BIO: Kendle was born and raised in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and grew up playing basketball. As a sophomore at Jeffersonville High School, Kendle was nearly cut from the basketball team due to his small stature; he was five-foot seven inches tall and 140 pounds. He was told he wasn’t good enough to make the varsity basketball team. The head coach on the senior varsity team wanted to cut him, but the junior varsity coach knew his father and they had a mutual respect. He kept Kendle on the team, but he rode the bench for the whole season. The next year, he hit a six-inch growth spurt and worked really hard physically. He subsequently started on the varsity team as a junior.

As a senior in 2005/06 playing for coach Jimmy Just, Kendle averaged 15.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He helped lead the Red Devils to a 23–2 record, and the Hoosier Hills Conference Championship, and subsequently earned first team All-District, All-Region and All-Area selection.

FAMILY: Kendle’s wife Nadia is from New Zealand. The couple have twin boys, Tekoa and Izzakin, that were born in 2019.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Jeremy Kendle made his NBL debut with the Brisbane Bullets at 28 years of age. He scored five points in his first game.

After his 2015 MVP season in the Queensland State League, Kendle was invited to train with the Cairns Taipans but never played a game.

BRISBANE BULLETS
2016/17
Brisbane returned to the NBL in 2016/17 for the first time since 2007/08, with Australian Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis taking charge and Adam Gibson (via Adelaide) named captain. With the franchise building a new roster, Lemanis added Daniel Kickert (via Melbourne), Tom Jervis (via Perth), Anthony Petrie (via Adelaide), Shaun Bruce (via Cairns), Mitchell Young (via Townsville), Reuben Te Rangi (via New Zealand), Torrey Craig (via Cairns), Cameron Bairstow (via Chicago) and Jermaine Beal (via Perth).

By late December, Bairstow (12.8 points and 6.5 rebounds across 13 games) had been ruled out for the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee against Illawarra, while Petrie (7.1 points and 3.1 rebounds across 18 games) required surgery after suffering cartilage damage in his left knee. Jeremy Kendle (via Bendigo), coming off a SEABL championship, MVP and Grand Final MVP season with the Bendigo Braves, bought his own one-way ticket from Louisville to join Brisbane’s training group as additional guard cover. Kendle was set to be added to the playing squad before Brisbane’s New Year’s Eve game against Cairns, but a low-grade calf strain delayed the move. Despite not being fully recovered, he signed for the remainder of the season on January 11 as an injury replacement while Brisbane dealt with its depleted roster. “You’ve got to pay your dues and work your way up the ladder. That’s how life works. I had this in mind, I was hoping for it, and I finally got the opportunity, and hopefully I make the best of it,” Kendle said.

Four days later, Kendle (5 points, 1 rebound, and 1 steal) made his NBL debut off the bench against New Zealand, playing 11 minutes and 41 seconds as the Breakers defeated Brisbane 84-82 on Kevin Dillard’s game-winner at the buzzer. Kickert (24 points, 3 assists, and 1 block) and Craig (19 points and 8 rebounds) led Brisbane, while Dillard (28 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals) starred for New Zealand as the loss dropped the Bullets to 9-13.

Kendle (11 points and 2.9 rebounds across 7 games) played every remaining game following his debut, coming off the bench in his first two appearances before starting Brisbane’s final five games. His calf injury affected his entry into the team, but he did not miss another game after making his debut.

Beal (11.2 points across 23 games) was released on January 21 after his form declined during the second half of the season, culminating in a scoreless performance against Adelaide two days earlier. “We have not been able to get the best out of Jermaine, and he has not been contributing to the level that he wants to and it has become frustrating for both parties,” Lemanis said. With Gibson (9.8 points and 3.8 assists across 21 games) also sidelined after suffering a calf injury on January 13, Kendle became part of Brisbane’s permanent roster and moved into Beal’s starting role. Kendle (12 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) made his first NBL start that afternoon as Craig (24 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Kickert (24 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block) helped Brisbane defeat Melbourne 88-71 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, while Casper Ware (27 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led United.

Kendle’s best game came in Cairns on January 29, where he made 10-of-14 shots and finished with a team-high 24 points, 1 rebound, and 2 steals. Craig (22 points and 8 rebounds) and Kickert (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 blocks) provided support, but Travis Trice (27 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Cairns to a 97-83 win at the Cairns Convention Centre.

While still playing for Brisbane, Kendle (to Canterbury) signed with the Canterbury Rams on January 27 for the upcoming New Zealand NBL season, which began after the completion of Brisbane’s campaign. His Bullets agreement covered only the remainder of 2016/17 and he was not retained for the following NBL season, joining Canterbury in March before later moving to South West Metro in the QBL.

Craig (15.2 points and 8 rebounds across 28 games) led Brisbane in scoring and rebounding, won the NBL’s Best Defensive Player award and earned All-NBL Second Team honours. Kickert (12.8 points and 4 rebounds across 28 games) also earned All-NBL Second Team honours and became the first player in NBL history to qualify for a 50-40-90 season. Jervis (7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds across 28 games), Bruce (5.9 points across 28 games) and Young (5.5 points across 28 games) were Brisbane’s other main contributors.

Brisbane’s season ended against Illawarra at WIN Entertainment Centre on February 11, where Kendle (11 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists) made his seventh appearance and fifth consecutive start. Craig (30 points and 18 rebounds) and Jervis (14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) led Brisbane, while Oscar Forman (26 points) made eight three-pointers as Illawarra defeated the Bullets 106-79, leaving Brisbane eighth with a 10-18 record.

SYDNEY KINGS
2017/18
After missing the playoffs the previous season, Sydney reshaped its roster around captain Kevin Lisch, Brad Newley, Jason Cadee and Tom Garlepp, adding Todd Blanchfield (via Melbourne), Perry Ellis (via Greensboro), Travis Leslie (via Fort Wayne), Isaac Humphries (via Kentucky), Dane Pineau (via Saint Mary’s), Amritpal Singh (via Pune), Sam Daly (via Chaminade) and Adam Thoseby (via Knox). The Kings began the season 1-2 before Lisch suffered a grade two tear in his right calf against Illawarra on October 15 and was ruled out for approximately eight weeks.

With only Cadee remaining as an experienced point guard, Sydney brought Jeremy Kendle (via South West Metro) into training before signing him as Lisch’s injury replacement on October 18. Kendle had played seven games with Brisbane the previous season and spent 2017 with Canterbury in New Zealand and South West Metro in the QBL, while also scoring 20 points for the NBL All-Australian Team against China during the offseason. His availability in Australia allowed Sydney to make the move immediately, with managing director Jeff Van Groningen saying, “We are very fortunate that Jeremy was available and ready to go.”

The new guard made his Kings debut the following night in Auckland, finishing with 5 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists in 13 minutes off the bench as Sydney lost 90-73 to New Zealand. Ellis (16 points) was Sydney’s leading scorer, while Edgar Sosa (19 points) and Alex Pledger (19 points) led the Breakers.

Kendle (6.8 points across 6 games) appeared in every Sydney game during his short stint and did not miss any games through injury. His signing became part of the discussion around Sydney’s roster construction, with the Kings having originally intended to use their remaining import position on a centre before Lisch was injured. Media questioned whether adding another combo guard solved Sydney’s need for a specialist point guard, while the club continued searching for a rebounding and defensive presence in the frontcourt. By October 27, Van Groningen acknowledged Kendle was aware his injury-replacement stint could end once Sydney found the right player to reshape the roster.

One of his best contributions came against Illawarra at WIN Entertainment Centre on October 29, where Kendle (9 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists) made two three-pointers in 14 minutes as Sydney defeated the Hawks 99-94 in overtime. Cadee (21 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals) and Ellis (22 points and 7 rebounds) led the Kings, while AJ Ogilvy (22 points and 10 rebounds) and Rotnei Clarke (21 points and 4 rebounds) led Illawarra as Sydney improved to 2-4.

Kendle’s best game came in the return meeting with Illawarra at Qudos Bank Arena on November 5, where Kendle (9 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) played 14 minutes off the bench. Ellis (19 points and 10 rebounds), Newley (18 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Blanchfield (14 points and 4 rebounds) led Sydney, but Clarke (29 points and 5 assists) helped Illawarra win 93-83 and leave the Kings at 2-6.

Sydney responded to the 2-6 start with another major roster change, signing reigning NBL MVP Jerome Randle (via Bahçeşehir) to take over point guard duties and former NBA centre Jeremy Tyler (via China) to address the team’s rebounding and interior problems. Leslie (released) was moved on to create the import spot for Tyler, while Sydney announced that Kendle’s stint as Lisch’s injury replacement would be cut short to make room for Randle.

Kendle remained with the team for one final game against Melbourne at Hisense Arena on November 11, where Kendle (7 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist) made three of six shots in 15 minutes as Sydney lost 108-90. Cadee (17 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Newley (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Kings, while Tyler (8 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) made his Sydney debut. Casey Prather (22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Tai Wesley (21 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Josh Boone (19 points and 13 rebounds) led Melbourne.

Kendle’s injury-replacement contract then ended with Randle taking over the point guard role, rather than because of an injury or performance-related absence. Kendle (to Bendigo) returned to the state leagues, signing with the Braves on December 7 for the 2018 SEABL season.

Tyler’s addition failed to provide Sydney with the stability it had hoped for. Tyler (13.3 points and 5.8 rebounds across 11 games) produced on the court, but contemporary coverage later described him as “a clear distraction” and reported claims that he had missed numerous training sessions and struggled to control his emotions during games. Sydney released him on January 9 with eight games remaining, although the club’s stated reason was to use the remainder of the season to look more closely at its younger frontcourt players, particularly Humphries (6.9 points and 3.7 rebounds across 26 games) and Pineau (2.9 points across 24 games).

Lisch (11.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 11 games) eventually returned in January after missing 17 consecutive games, with his return alongside Randle helping Sydney finish the season strongly. Randle (19.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists across 19 games) became the first player since Andrew Gaze in 1989 to lead the NBL in both scoring and assists and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Humphries was named NBL Rookie of the Year.

Sydney closed the season against New Zealand at Qudos Bank Arena on February 18, where Cadee (30 points and 3 assists), Blanchfield (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) and Randle (18 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists) led the Kings to a 101-86 victory, their sixth win from the final seven games, leaving Sydney seventh with an 11-17 record.

BRISBANE BULLETS
2018/19
After finishing last in 2017/18 with a 9-19 record and collecting a second consecutive wooden spoon, Brisbane reshaped its roster under coach Andrej Lemanis. Daniel Kickert (to Sydney), Tom Jervis (to Perth), Mitch Young (to Cairns), Anthony Petrie (retired), Shaun Bruce and imports Travis Trice and Perrin Buford departed, while captain Adam Gibson, Stephen Holt, Reuben Te Rangi and Will Magnay remained. Cameron Gliddon (via Cairns), Jason Cadee (via Sydney), Matthew Hodgson (via Adelaide), Mika Vukona (via New Zealand), Makoto Hiejima (via Japan) and Alonzo Gee (via Puerto Rico) were added, while Cam Bairstow returned after missing the previous season following a knee reconstruction. The rebuilt Bullets faced a difficult opening schedule, with 12 of their first 15 games coming against teams which had reached the previous season’s playoffs.

Vukona’s move ended 13 seasons across two stints with New Zealand, where he had won four championships, and on April 19 he signed a two-year deal with Brisbane. The five-time NBL champion had already played more than 400 games and was reunited with Lemanis, assistant coach CJ Bruton and general manager Richard Clarke, all of whom he had worked with during the Breakers’ championship years. Lemanis said, “”Mika is the ultimate team player who will do what it takes for others to be successful.”” Vukona said his long-standing trust in Lemanis, Bruton and Clarke played a major part in his decision to join Brisbane.

Brisbane opened the season against New Zealand in Auckland on October 11, where Vukona (9 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) provided a spark off the bench as the Bullets came from behind to defeat the Breakers 86-73 for their first win in Auckland since 2005. Gliddon (29 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Bairstow (14 points and 5 rebounds) led Brisbane, while Corey Webster (23 points) was New Zealand’s leading scorer.

Vukona (6.7 points and 4.4 rebounds across 28 games) came off the bench in every appearance and gave Brisbane experience, toughness and frontcourt depth. He played 27 of the Bullets’ 28 regular-season games before appearing in the opening game of the semifinals, with injuries accounting for his two absences across Brisbane’s 30 games.

Vukona’s best scoring game came against Adelaide on November 1, where he made 7 of 9 field goals and finished with 16 points, 4 assists, and 1 block as Brisbane defeated the 36ers 108-98. Te Rangi (29 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Gibson (16 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals) provided support, while Daniel Johnson (23 points and 6 rebounds) led Adelaide.

A calf injury caused Vukona to miss his only regular-season game when Brisbane lost to Adelaide on December 15. He was still unable to complete training ahead of the Bullets’ next game, but returned against Perth on December 21 and produced 6 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocks as Brisbane defeated the Wildcats 93-86. Gliddon (24 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Lamar Patterson (17 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Brisbane, while Bryce Cotton (29 points and 3 assists) was Perth’s leading scorer. Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson said, “”Vukona was a beast on the boards.””

Vukona’s best game came against Illawarra on December 31, where he made 6 of 8 field goals and finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists as Brisbane defeated the Hawks 100-74. Patterson (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Gliddon (15 points and 5 rebounds) provided support, while David Andersen (15 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Illawarra.

Vukona suffered another scare against New Zealand on January 27 when a heavy knee collision with Shawn Long forced him to the sideline late in the fourth quarter, but the injury did not cost him another game.

Brisbane also made several roster changes during the season. Gee (7.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 4 games) requested to return to the US for personal reasons after four games and was released, with Patterson (via China) signed as his replacement. Holt (7.1 points across 11 games) was later granted a mutual release to pursue an opportunity overseas, with Jeremy Kendle added after training with Brisbane and eventually retained for the remainder of the season. Nnanna Egwu appeared briefly as an injury replacement, while the rarely used Hiejima was replaced by A.J. Davis.

Patterson (17.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 steals across 24 games) became Brisbane’s leading scorer and was named to the All-NBL First Team as well as winning the Bullets’ club MVP award. Gliddon (13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 29 games) and Bairstow (11.6 points and 5.8 rebounds across 29 games) supplied additional scoring, while Te Rangi (9.9 points and 3.1 rebounds across 30 games) won both the NBL’s Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year awards. Hodgson (9.6 points and 6.1 rebounds across 29 games), Cadee (8.3 points and 4.1 assists across 30 games) and Gibson (6.2 points across 30 games) were Brisbane’s other major contributors.

Brisbane’s playoff hopes came down to its final regular-season game against New Zealand on February 16, where Vukona (14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) battled his former team inside as the Bullets defeated the Breakers 84-78. Patterson (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Cadee (18 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) led Brisbane, while Long (23 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks) was New Zealand’s best. The victory left Brisbane tied with Adelaide at 14-14, with the Bullets claiming fourth place on points percentage and qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Perth opened the semifinals at RAC Arena on February 28 with an 89-59 win over Brisbane behind Cotton (22 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists), Terrico White (19 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Nick Kay (18 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks). Gliddon (18 points and 4 rebounds), Hodgson (10 points and 7 rebounds) and Patterson (9 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Brisbane, while Vukona (2 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) suffered an Achilles injury which ended his season.

Game two moved to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, where Vukona was ruled out with the Achilles injury despite wanting to play through it. Patterson (19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals), Hodgson (15 points and 2 blocks) and Bairstow (12 points and 7 rebounds) kept Brisbane close, but White (24 points), Cotton (19 points and 10 assists) and Kay (16 points and 15 rebounds) led Perth to an 84-79 victory and completed the 2-0 sweep. Lemanis was brought to tears after the game when discussing Vukona’s desire to play despite the injury. The Achilles injury ended Vukona’s 2018/19 season, although he remained under contract and returned to Brisbane for 2019/20.

2019/20
After returning to the playoffs with a 14-14 record before losing to Perth in the semifinals, Brisbane entered 2019/20 without Adam Gibson (to South East Melbourne), Cameron Bairstow (to Rytas Vilnius), Makoto Hiejima (to Link Tochigi Brex), Nnanna Egwu (to Earth Friends Tokyo Z) and Stephen Holt (to Sixt Primorska). Head coach Andrej Lemanis added Nathan Sobey (via Adelaide), Taylor Braun (via Hapoel Be’er Sheva) and EJ Singler (via Hawke’s Bay Hawks), while Lamar Patterson re-signed with the club.

Brisbane opened the season against Illawarra at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 6, where Vukona (0 points) played just over three minutes as the Bullets defeated the Hawks 90-81. Patterson (25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Sobey (17 points and 5 rebounds) led Brisbane, while Aaron Brooks (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) was Illawarra’s leading scorer.

Vukona (1.6 points across 27 games) saw his role reduced considerably during his second season with Brisbane, with his playing time falling from 17.2 minutes per game the previous season to 7.6 minutes and only four starts. He entered the year after battling an Achilles injury throughout 2018/19, with a partial tear forcing him to miss Brisbane’s final semifinal game against Perth. “He’s got a partial tear in his Achilles … and he was prepared to risk his career,” Lemanis said after refusing to let him play through the injury. Vukona missed only Brisbane’s November 30 loss to South East Melbourne during 2019/20, with no injury or other reason reported for the absence.

Vukona (4 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists) returned to the starting lineup against defending champions Perth at Nissan Arena on November 1 and helped Brisbane snap a three-game losing streak with an 87-78 win. Jason Cadee (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Patterson (16 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led Brisbane, while Terrico White (23 points and 5 rebounds) was Perth’s leading scorer.

Vukona’s season-high scoring game came against Cairns at the Cairns Convention Centre on January 3, where he made all four of his shots to finish with 8 points and 1 rebound. Singler (20 points and 6 rebounds) and Patterson (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Brisbane as the Bullets recovered from an 18-point deficit but fell short 91-89, while DJ Newbill (28 points and 3 assists) led Cairns.

Vukona (2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 steals) provided a strong defensive contribution against South East Melbourne at Nissan Arena on January 23 as Brisbane defeated the Phoenix 108-101 for its fourth consecutive win. Patterson (27 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Will Magnay (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 blocks) led the Bullets, while John Roberson (26 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals) was South East Melbourne’s best.

Vukona’s best game of the season came against Melbourne at Nissan Arena on February 1, where he finished with 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists as Brisbane defeated United 87-83. Patterson (31 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Matthew Hodgson (14 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led the Bullets, while Melo Trimble (36 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals) was Melbourne’s leading scorer. The victory was Brisbane’s sixth in a row and moved the Bullets two wins clear in fourth place with two rounds remaining.

Patterson (21 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.2 steals) remained Brisbane’s leading offensive player, earning All-NBL First Team honours and finishing third in MVP voting, while Sobey (16 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists) was the team’s second-leading scorer. Cadee (11 points) won the NBL Sixth Man award, while Hodgson (10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds) remained the team’s starting centre. Magnay (8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks) was elevated into the starting lineup during his breakout season, attracted interest from NBA scouts and won the NBL Most Improved Player award before eventually signing a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. Singler (7.8 points and 4.1 rebounds) provided another rotation option, while Cameron Gliddon (6.9 points) saw his scoring fall significantly from the previous season. It would prove to be Vukona’s final NBL season, ending a 17-season career that included five NBL championships.

Losses to New Zealand and Perth left Brisbane needing a large victory over Cairns in its final game to remain alive in the playoff race. Vukona (0 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) played his final NBL game at Nissan Arena on February 15 as Brisbane defeated Cairns 124-88, with Sobey (30 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) and Gliddon (25 points, 3 assists, and 4 steals) leading the Bullets while Majok Deng (20 points and 7 rebounds) led Cairns. The 36-point victory was enough to keep Brisbane alive overnight, but Melbourne defeated South East Melbourne 109-90 the following day to claim fourth place, leaving the Bullets outside the playoffs in fifth with a 15-13 record.

”

ADELAIDE 36ERS
2020/21
After finishing seventh with a 12-16 record and missing the playoffs the previous season, Adelaide parted ways with long-time coach Joey Wright despite time remaining on his contract, replacing him with former Perth assistant Conner Henry. Co-captain Kevin White (to Perth), Harry Froling (to Brisbane) and Obi Kyei (released) departed, while Jack McVeigh, Brendan Teys, Daniel Dillon and Alex Mudronja remained. Adelaide added Next Star Josh Giddey (via NBA Global Academy), Sunday Dech (via Illawarra), Donald Sloan (via Bonn) and Tony Crocker (via Izmir), while Daniel Johnson re-signed on a three-year deal and Isaac Humphries (via Lakeland) and Keanu Pinder (via Warsaw) strengthened the frontcourt.

Adelaide started the season 4-2 before Sloan (9 points across 6 games) was ruled out with a foot injury and subsequently requested and received a release on February 7 to pursue international opportunities. Dech moved into the starting backcourt alongside Giddey, while Jeremy Kendle was signed three days later on a short-term contract to provide immediate guard depth while Adelaide considered its longer-term import options.

“Jeremy has a strong reputation as both a person and player and we were delighted he was available and in the country,” said 36ers General Manager Jeff Van Groningen.

Kendle (5.7 points across 10 games) ultimately played seven games for Adelaide and another three for New Zealand during NBL21. He was unable to suit against Brisbane on February 13 immediately after signing, with a reported knee issue leaving him short of full fitness.

“His body’s not quite there. We’re hoping he’ll be ready on Monday night,” said Van Groningen.

Kendle made his Adelaide debut two days later against Brisbane at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, where Kendle (5 points) played 10 minutes off the bench as the Bullets won 93-74. Johnson (20 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Humphries (15 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Adelaide, while Vic Law (27 points and 9 rebounds) led Brisbane.

Kendle was not used against Sydney in Adelaide’s opening NBL Cup game on February 21, with no injury reported for the DNP, before returning to the rotation two days later.

Kendle’s highest-scoring game for Adelaide came against Melbourne at John Cain Arena on February 25, where Kendle (12 points) made all four of his field goal attempts and all three of his three-pointers as the 36ers recovered from a 36-10 deficit to get within four points during the final minute before United won 82-73. Johnson (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Giddey (13 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) helped Adelaide fight back, while Mitch McCarron (18 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 steals) led Melbourne.

Kendle’s best game for Adelaide came against Brisbane at John Cain Arena on March 11, where Kendle (7 points) came off the bench as the 36ers led by 11 during the first half before the Bullets recovered to win 109-104. Johnson (29 points and 9 rebounds) and Giddey (19 points, 7 rebounds, and 11 assists) led Adelaide, while Nathan Sobey (30 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Brisbane. It proved to be Kendle’s final game for Adelaide.

The following day Adelaide released Kendle from his short-term contract after Brandon Paul (13.7 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 20 games; via Zhejiang) completed 14 days of quarantine and joined the active roster. Kendle then signed with New Zealand on March 13 as a short-term injury replacement for Lamar Patterson, playing three games while Patterson’s permanent replacement Levi Randolph completed quarantine.

Adelaide struggled through the NBL Cup and fell from third to seventh on the ladder. Johnson (19.4 points and 7.1 rebounds across 36 games) led Adelaide in scoring for the sixth time and shared the club MVP award with Giddey (10.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.6 assists across 28 games), who led the NBL in assists and won Rookie of the Year. Humphries (13.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks across 19 games) was limited by a recurring left foot injury, while Crocker (10.8 points across 32 games), McVeigh (9.4 points and 3.3 rebounds across 36 games) and Dech (8.7 points and 4.1 rebounds across 36 games) were Adelaide’s other main contributors.

Adelaide closed the season against Melbourne at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on June 6, where Crocker (27 points and 5 rebounds) and Johnson (18 points and 13 rebounds) led the 36ers, while Jock Landale (19 points and 9 rebounds) led United to a 102-80 victory, leaving Adelaide seventh with a 13-23 record.

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
2021/22
After finishing sixth with a 15-13 record and missing the playoffs in 2019/20, New Zealand entered Dan Shamir’s second season without Scotty Hopson (to Melbourne), RJ Hampton (to Denver), Sek Henry (to Turkey) and Jordan Ngatai (to Cairns). Tai Webster (via Galatasaray), Lamar Patterson (via Brisbane), Colton Iverson (via Saint Petersburg), Daniel Trist (via South East Melbourne) and Rasmus Bach (via Randers) were among the additions, while COVID-19 forced the Breakers to relocate to Australia and play their first 29 games outside New Zealand.

With Patterson sidelined by a knee injury and Corey Webster also injured, Jeremy Kendle (via Adelaide) joined New Zealand on March 13 as temporary injury cover while replacement import Levi Randolph completed quarantine.

Kendle (7 points and 1 rebound) made his Breakers debut against Brisbane on March 20, with Tai Webster (19 points) and Delany (12 points) leading New Zealand, but Harry Froling (20 points) helped Brisbane win 88-67.

Kendle (7 points across 3 games) played only three games for New Zealand, with his short stint ending once the Breakers’ replacement players became available rather than because of injury.

His best game came against Melbourne in Bendigo on March 25, where Kendle (13 points and 2 rebounds) made 4-of-6 shots and two three-pointers as New Zealand built an 18-point lead before falling 82-79. Delany (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Bach (12 points) provided support, while Mitch McCarron (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists) led Melbourne.

Kendle (1 point and 2 rebounds) played his final game for the Breakers two days later as New Zealand defeated Brisbane 81-76 in overtime, with Tai Webster (27 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals) and Iverson (10 points, 20 rebounds, and 2 blocks) leading the Breakers, while Anthony Drmic (25 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals) was Brisbane’s best. Kendle then exited the team once Randolph and McDowell-White became available.

Tai Webster (17.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5 assists) led New Zealand in scoring, while Delany (16.2 points and 6.8 rebounds) was named club MVP and earned All-NBL Second Team honours. Randolph (14.8 points and 3.4 rebounds), Corey Webster (13.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3 assists), Abercrombie (10.6 points and 3.4 rebounds), Iverson (8.8 points and 8.6 rebounds) and McDowell-White (7.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists) were also major contributors.

Kendle had already left the team when New Zealand returned home for its final seven games and went 3-4, closing the season with an 83-78 loss to South East Melbourne at Trusts Arena as the Breakers finished eighth with a 12-24 record.

Jeremy Kendle played five seasons across four NBL teams. This included the Brisbane Bullets, Sydney Kings, New Zealand Breakers and Adelaide 36ers. He averaged 6.6 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 51 NBL games.