BIO: Grant Kruger was born in Sydney (NSW) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Murwillumbah basketball program. Kruger received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 1987. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (1987, 1988).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Grant Kruger made his NBL debut with the Newcastle Falcons at 18 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

The Falcons added import Bill Jones after he was squeezed out of the Adelaide 36ers’ rotation due to the emergence of Australian big man Mark Bradtke. Jones joined his former coach Ken Cole in Newcastle and averaged 18.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. Newcastle ended the season second-last with a 6-18 record, just ahead of the Geelong Supercats (5-19).

Grant Kruger saw limited playing opportunities, appearing in 22 games and averaging 2.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.2 assists.

1990
Kruger averaged 4.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.2 assists as part of the Falcons’ rotation. Newcastle struggled, finishing third-last with a 4-22 record.

1991
Kruger increased his production slightly, averaging 6.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.5 assists, although the Falcons again struggled, finishing fourth-last with a 5-21 record.

1992
Under new coach Tom Wiseman, the Falcons added former NBA players Terry Dozier and Everette Stephens, alongside Paul Kuiper and rookie Shawn Dennis. While Dozier (22.8 points, 11.2 rebounds) and Stephens (23.8 points, 5.6 assists) impressed statistically, injuries and limited bench depth hindered the team’s success. Kruger continued to play a limited role, appearing in 24 games, averaging 5.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists. The Falcons improved slightly to a 9-15 record, finishing second-last.

1993
The Falcons retained key players, including Dozier and Stephens, who helped the team achieve its best record since 1985 at 15-11, finishing fifth. Kruger improved his output, averaging 9.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists across 28 games. Despite the regular-season success, Newcastle was swept by Brisbane in the quarter-finals.

1994
Kruger averaged 7.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 0.9 assists, contributing to the Falcons’ eighth-place finish with a 13-13 record.

1995
Maintaining consistent contributions, Kruger averaged 7.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, helping the Falcons to another eighth-place finish, improving to a 17-9 record.

TOWNSVILLE SUNS
1996
Joining the Suns under coach Mark Bragg, Kruger averaged 5.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists. Despite standout seasons from Derek Rucker (26.8 points, 8.2 assists) and Clarence Tyson (22.8 points, 14.1 rebounds), the Suns finished 9-17, missing the playoffs. Tyson earned club MVP honors.

In 1996 Kruger averaged 5.8 points and 2.7 rebounds for the Townsville Suns who struggled to remain competitive and finished the regular season with a 9-17 record.

1997
Townsville had yet to reach the playoffs after six seasons in the NBL but came agonisingly close in 1997. Needing just one victory from their last six games to secure a maiden playoff spot, the Suns lost all six games following a season-ending knee injury to star centre Clarence Tyson. Derek Rucker (25.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 2.6 steals), Clarence Tyson (22.0 points, 13.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists), Simon Kerle (16.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists), Jason Cameron (12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists), and Tony De Ambrosis (11.4 points and 5.5 rebounds) led the team throughout the season. Grant Kruger provided valuable depth, averaging 6.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.7 assists over 29 appearances. Townsville finished the season eighth, just shy of postseason qualification, with a 14-16 record.

TOWNSVILLE CROCODILES
1998
In the 1998 season, Kruger continued his role in the Crocodiles’ rotation, averaging 7.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game. Despite his consistent contribution, the team could only manage a ninth-place finish, ending the regular season with a 12-18 record and missing out on playoff action once again.

NEWCASTLE FALCONS
1998/99
Entering the 1998/99 season, the Falcons faced severe financial troubles but managed a last-minute rescue by investors from Albury. This allowed Newcastle to retain local talents Ben Melmeth, Terry Johnson, and import Todd Mundt. They also benefited from the Giants’ merger, signing former North Melbourne players Pat Reidy and Butch Hays, who were left without a team. Dean Brogan (via Adelaide), Rod Johnson (via Canberra), and veteran shot-blocker Willie Simmons, returning from retirement, rounded out the roster.

Despite being tipped to finish at the bottom of the ladder, Newcastle surprised the league by winning five of their opening six games. However, financial instability soon impacted morale and player performance. Mundt departed mid-season due to unpaid wages, and Dave Simmons (14.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.2 steals) was signed after being unable to secure a contract following a season with Sydney.

Newcastle’s early momentum collapsed, winning just three of their next nineteen games, before closing the season with a dramatic win over Perth (113–111). Pat Reidy (17.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists) led the Falcons offensively, while Ben Melmeth (17.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists) dominated on the boards. Terry Johnson had his best season statistically (14.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.1 steals), and Rod Johnson (11.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists) also made key contributions.

Grant Kruger saw extremely limited action, appearing in just one game without registering any statistics.

Unfortunately, ongoing financial struggles led the NBL to revoke Newcastle’s licence at season’s end, forcing the Falcons out of the league.

CAIRNS TAIPANS
1999/00
In 1999/00, Kruger averaged 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists as the Taipans finished in last place (2-26).

WOLLONGONG HAWKS
2000/01
The 2000/01 season marked history for the Wollongong Hawks as they captured their first-ever NBL Championship. Prior to the season, coach Brendan Joyce revamped nearly half the roster, bringing in Grant Kruger, Charles Thomas, Damon Lowery, Matt Shanahan, and Axel Dench. Kruger averaged 1.9 points per game, primarily playing the role of “enforcer” behind frontcourt starters Melvin Thomas and Matt Garrison.

The Hawks enjoyed their best regular season ever, finishing fourth with a club-record 21-7, tied with Perth but losing on head-to-head results. They boasted a balanced offense, led by Melvin Thomas (19.6 points, 8.6 rebounds), Charles Thomas (16.5 points, 4.8 rebounds), Glen Saville (15.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists), Damon Lowery (13.6 points), rookie Axel Dench (13.4 points), and Mat Campbell (12.8 points).

In the playoffs, Wollongong upset Perth in Game 1 of the Qualifying Finals, winning 97–90 at home. Kruger played 19 minutes off the bench without scoring but provided physical defence. After losing Game 2 (95–106), Wollongong clinched the series in Perth with a surprising 98–88 victory led by Saville’s dominant performance (26 points, 16 rebounds). Kruger contributed defensively in 12 minutes of action and scored two points.

In the semifinals against Adelaide, the Hawks secured a thrilling 84–83 win in Game 1, with Kruger again playing 11 minutes and offering strong defensive support despite not scoring. Adelaide responded in Game 2, winning 111–100 despite Kruger’s two points and three rebounds. Game 3 ended dramatically when Damon Lowery sank three free throws after the buzzer to seal a 109–108 victory, sending Wollongong to their first-ever Grand Final.

Facing Townsville, Wollongong won Game 1 (104–101), dropped Game 2 (114–97), and battled to a gruelling 97–94 victory in Game 3, becoming the first New South Wales team to win an NBL title. Charles Thomas (23 points, 10 rebounds) and Finals MVP Glen Saville (18 points, 12 rebounds) led the charge. Kruger played limited minutes (13 in total) across the Grand Final series, contributing with his defensive presence.

After finishing the regular season in fourth with a club-best 21 wins from 28 games, Wollongong upset Perth in game one of the Qualifying Final to win at home 97–90. Kruger played 19 minutes but failed to score. The Wildcats turned things around in game two and defeated the Hawks 95-106. Kruger played 11 minutes and some terrific defence but again failed to score. This set up a game three in Perth where the Hawks won in a major upset thanks to a 26 point, 16 rebounds performance from Glen Saville and a 20 point game from Damon Lowery to win 98–88. Kruger played 12 minutes and scored two points in the win.

This set up a semi-final matchup with the Adelaide 36ers and their stars Darnell Mee and Kevin Brooks. Kruger played 11 minutes In game one, was instrumental on defence but did not score a basket yet the Hawks squeaked out a narrow 84-83 game win over the 36ers. The Hawks would return to Wollongong but lose Game 2, 100–111 Kruger added two points and three rebounds, and then in the deciding game the Hawks won game three in a nail biter at Wollongong’s WIN Entertainment Centre when Damon Lowery sunk three free throws with no time on the clock, propelling the team into the 2001 NBL Grand Final to face the Townsville Crocodiles.

There the Hawks would win game one against the Townsville Crocodiles at home 104-101, lose game two 97-114 and the set-up a deciding game for the 2001 championship. game three was a gruelling matchup, played the very next day where the blue-collar Hawks snuck out the three-point victory 97-94, Charles Thomas top scoring with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. Glen Saville would add 18 points and 12 rebounds, and claim the NBL Finals MVP. Kruger played in all three Grand Final games but received minimal playing time taking the court for a total of 13 minutes over the series. The Hawks 2–1 victory saw them become the first New South Wales club to win a NBL championship.

2001/02
Wollongong entered the 2001/02 NBL season as defending champions, aiming to build on their historic title win. Coached by Brendan Joyce and led by co-captains Mat Campbell and Glen Saville, the Hawks made key roster changes, including the departure of Matt Garrison to Cairns and the addition of Ben Pepper (12.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks) to strengthen the frontcourt.

Axel Dench (9.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists) continued to play a crucial role in the frontcourt but was limited to just 17 games due to injury. Grant Kruger also saw limited minutes in the rotation, playing in all 32 games for the Hawks and contributing 1.9 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.3 assists per game while providing depth off the bench.

The Hawks finished the regular season in fourth place with a 16-14 record, securing a playoff berth. The team was led by Glen Saville (15.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists), Charles Thomas (14.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists), Melvin Thomas (14.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists), and Mat Campbell (12.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists), with Dench, Pepper, and Kruger providing frontcourt depth.

Wollongong’s postseason campaign was short-lived, as they were eliminated in the qualifying finals by the Adelaide 36ers in two straight games. In Game 1 at WIN Entertainment Centre, the Hawks struggled defensively, falling 107-90. Three days later, they were unable to bounce back, losing 101-95 at Adelaide Arena, ending their title defense in the first round.

TOWNSVILLE CROCODILES
2003/04
After a season out of the league, Kruger returned to play a veteran role for the Crocodiles during the 2003/04 NBL season.

The team was led by Jeremy Veal (18.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists), Pat Reidy (17.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists), and veteran Robert Rose (16.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists). Other key contributors included Andrew Goodwin (12.6 points, 5.3 rebounds) and Peter Crawford (11.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists).

Kruger appeared in just eight games and averaging 1.5 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.3 assists.

Townsville entered the final round of the season still in contention for the postseason, needing to defeat the Hunter Pirates and have Adelaide lose to the New Zealand Breakers. The Crocodiles held up their end of the bargain with a 109-96 win, but Adelaide secured a 93-88 victory over New Zealand, eliminating Townsville from playoff contention. The 36ers claimed the final postseason spot with a 14-19 record, finishing just one game ahead of the Crocodiles.

The Crocodiles finished the season in ninth place with a 13-20 record, narrowly missing out on a playoff spot.

Grant Kruger played fifteen seasons across four NBL teams. This included the Newcastle Falcons, Townsville Suns, Wollongong Hawks, Cairns Taipans and Townsville Crocodiles. He averaged 5.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 368 NBL games.

Dan Boyce (837 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.