BIO: Eric Jacobsen was born in Chandler, Arizona (USA) and attended Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona where he was highly recruited. Jacobsen averaged 12.4 points and 10.3 boards per game in his senior season at Hamilton High School and led Hamilton to a 18–11 record his junior year while averaging 150.9 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. Jacobsen received offers from many Divisions I schools but untimely signed with Arizona State.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Eric Jacobsen made his NBL debut with the Adelaide 36ers at 22 years of age. He scored three points in his first game.

In the 2016 NBL off-season, the Adelaide 36ers re-signed their superstar Jerome Randle and brought in several key additions, including promising young Australian prospects Anthony Drmic, Majok Deng, and import forward/center Eric Jacobsen. Additionally, they signed NBA Draft prospect Terrance Ferguson, an 18-year-old high school star from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who chose the NBL over college basketball, paving the way for the league’s Next Stars program.

While the 36ers were predicted to finish near the bottom due to their youthful roster, they quickly became a dominant force. Early season injuries to captain Mitch Creek (ankle) and Daniel Johnson (hamstring) led to a slow start (3-6), including a heavy loss to Brisbane (87-105) in Round 7, which dropped them to the bottom of the standings. However, a healthy roster turned the team’s fortunes around. Adelaide won the rematch against Brisbane (101-83) and then proceeded to go on an eight-game winning streak. By Round 11, they had vaulted to the top of the ladder and, by Round 16, had won 14 of their last 15 games. They clinched first place with three rounds remaining and, despite losing their final four regular-season games, finished first with a 17-11 record, two games clear of the competition.

Jacobsen played a crucial role in the 36ers’ frontcourt, averaging 6.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. He provided stability and physicality around the basket, complementing the offensive strengths of players like Randle and Johnson. Randle led the team with 21.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.4 assists, earning All-NBL First Team honours and the NBL MVP award, making him only the second Adelaide player to win the award after Mark Davis in 1987. Nathan Sobey emerged as a major contributor, averaging 15.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and winning the NBL Most Improved Player award. Johnson (15.1 points and 7.1 rebounds) also earned a spot on the All-NBL First Team, while Creek (12.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists) continued his development as a valuable two-way player.

In the semifinals, Adelaide faced Illawarra, the fourth seed, and cruised to a 93-78 win in Game 1, led by Randle’s 26 points and 4 assists. However, Illawarra turned the tables, winning the next two games (100-94 and 106-98) to eliminate the 36ers and end their season unexpectedly. Despite the disappointing finish, Jacobsen’s contributions, alongside Randle’s MVP-caliber performances and Sobey’s breakout season, helped Adelaide re-establish themselves as a contender in the NBL.

Eric Jacobsen played one season in the NBL. He averaged 6.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 29 NBL games.

Dan Boyce (814 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.