BIO: Greg Whittington was born in Columbia, Maryland (USA).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Greg Whittington made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 23 years of age. He scored six points in his first game.

After finishing last with a 6-22 record in 2015/16, Sydney appointed Australian basketball icon Andrew Gaze on a three-year deal and rebuilt the roster. Reigning NBL MVP Kevin Lisch (via Illawarra) turned down an extension with the Hawks to sign a lucrative three-year deal which made him the highest-paid player in the NBL, while Brad Newley (via Spain) and Aleks Maric were added alongside returning locals Tom Garlepp, Jason Cadee, Jeromie Hill and Julian Khazzouh. Lisch becoming an Australian citizen opened three import positions, with Josh Childress (not re-signed) and Al Harrington (not re-signed) moving on and Michael Bryson (via UC Santa Barbara) filling one position before Josh Powell (via Luoyang Zhonghe) was signed on October 7 as the third import. Powell’s signing became even more important when a quadriceps injury ruled Khazzouh out for the entire season, while Lisch was appointed captain.

Sydney opened the season against Brisbane at Qudos Bank Arena on October 8, where Whittington (6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) started and picked up five fouls in 24 minutes as the Bullets defeated the Kings 77-73. Lisch (20 points and 3 steals) and Hill (14 points and 3 blocks) led Sydney, while Daniel Kickert (17 points and 4 assists) was Brisbane’s leading scorer.

Whittington (11.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 28 games) had officially joined Sydney (via Sioux Falls) on August 13 after helping the Skyforce win the NBA D-League championship and impressing during a preseason training stint with the Kings. He played and started every one of Sydney’s 28 games, leading the Kings in rebounding and blocked shots without missing a game through injury or illness.

“I’m really excited to take the next step in my professional career. I can’t think of a better place to do that than in Sydney with the Kings. And I want to bring more rings!”

Five days after the opener, Whittington (10 points and 11 rebounds) recorded his first NBL double-double as Sydney defeated Illawarra 88-84 at the WIN Entertainment Centre for Gaze’s first victory as Kings coach. Lisch (20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Cadee (20 points and 5 assists) led Sydney, while Powell (14 points and 6 rebounds) arrived in time to make his Kings debut and Marvelle Harris (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Illawarra. The Kings’ post-game celebration went viral and added to the excitement surrounding their rebuilt roster.

Whittington’s best all-round game came two days later against Cairns at Qudos Bank Arena, where Whittington (21 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks) made 8-of-13 shots, including four of five three-pointers, and scored 14 points in the opening quarter as Sydney defeated the Taipans 92-78 for its first home win. Cadee (23 points and 7 assists) and Newley (13 points) provided the other major contributions, while Cameron Gliddon (13 points) was Cairns’ leading scorer.

Five days later at the North Shore Events Centre, Whittington (22 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals) produced his season-high scoring game, making 7-of-10 shots and three of four three-pointers as Sydney defeated New Zealand 92-78 for its third consecutive win and moved to 3-1 and outright first on the ladder. Powell (17 points) and Cadee (15 points and 4 assists) provided support, while Thomas Abercrombie (17 points) led the Breakers.

Sydney’s strong start eventually reached 8-3 before the import merry-go-round and inconsistent form began to disrupt the group. Bryson (1.8 points across 4 games) struggled to make an impact and was released after four appearances, with 13-year NBA veteran Steve Blake (5.9 points across 9 games) (via Detroit) signed as his replacement. Blake later received indefinite leave on compassionate grounds to return to the United States to be with a sick family member and did not return, leaving the import position vacant again. Garrett Jackson (3.8 points and 3.5 rebounds across 6 games) (via state league), who had previously trained with the Kings, was signed for the remainder of the season after impressing the coaching staff. Tony Tolovae (0 points across 1 game) then suffered a season-ending ankle injury during a December practice game against the NSW Under-20 squad, opening another roster position for William McDowell-White (2.1 points across 7 games) (via Fresno State), who joined as a development player after being unable to gain clearance to play in the NCAA. Sydney had lost five of eight games by Christmas and fallen to 11-8, and after beginning 8-3 the Kings went 5-12 and lost nine of their final twelve games.

Newley (17.6 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.2 steals across 23 games) and Lisch (16.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals across 27 games) led Sydney offensively and were both selected to the All-NBL Second Team. Cadee (13 points and 3.2 assists across 28 games), Powell (9.4 points and 4.8 rebounds across 27 games), Garlepp (5.6 points across 28 games) and Maric (5.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals across 28 games) provided the other major contributions.

Sydney travelled to Perth Arena for its final game on February 10 needing a victory to secure its first playoff appearance since 2012/13, where Whittington (13 points and 8 rebounds) helped the Kings remain within six points during the third quarter before being ejected after receiving his second technical foul. Newley (19 points) and Cadee (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Sydney, while Casey Prather (29 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth to a 101-74 victory, eliminating the Kings and leaving Sydney seventh with a 13-15 record.

Greg Whittington played one season in the NBL. He averaged 11.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 28 NBL games.