BIO: Ernest Nzigamasabo was born in Bujumbura (Burundi) before moving to America. He attended Mound-Westonka high school in Minnesota and only started playing basketball at 17 years of age. Nzigamasabo was a solid defensive player in high school, college and as a pro, he also possessed a number of low post moves allowing him to score consistently at all levels. Nzigamasabo speaks seven different languages.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Ernest Nzigamasabo made his NBL debut with the West Sydney Razorbacks at 28 years of age. He scored 22 points in his first game.

The 1998/99 season marked the arrival of the West Sydney Razorbacks, a brand-new NBL franchise led by former Olympians Robbie Cadee as General Manager and Gordie McLeod as head coach. The team built a competitive roster from the outset, headlined by seasoned veteran Bruce Bolden (via Sydney), former league MVP Derek Rucker (via Townsville), and rising stars John Rillie (via Adelaide) and Simon Dwight (via Canberra).

West Sydney made an immediate impression in their league debut, securing a hard-fought victory over cross-town rivals Sydney (103-97) on the Kings’ home floor. The momentum carried over into their second game, where they defeated Canberra (104-89). However, their unbeaten start ended in a narrow defeat to Newcastle (87-89), marking their first setback of the season.

The Razorbacks continued to showcase flashes of potential, notably becoming the first team in NBL history to complete the “Doomsday Double” with consecutive road victories over Adelaide (112-95) and Perth (98-95). Despite these early highlights, consistency became a challenge. A tough road loss to Wollongong (91-100) was followed by their first home defeat at the hands of Victoria (81-92), signaling the start of a difficult stretch.

Derek Rucker (20.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 7.3 assists), named team captain, orchestrated the Razorbacks’ offense, while John Rillie (17.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists) provided outside shooting, leading the league with an impressive 47.5% from beyond the arc. Simon Dwight (14.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks) anchored the defense, finishing as the NBL’s top shot-blocker, while Bruce Bolden (15.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) delivered veteran leadership and claimed the NBL Best Sixth Man award.

Ernest Nzigamasabo played a key role in the Razorbacks’ frontcourt rotation, contributing 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game across 26 appearances. His ability to provide rebounding support and inside scoring proved valuable throughout the season. He had a strong performance in the team’s road win over Adelaide, recording 14 points and 7 rebounds. He also played a key defensive role in their victory against the Kings, helping West Sydney hold their rivals to just 72 points.

Despite standout performances from their core players, West Sydney’s road struggles prevented them from maintaining momentum. Costly defeats, including a second loss to Victoria (73-101) and a 19-point setback against Melbourne (90-109), made a playoff push increasingly difficult. One of the season’s most notable moments came in a home win over Sydney (78-72), where the Razorbacks’ defense held their rivals to just 72 points. However, their inconsistency away from home ultimately proved to be their undoing.

West Sydney concluded their inaugural campaign in eighth place on the NBL ladder (12-14), with their struggles on the road playing a significant role in falling short of the postseason.

SYDNEY KINGS
2000/01
The 2000/01 season marked Sydney’s return to the NBL playoffs for the first time since 1996, with a roster built around experienced veterans and emerging stars.

Shane Heal (24.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists across 31 games) led the Kings’ offense, continuing his role as the team’s primary scorer and facilitator. Matthew Nielsen (20.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists across 30 games) emerged as one of the league’s top big men, providing a dominant presence inside.

Other key contributors included Ben Melmeth (16.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists), Frank Drmic (14.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists), and import James Smith (11.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists), who added athleticism and defensive versatility to the squad.

Sydney underwent several roster changes throughout the season as they struggled to solidify their second import spot. Ernest Nzigamasabo (0 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.3 assists across 6 games) saw limited playing time before being released, with the team looking to strengthen their backcourt and reduce Heal’s playmaking burden.

The Kings initially signed Lamont Strothers as a replacement, but he suffered an injury before playing a game. He was then replaced by Dedric Willoughby, who was released after just one game due to a knee injury. Eventually, Sydney secured Randolph Childress (14.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists), who played out the remainder of the season and provided much-needed scoring and playmaking depth.

Despite their import struggles, the Kings remained competitive throughout the season, finishing in fifth place with a 17-11 record.

Sydney’s playoff return after a five-year absence was short-lived, as they were eliminated in the first round by the Townsville Crocodiles, bringing their postseason run to an early end.

Ernest Nzigamasabo played two seasons in the NBL, playing for both the West Sydney Razorbacks and the Sydney Kings. He averaged 7.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 32 NBL games.

Dan Boyce (833 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.