BIO: Dj Newbill was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA) where he attended Strawberry Mansion High School in Philadelphia.

As a junior in 2008/09, he averaged 19.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game and garnered Second Team All-State and All-Public League honours.

As a senior in 2009/10, he was named the Pennsylvania Class AA Player of the Year and Public League Player of the Year after averaging 24.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 4.0 steals per game. He led Strawberry Mansion to a 28–2 record, and the Class AA State Championship.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Dj Newbill made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 25 years of age. He scored 12 points in his first game.

After an injury-riddled 2016/17 season saw New Zealand miss the playoffs with a 14-14 record, the Breakers entered Paul Henare’s second season without Kevin Dillard (to PAOK Thessaloniki), Akil Mitchell (to Long Island Nets), Paul Carter (to Châlons-Reims), David Stockton (to Reno Bighorns) and Ben Woodside (retired). Corey Webster (to Perth) also departed after New Zealand declined the third-year option on his contract, although he was released by the Wildcats before the season to pursue an opportunity overseas. New Zealand added Édgar Sosa (via Al Riyadi Beirut), DJ Newbill (via Oostende) and James Hunter (via Southland), while keeping its third import position open.

The Breakers had signed Newbill on August 10 as their second import after he helped Oostende win the Belgian League championship. Henare described him as a “glue guy” who could play multiple positions and defend in a variety of roles, while Newbill said, “I love to play defence.”

New Zealand opened the season against Cairns at Spark Arena on October 8, where Newbill (12 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist) made his NBL debut as the Breakers lost 82-71. Thomas Abercrombie (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks) and Sosa (15 points and 3 assists) led New Zealand, while Dayshon Smith (18 points and 5 rebounds) and Stephen Weigh (17 points and 7 rebounds) led Cairns.

Newbill (13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals across 30 games) became one of New Zealand’s primary offensive options while also taking on a major defensive role and played all 28 regular-season games and both semifinals without missing a game through injury or any other absence. The Breakers recovered from their opening loss to win nine consecutive games and reached the FIBA World Cup qualifying break at 9-1 and on top of the ladder.

One of Newbill’s first major performances came against Sydney at Spark Arena on October 13, where Newbill (22 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 steal) scored the game-winning lay-up in the final second as New Zealand defeated the Kings 87-85 for its first win of the season. Kirk Penney (25 points and 4 rebounds) and Shea Ili (15 points and 4 assists) provided support, while Perry Ellis (19 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) led Sydney.

Newbill’s best game of the season came against Brisbane at Spark Arena on December 7, where Newbill (17 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals) shot 6-of-10 from the field and 2-of-3 from three as New Zealand defeated the Bullets 96-89 and ended a two-game losing streak. Abercrombie (22 points and 11 rebounds) and Robert Loe (12 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals) provided support, while Tom Jervis (20 points and 4 rebounds) led Brisbane.

New Zealand’s momentum stalled following the international break and the Breakers were 12-6 when they used their vacant third import position on January 8 to sign Rakeem Christmas (via Galatasaray) for the remainder of the season. Hunter (2.5 points across 2 games, released) was waived to open the roster spot despite Henare stressing the decision was not performance related, saying, “Releasing Jimmy was extremely hard, he is a victim of circumstance.” Christmas (7.6 points and 5.7 rebounds across 12 games) was brought in to provide another interior presence.

Newbill’s best scoring game of the season came in Cairns on January 20, where Newbill (25 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) shot 10-of-15 from the field and made three three-pointers with Sosa unavailable after rolling his ankle during warm-ups. Ili (14 points) and Abercrombie (9 points and 5 rebounds) provided support, but Cameron Gliddon (20 points and 6 rebounds) led Cairns to an 81-71 win which dropped New Zealand to fourth on the ladder.

Newbill (11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) played in New Zealand’s final regular-season game against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on February 18, with Jordan Ngatai (17 points) and Christmas (13 points and 9 rebounds) leading the Breakers. Jason Cadee (30 points and 3 assists) and Todd Blanchfield (19 points and 6 rebounds) led Sydney to a 101-86 win, handing New Zealand its fourth consecutive loss as the Breakers finished fourth with a 15-13 record.

Sosa (15.8 points and 3.8 assists across 28 games) led New Zealand in scoring and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Newbill finished as the Breakers’ second-leading scorer and led the team in steals. Penney (10.1 points across 22 games), Abercrombie (9.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 30 games), Ili (9.3 points and 3.1 assists across 30 games), Loe (7.3 points and 4.3 rebounds across 30 games), Alex Pledger (6.4 points and 4.9 rebounds across 28 games), Mika Vukona (6.2 points and 6.1 rebounds across 30 games) and Finn Delany (5.1 points and 3.4 rebounds across 28 games) rounded out the main rotation, with Ili named the NBL Most Improved Player.

New Zealand entered its semifinal series against Melbourne without Delany, who was ruled out with concussion. Melbourne opened the series at Hisense Arena on March 3 with an 88-77 win behind Casper Ware (33 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists), Casey Prather (15 points and 5 rebounds) and Tai Wesley (13 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists), while Newbill (19 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Ili (16 points and 5 assists) led the Breakers.

Game two moved to Spark Arena, where Newbill (21 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists), Penney (17 points) and Loe (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) helped New Zealand build a 13-point first-quarter lead before Melbourne recovered. With the scores tied at 78-78, Newbill missed an open three-pointer on New Zealand’s final possession of regulation before Sosa missed the follow-up, sending the game to overtime. Loe made consecutive three-pointers to tie the scores at 86-86 with 22.2 seconds remaining, but Josh Boone (33 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks), Ware (15 points and 6 assists), Chris Goulding (14 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Prather (12 points and 11 rebounds) led Melbourne, with Boone recovering after Abercrombie blocked his first attempt and scoring the winning put-back in the final second as United won 88-86 and completed the 2-0 sweep in Penney’s final NBL game.

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 after eight seasons and appointing Mike Kelly. The Taipans entered the rebuild having lost Cameron Gliddon (to Brisbane), Mitchell McCarron (to Melbourne), Jarrad Weeks (to New Zealand) and Stephen Weigh (retired), with Robert Loe (via New Zealand), Lucas Walker (via Perth), Jarrod Kenny (via Perth), Dexter Kernich-Drew (via Perth) and Mitch Young (via Brisbane) among the additions.

On June 29, Cairns signed DJ Newbill (via New Zealand) as its first import after his debut NBL season with the Breakers. Kelly was particularly attracted to his ability to contribute at both ends and said, “He can help us win right now, but he can also continue to improve throughout the season.” Cairns later completed its import trio with Melo Trimble and Devon Hall.

DJ (16 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) made an immediate impact in the season opener against Brisbane on October 13, helping Cairns defeat the Bullets 88-70 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Trimble (32 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) starred on debut and Loe (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) was productive from the bench, while Reuben Te Rangi (18 points and 3 rebounds) led Brisbane.

Newbill (14.3 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists across 27 games) started 26 times and was the only Taipan to finish inside the club’s top four in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocks. Despite his two-way impact, Cairns followed its opening victory with 14 consecutive losses before finally breaking through again in January.

His only absence came on October 26, when a shoulder injury ruled him out against Adelaide. Newbill returned two days later against Sydney and came off the bench for 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals as Cairns lost 98-90.

Cairns finally snapped its 14-game losing streak on January 3, where Newbill (13 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists), Hall (24 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) and Nathan Jawai (18 points and 4 assists) helped the Taipans demolish Brisbane 109-80 for their first home win of the season, while Lamar Patterson (27 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Bullets.

Eight days later, Cairns produced another upset at RAC Arena as Newbill (13 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block), Trimble (32 points and 7 rebounds) and Jawai (14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led the Taipans past Perth 81-79, while Bryce Cotton (20 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) led the Wildcats.

Newbill’s best game of the season came against his former team on January 24, where he made five three-pointers and scored 15 points in the final quarter on his way to a career-high 32 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Trimble (31 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) and Walker (16 points and 9 rebounds) also produced big games, making Newbill and Trimble the first NBL teammates since 2009 to both score 30 points in the same game, but Shawn Long (32 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 blocks) led New Zealand to a 113-106 victory.

Trimble (21.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals) led the Taipans offensively, earning All-NBL Second Team honours as well as the club’s Most Valuable Player and Members’ Choice MVP awards, while Newbill was named Cairns’ Best Defensive Player. Jawai (10 points and 5.2 rebounds), Hall (8.8 points and 4.3 rebounds), Loe (7.5 points and 4.8 rebounds), Alex Loughton (6.5 points) and Walker (6.1 points and 4 rebounds) were the team’s other major contributors, but 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 Newbill (12 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists), Trimble (21 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Loughton (17 points and 3 rebounds) kept the Taipans within reach before Andrew Bogut (12 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 blocks) helped Sydney win 89-84, leaving Cairns last with a 6-22 record.

2019/20
After finishing at the bottom of the ladder with a 6-22 record in 2018/19, Cairns underwent another roster overhaul under second-year head coach Mike Kelly. Melo Trimble (to Melbourne), Rob Loe (to New Zealand) and Lucas Walker (to Sydney) departed, while Alex Loughton and Mitch Young retired. Kelly added Scott Machado (via South Bay Lakers), Cameron Oliver (via Delaware), Majok Deng (via Adelaide), Mirko Djeric (via Serbia) and rookie Kouat Noi, while Fabijan Krslovic was upgraded from development player to the full-time roster.

After spending the off-season playing in Russia, DJ Newbill returned to Cairns for a second season and was named co-captain alongside Nathan Jawai. Kelly said both had “taken great strides” during the off-season and returned with the attitude, “I want to be better and I want to help my team be better.”

Cairns opened the season at home against Sydney, where Newbill (10 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals) was joined by Noi (14 points and 12 rebounds) and Machado (13 points and 8 assists), but Casper Ware (23 points and 5 assists) led the Kings to a 79-71 win.

Newbill (18.5 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.3 steals across 30 games) missed the October 11 road loss to Brisbane, his only game out for the season. No injury was confirmed for the absence and he returned three days later against Illawarra, finishing with 26 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal as Cairns fell 89-88.

After opening the season 0-3, Cairns collected its first win in Perth on October 18, where Newbill (11 points and 4 assists) helped the Taipans defeat the defending champion Wildcats 99-76. Deng (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Oliver (22 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Cairns, while Nicholas Kay (15 points) and Terrico White (15 points) were Perth’s leading scorers.

Newbill’s best scoring game came against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on December 8, where he finished with 31 points and 3 assists as Cairns defeated the Kings 109-98 for its first ever win at the venue. Noi (22 points and 5 rebounds) and Machado (21 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists) helped Cairns end a seven-game losing streak against Sydney and hand the Kings their first home loss of the season, while Ware (23 points and 7 assists) led Sydney.

A week later, Newbill produced another of his best games against South East Melbourne, scoring 15 points during the third quarter and finishing with 30 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. Oliver (23 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Machado (18 points and 6 assists) also contributed, but John Roberson (32 points and 4 assists), Adam Gibson (25 points and 5 assists) and Mitch Creek (25 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals) led the Phoenix to a 112-105 overtime win.

On January 3, Newbill (28 points, 3 assists, and 1 steal) led Cairns to a 91-89 win over Brisbane, with Oliver (21 points and 12 rebounds) and Machado (16 points and 6 assists) providing support, while E.J. Singler (20 points and 6 rebounds) led the Bullets. Taylor Braun was later suspended for one game for an unduly rough play incident involving Newbill during the fourth quarter, but Newbill did not miss any further games.

Cairns recovered from its 0-3 start to win seven of its next 11 games and reach 7-7, before a five-game winning streak moved the Taipans firmly into the top four. After one loss to Sydney, Cairns won another four consecutive games and secured a postseason berth with two games remaining, finishing third with a 16-12 record, their best finish since 2014/15.

Newbill led Cairns in scoring while becoming the second Taipan after Darnell Mee to win the NBL Best Defensive Player award and was also selected to the All-NBL Second Team. Machado (16.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.3 steals across 31 games) led the league in assists, earned All-NBL First Team honours and finished runner-up in the NBL MVP voting, while Oliver (17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks across 31 games) joined Newbill on the All-NBL Second Team. Deng (11.9 points and 4 rebounds across 31 games), Noi (9.5 points and 5.8 rebounds across 22 games), Jawai (8 points and 3.4 rebounds across 31 games) and Djeric (7.3 points and 3 rebounds across 29 games) rounded out the main rotation, while Kelly was named NBL Coach of the Year.

Cairns opened its semifinal series against defending champion Perth at RAC Arena, where Newbill (25 points) and Machado (31 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists) led the Taipans, while Oliver (19 points and 17 rebounds) controlled the boards. Bryce Cotton (42 points and 6 assists) and Kay (23 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Perth, who escaped with a 108-107 overtime win.

Game two moved to Cairns, where Newbill (16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) helped the Taipans force a deciding game with an 85-74 win. Oliver (22 points and 19 rebounds) dominated inside and Machado (13 points and 4 rebounds) also contributed, while Clint Steindl (18 points) and White (13 points and 4 rebounds) led Perth.

The deciding game returned to RAC Arena, where Newbill was given the task of shutting down league MVP Cotton and held him to 5 points on 2-of-16 shooting, although Cotton added 9 assists. Newbill (6 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block) struggled offensively, while Oliver (20 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Machado (19 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) led Cairns. White (26 points and 4 rebounds) and Kay (24 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists) carried Perth to a 93-82 win and ended the Taipans’ season.

Dj Newbill played three seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Cairns Taipans and the New Zealand Breakers. He averaged 15.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 87 NBL games.