BIO: Jordan Hunter was born in Sydney (NSW) and grew up in the suburb of Vaucluse. He later attended Saint Ignatius’ College. Hunter received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2015. He spent one year there and played for the program’s state league team.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Jordan Hunter made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 22 years of age. He scored five points in his first game.

During his debut season, Jordan Hunter saw limited minutes but managed to participate in 27 games, averaging 0.9 points and 1 rebound. His contributions helped Sydney secure the top spot in the regular season and advance to the NBL Grand Final series.

2020/21
Following their runner-up finish in 2020, Sydney faced significant roster turnover, losing key pieces like All-NBL First Team forward Jae’Sean Tate and head coach Will Weaver to the NBA’s Houston Rockets. Retirements from Kevin Lisch, Andrew Bogut, and Lucas Walker left additional voids. Kings assistant Adam Forde stepped up as head coach, recruiting new talent, including import Jarell Martin, Illawarra’s Angus Glover, and rookie Dejan Vasiljevic. During the preseason, Sydney lost Xavier Cooks to a foot injury, prompting the signing of Tom Vodanovich (via New Zealand) as an injury replacement. The injury woes continued with Glover suffering an ACL tear, ruling him out for all but two games.

With a young core leading the way, Sydney struggled initially, dropping three of their first four games to sit seventh on the ladder. The mid-season NBL Cup held in Melbourne helped the team regain form, going 4-4, followed by consecutive home wins that propelled them into the top four by round 12.

Co-captain Casper Ware (17.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists) and Jarell Martin (17.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists) led the offense, with Martin posting a season-high 29 points against New Zealand. Vasiljevic (15.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) and Jordan Hunter (9.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks) emerged as key players, with Hunter stepping up as Sydney’s starting center. Hunter delivered a standout six-block performance in Round 14 against the Phoenix.

Xavier Cooks (10.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.0 blocks) also made an impact later in the season, highlighted by a 19-point, 11-rebound game against Illawarra. Despite these efforts, Sydney’s struggles in perimeter shooting (tied with Illawarra at 33.4% for worst in the league) and a lack of road wins ultimately cost them a playoff spot. A rough stretch saw Sydney lose five of their final seven games, finishing fifth (19-17) and narrowly missing postseason qualification.

Hunter’s strong season performance earned him runner-up for the Most Improved Player award, while Vasiljevic secured Rookie of the Year honours.

2021/22
Hunter faced an unfortunate setback this season, missing all games due to a left navicular fracture that required surgery, sidelining him for the entire year.

2022/23
Coming off a championship win, the Sydney Kings had to overhaul their roster as they lost their star imports—Jaylen Adams, Jarrell Martin, and Ian Clark—to lucrative overseas contracts. Building around the impressive development of Xavier Cooks, Dejan Vasiljevic, and Angus Glover, Sydney decided to invest in local talent and select complementary imports. Derrick Walton Jr was signed to fill Adams’ scoring role, sharpshooter Tim Soares (via Europe) joined as the new center, and former Defensive Player of the Year Justin Simon (via Illawarra) rounded out the new import trio. Kouat Noi (via Cairns) was brought in after Makur Maker signed with the Washington Wizards, with rookie Jackson Makoi completing the roster.

The Kings opened their title defense with consecutive wins over Illawarra, Brisbane, and Melbourne, reaching a 3-0 record. Their 91-71 victory against Melbourne was particularly impressive, featuring a dominant 25-0 second-quarter run that limited United to a mere six points. This win set a new NBL record for Sydney with their 15th straight road victory, breaking a record set by Canberra’s championship teams in the 1980s.

Sydney’s unbeaten run ended in an 83-78 loss to the Cairns Taipans. Missing Tahjere McCall, Cairns executed well on defense, while Sydney struggled at the free-throw line, shooting only 14 of 25. Shannon Scott led Cairns with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, while DJ Hogg added 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.

The Kings responded with another road win over Brisbane but stumbled again at home, falling 92-88 to Adelaide, who had recently upset the NBA’s Phoenix Suns in a preseason game. Despite having multiple chances to close the gap in the final minute, Sydney’s missed shots and defensive efforts from Adelaide’s Mitch McCarron secured the win for the visitors. Craig Randall II led all scorers with 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.

In a thrilling round-five match, Sydney was on the brink of a third consecutive home loss until Kouat Noi sank a buzzer-beater against his former team, clinching a 106-103 win over Cairns. Cooks nearly logged a triple-double with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists, helping Sydney secure the top position in the league standings (8-2).

The Kings then faced the New Zealand Breakers in a high-stakes game between the top two teams. Despite a last-quarter surge from New Zealand, Sydney pulled through for an 81-77 win. However, the victory came at a cost, as Walton Jr left with an ankle injury after scoring 12 points in 18 minutes, and Cooks also suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him for three weeks, including a World Cup Qualifier against Kazakhstan.

Cooks returned in a game that saw Cairns snap Sydney’s road-winning streak with a 94-88 overtime win. Keanu Pinder posted a career-high 30 points and 13 rebounds for the Taipans, while Cooks returned with 25 points and 10 rebounds but fouled out in the fourth quarter.

A marquee matchup against South East Melbourne saw Mitch Creek score 46 points and Walton Jr 45 points, marking the first 40-point games of the season. Despite the Phoenix missing players like Gary Browne and Ryan Broekhoff, and Cooks dealing with an ankle injury, the Kings dropped a double-overtime thriller (112-113), slipping to second place behind New Zealand.

With Coach Chase Buford suspended, Kevin Lisch stepped in to lead Sydney in a dominant 97-77 win over the JackJumpers, where they scored 56 points in the paint and set a season-high field-goal percentage at 69%.

Sydney’s season hit a high point with a 116-67 victory over Brisbane, setting a 49-point margin—the largest in the 40-minute era and Sydney’s biggest over the Bullets. Key players Cooks (20 points), Soares (20 points), and Walton Jr (18 points) led the charge.

As the regular season concluded, Sydney topped the ladder (19-9), with Xavier Cooks winning the NBL MVP over Bryce Cotton and Mitch Creek. Hunter finished the season with averages of 5.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.6 assists.

Sydney’s playoff journey began with a semi-final series against Cairns, where Cooks’ 27 points and 14 rebounds led the Kings to a game-one win (95-87). However, game two saw Buford ejected after a chaotic match featuring hard hits on Kouat Noi and Sam Waardenburg, and a striking foul on Tim Soares. Cairns took advantage of the tension, winning 93-82 to force a decisive game three.

In game three, Dejan Vasiljevic stepped up with 15 points and 5 rebounds, hitting three crucial triples to lead the Kings to a 79-64 win, propelling them into the championship series.

The Kings faced New Zealand in the Grand Final. New Zealand took game one (95-87), with William McDowell-White scoring 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists, while Barry Brown Jr (19 points) and Jarrell Brantley (16 points and 7 rebounds) added firepower. Simon led Sydney with 18 points and 6 steals, though Walton Jr’s injury limited his effectiveness.

Sydney tied the series in game two, despite limited minutes from Walton Jr (4:50) and Cooks (9:05). Simon (12 points, 9 rebounds, 6 steals) and Noi (20 points) led Sydney, holding New Zealand to just 36% shooting.

Back in Sydney for game three, the Kings defeated the Breakers in front of an NBL-record crowd (91-68). Walton Jr (12 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds) overcame injury concerns, while Cooks added 10 points and 8 rebounds.

The Breakers took game four in Auckland (80-70), forcing a game five. Brantley (23 points), McDowell-White (19 points), and Brown Jr (20 points) delivered for New Zealand, while Walton Jr (18 points) and Glover (12 points) led Sydney.

In game five, Sydney broke their own attendance record (18,124) and clinched the championship with a 77-69 win, marking their first back-to-back titles since 2003-2005. Walton Jr (21 points, 6 assists) earned Finals MVP, while Cooks contributed 19 points and 11 rebounds. Brown Jr (22 points) led New Zealand off the bench.

A record-breaking 67,811 fans attended the series.

2022/23
After ending its 17-year championship drought, Sydney entered its title defence without Jaylen Adams (to Belgrade), Jarell Martin (to Tel Aviv), Ian Clark (overseas) and Makur Maker (to Washington). Coach Chase Buford retained Xavier Cooks, Dejan Vasiljevic and Angus Glover before signing Derrick Walton Jr (via Detroit), Tim Soares (via Europe), former Defensive Player of the Year Justin Simon (via Illawarra), Kouat Noi (via Cairns) and rookie Jackson Makoi.

Jordan Hunter entered the second season of the long-term extension he had signed with Sydney in 2021, which kept him under contract through 2024. He had missed the entire previous season after suffering a left navicular fracture which required surgery, before playing 13 games for North Gold Coast during the NBL1 North season to regain his fitness. “Missing last year was obviously tough but that’s all behind me and I’m concentrating on the season ahead,” he said.

Making his first NBL appearance in 483 days, the returning centre finished with 4 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks as Sydney defeated Illawarra 106-97 at the WIN Entertainment Centre. Walton Jr (32 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal) and Cooks (24 points and 4 rebounds) led the Kings, while Lachlan Dent (19 points) was Illawarra’s leading scorer.

Hunter (5.8 points and 3.2 rebounds across 35 games) came off the bench behind Soares throughout the campaign, providing Sydney with interior scoring, rebounding and rim protection after spending the previous season recovering from his foot injury. No new injury or injury-related absence was confirmed during the season.

His best game came against Melbourne at John Cain Arena on October 23, where Hunter (12 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks) made five of seven field-goal attempts. Cooks (14 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Soares (14 points and 4 rebounds) helped Sydney defeat United 87-69, while Rayjon Tucker (20 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists) was Melbourne’s best as the Kings extended their NBL-record road winning streak to 16 games.

Hunter’s best scoring game came during Australia’s first professional sporting fixture played on Christmas Day, where he made seven of eight field-goal attempts and finished with 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block in 10:30. Cooks (24 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) and Simon (12 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals) led Sydney to a 101-80 victory at Qudos Bank Arena, while Tucker (31 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) was Melbourne’s leading scorer.

Sydney closed the regular season at RAC Arena, where Hunter (6 points) came off the bench as Perth defeated the Kings 96-84. Vasiljevic (18 points and 7 rebounds) and Cooks (15 points) led Sydney, while Corey Webster (26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals), Luke Travers (22 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Brady Manek (21 points and 9 rebounds) led Perth. Despite losing its final two games, Sydney finished first with a 19-9 record and secured home-court advantage throughout the postseason.

Cooks (15 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists across 33 games) was named the NBL’s Most Valuable Player and selected to the All-NBL First Team, while Walton Jr (15.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.2 assists across 33 games) joined him in the All-NBL First Team. Vasiljevic (13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds across 35 games), Simon (10.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 35 games), Soares (9.4 points and 4.8 rebounds across 35 games), Noi (8 points and 3.7 rebounds across 34 games), Glover (7.1 points across 31 games) and Jaylin Galloway (5.1 points across 30 games) completed Sydney’s main rotation.

After Cairns defeated Perth in the Play-In Tournament, Sydney opened the semifinals at Qudos Bank Arena with a 95-87 victory. Hunter (2 points and 1 rebound) played 4:38, while Cooks (27 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block), Walton Jr (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Soares (14 points and 4 rebounds) led the Kings. Hogg (24 points), Jonah Antonio (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) and Shannon Scott (13 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists) led Cairns.

Game two moved to the Cairns Convention Centre, where Hunter (1 point) played 3:09 as the Taipans forced a deciding game with a 93-82 victory. Walton Jr (22 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals), Simon (19 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Noi (12 points and 4 rebounds) led Sydney, while Hogg (25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block), Tahjere McCall (20 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals) and Sam Waardenburg (15 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks) led Cairns. Cooks rolled his ankle after landing on Hogg’s foot, Buford was ejected and Soares was later fined for striking Waardenburg.

Sydney recovered in game three, where Hunter (3 points and 4 rebounds) played 3:37 as the Kings defeated Cairns 79-64. Vasiljevic (15 points and 5 rebounds), Cooks (11 points and 11 rebounds), Noi (11 points and 11 rebounds) and Walton Jr (10 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 1 steal) led Sydney, while Ben Ayre (20 points and 4 assists) and Waardenburg (17 points and 12 rebounds) led Cairns.

New Zealand opened the Championship Series by defeating Sydney 95-87 at Qudos Bank Arena. Hunter (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist) made seven of eight field-goal attempts and was Sydney’s second-leading scorer behind Simon (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks), while Walton Jr (12 points and 6 assists) also contributed. William McDowell-White (19 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals), Barry Brown Jr (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Jarrell Brantley (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) led New Zealand, while Walton Jr suffered severe cramp and Cooks left the court with leg corks during the fourth quarter.

Game two moved to Spark Arena, where Hunter (4 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) played a season-high 21:16 after Walton Jr and Cooks were unable to continue because of their leg problems. Noi (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals), Vasiljevic (16 points and 4 rebounds) and Simon (12 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 steals) helped the undermanned Kings win 81-74, while Brown Jr (21 points), Brantley (20 points and 6 rebounds) and Izayah Le’afa (14 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) led New Zealand.

Back in Sydney, Hunter (2 points and 2 rebounds) played 4:55 as the Kings defeated New Zealand 91-68 in front of an NBL-record crowd of 18,049. Vasiljevic (15 points and 4 rebounds), Soares (14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks), Simon (13 points, 6 assists, and 2 blocks) and Walton Jr (12 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists) led Sydney, while McDowell-White (11 points and 6 rebounds), Brantley (10 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Brown Jr (10 points and 3 assists) led the Breakers.

New Zealand forced a deciding game by defeating Sydney 80-70 at Spark Arena. Hunter (7 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) played 11:14, while Walton Jr (18 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists), Glover (12 points and 2 steals) and Cooks (10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) led the Kings. Brantley (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block), Brown Jr (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and McDowell-White (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists) combined for 62 points for New Zealand.

The Championship Series returned to Qudos Bank Arena for game five, where New Zealand led by 12 points during the first half before Sydney took control with a 14-0 run late in the fourth quarter. Walton Jr (21 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists), Cooks (19 points and 11 rebounds), Glover (12 points and 9 rebounds) and Noi (11 points) led the Kings, while Brown Jr (22 points and 4 rebounds), Brantley (16 points and 4 rebounds) and McDowell-White (12 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) led New Zealand. Sydney won 77-69 in front of an NBL-record crowd of 18,124, completing back-to-back championships and claiming the club’s fifth title, with Walton Jr named Championship Series MVP and Hunter finishing with 2 points in 11:56.

It was the last game of the season, and it delivered all sorts of drama.

Re-live the best bits thanks to @HungryJacksAU ⤵ pic.twitter.com/KxOiNZnVDW— NBL (@NBL) March 15, 2023

2023/24
Two championships in two seasons had turned Sydney into the league’s benchmark, but Jordan Hunter entered NBL24 as one of the few pieces left from the rotation that had won the previous title. Reigning NBL MVP Xavier Cooks (to Washington) departed for the NBA, DJ Vasiljevic exercised his NBA/European out and joined Washington’s Summer League squad, while Derrick Walton Jr (to Zhejiang), Justin Simon (to Verona) and Tim Soares (to Humacao) headed overseas. Championship coach Chase Buford also departed before joining Milwaukee, with G-League championship-winning coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah taking over and adding former NBL MVP Jaylen Adams, DJ Hogg (via Cairns), Denzel Valentine (via Maine), Jonah Bolden and Next Star Alex Toohey.

Sydney opened against Illawarra at WIN Entertainment Centre on September 30, where Hunter (12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks) played his 100th NBL game and helped the Kings begin their title defence with a 96-81 victory. Noi (23 points and 4 rebounds) and Adams (20 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Sydney’s scoring, while Tyler Harvey (19 points and 3 steals) was Illawarra’s leading scorer.

Hunter (10.3 points and 7 rebounds across 28 games) entered the final season of the long-term extension he had signed in 2021, which kept him in Sydney through 2024, and moved into the starting centre role following the off-season departures. “It was a no-brainer for me, the Kings are putting together something really special here,” Hunter said when signing the extension. He shot 60 per cent from the field and led Sydney in rebounding, while the Kings opened the season 7-3 despite injuries to Hogg and Jaylin Galloway.

Hunter’s best scoring game came in Sydney’s first home game against Adelaide on October 8, where Hunter (22 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) shot 8-of-10 from the field and made all six free throws. Adams (16 points, 8 assists, and 1 steal) and Valentine (15 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) provided support, while Trey Kell III (28 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) led Adelaide as Sydney celebrated the unfurling of its NBL23 championship banner with a 109-100 win in front of 14,029 fans, the largest crowd for a stand-alone NBL home opener.

A week later Hunter (20 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 steal) shot 8-of-11 from the field against Perth, recording his second 20-point game in three appearances as Sydney defeated the Wildcats 99-86. Adams (18 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 block) and Bolden (13 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) helped the Kings control the game, while Bryce Cotton (22 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth.

Hunter’s work around the basket and pick-and-roll combination with Adams (19.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists) became an important part of Sydney’s offence, but the team’s 7-3 start gradually unravelled as the Kings conceded 100 points on nine occasions. Hogg (14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.3 blocks) battled injuries, while Valentine (12.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists), Galloway (10.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals), Noi (10 points and 4.5 rebounds), Bolden (8.5 points and 6.4 rebounds), Toohey (8 points and 4 rebounds) and Glover (5.3 points) completed the main rotation. Hunter was named Sydney’s Defensive Player of the Year and Members’ MVP, Adams won club MVP and Players’ Player, Toohey received the Michael Wrublewski Coaches’ Award and Bruce (4.1 points across 29 games) received the Hard Yakka Hard Work Award as Sydney finished fifth with a 13-15 record.

Sydney hosted New Zealand in the Play-In Qualifier at Qudos Bank Arena, where Hunter (10 points and 7 rebounds) came off the bench alongside Hogg (17 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block), while Adams (18 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) led the Kings. Parker Jackson-Cartwright (34 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) and Zylan Cheatham (18 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 steals) led the Breakers as New Zealand ended Sydney’s three-peat attempt with an 83-76 win.

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
2024/25
After finishing at the bottom of the ladder with a 10-18 record, South East Melbourne rebuilt its roster following the departures of franchise leader Mitch Creek (to Turkey), Reuben Te Rangi and Gorjok Gak (both to Tasmania), Kody Stattmann (to Cairns), Rhys Vague (to Japan), and Alan Williams (released). Mike Kelly remained head coach, with Nathan Sobey (via Brisbane), Jordan Hunter and Angus Glover (both via Sydney), Tom Vodanovich (via Tasmania), Luke Fennell (via Centre of Excellence), Next Star Malique Lewis, and imports Derrick Walton Jr., Matt Hurt, and Joe Wieskamp joining the Phoenix.

Hunter signed a three-year contract containing a mutual option after winning two championships during his time with Sydney. He was appointed co-captain alongside Sobey, with Phoenix General Manager of Basketball Simon Mitchell predicting the 209-centimetre centre could become one of the competition’s best players at his position.

“Jordan has shown what he is capable of on court in arguably the toughest position, he is at the perfect period in his career to explode and dominate,” Mitchell stated. “The Phoenix are looking forward to Jordan forming a pivotal piece of our team puzzle moving forward.”

South East Melbourne opened the season against Perth at HoopsFest on September 20, where Hunter (19 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist) made eight of 11 shots in his Phoenix debut, but the Wildcats won 106-98. Hurt (16 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Walton Jr. (13 points, 8 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) were South East Melbourne’s other leading performers, while Pinder (29 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals) led Perth.

Hunter (10.6 points and 7 rebounds across 29 games) started every regular-season game and averaged 22.1 minutes, increasing his playing time from 18.9 minutes during his final year with Sydney. His scoring improved slightly from 10.3 points, his rebounding remained unchanged and he retained the starting centre role throughout the campaign. Hunter also removed the Asia-out clauses from his contract in October and committed to remaining with the Phoenix through NBL27.

Kelly was dismissed after South East Melbourne lost its opening five games, with Sam Mackinnon elevated to interim head coach. Hunter (20 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block) responded in Mackinnon’s first game by leading the Phoenix to a 93-84 win over Melbourne United on October 20. Hurt (18 points and 7 rebounds) and Sobey (16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists) provided support, while Clark (19 points and 4 rebounds) led United as South East Melbourne collected its first victory of the season.

Hunter’s best game came in the return meeting with Melbourne on December 15, where he made six of eight field goals and finished with 23 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal as South East Melbourne recovered from a 15-point deficit to win 109-97. Hurt (28 points and 6 rebounds) and Sobey (22 points, 7 assists, 6 steals, and 5 rebounds) powered the comeback, while Clark (20 points) was United’s leading scorer.

His strongest rebounding performance came in Cairns on January 14, where Hunter (8 points, 18 rebounds, and 1 assist) collected 12 offensive rebounds as the Phoenix defeated the Taipans 113-102. Hurt (33 points and 7 rebounds) and Sobey (26 points and 7 rebounds) led the scoring, while Waardenburg (22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) was Cairns’ best.

Josh King replaced Mackinnon as permanent head coach and guided the Phoenix to a 16-13 record and fourth place, making South East Melbourne the first team of the 40-minute era to reach the postseason after beginning 0-5. King finished runner-up in Coach of the Year voting, while Hurt (20.1 points and 7.4 rebounds) earned All-NBL First Team honours. Sobey (17 points, 4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.4 steals), Walton Jr. (11.8 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals), Wieskamp (10.9 points and 4.9 rebounds), and Glover (9.7 points) were the other leading contributors, although Walton Jr. missed the closing stages of the regular season after suffering a second hamstring injury.

South East Melbourne opened the postseason against Perth in the Seeding Qualifier, where Hunter (10 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) was restricted to 12:41 by foul trouble as the Wildcats won 122-105. Glover (25 points and 2 steals), Hurt (24 points and 3 steals), and Sobey (22 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists) led the Phoenix, while Pinder (35 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks), Cotton (27 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists), and Doolittle (20 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists) starred for Perth.

The Phoenix then hosted Adelaide in a sudden-death Play-In Game, where Hunter (4 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) helped South East Melbourne recover from a 19-point halftime deficit to win 85-75. Hurt (25 points and 9 rebounds), Ayre (17 points), and Sobey (11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led the comeback, while Davis (26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Harrell (17 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 blocks) were Adelaide’s best.

Game one of the semifinals moved to Wollongong, where Hunter (7 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist) played 13:33 as Illawarra defeated South East Melbourne 101-94. Wieskamp (22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks), Sobey (17 points and 9 rebounds), and the returning Walton Jr. (15 points and 11 assists) led the Phoenix, while Kell III (24 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists), Harvey (24 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block), and Blanchfield (16 points and 6 rebounds) carried the Hawks.

South East Melbourne responded at John Cain Arena in game two, where Hunter (6 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) helped the Phoenix control the paint during a 101-94 victory. Hurt (30 points and 2 blocks) set a Phoenix postseason scoring record, Sobey (25 points and 8 rebounds) and Glover (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists) provided support, while Hickey (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Froling (11 points and 5 rebounds) led Illawarra.

Game three returned to Wollongong, where Kell III (30 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists), Blanchfield (28 points and 4 rebounds), and Harvey (12 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals) powered Illawarra into the Championship Series with a 126-96 victory. Wieskamp (25 points and 5 rebounds), Sobey (19 points and 6 rebounds), and Foxwell (13 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals) led South East Melbourne. Hunter (4 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) played 14:42 in the loss.

2025/26
South East Melbourne carried significant momentum into NBL26 after Josh King recovered an 0-5 opening the previous season and led the Phoenix to a 16-13 record, fourth place and a semifinal appearance. Matt Hurt (to Trapani), Derrick Walton Jr. (to Holon), Joe Wieskamp (to Jena), Ben Ayre (to Tasmania), Luke Fennell (to Syracuse) and Matt Kenyon (to Adelaide) departed, while Nathan Sobey, Angus Glover, Owen Foxwell, Malique Lewis and Luke Rosendale returned. Beginning his first full season as head coach, King added Akech Aliir (via Melbourne), Daniel Foster (via Nevada), DJ Mitchell (via Manchester), Gorjok Gak (via Tasmania), Hunter Maldonado (via Ludwigsburg) and John Brown III (via Belgrade).

Jordan Hunter entered the second season of the three-year deal he signed with South East Melbourne in April 2024, with the third season a mutual option, after the remaining terms of his contract were renegotiated without an Asia-out clause. He continued as co-captain alongside Sobey after helping the Phoenix return to the semifinals during his first season in the Heartland.

South East Melbourne opened NBL26 at John Cain Arena on September 20, where Hunter (10 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 steal) helped the Phoenix defeat Cairns 114-77, with Glover (18 points and 5 rebounds) and Maldonado (16 points and 5 assists) leading the other contributors, while Smith (19 points and 6 rebounds) was Cairns’ best.

Hunter (11.6 points and 5.9 rebounds across 37 games) produced the highest-scoring season of his career, remaining South East Melbourne’s starting centre while expanding his shooting range within King’s offence. After making eight three-pointers the previous season, he connected on 53 at 40 per cent during NBL26 and was also selected in the Boomers squad for the opening window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Hunter’s best scoring game came at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on November 20, where Hunter (24 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists) made four of five three-pointers as South East Melbourne defeated Brisbane 103-76. Sobey (13 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals) and Iwundu (13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) provided support, while Harrison (16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks) was Brisbane’s best as the Phoenix improved to 9-3.

Two days later at John Cain Arena, Hunter (20 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) produced his best rebounding game of the season, but Adelaide defeated South East Melbourne 94-81. Sobey (26 points and 4 rebounds) and Brown (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) supported him, while Vasiljevic (22 points) scored 17 points during the fourth quarter as the Phoenix fell to 9-4.

Against his former club at Qudos Bank Arena on January 5, Hunter (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal) made four three-pointers as South East Melbourne defeated Sydney 124-117 in the highest-scoring game of NBL26. Sobey (26 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Glover (18 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) provided support, while Davis (30 points and 6 assists) was Sydney’s best as the Phoenix improved to 15-7 and consolidated second place.

Iwundu (11.6 points and 3.3 rebounds across 32 games) (via Patras) joined after the season began and moved into the starting group. December brought further change when Gak (2.9 points across 9 games) (to Sichuan) and Maldonado (11.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.4 steals across 26 games) (to Brisbane) departed, with Clark (13.7 points across 18 games) (via Santurce) added to the rotation.

Sobey (22.5 points, 4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.7 steals across 36 games) led South East Melbourne in scoring and assists, while Hunter and Iwundu filled starting roles around him and Clark supplied scoring from the bench. Brown (10.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.1 steals across 37 games) anchored the defence, with Foxwell (10.7 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.3 steals across 32 games), Glover (10.4 points across 35 games) and Lewis (6.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 29 games) completing the main rotation.

Sobey and Brown were selected to the All-NBL First Team, Brown won the Damian Martin Trophy as Defensive Player of the Year and Glover became the first Phoenix player to receive the NBL Best Sixth Man award. Sobey also received the club MVP award, while Brown collected the fan-voted, Locker Room and club Defensive Player of the Year awards, Lewis received the Community Impact Award and King finished second in Coach of the Year voting.

South East Melbourne closed the regular season against Melbourne United at John Cain Arena on February 19, where Hunter (4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block), Sobey (29 points and 7 rebounds) and Iwundu (17 points and 4 rebounds) led the Phoenix, while Doyle (25 points) carried United to a 95-91 win. The result left South East Melbourne third with a club-best 22-11 record.

The Phoenix opened the postseason against Perth at John Cain Arena on March 4, where Hunter (8 points and 3 rebounds), Sobey (24 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) and Foxwell (18 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals) led South East Melbourne to a 111-94 win, while Doolittle (22 points and 6 rebounds) and Windler (13 points, 7 assists, and 2 blocks) were best for Perth.

Game one of the semifinals was played at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on March 10, where Hunter (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block), Sobey (23 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) and Glover (14 points and 4 rebounds) led South East Melbourne, but Cotton (42 points and 5 assists), Vasiljevic (17 points) and Rakocevic (14 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block) carried Adelaide to a 104-97 win.

Game two moved to John Cain Arena, where South East Melbourne fell 18 points behind during the second quarter before Hunter (9 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks), Sobey (41 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists), Brown (12 points and 7 rebounds) and Glover (10 points and 3 rebounds) led the Phoenix to a 101-92 win. Cotton (29 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists), Rakocevic (18 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Vasiljevic (14 points) were best for Adelaide as South East Melbourne forced a deciding game.

Game three returned to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on March 17, where Clark (32 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals), Sobey (17 points and 8 assists) and Brown (9 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals) led South East Melbourne, while Cotton (38 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists), Vasiljevic (27 points and 4 assists) and Rakocevic (14 points and 12 rebounds) carried Adelaide to a 108-96 win and a place in the Championship Series. Hunter (10 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks) played 21:56 in the loss.

Jordan Hunter currently plays for the South East Melbourne Phoenix and has played 192 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 8.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 0.6 assists since entering the league in 2019.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

South East Melbourne Phoenix – 3 Year Deal (2024-27)
3rd Year Mutual Option