Dr Dave Adkins and why he should be in the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame
February 14, 2021
Jason Reese
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 19/06/67
- Place of Birth: Des Moines, Iowa (USA)
- Position: FRD
- Height (CM): 203
- Weight (KG): 115
- Junior Assoc:
- College: University of Northern Iowa (1986-90)
- NBL DEBUT: 12/04/91
- AGE AT DEBUT: 23
- LAST NBL GAME: 24/09/94
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 27
- NBL History: Hobart 1991 | Canberra 1992, 1994 | North Melbourne 1993
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Jason Reese was born in Des Moines, Iowa (USA).
NBL EXPERIENCE
Jason Reese made his NBL debut with the Hobart Devils at 23 years of age. He scored 40 points in his first game.
1993
After finishing fourth with a 14-10 record and reaching the semifinals in 1992, North Melbourne chose not to re-sign long-term head coach Bruce Palmer, who had led the Giants to the semifinals in five of his six seasons and to the 1989 championship. Melbourne Tigers assistant Brett Brown replaced him in what was viewed as a cost-saving move as the club began facing financial uncertainty. Reigning co-MVP Scott Fisher (to Perth), David Graham (to South East Melbourne) and Ray Borner (to Geelong) were among the major departures, while Paul Maley, Pat Reidy, Darryl Pearce, Rod Johnson and Mark Leader returned.
Brown initially trialled import Chuckie White as Fisher’s replacement, but White failed to make it through the preseason before the Giants signed Jason Reese (via Canberra). Known around the league as a ‘workhorse’ and dominant inside scorer, Reese arrived as a reigning All-NBL Second Team selection after averaging 26.5 points and 12.3 rebounds for Canberra the previous season. Paul Rees (via Brisbane) and Larry Sengstock (via Gold Coast) were also added, while Leader became a naturalised Australian in 1993 and replaced Fisher as captain.
North Melbourne opened the season against Adelaide at the Melbourne Sports & Entertainment Centre on April 18, where Reese erupted for 39 points, 18 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block in his Giants debut, making 18-of-21 field goals. Maley (21 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) and Pearce (20 points, 4 assists, and 1 steal) provided the other major contributions, while Scott Ninnis (36 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal) led Adelaide to a 118-105 victory.
Reese (26.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals across 28 games) went on to lead North Melbourne in scoring during his only season with the Giants.
One week after his debut, Reese (41 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) made 15-of-22 field goals and 11-of-13 free throws against Geelong. Maley (27 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks) and Sengstock (17 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) provided support, while Adrian Branch (37 points and 13 rebounds) led the Supercats as North Melbourne won 120-112.
Reese faced Fisher and Perth for the first time on May 7, finishing with 25 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block. Maley (19 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Leader (14 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist) were North Melbourne’s next leading scorers, while Fisher (28 points and 9 rebounds) led the Wildcats to a 94-85 victory at Melbourne Park.
His best and highest-scoring game came against Gold Coast on July 9, where Reese exploded for 51 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, and 1 block, making 22-of-29 field goals and 7-of-9 free throws. Maley (18 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Reidy (17 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) provided the support as North Melbourne defeated the Rollers 118-101.
Maley (22.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 28 games) led North Melbourne in rebounding, while Reidy (16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2 steals across 29 games), Pearce (11.6 points, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals across 29 games) and Leader (6.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists across 29 games) provided the other major contributions. The Giants endured a four-game losing streak from July 30 through August 22 before recovering late in the season.
During that playoff push, Reese finished with 23 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 steals against eventual champions Melbourne on September 22. Maley (22 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Reidy (21 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals) also starred, while Lanard Copeland (26 points and 4 rebounds) led the Tigers as North Melbourne claimed a 92-91 victory at Melbourne Park. Despite Reese providing the scoring Brown had sought after Fisher’s departure, the Giants slipped from fourth and a semifinal appearance the previous season to eighth with a 13-13 record, securing the final playoff position.
North Melbourne faced minor premiers Perth (21-5) and Fisher in the quarterfinals. Reese finished game one with 27 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals, with Reidy (23 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Leader (17 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) providing support. Trevor Torrance (29 points) led Perth, but the Giants won 105-101 at the Melbourne Sports & Entertainment Centre and took a 1-0 series lead.
Game two moved to the Perth Entertainment Centre, where Reese produced 37 points, 17 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal in 51:36. Pearce (18 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) and Reidy (12 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal) provided the other major contributions, while Ricky Grace (29 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals) and James Crawford (26 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 4 blocks) led Perth to a 108-98 victory and levelled the series.
The deciding game remained in Perth, where Reese finished with 19 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals. Reidy (22 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Leader (16 points, 3 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals) led the Giants alongside him, while Grace (26 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) and Crawford (23 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) powered Perth to a 117-104 victory, giving the Wildcats the series 2-1 and ending North Melbourne’s season.
Jason Reese played four seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Hobart Devils, North Melbourne Giants and Canberra Cannons. He averaged 26.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 106 NBL games.
CAREER RANKINGS:
– 21st in points per game.
– 42nd in rebounds 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 27 | Canberra | 7-19 (11) | 26 | 1,056 | 647 | 317 | 86 | 90 | 227 | 46 | 10 | 111 | 113 | 254 | 471 | 54% | 7 | 28 | 25% | 132 | 172 | 77% | 59% | 55% | 38 |
| 1993 | 26 | North Melbourne | 13-13 (8) | 28 | 1,059 | 738 | 250 | 36 | 98 | 152 | 46 | 13 | 71 | 103 | 284 | 538 | 53% | 8 | 18 | 44% | 162 | 201 | 81% | 58% | 54% | 51 |
| 1992 | 25 | Canberra | 11-13 (8) | 26 | 1,066 | 689 | 319 | 74 | 106 | 213 | 27 | 9 | 93 | 112 | 271 | 510 | 53% | 5 | 27 | 19% | 142 | 175 | 81% | 58% | 54% | 54 |
| 1991 | 24 | Hobart | 8-18 (12) | 26 | 1,007 | 776 | 270 | 57 | 85 | 185 | 33 | 7 | 96 | 113 | 301 | 543 | 55% | 0 | 4 | 0% | 174 | 217 | 80% | 60% | 55% | 47 | Totals | 106 | 4188 | 2850 | 1156 | 253 | 379 | 777 | 152 | 39 | 371 | 441 | 1110 | 2062 | 53.8% | 20 | 77 | 26.0% | 610 | 765 | 79.7% | 59% | 54% | 54 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 27 | Canberra | 7-19 (11) | 26 | 40.6 | 24.9 | 12.2 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 8.7 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 9.8 | 18.1 | 54% | 0.3 | 1.1 | 25% | 5.1 | 6.6 | 77% | 59% | 55% | 38 |
| 1993 | 26 | North Melbourne | 13-13 (8) | 28 | 37.8 | 26.4 | 8.9 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 5.4 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 3.7 | 10.1 | 19.2 | 53% | 0.3 | 0.6 | 44% | 5.8 | 7.2 | 81% | 58% | 54% | 51 |
| 1992 | 25 | Canberra | 11-13 (8) | 26 | 41.0 | 26.5 | 12.3 | 2.8 | 4.1 | 8.2 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 10.4 | 19.6 | 53% | 0.2 | 1.0 | 19% | 5.5 | 6.7 | 81% | 58% | 54% | 54 |
| 1991 | 24 | Hobart | 8-18 (12) | 26 | 38.7 | 29.8 | 10.4 | 2.2 | 3.3 | 7.1 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 3.7 | 4.3 | 11.6 | 20.9 | 55% | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0% | 6.7 | 8.3 | 80% | 60% | 55% | 47 | Total | 106 | 39.5 | 26.9 | 10.9 | 2.4 | 3.6 | 7.3 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 10.5 | 19.5 | 53.8% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 26.0% | 0.2 | 0.7 | 79.7% | 59% | 54% | 54 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 54 | 22 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
Following his collegiate career, Reese took part in NBA training camps with the Sacramento Kings and Boston Celtics.
Reese played games in the NBA. He averaged 0 points, 0 rebounds, and 0 assists per game over his NBA career.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- France - Caen Basket Calvados (1996–1997), Montpellier Basket (1997–1998), Le Mans Sarthe Basket (1999–2000), Evreux (2002–2003)
Reese joined Caen Basket Calvados for the 1996 French Elite 2 season, playing his first season in France.
Reese led Caen in scoring at 23.0 points per game and ranked second on the team in rebounding at 6.3 per game, with Jerrell Horne leading the club on the boards, and other notable teammates that season including Marshall Wilson, Olivier Bourgain, Pascal Lequertier, Steve Johnson, and Miloud Dahine.
Reese joined Montpellier Basket for the 1997 French season after arriving from Caen, continuing his career in France as part of Montpellier’s roster build for that campaign.
Reese later played in France with Le Mans Sarthe Basket during the 1999–2000 season under head coach Alain Weisz, sharing that squad with Keith Jennings, Terence Stansbury, Makan Dioumassi, Maurice Smith, Bruno Coqueran, Erwan Bouvier, Olivier Lamothe, and Franck Butter.
Reese returned to France with Evreux for the 2002–2003 season, where he was listed on the roster as a 2.03m frontcourt player and played alongside imports Rashad Phillips and Hubert Register, plus French teammates including Clarence Juillet, Anicet Kessely, Jean Marc Kraidy, Robert Laszlo, and Teddy Maizeroi.
COLLEGE
Reese played college basketball at the University of Northern Iowa during the 1986-87 season and competed there from 1986 to 1990.
He played for head coach Eldon Miller during a four year stretch in the Mid-Continent Conference that included team records of 13-15 in 1986-87, 10-18 in 1987-88, 19-9 in 1988-89, and 23-9 in 1989-90.
As a freshman in 1986-87, Reese appeared in 28 games and averaged 14.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game while shooting 50.3 percent from the field and 80.8 percent from the free throw line.
In that 1986-87 season he totaled 395 points, 170 rebounds, 20 assists, 41 steals, and 9 blocks.
As a freshman, he earned Mid-Continent Conference All-Freshman Team recognition.
As a sophomore in 1987-88, Reese played 26 games and averaged 14.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game while shooting 49.8 percent from the field and 71.5 percent from the free throw line.
Across those 26 games in 1987-88 he totaled 377 points, 145 rebounds, 14 assists, 17 steals, and 5 blocks, and he made 1 of 2 three point attempts on the season.
As a junior in 1988-89, Reese started all 28 games and delivered his highest scoring average at 22.3 points per game, pairing it with 7.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 58.4 percent from the field and 81.3 percent at the line.
He produced 623 total points in 1988-89, along with 199 rebounds, 35 assists, 21 steals, and 14 blocks.
That junior season included 240 field goals made, which tied the program’s single season mark for field goals made.
As a senior in 1989-90, Reese played 32 games and averaged 19.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 0.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 56.9 percent from the field and 76.5 percent from the free throw line.
He totaled 638 points and 259 rebounds in 1989-90, and his 638 points stands as one of the top single season scoring totals in program history.
Northern Iowa went 23-9 overall in 1989-90, won the Mid-Continent Conference tournament championship, and reached the NCAA tournament where the Panthers advanced to the second round.
During that 1989-90 breakthrough season, Northern Iowa defeated 20th-ranked Iowa in the UNI-Dome in front of 22,797 fans.
In the NCAA tournament, Northern Iowa earned a 74-71 upset win over No. 3 seed Missouri as part of its first trip to the Division I tournament.
Reese was named the Mid-Continent Conference tournament MVP in 1989-90 and also received all-tournament honors for that championship run.
Across his Northern Iowa career, Reese played 114 games, scored 2,033 points, and grabbed 773 rebounds while posting career shooting marks of 54.5 percent from the field and 77.5 percent from the free throw line.
He finished his career with 764 field goals made, 504 free throws made, 102 assists, 102 steals, and 50 blocks.
Jason Reese is UNI’s all-time leading scorer in men’s basketball with 2,033 points.
Reese played in 114 games as a UNI Panther player from 1986-1990.
He later received Hall of Fame recognition from the University of Northern Iowa as part of the program’s historical honors.
AWARDS
- 1x All-NBL Second Team
Related
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