Larry Davidson (Born 1958)
March 31, 2025
Jerry Dennard
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 2/04/59
- Place of Birth: Merced, California (USA)
- Position: F/C
- Height (CM): 204
- Weight (KG): 96
- Junior Assoc:
- College: Iowa (1981–1983)
- NBL DEBUT: 11/02/84
- AGE AT DEBUT: 24
- LAST NBL GAME: 1/10/93
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 34
- NBL History: Newcastle 1984 | Hobart 1986-90 | Adelaide 1992-93
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Jerry Dennard was born in Merced, California (USA).
NBL EXPERIENCE
Jerry Dennard made his NBL debut with the Newcastle Falcons at 24 years of age. He scored 18 points in his first game.
The 1984 season marked a turning point for the Newcastle Falcons, beginning with the appointment of Dave Ankeney as head coach. A former club legend and the Falcons’ all-time leading scorer at the time, Ankeney replaced Denis Kibble and sought to reshape the team around emerging star Michael Johnson. In the offseason, Newcastle also moved on from American imports George Morrow and Donnie Cruse, bringing in high-flying forward Jerry Dennard and versatile center Jim Bateman to form a new-look frontcourt
The Falcons got off to a blazing start, reeling off five consecutive victories to open the campaign. Their early-season form included a signature 91–80 win over the previously undefeated Brisbane Bullets (6–0), staking their claim as genuine contenders in the Eastern Division. The team remained locked in a tight race for top spot with both Brisbane and Coburg throughout the regular season
While Bateman and Johnson were the focal points offensively, Jerry Dennard proved to be a valuable two-way contributor in his debut NBL season. The athletic American forward averaged 15.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 2.7 steals, and 0.9 blocks across 26 games. His ability to generate turnovers and push the ball in transition made him a constant defensive threat, while his rebounding presence was pivotal in establishing second-chance opportunities
Michael Johnson (21.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists) continued his rise as one of the league’s premier young guards, while veteran Ian Davies (19.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists) offered a steadying presence on the wing. Bateman (24.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.4 steals) anchored the interior, and Ian Robilliard (12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.7 steals) rounded out a highly productive starting five. Both Dennard and Robilliard finished among the league’s leaders in steals, setting the tone for Newcastle’s aggressive defensive approach
As the regular season neared its conclusion, Newcastle found itself in a three-way tie with Brisbane and Coburg for first place. However, a costly 129–117 loss to the Adelaide 36ers proved pivotal. While Brisbane surged to 19–5 and claimed the top seed, Newcastle and Coburg both finished at 18–6. With the season series tied 1–1, Coburg edged out the Falcons for second place on point differential (+4), leaving Newcastle with the third seed and no second chance in the finals format
In the elimination final, Newcastle defeated Illawarra 108–101 behind a balanced team effort. Dennard contributed 15 points, 11 rebounds, and a steal while shooting 7-of-10 from the free throw line. He played a key role in containing Wollongong’s forwards and converting defence into fast-break opportunities. Bateman (21 points, 12 rebounds), Davies (26 points, 6 rebounds), Johnson (23 points, 8 rebounds), and Robilliard (21 points, 10 rebounds) also delivered strong outings as the Falcons shot 44% from the floor and won the rebounding battle 48–42
Less than 24 hours later, Newcastle’s season came to an abrupt halt in a 132–109 loss to Coburg in the semi-final. The Giants, led by Wayne Carroll (29 points, 7 assists), proved too efficient, shooting 46% and converting 25-of-29 free throws. Dennard added 8 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 steals in the defeat, again showcasing his defensive versatility despite the loss
Although the Falcons fell short of a Grand Final berth, the 1984 season was the most successful in franchise history. With an 18–6 regular season mark and their first-ever playoff win, Newcastle cemented its place among the NBL’s elite.
Jerry Dennard played eight seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Newcastle Falcons, Hobart Devils and Adelaide 36ers. He averaged 8.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 200 NBL games.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 34 | Adelaide | 14-12 (7) | 24 | 136 | 32 | 20 | 3 | 5 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 14 | 13 | 26 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 6 | 8 | 75% | 54% | 50% | 6 |
| 1992 | 33 | Adelaide | 11-13 (9) | 24 | 413 | 127 | 94 | 18 | 46 | 48 | 24 | 12 | 18 | 64 | 53 | 131 | 40% | 3 | 9 | 33% | 18 | 28 | 64% | 44% | 42% | 15 |
| 1990 | 31 | Hobart | 8-18 (12) | 26 | 285 | 98 | 65 | 9 | 30 | 35 | 23 | 9 | 24 | 36 | 37 | 105 | 35% | 1 | 11 | 9% | 23 | 30 | 77% | 41% | 36% | 17 |
| 1989 | 30 | Hobart | 8-16 (10) | 24 | 700 | 176 | 155 | 40 | 54 | 101 | 33 | 21 | 57 | 55 | 76 | 196 | 39% | 10 | 29 | 34% | 14 | 21 | 67% | 43% | 41% | 21 |
| 1988 | 29 | Hobart | 10-14 (9) | 24 | 888 | 274 | 195 | 44 | 77 | 118 | 67 | 24 | 50 | 60 | 126 | 281 | 45% | 1 | 5 | 20% | 21 | 29 | 72% | 46% | 45% | 23 |
| 1987 | 28 | Hobart | 14-12 (7) | 26 | 1,009 | 305 | 232 | 24 | 82 | 150 | 84 | 34 | 45 | 76 | 139 | 295 | 47% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 27 | 42 | 64% | 48% | 47% | 27 |
| 1986 | 27 | Hobart | 9-17 (11) | 26 | 0 | 330 | 205 | 60 | 86 | 119 | 67 | 35 | 78 | 85 | 139 | 319 | 44% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 52 | 72 | 72% | 47% | 44% | 21 |
| 1984 | 25 | Newcastle | 18-6 (4) | 26 | 0 | 407 | 230 | 28 | 99 | 131 | 71 | 24 | 80 | 83 | 178 | 372 | 48% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 51 | 84 | 61% | 49% | 48% | 32 | Totals | 200 | 3431 | 1749 | 1196 | 226 | 479 | 717 | 371 | 161 | 359 | 473 | 761 | 1725 | 44.1% | 15 | 59 | 25.4% | 212 | 314 | 67.5% | 47% | 45% | 32 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 34 | Adelaide | 14-12 (7) | 24 | 5.7 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 50% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.3 | 0.3 | 75% | 54% | 50% | 6 |
| 1992 | 33 | Adelaide | 11-13 (9) | 24 | 17.2 | 5.3 | 3.9 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 5.5 | 40% | 0.1 | 0.4 | 33% | 0.8 | 1.2 | 64% | 44% | 42% | 15 |
| 1990 | 31 | Hobart | 8-18 (12) | 26 | 11.0 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 4.0 | 35% | 0.0 | 0.4 | 9% | 0.9 | 1.2 | 77% | 41% | 36% | 17 |
| 1989 | 30 | Hobart | 8-16 (10) | 24 | 29.2 | 7.3 | 6.5 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 4.2 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 2.3 | 3.2 | 8.2 | 39% | 0.4 | 1.2 | 34% | 0.6 | 0.9 | 67% | 43% | 41% | 21 |
| 1988 | 29 | Hobart | 10-14 (9) | 24 | 37.0 | 11.4 | 8.1 | 1.8 | 3.2 | 4.9 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 5.3 | 11.7 | 45% | 0.0 | 0.2 | 20% | 0.9 | 1.2 | 72% | 46% | 45% | 23 |
| 1987 | 28 | Hobart | 14-12 (7) | 26 | 38.8 | 11.7 | 8.9 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 5.8 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 2.9 | 5.3 | 11.3 | 47% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 1.0 | 1.6 | 64% | 48% | 47% | 27 |
| 1986 | 27 | Hobart | 9-17 (11) | 26 | 0.0 | 12.7 | 7.9 | 2.3 | 3.3 | 4.6 | 2.6 | 1.3 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 5.3 | 12.3 | 44% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 2.0 | 2.8 | 72% | 47% | 44% | 21 |
| 1984 | 25 | Newcastle | 18-6 (4) | 26 | 0.0 | 15.7 | 8.8 | 1.1 | 3.8 | 5.0 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 3.2 | 6.8 | 14.3 | 48% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 2.0 | 3.2 | 61% | 49.4% | 48% | 32 | Total | 200 | 17.2 | 8.7 | 6.0 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 3.8 | 8.6 | 44.1% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 25.4% | 0.1 | 0.3 | 67.5% | 47% | 45% | 32 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 32 | 21 | 7 | 10 | 5 | 9 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- Central Districts 1992
COLLEGE
Jerry Dennard played college basketball at the University of Iowa during the 1981-82 season before returning for the 1982-83 season, finishing his Hawkeyes career across two years under head coach Lute Olson.
Dennard joined an Iowa team that went 21-8 overall and 12-6 in Big Ten play in 1981-82, finishing second in the conference and ending the year ranked 16th in the final AP poll, with the Hawkeyes scoring 1,896 total points (65.4 per game) and allowing 1,688 (58.2 per game).
In that 1981-82 season, Dennard appeared in 8 games, totaling 21 points (2.6 per game) while shooting 7-for-14 from the field (50.0%) and 7-for-9 at the foul line (77.8%), and across those games he recorded 13 total rebounds (1.6 per game) with 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 2 personal fouls, and 7 total minutes played (0.9 minutes per game).
Iowa went back to the NCAA Tournament in 1981-82, advancing out of the opening round before falling in overtime in the next game, and Dennard remained part of the program heading into 1982-83, a season that included Iowa’s move into Carver-Hawkeye Arena after it opened in January 1983 and finished 21-10 overall with a run to the Sweet Sixteen as a No. 7 seed in the Midwest region after wins over Utah State and Missouri before a 55-54 loss to Villanova.
In the 1982-83 season, Dennard played 15 games and logged 60 total minutes (4.0 minutes per game), scoring 16 points (1.1 per game) on 7-for-17 shooting (41.2%) with 2-for-3 free throws (66.7%), while adding 18 rebounds (1.2 per game), 1 assist, 5 steals, 3 blocks, 13 turnovers, and 13 personal fouls, and official Iowa record-book listings for the program’s letterwinners also list him as a Hawkeye in 1982 and 1983 and place him under jersey number 32 for those seasons.
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