breakers defence all but neutralising Shawn Redhage (18 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists), the Breakers clinched back-to-back titles with a six-point victory (79–73) in front of 9,000 fans.

After Perth levelled the score with seven minutes to go, Abercrombie (12 points and 4 rebounds) pulled in a offensive rebound and set up Bruton (16 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), who nailed a three-point dagger to extend the lead to seven with less than two minutes to play. Gary Wilkinson (23 points) led all scorers, while Alex Pledger (13 points on 4-of-6 shooting) made huge contributions from the bench. The Breakers became the first side to win consecutive titles since Sydney in 2002-2005, a championship team that Bruton was also a part of. Bruton finished 4-of-7 from downtown and was awarded the Larry Sengstock Medal for the Most Valuable Player of the series.

This season, Lemanis was recognised as Coach of the Year, Jackson and Abercrombie were selected to the All-NBL First Team, and Wilkinson gained All-NBL Second Team recognition as well. As a development player Prewster say limited playing opportunities, appearing in 12 games and scoring a total of 12 points.

SYDNEY KINGS
2015/16
After finishing seventh with a 9-19 record in 2014/15, Sydney retained head coach Damian Cotter and re-signed Josh Childress, with Jason Cadee, Tom Garlepp and reigning Rookie of the Year Angus Brandt also returning. Cody Ellis (to Illawarra), Kevin White (to Illawarra), Ben Madgen (to Belgium), Kendrick Perry (free agent), Josh Duinker (free agent) and Daniel Joyce (free agent) departed, while Julian Khazzouh (via Lebanon), Steven Markovic (via Townsville), Rhys Carter (via New Zealand), Jeromie Hill (via UTSA) and NBA draftee Marcus Thornton (via William & Mary) were added.

Dion Prewster (via Wellington) signed with Sydney on August 24 after producing a career year with the Wellington Saints, where he averaged 14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2 assists. He had also recently represented New Zealand during the FIBA Oceania series against Australia after replacing the unavailable Duane Bailey. Prewster had previously spent the 2011/12 season as a development player with the New Zealand Breakers and been part of their championship team, with Sydney expecting him to provide limited minutes behind Childress while bringing physical defence, energy and an ability to attack the basket.

With Childress sidelined by the foot injury which kept him out of Sydney’s opening four games, Prewster (5 points and 3 rebounds) played 18 minutes from the bench in the Kings’ season opener against Cairns on October 10. Khazzouh (22 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and 5 blocks) and Cadee (19 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) led Sydney to an 87-63 win, while Mark Worthington (13 points) was Cairns’ leading scorer.

Prewster (3.5 points across 28 games) appeared in every game during the season, averaging 17.2 minutes and making eight starts. He was not sidelined by injury or illness, with Sydney’s repeated injuries throughout the season providing him with additional opportunities in the rotation.

Childress (21 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.7 blocks across 13 games) returned against Adelaide on October 23 after missing the first four games with his foot injury, but broke his right hand during the loss and was ruled out for another four to six weeks. Al Harrington (via Fujian) was signed on October 28 as his short-term injury replacement, with Harrington (17.7 points and 6.8 rebounds across 6 games) playing six games before his four-week stint ended on November 19 as Childress prepared to return.

Prewster’s highest-scoring game came in Adelaide on November 7, where Prewster (12 points and 2 rebounds) made five of six field goals and two of three three-pointers in 16 minutes. Harrington (18 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Khazzouh (18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) also contributed, but Jerome Randle (33 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Adelaide to a 99-98 victory.

Sydney released Cotter on November 28 with the Kings sitting last at 3-9, with former Washington Wizards assistant Joe Connelly, who had joined the coaching staff earlier that month, promoted to interim head coach. Childress returned in late November but fractured his left hand against Cairns on December 4, leading Damion James (via Le Mans) to join as an injury replacement on December 9. James (7 points and 7.8 rebounds across 5 games) remained for five games before being taken off the roster when Childress was reactivated on December 29.

Sydney’s injury problems worsened when Khazzouh (13.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks across 17 games) ruptured his right quadriceps tendon against Illawarra on December 18 and was ruled out for the remainder of the season. With Childress and Khazzouh both unavailable, assistant coach Ben Knight returned to the playing roster more than four years after retiring, with Knight (0.5 points across 4 games) providing emergency frontcourt cover and reaching his 400th NBL appearance.

Prewster’s best all-round game came against his former team New Zealand on December 27, where Prewster (6 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) played 22 minutes without committing a turnover. Garlepp (25 points and 4 rebounds) and Carter (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Sydney, while Corey Webster (38 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) carried the Breakers to a 93-83 win.

Markovic (3 points across 7 games) had been limited by illness before undergoing surgery to remove his tonsils in December, and with Sydney believing he would struggle to return to full fitness, Indiana Faithfull was signed as his replacement on January 7. Faithfull (2.6 points across 7 games) joined Jordan Vandenberg (via Westchester), who was signed for the remainder of the season to replace Khazzouh, with Vandenberg (3.1 points across 8 games) taking the roster position after he and Craig Moller had both trained with Sydney in early January. Moller remained with the Kings as a full-time training player before an injury to Hill (4.1 points across 23 games) opened a position for him against Perth on February 10, where he made his NBL debut and played 1 minute and 47 seconds.

Cadee (14 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 28 games) and Garlepp (13.9 points and 4.2 rebounds across 27 games) carried increased offensive responsibility through Sydney’s injury problems, while Thornton (12.8 points across 28 games), Brandt (8.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks across 28 games) and Carter (5.6 points across 28 games) provided the other main contributions. Garlepp was named the Kings’ Most Valuable Player after producing the most consistent season of his career to that point.

Sydney finished its season in Townsville on February 13, where Prewster (0 points and 1 rebound) played 12 minutes as Cadee (32 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Childress (31 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocks) led the Kings, while Omar Samhan (25 points and 13 rebounds) and Clint Steindl (25 points) helped Townsville win 126-123 in overtime, leaving Sydney last with a 6-22 record.

2016/17
After finishing last with a 6-22 record in 2015/16, Sydney appointed Australian basketball icon Andrew Gaze as head coach on a three-year deal and rebuilt the roster. Josh Childress and Al Harrington were not re-signed, while Angus Brandt (to Perth), Marcus Thornton, Rhys Carter, Steven Markovic and Jordan Vandenberg also departed. Reigning NBL MVP and Best Defensive Player Kevin Lisch (via Illawarra) turned down a contract extension with the Hawks to accept a more lucrative three-year deal with Sydney which made him the highest-paid player in the NBL, while Brad Newley (via Spain) and Aleks Maric were added alongside returning locals Tom Garlepp, Jason Cadee, Jeromie Hill and Julian Khazzouh. Lisch becoming an Australian citizen in March opened all three import positions, with Michael Bryson (via UC Santa Barbara), Greg Whittington (via Sioux Falls) and Josh Powell (via Luoyang Zhonghe) brought in, while Craig Moller and Bo Liu joined as development players. Powell was signed immediately before the season, with his addition becoming even more important when Khazzouh’s quadriceps injury ruled him out for the entire campaign.

His first appearance came against Illawarra at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 13, where Prewster (2 points) played 3:16 from the bench as Sydney defeated the Hawks 88-84 and gave Gaze his first NBL victory. Lisch (20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Cadee (20 points and 5 assists) led the Kings, while Marvelle Harris (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) was Illawarra’s best and Powell (14 points and 6 rebounds) made his Kings debut after arriving only days earlier.

Prewster (0.9 points across 17 games) came from the bench in all 17 appearances and did not start a game. Despite being a regular with Sydney the previous season, he initially missed out on a roster spot and continued with the Kings as a practice player before being signed as a temporary replacement while Khazzouh continued his rehabilitation. No injury was reported for Prewster during 2016/17, with his limited appearances instead reflecting his deep-reserve role.

Prewster’s best game came against Illawarra at Qudos Bank Arena on October 24, where Prewster (9 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal) made three of six three-pointers in 12 minutes as Sydney defeated the Hawks 90-73. Newley (20 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) and Lisch (19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals) led the Kings, while AJ Ogilvy (20 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks) was Illawarra’s best as Sydney collected its fourth consecutive win, improved to 4-1 and remained on top of the ladder with its best start since 2007/08.

Sydney’s import merry-go-round had already started when Bryson (1.8 points across 4 games) (released) was cut after struggling to make an impact through four appearances. Thirteen-year NBA veteran Steve Blake (5.9 points across 9 games) (via Detroit) replaced him in the Kings’ third import position and joined Lisch and Cadee in Sydney’s backcourt.

After Sydney’s first seven games, the Kings formalised the temporary agreement and added Prewster as the 11th rostered player for the remainder of the season. Assistant coach Dean Vickerman said, “Initially, Dion’s attitude to not getting a roster spot after playing 17 minutes a game last season was outstanding.” He added, “He came in as a practice player this season even when we didn’t have a spot for him, just because he wanted to get better. Those are the kind of people you want at your club.” Vickerman also said, “During the pre-season we felt that we lacked depth at the guard spot. But now with Steve Blake forming a great backcourt combo with Kevin Lisch and Jason Cadee, we feel that Dion can play a role to complement that very well.” Prewster said, “When I got the phone call from Jeff (Van Groningen), I was surprised given I was really only there as an injury replacement. But it’s a nice reward for all the hard work I’ve put in prior to the preseason and then up to this point.” He added, “But what’s most important is having been here last year when it didn’t go so well and now have an opportunity to make things right.”

The roster continued changing when Blake was granted indefinite compassionate leave (to United States) to be with a sick family member and did not return. Moller (3.3 points across 13 games), who had entered the season as a development player, was promoted to the main roster following Blake’s departure. Garrett Jackson (3.8 points and 3.5 rebounds across 6 games) was then signed for the remainder of the season after playing in the state league and spending time as a Kings training player. Tony Tolovae (0 points across 1 game) suffered a season-ending ankle injury during a practice game against the NSW Under-20 squad, opening another roster position for William McDowell-White (2.1 points across 7 games), who joined as a development player after committing to Fresno State but being unable to gain clearance to play in the NCAA.

After reaching 8-4 and returning to the top of the ladder in November, Sydney was unable to maintain its early form and went 5-11 over its final 16 games, including losing nine of its final twelve. Newley (17.6 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.2 steals across 23 games) led Sydney in scoring, while Lisch (16.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals across 27 games), Cadee (13 points and 3.2 assists across 28 games), Whittington (11.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 28 games), Powell (9.4 points and 4.8 rebounds across 27 games), Garlepp (5.6 points across 28 games) and Maric (5.4 points and 4.7 rebounds across 28 games) provided the other major contributions. Newley and Lisch were both selected to the All-NBL Second Team.

Sydney travelled to Perth Arena on February 10 needing a victory to secure its first playoff appearance since 2012/13, where Prewster (2 points) played 2:38 from the bench. Newley (19 points) and Cadee (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Sydney, while Casey Prather (29 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth to a 101-74 victory, eliminating the Kings and leaving Sydney seventh with a 13-15 record.

MELBOURNE UNITED
2021/22
After winning the 2021 championship, Melbourne entered NBL22 without Jock Landale (to San Antonio), Mitch McCarron (to Adelaide) and import Scotty Hopson, while Jack White returned after recovering from a ruptured Achilles. Matthew Dellavedova (via Cleveland), Brad Newley (via Sydney), Caleb Agada (via Hapoel Be’er Sheva), Callum Dalton (via Brisbane), David Okwera and Next Star Ariel Hukporti (via Nevėžis) were added.

Dion Prewster (via Wellington) signed a one-year deal after winning the NZNBL MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, All-Star Five and both outstanding guard awards with the Wellington Saints. “We believe his defensive versatility will complement our system,” Vickerman said.

He made his United debut during the season opener at Qudos Bank Arena on December 5, playing 2:08 without scoring as Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) and Mason Peatling (9 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Melbourne, but Jaylen Adams (15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) helped Sydney win 79-74.

Prewster (1.1 points across 13 games) played 50 minutes without making a start as opportunities remained limited behind Melbourne’s experienced perimeter rotation. No injury was reported during his season, with his low appearance total caused by his place outside the regular rotation and time away representing New Zealand during the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. Prewster captained the Tall Blacks and scored 20 points as New Zealand defeated the Philippines 88-63 in Manila.

Prewster’s best game came against Adelaide at John Cain Arena on March 20, where Prewster (8 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) played valuable minutes alongside Shea Ili after Matthew Dellavedova rolled his ankle. Lual-Acuil Jr (16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks across 30 games; 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Newley (4 points across 31 games; 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) led Melbourne, while Daniel Johnson (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) was Adelaide’s best as United won 101-74.

Chris Goulding (15.1 points across 28 games), Agada (12.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 29 games), Dellavedova (10.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists across 30 games), White (9.3 points and 7.1 rebounds across 26 games), Ili (8.7 points, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals across 31 games) and Hukporti (6.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 30 games) formed Melbourne’s main rotation. Lual-Acuil Jr earned All-NBL First Team honours and was named United’s club MVP, Goulding and Dellavedova made the All-NBL Second Team, while Ili won the NBL Best Sixth Man award and collected United’s Defensive Player of the Year and SHARE awards.

Prewster’s final appearance came at MyState Bank Arena on April 23, where Prewster (0 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist) played 8:53 as Agada (22 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Lual-Acuil Jr (12 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) led Melbourne. MiKyle McIntosh (20 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) led Tasmania to an 83-61 win as United finished first with a 20-8 record.

Prewster did not enter any game during Melbourne’s semifinal series against Tasmania. United opened the series at John Cain Arena with a 74-63 win behind Agada (16 points and 7 rebounds), Lual-Acuil Jr (15 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 blocks) and Dellavedova (11 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists), while Adams (16 points and 5 rebounds) and Jack McVeigh (15 points and 4 rebounds) led Tasmania.

Game two moved to MyState Bank Arena, where McVeigh (15 points), McIntosh (13 points) and Josh Magette (12 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals) led Tasmania to a 79-72 win. Goulding (18 points), Agada (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Lual-Acuil Jr (13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks) led Melbourne as the JackJumpers forced a deciding game.

Goulding injured his calf during warm-ups and was ruled out shortly before game three at John Cain Arena, leaving Ili (18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block), Lual-Acuil Jr (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and White (14 points, 15 rebounds, and 1 block) to lead Melbourne. Adams (30 points), McVeigh (16 points) and Magette (9 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) led Tasmania as United made six of 29 three-pointers and the JackJumpers won 76-73.

Dion Prewster played four seasons across three NBL teams. This included the New Zealand Breakers, Sydney Kings and Melbourne United. He averaged 2 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in 70 NBL games.