Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 2 — Hawks/Kings defections and the rivalry grows through the 90’s
October 19, 2025
Dwayne Mcclain
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 2/07/63
- Place of Birth: Worcester, Massachusetts (USA)
- Position: FRD
- Height (CM): 198
- Weight (KG): 84
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: Villanova (1981–1985)
- NBL DEBUT: 26/04/91
- AGE AT DEBUT: 27
- LAST NBL GAME: 13/09/97
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 34
- NBL History: Sydney 1991-93 | Gold Coast 1996 | Brisbane 1997
- Championships: 0
- None
NICKNAME/S: D-Train
BIO: Dwayne McClain was born in Worcester, Massachusetts (USA) where he attended Holy Name High School.
After a short stint in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers, McClain was a part of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar basketball tour that visited Australia. He was spotted by then Kings coach Bob Turner during their game in Sydney and offered a contract to play with the Kings the following season.
FAMILY: McClain is cousins with both former NBA star Chuck Person and US women’s superstar Katrina McClain, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Dwayne McClain made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 27 years of age. He scored 24 points in his first game.
In 1991, McClain averaged 28.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists, which are still the highest two scoring averages by any player in Kings history, as the Kings finished in seventh place with a record of 14-12.
1992
In 1992, McClain averaged 29.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5 assists, leading the Kings to a 17-7 record and a second place finish during the regular season. Sydney eliminated Brisbane during the quarterfinals in two straight games before facing Melbourne in what would become one of the greatest semi-final contests in league history.
After losing Game One of the semi finals in Melbourne (112-122) behind huge games from Andrew Gaze (34 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists) and Lanard Copeland (40 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks), the Kings returned home for Game Two at the Entertainment Centre. The place was a sell out and the crowd was going crazy from tip off until the final buzzer. Dwayne McClain, who had recorded 36 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists the previous game, delivered the best game of his NBL career in game two.
McClain would explode with a 45-point game, which included him making 15 of 21 from the field, 15 of 18 from the free throw line and hitting 71% of his shots. He also added 6 rebounds, 3 assists and a remarkable 7 steals, to date, still the best ever postseason output by a Sydney player.
As a team, Sydney shot a otherworldly 73.8% from the field over the 48 minutes but Gaze (37 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals) and Copeland (35 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 steals) didn’t make it easy for the Kings. After being 20 down at the start of the fourth quarter, Melbourne outscored Sydney 35-23 in the final period. In the end, the Kings had to rely on four straight free throws from McClain in the final minute to preserve a 124-118 win in front of a crowd that Gaze described as the loudest he had ever heard.
Game three returned to Melbourne and despitee McClain (34 points, 1 rebound, 6 assists, 4 steals) playing all 48 minutes, Melbourne were to strong with Gaze (29 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists) delivering another strong performance, but also getting major contributions from some of the Tigers less heralded teammates. Robert Sibley (19 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists), Stephen Whitehead (18 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and David Simmons (10 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 steals) all having big games, ending the Kings playoff run.
1993
The 1993 season saw McClain average 25.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists and play a key role in helping the Kings to a first place finish in the regular season with a 11-15 record.
GOLD COAST ROLLERS
1996
1996 would be the Gold Coast Rollers final season in the NBL. The team began the year financially unstable and was unable to re-sign imports Steve Woodberry and Fred Herzog.
McClain averaged 24.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists but the only notable part of the Rollers final season would be a last ditch effort to draw crowds by adding former Sydney Kings star Dwayne McClain to the roster for the last six games of season.
The team compiled a record of 6 wins and 20 losses and would not return in 1997.
BRISBANE BULLETS
1997
Although many believed Leroy Loggins would retire after delivering the worst season of his career, he instead bounced back, returning to his previous form. With Loggins (21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists) paired with Steve Woodberry (21.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.0 steals), who was named to the All-NBL third team, the Bullets finished in fifth place (15-15).
The 39-year-old would also drag the Bullets back into the playoffs, facing off against Perth (17-13) in the elimination finals. Brisbane would lose both games one (79-81) and game two (71-88), ending the season prematurely.
McClain appeared in 21 games, averaging 16.8 points, 8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in what would be his last season playing in the NBL.
On October 10, 2013, McClain was named in the Sydney Kings 25th Anniversary Team
Dwayne McClain played five seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Sydney Kings, Gold Coast Rollers and Brisbane Bullets. He averaged 25.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 105 NBL games.
CAREER RANKINGS:
– 33rd in points per game.
– 24th in steals per game.
HIGHLIGHTS:
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 34 | Brisbane | 15-15 (6) | 21 | 844.0 | 352 | 169 | 78 | 44 | 125 | 37 | 19 | 53 | 67 | 148 | 285 | 52% | 3 | 14 | 21% | 53 | 88 | 60% | 54% | 52% | 27 |
| 1996 | 33 | Gold Coast | 6-20 (14) | 6 | 237.0 | 149 | 47 | 21 | 11 | 36 | 15 | 8 | 21 | 17 | 59 | 106 | 56% | 5 | 13 | 38% | 26 | 38 | 68% | 60% | 58% | 34 |
| 1993 | 30 | Sydney | 11-15 (11) | 26 | 1,143.0 | 653 | 179 | 159 | 64 | 115 | 67 | 18 | 113 | 73 | 264 | 505 | 52% | 4 | 25 | 16% | 121 | 169 | 72% | 56% | 53% | 43 |
| 1992 | 29 | Sydney | 17-7 (2) | 28 | 1,232.0 | 831 | 151 | 139 | 70 | 81 | 59 | 25 | 110 | 79 | 317 | 593 | 53% | 11 | 32 | 34% | 186 | 247 | 75% | 58% | 54% | 48 |
| 1991 | 28 | Sydney | 14-12 (7) | 24 | 1,003.0 | 682 | 171 | 125 | 54 | 117 | 61 | 26 | 110 | 63 | 269 | 460 | 58% | 6 | 15 | 40% | 138 | 184 | 75% | 62% | 59% | 44 | Totals | 105 | 4459 | 2667 | 717 | 522 | 243 | 474 | 239 | 96 | 407 | 299 | 1057 | 1949 | 54.2% | 29 | 99 | 29.3% | 524 | 726 | 72.2% | 59% | 55% | 48 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 34 | Brisbane | 15-15 (6) | 21 | 40.2 | 16.8 | 8.0 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 6.0 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 7.0 | 13.6 | 52% | 0.1 | 0.7 | 21% | 2.5 | 4.2 | 60% | 54% | 52% | 27 |
| 1996 | 33 | Gold Coast | 6-20 (14) | 6 | 39.5 | 24.8 | 7.8 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 6.0 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 2.8 | 9.8 | 17.7 | 56% | 0.8 | 2.2 | 38% | 4.3 | 6.3 | 68% | 60% | 58% | 34 |
| 1993 | 30 | Sydney | 11-15 (11) | 26 | 44.0 | 25.1 | 6.9 | 6.1 | 2.5 | 4.4 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 10.2 | 19.4 | 52% | 0.2 | 1.0 | 16% | 4.7 | 6.5 | 72% | 56% | 53% | 43 |
| 1992 | 29 | Sydney | 17-7 (2) | 28 | 44.0 | 29.7 | 5.4 | 5.0 | 2.5 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 3.9 | 2.8 | 11.3 | 21.2 | 53% | 0.4 | 1.1 | 34% | 6.6 | 8.8 | 75% | 58% | 54% | 48 |
| 1991 | 28 | Sydney | 14-12 (7) | 24 | 41.8 | 28.4 | 7.1 | 5.2 | 2.3 | 4.9 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 4.6 | 2.6 | 11.2 | 19.2 | 58% | 0.3 | 0.6 | 40% | 5.8 | 7.7 | 75% | 62% | 59% | 44 | Total | 105 | 42.5 | 25.4 | 6.8 | 5.0 | 2.3 | 4.5 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 3.9 | 2.8 | 10.1 | 18.6 | 54.2% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 29.3% | 0.3 | 0.9 | 72.2% | 59% | 55% | 48 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 48 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 4 | 11 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- Gold Coast 1998
NBA EXPERIENCE
Dwayne McClain was drafted by the Indiana Pacers with pick #27 in the 1985 NBA Draft.
McClain spent a number of seasons playing in the US Development Leagues. He spent time with the Rockford Lightning (1988–1989) and La Crosse Catbirds (1989–1990), where he was the most valuable player (MVP) of the 1989 Continental Basketball Association All-Star Game.
Also played in the USBL with the New Haven Skyhawks (1988).
He is the only man in NBL history who ever played against Larry Bird, Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson (NBA) and Michael Jordan (NCAA).
McClain played 45 games in the NBA. He averaged 3.5 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- October 19, 1984: Traded by the New York Knicks (as a future 1985 2nd round draft pick) to the Indiana Pacers for Butch Carter.
-
June 18, 1985: Drafted by the Indiana Pacers in the 2nd round (27th pick) of the 1985 NBA Draft.
-
September 30, 1986: Waived by the Indiana Pacers.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 98% | 97% | 99% | 92% | ||||||
| 2 | 1 | 48 | 13 | 10 | 4 | ||||||
| Total | 1057 | 1949 | 54.2% | 29 | 99 | 29.3% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985-86 | 22 | Indiana | SF | 45 | 4 | 461 | 157 | 30 | 67 | 14 | 16 | 38 | 4 | 40 | 61 | 69 | 180 | 1 | 9 | 18 | 35 | 40% | 39% | Total | 45 | 4 | 461 | 157 | 30 | 67 | 14 | 16 | 38 | 4 | 40 | 61 | 69 | 180 | 38% | 1 | 9 | 11% | 18 | 35 | 51% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985-86 | 22 | Indiana | SF | 45 | 4 | 10.2 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 4.0 | 38% | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 40% | 39% | Total | 45 | 4 | 10.2 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 4.0 | 38% | 0.0 | 0.2 | 11% | 0.4 | 0.8 | 51% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- France - SLUC Nancy (1986–1987), Caen (1987–1988) | Philippines - Tivoli Milkmasters (1991) | Greece - Milon B.C. (1993–1994)
McClain joined SLUC Nancy for the 1986–1987 French league season, playing his first season in France before moving on after one year with the club.
McClain then joined Caen for the 1987–1988 French league season, where his teammates included guard Grant Gondrezick alongside French players Frederic Forte and Franck Butter.
In 1991, McClain played in the Philippines as an import for the Tivoli Milkmasters during the PBA First Conference, wearing No. 44 and listed as a center-forward, with his stint running from February 19 to April 7 while sharing the roster with local players Teddy Alfarero, Peter Jao, Abe King, and Arturo Cristobal.
McClain later joined Milon B.C. for the 1993–1994 season in Greece, adding another European stop to a career that also included professional stints in Canada and Indonesia in addition to his time in France, Greece, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico.
COLLEGE
Dwayne McClain played his NCAA basketball at Villanova University from the 1981–82 season through the 1984–85 season, appearing in 125 games across four seasons and establishing himself as one of the most efficient scorers in program history during the Big East era.
Across his Villanova career, McClain scored 1,544 points, averaging 12.4 points per game, while shooting 57.5 percent from the field, a mark that ranked among the best shooting percentages by a high-usage perimeter player in the Big East during the early 1980s.
McClain was an immediate contributor as a freshman in 1981–82, averaging 10.4 points per game while helping Villanova transition into full Big East Conference competition during the league’s formative years.
As a sophomore in 1982–83, McClain increased his scoring output to 12.5 points per game and played a key role in Villanova’s first NCAA Tournament appearance under head coach Rollie Massimino, gaining postseason experience that would prove critical later in his career.
During the 1983–84 season, McClain averaged 12.0 points per game and continued to refine his efficiency, finishing the year shooting over 56 percent from the field while Villanova remained a consistent Big East contender.
McClain’s senior season in 1984–85 marked his peak collegiate production, as he averaged 14.8 points per game and led Villanova in scoring while playing a central role in one of the most historic championship runs in NCAA history.
He played for Villanova University where he was a member of Villanova's National Championship team in 1985.
McClain was a senior on the ’85 Villanova team and was one of three Wildcats to play all 40 minutes in the national championship game, shooting 5-of-7 from the field and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line while scoring a game-high 17 points in the Wildcats’ 66–64 victory over Big East rival Georgetown.
Throughout the 1985 NCAA Tournament, McClain missed only one free throw across six games, providing Villanova with consistent late-game execution during a run that included wins over Michigan, Maryland, North Carolina, Memphis State, and Georgetown.
To defeat Georgetown in the title game, Villanova shot 79 percent from the field as a team and overcame 17 turnovers in a performance that became known as “the perfect game,” with McClain’s shot-making and free-throw accuracy playing a decisive role in the upset.
Across the 1985 NCAA Tournament, McClain averaged double figures in scoring while repeatedly logging heavy minutes, including multiple 40-minute performances during Villanova’s Final Four weekend.
McClain finished his Villanova career ranked among the program’s career leaders in total points, field-goal percentage, and games played, and he remains one of the most efficient high-volume scorers in school history from the pre-shot-clock era.
AWARDS
- 1x All-NBL Second Team
- 1x All-NBL Third Team- CBA champion (1990)
-
USBL champion (1988)
-
NCAA champion (1985)
-
2× Second-team All-Big East (1984, 1985)
COACHING HISTORY
Dwayne McClain returned to the USA in 2001 and started teaching at basketball camps all over the east coast, eventually forming NE Hoops Academy in 2003.
In 2009 he joined his college coach Rollie Massimino at Northwood University (West Palm Beach, Florida) as an assistant coach.
After three years, Coach McClain was offered the position of head basketball coach at the newly established private high school, Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches, founded by billionaire Bill Koch.
LIFE AFTER BASKETBALL
He spent time working as a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch before he started McClain’s Mergers and Acquisitions LLC in 2014 to assist companies in growing by way of acquisition or increasing market share through multiple verticals.In 2019, he founded The WSB Grille Corp, which will have 106 restaurants around the world that specialize in carrying over 450 whiskeys, scotch and bourbons throughout each venue. This concept restaurant will open its doors in Palm Beach County, Florida in 2024.
Related
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