Who is the favourite for the 2023/24 NBL Season
March 27, 2023
Gary Browne
- Nationality: PRI
- Date of Birth: 24/03/93
- Place of Birth: Trujillo Alto (Puerto Rico)
- Position: GRD
- Height (CM): 185
- Weight (KG): 88
- Junior Assoc:
- College: West Virginia (2011–2015)
- NBL DEBUT: 16/09/22
- AGE AT DEBUT: 29
- LAST NBL GAME: 20/01/24
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 30
- NBL History: South East Melbourne 2023-24
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Gary Browne Ramírez was born in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico before being raised in San Juan. He started playing basketball as a child and at age 14, he moved to the United States to attend Arlington Country Day School in Jacksonville, Florida. He would then come back to Puerto Rico and attend Saint Francis School in Carolina, where he also played for the basketball team.
FAMILY: Browne is the son of Gary Browne, Sr. and Anamaris Rodríguez.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Gary Browne made his NBL debut with the South East Melbourne Phoenix at 29 years of age. He scored 10 points in his first game.
The South East Melbourne Phoenix entered NBL23 determined to move past the challenges of an injury-plagued previous season. Retaining a strong core group of players, including Ryan Broekhoff, Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’Afa, Cameron Gliddon, Reuben Te Rangi, and co-Captains Mitch Creek and Kyle Adnam, the team sought to build on continuity. Key additions to the roster included imports Trey Kell III (via Italy) and Gary Browne (via Puerto Rico) to bolster the backcourt, while Alan Williams (via Russia) was signed to replace Zhou Qi.
Initially, Qi was expected to return to China, but a late decision saw him re-sign with the team, forming a ‘twin towers’ pairing with Williams that generated significant pre-season intrigue. However, Qi’s contribution was limited to just nine games (6.2 points, 4.4 rebounds) before he returned to China for family reasons.
The Phoenix began their season shorthanded, with Broekhoff, Kell, and Browne all unavailable due to pre-season injuries. Qi’s arrival was also delayed, forcing Kyle Adnam into the starting lineup. Despite the challenges, the Phoenix opened the season with an 84-79 win over Tasmania, buoyed by Adnam’s career-high 30 points, along with contributions from Mitch Creek (23 points, 6 rebounds) and Alan Williams (12 points, 7 rebounds). This victory provided an early glimpse of the team’s potential.
When at full strength, South East Melbourne was among the most balanced and competitive teams in the league. However, injuries continually disrupted their lineup. Kell (12.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists) missed five games due to broken ribs, while Broekhoff (10.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists) sat out a third of the season with a hamstring injury. Browne (12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.5 steals) also battled a knee injury early in the season and later missed additional games with a calf complaint. The team’s struggles during Browne’s absences were evident, as they lost seven of the nine games he missed.
Mitch Creek (23.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists) was the team’s standout performer and the only starter to play in all 29 games. Creek elevated his game to cover for the gaps left by injured teammates, becoming an MVP candidate in the process. His leadership and scoring were critical to keeping the Phoenix competitive.
The absence of key players opened opportunities for younger talent. First-year players Grant Anticevich (2.1 points, 1.6 rebounds) and Anzac Rissetto (1.2 points, 0.4 rebounds) gained valuable experience, while role players like Kyle Adnam (8.4 points, 1.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists) and Reuben Te Rangi (5.1 points, 3.0 rebounds) stepped into starting roles. Junior Madut (4.0 points, 2.3 rebounds) and Owen Foxwell (3.8 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.2 steals) also impressed in limited minutes, with Foxwell emerging as a defensive asset.
The Phoenix climbed as high as second on the ladder early in the season, buoyed by a 12-8 record by January. However, a 3-5 finish in the closing months of the campaign, coupled with a dismal 4–10 road record, saw them drop to fifth place with a 15-13 record. Their inconsistency on the road proved to be a significant hindrance.
South East Melbourne entered the Play-In Qualifier against Perth as favourites, even without sharpshooter Ryan Broekhoff. Despite their optimism, the Phoenix were undone by explosive performances from Perth’s Bryce Cotton (26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals) and Brady Manek (24 points), falling 106-99 and ending their season. The loss highlighted the team’s inability to overcome adversity and deliver in high-pressure moments.
Gary Browne’s inaugural NBL season showcased his value as one of the league’s premier playmakers when healthy, orchestrating key victories and delivering standout performances like his 16-point, 11-assist game in Throwdown XVIII against Melbourne United. Meanwhile, Alan Williams (16.6 points, 9.9 rebounds) led the league in rebounds, further solidifying his reputation as one of the competition’s most dominant big men. Mitch Creek’s consistent brilliance earned him the Club MVP award.
2023/24
After a challenging NBL23 campaign, the South East Melbourne Phoenix re-built their squad around Mitch Creek and re-signed import Alan Williams to a two-year deal, entering NBL24 with high hopes but ultimately facing another turbulent season.
The Phoenix saw significant roster changes, with key departures including Kyle Adnam, Trey Kell III, Ryan Broekhoff, and Dane Pineau. To replenish their lineup, they added Gorjok Gak (via Brisbane), Matt Kenyon (via Tasmania), and new import Will Cummings (via China). Early in the preseason, the Phoenix faced their first major setback when Alan Williams suffered a knee injury, prompting the team to sign Tyler Cook as an injury replacement. Cook made an immediate impact, averaging 13.3 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist, and earning the Ray Borner Trophy for MVP of the NBL Blitz before departing in October upon Williams’ return.
The season began with a disappointing 82–67 loss to Melbourne United in Round 1, where Ben Ayre led the team with 17 points. Despite the slow start, the Phoenix went on a promising 5-2 run, briefly climbing to second on the ladder after a narrow victory over New Zealand in Round 5 (103–100). However, their momentum was short-lived as injuries and roster instability derailed their season.
Craig Moller (6.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 0.8 steals) suffered a season-ending patellar tendon rupture after just 12 games, while Gorjok Gak missed several games due to a calf strain, leading to the temporary addition of replacement player Daniel Johnson. Mid-season, disciplinary issues led to the release of Will Cummings (14.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists), forcing the Phoenix to bring in Abdel Nader (14.4 points and 3.9 rebounds). While Nader showed promise, his impact was limited by injuries and the team’s broader struggles.
Mitch Creek (20.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) delivered a stellar season, earning the Club MVP award and remaining the team’s most consistent contributor despite battling his own injuries. Gary Browne (13.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.2 steals) and Alan Williams (16.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists), who led the league in rebounding despite missing 13 games were the team’s other standouts. Addiitonally, after his high scoring efforts in game one, Ben Ayre (10.7 points, 2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists) delivered had a breakout season, becoming perhaps the only positive of the Phoenix’s season.
After their strong start, the Phoenix managed only five wins in their remaining 20 games, finishing with a 10-18 record and landing at the bottom of the ladder. The season ended on a sour note with a historic 122–67 defeat to the Sydney Kings, marking the largest margin of defeat in the club’s history and underscoring their struggles.
Gary Browne played two seasons the South East Melbourne Phoenix. He averaged 12.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in 40 NBL games.
CAREER RANKINGS:
– 45th in assists per game.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 31 | South East Melbourne | 10-18 (10) | 20 | 524.4 | 264 | 75 | 91 | 20 | 55 | 23 | 3 | 45 | 41 | 94 | 234 | 40% | 21 | 82 | 26% | 55 | 77 | 71% | 49% | 45% | 25 |
| 2022-23 | 30 | South East Melbourne | 15-13 (5) | 20 | 566.9 | 244 | 71 | 129 | 16 | 55 | 29 | 1 | 54 | 34 | 87 | 219 | 40% | 29 | 107 | 27% | 41 | 66 | 62% | 49% | 46% | 20 | Totals | 40 | 1091 | 508 | 146 | 220 | 36 | 110 | 52 | 4 | 99 | 75 | 181 | 453 | 40.0% | 50 | 189 | 26.5% | 96 | 143 | 67.1% | 49% | 45% | 25 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 31 | South East Melbourne | 10-18 (10) | 20 | 26.2 | 13.2 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 4.7 | 11.7 | 40% | 1.1 | 4.1 | 26% | 2.8 | 3.9 | 71% | 49% | 45% | 25 |
| 2022-23 | 30 | South East Melbourne | 15-13 (5) | 20 | 28.3 | 12.2 | 3.6 | 6.5 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 2.7 | 1.7 | 4.4 | 11.0 | 40% | 1.5 | 5.4 | 27% | 2.1 | 3.3 | 62% | 49% | 46% | 20 | Total | 40 | 27.3 | 12.7 | 3.7 | 5.5 | 0.9 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 2.5 | 1.9 | 4.5 | 11.3 | 40.0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 26.5% | 1.3 | 4.7 | 67.1% | 49% | 45% | 25 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 25 | 11 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
|---|
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Browne is a member of the Puerto Rico national basketball team and first represented the team in August 2018 where the team won the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games Championship.
Browne was a part of Puerto Ricos national team for the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Puerto Rico would defeat Iran (83-81) and lose to Spain (63–73) in the opening round, before defeating Tunisia thanks a game-winning three-pointer from Browne with 5.1 seconds left. The win over Tunisia (67–64) allowed them to progress to the following round where they would lose to Serbia (90–47) and Italy in overtime (89–94). Puerto Rico would finish the tournament ranked 15th out of 32 teams.
FIBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 26 | 5 | 120 | 45 | 18 | 23 | 4 | 14 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 19 | 54 | 35.2% | 2 | 13 | 15.4% | 5 | 5 | 100.0% | Total | 5 | 120 | 45 | 18 | 23 | 4 | 14 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 19 | 54 | 35% | 2 | 13 | 15% | 5 | 5 | 100% |
FIBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 26 | 5 | 24.0 | 9.0 | 3.6 | 4.6 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 3.8 | 10.8 | 35.2% | 0.4 | 2.6 | 15.4% | 1.0 | 1.0 | 100.0% | Total | 5 | 24.0 | 9.0 | 3.6 | 4.6 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 3.8 | 10.8 | 35% | 0.4 | 2.6 | 15% | 1.0 | 1.0 | 100% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Puerto Rico - Maratonistas de Coamo (2015), Atléticos de San Germán (2016–2019), Piratas de Quebradillas (2022), Mets de Guaynabo (2023–2024) | Israel - Ironi Nes Ziona (2017–2019) | Turkey - Darüşşafaka Tekfen (2019–2020), Petkim Spor (2021–2022) | Italy - Dolomiti Energia Trento (2020–2021)
In 2015, Browne joined the Maratonistas de Coamo of the BSN league in Puerto Rico. He played in a total of 7 games, averaging 4 points and 1.9 assists per game. The following year, the Atléticos de San Germán acquired the rights to Browne only to see him take a year off prepare himself physically for the 2017 season.
Browne began the 2017 season as San Germáns starting point guard. He led the league in assists all through the season, finishing with a average of 7.5 per game. Brownes performance led his team into the playoffs, where they were eliminated by the Piratas de Quebradillas. Browne finished the season with averages of 11.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, and improved to 14.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game in the playoffs. On July 19, he was named the Most-Improved Player before also earning the leagues Most Valuable Player two weeks later.
On June 7, 2018, Browne re-signed with Atléticos de San Germán for the 2018 BSN Season. In 19 games played during the 2018 season, he averaged 17.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game. At the end of the season he re-signed for another year and played with Atléticos de San Germán for the 2019 BSN Season.
On August 2, 2017, Browne signed with the Israeli team Ironi Nes Ziona for the 2017/18 season. On April 28, 2018, Browne recorded a career-high 32 points, shooting 6-of-10 from three-point range, along with six rebounds and six assists in a 101–91 win over Maccabi Rishon LeZion. Browne helped Nes Ziona to reach the 2018 Israeli League Playoffs, where they eventually lost to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Quarterfinals.
The following season, Browne signed a one-year contract extension with Ironi Nes Ziona (July 1, 2018). On January 19, 2019, Browne recorded a season-high 28 points, shooting 9-of-11 from the field, along with four rebounds, six assists and two steals, leading Nes Ziona to a 103–93 comeback win over Ironi Nahariya. He was subsequently named Israeli League Round 15 MVP. In 36 Israeli League games played during the 2018/19 season, he averaged 13.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 39.5 percent from three-point range. Browne helped Nes Ziona reach the 2019 Israeli League Playoffs, where they eventually were eliminated by Hapoel Eilat in the Quarterfinals.
On September 23, 2019, Browne signed with Darüşşafaka Tekfen of the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi as a injury cover for Joe Ragland. He averaged 10.8 points and 3.6 assists per game. On July 5, 2020, Browne parted ways with the team and signed with Dolomiti Energia Trento of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A two weeks later.
On August 5, 2021, Browne signed with Petkim Spor to return to play in the Turkish Basketball Super League (BSL).
In March 2022, Browne joined Piratas de Quebradillas where he played alongside South East Melbourne Phoenix star Mitch Creek who recommended the club sign him as a import for the 2022/23 NBL season.
The following season Browne and Creek spent the NBL off-season playing for Mets de Guaynabo in the BSN League. The pair took their side from a 1-8 start to finishing second on the Group B ladder and into a finals campaign. Browne continued his NBL form with the Mets averaging 14.1 points, 7.8 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals.
COLLEGE
Gary Browne enrolled at West Virginia University in 2011 and played four seasons with the Mountaineers from 2011–12 through 2014–15, becoming a key backcourt piece during the program’s transition into the high-pressure defensive identity known as “Press Virginia.”
Across his Mountaineer career, Browne appeared in more than 120 games and averaged 6.2 points per game while recording just over one steal per contest, with his defensive activity, on-ball pressure, and pace-setting role making him an important component of West Virginia’s full-court system under head coach Bob Huggins.
As a sophomore in the 2012–13 season, Browne’s role expanded as West Virginia began to lean more heavily into its pressing style, with Browne regularly tasked with guarding opposing primary ball-handlers and igniting transition opportunities through deflections and steals.
During the 2013–14 season, Browne continued as a rotation guard while helping West Virginia secure an NCAA Tournament berth, contributing as both a perimeter scorer and defensive disruptor on a roster that emphasized depth and relentless pressure.
In his senior season in 2014–15, Browne averaged 7.0 points and 1.4 assists per game while playing a leadership role in the backcourt, helping guide West Virginia to a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament, the program’s deepest postseason run since 2010.
His senior campaign was briefly interrupted in February 2015 when he suffered an ankle sprain, though he returned to remain part of the rotation during West Virginia’s late-season surge and NCAA Tournament run.
Browne finished his West Virginia career as a durable, defensively focused guard whose impact extended beyond the box score, particularly within the Press Virginia system that became a defining feature of the Mountaineers during his tenure.
After graduating from West Virginia, Browne declared for the 2015 NBA Draft but went undrafted, bringing his NCAA career to a close after four seasons in Morgantown.
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