NICKNAME/S: The Snake

BIO: Herb McEachin was born in Bronx, New York (USA).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Herb McEachin made his NBL debut with the Canberra Cannons at 24 years of age. He scored 18 points in his first game.

CANBERRA CANNONS
1979
During the league’s first season, the Cannons would be led in scoring by Cal Stamp (23.8 ppg), who was one of three imports on the Cannons roster, the other two being McEachin (18.9 points across 19 games) and Jerry Lee (8.9 points per game). Canberra finished the season with an identical record to Nunawading (13 wins and 5 losses) but would finish +2 points in their head-to-head matchups (1-1), propelling them into the Grand Final.

To crown the first champions of the national league, the first- and second-placed teams played off in a single game Grand Final clash. This saw St Kilda (1st) defeating Canberra (2nd), 94–93, to become the league’s first champions. Cal Stamp led Canberra in scoring with 32 points while his St Kilda counterpart Larry Sengstock finished the game with a career-high 33 points.

1980
After reaching the inaugural Grand Final, Canberra finished seventh with an 11-11 regular-season record and missed the playoffs. McEachin played all 22 games and increased his scoring average to 25.8 points per game, his highest season average in the NBL. His form earned him selection to the 1980 All-NBL Team alongside Canberra teammate Cal Stamp.

1981
McEachin averaged 21.9 points across 20 appearances during Canberra’s third NBL season. The Cannons improved to 12-10 but again finished seventh and missed the playoffs. Patrick Hunt coached the team during the 1981 campaign.

1982
McEachin played all 26 games for Canberra in 1982, averaging 19.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. His rebounding average was the highest of his NBL career, and he served as Cannons captain during a difficult campaign as the club fell to 11th place with an 8-18 record and missed the playoffs. McEachin was named the Cannons’ Most Valuable Player and re-signed on a one-year deal before the 1983 NBL season.

1983
The 1983 season ushered in a new era for the Canberra Cannons, with Bob Turner (via Newcastle) signing a three-year deal to become the team’s head coach. Turner overhauled the roster, building around three American imports—Wade Kirchmeyer, Dave Nelson, and Herb McEachin—while also securing Australian Boomers point guard Phil Smyth, who relocated to Canberra after a season of commuting from Adelaide to play for St Kilda. Together, they formed the core of a revamped Cannons outfit that would deliver the club its first NBL championship.

Among the imports, Herb McEachin stood out as a dynamic two-way contributor. He averaged 15.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.1 blocks across 27 games, establishing himself as a consistent scoring option on the wing and a tenacious defender. McEachin’s ability to guard multiple positions and contribute on both ends gave Canberra a vital edge, especially against high-powered offensive teams.

The Cannons posted a 16–6 regular season record, finishing fourth overall and second in the NBL’s Western Division behind only Geelong (18–4). With Kirchmeyer (20.9 points, 9.4 rebounds) leading the team in scoring and Nelson (19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds) adding punch in the frontcourt, McEachin’s balance of scoring and defence helped round out a formidable lineup. Smyth (14.6 points, 5.1 assists, and a league-leading 2.6 steals) also earned All-NBL First Team honours, bringing leadership and toughness to the backcourt.

In the 1983 NBL Finals, Canberra navigated the unusual divisional round-robin format with poise. The Cannons swept their group with wins over Nunawading (89–81), Geelong (86–81), and St Kilda (104–85), progressing to the semifinals unbeaten.

Facing the Coburg Giants in a high-stakes semi at Kilsyth Stadium, McEachin delivered when it mattered most—scoring 18 points on 8-of-16 shooting and converting both of his free throw attempts. He was instrumental on both ends of the floor, complementing strong efforts from Nelson (18 points), Kirchmeyer (17), and Smyth (20). Canberra’s efficiency at the line (20-of-22) proved decisive in a narrow 80–75 win.

In the Grand Final against reigning champions West Adelaide, McEachin once again stepped up. He led all Cannons scorers with 18 points on 50% shooting and was a critical factor in the team’s gritty 75–73 championship victory. His ability to match the Bearcats’ physicality and contribute under pressure helped neutralise offensive weapons like Leroy Loggins (23 points) and Al Green (18).

McEachin’s 1983 season was a testament to consistency and versatility. A reliable scorer and elite defender, he played a crucial role in Canberra’s rise from contenders to champions. His finals performances, particularly back-to-back 18-point outings in both the semi and Grand Final, underscored his value as a playoff performer and earned him a lasting place in Cannons history.

1984
After winning their first NBL title in 1983, Canberra returned under Bob Turner and completed a second consecutive championship campaign. McEachin (21.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists across 26 games) was a major part of the Cannons’ attack as the club finished the regular season with a 16-7 record, fifth on the overall ladder and second in the Western Division.

Canberra opened the divisional finals with an 87-81 victory over Geelong at the AIS Arena. The Cannons then defeated Coburg 108-107 in the semifinal, where McEachin led Canberra with 30 points, Phil Smyth recorded 12 assists and Benny Lewis scored 27 for the Giants. The Grand Final at the Glass House in Melbourne saw Canberra defeat Brisbane 84-82. Smyth (20 points and 7 assists) led the Cannons in scoring, while McEachin collected a team-high 9 rebounds and Leroy Loggins (28 points and 10 rebounds) led Brisbane. The victory gave McEachin his second NBL championship.

1985
McEachin (16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.2 steals across 27 games) remained a major contributor for Canberra in 1985. The Cannons finished fourth with a 19-7 regular-season record and returned to the playoffs. Canberra defeated Coburg 110-87 in the elimination final but lost 93-76 to Brisbane in the semifinal, ending its bid for a third consecutive championship.

1986
McEachin averaged 15.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.9 steals across 27 games as Canberra finished second with a 19-7 record. McEachin also served as the Cannons’ captain. The club’s postseason ended in the semifinal with a 120-100 loss to Brisbane, which went on to reach the Grand Final.

1987
During the 1987 season, McEachin returned to a 20-point scoring average, producing 20.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.5 steals across 27 games. Canberra finished fifth with a 17-9 record under head coach Jerry Lee and reached the elimination finals. The Cannons were defeated 101-96 by Perth, ending their campaign in the first round of the playoffs.

1988
McEachin (17.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.0 steals across 30 games) remained part of Canberra’s core during the 1988 season. The Cannons finished fourth with a 16-8 regular-season record and progressed to the Grand Final against the North Melbourne Giants, pursuing their third NBL championship.

The Grand Final opened at the AIS Arena, where Phil Smyth (25 points and 8 assists) and Canberra defeated North Melbourne 120-95, despite Tim Dillon (29 points and 16 rebounds) leading the Giants. The series shifted to the Glass House in Melbourne for game two, where Dillon (43 points) led North Melbourne to a 117-101 victory and levelled the series 1-1; Jamie Kennedy (27 points) led Canberra in scoring.

In the deciding game, Canberra defeated North Melbourne 108-101 to win the series 2-1. Willie Simmons led the Cannons with 23 points and 10 rebounds, McEachin recorded a team-high 6 assists, and David Graham (28 points) led the Giants. Smyth was named Grand Final MVP as McEachin collected his third NBL championship.

1989
McEachin averaged 13.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.7 steals across 29 games during the 1989 campaign. Canberra finished first in the regular season with an 18-6 record and returned to the Grand Final to face North Melbourne in a rematch of the previous year’s championship series.

In game one at the AIS Arena, Phil Smyth (23 points) led Canberra, but Scott Fisher scored 37 points to help North Melbourne win 111-105. Game two moved to the Glass House, where McEachin and Willie Simmons scored 20 points each for Canberra, but Fisher (33 points) led the Giants to a 111-97 victory. North Melbourne won the series 2-0, leaving the Cannons as runners-up and reversing the 1988 result.

1990
McEachin (18.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals across 26 games) returned to a larger scoring role in 1990. Canberra completed the regular season with a 16-10 record but finished seventh and did not qualify for the playoffs.

1991
McEachin appeared in only 13 games in 1991, during which he averaged 13.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. Canberra struggled through the season and finished 10th with a 9-17 record, missing the playoffs.

1992
McEachin’s 14th and final NBL season saw him move into a smaller role, appearing in 22 games and averaging 2.0 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 10.8 minutes per game. Canberra finished eighth with an 11-13 record and claimed the final playoff position, setting up a quarterfinal series against the first-seeded South East Melbourne Magic.

Canberra narrowly lost the opening game 91-89 at the AIS Arena before South East Melbourne completed the sweep with a 101-96 victory at Melbourne Park on October 2. The defeat ended McEachin’s NBL playing career after 14 seasons with the Cannons, including three championships and 341 appearances.

Herb McEachin played fourteen seasons with the Canberra Cannons. He averaged 17.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2 assists in 341 NBL games.

CAREER RANKINGS:

– 32nd in total points
– 31st in total steals