BIO: Born in Mount Airy, Maryland, Josh Boone attended South Carroll High School in Sykesville, Maryland, where he averaged 20 points, 14.4 rebounds, and seven blocked shots per game.

He teamed with Indiana-bound Marshall Strickland to lead South Carroll to a 20–6 record.

In his junior year, the team tied Governor Thomas Johnson High School for the league championship.

South Carroll then lost in the regional semi finals to top-ranked Paint Branch High School.

The next year, he helped lead the team to only the school’s second ever state final four appearance, losing to Gwynn Park in the final four.

After graduating, he attended West Nottingham Academy (a small college prep school) in Colora, Maryland, averaging 28 points, 16 rebounds, and 9.7 blocks per game.

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NBL EXPERIENCE

Josh Boone made his NBL debut with the Melbourne United at 32 years of age. He scored seven points in his first game.

After finishing first with an 18-10 record in 2015/16 before being swept by New Zealand in the semifinals, Melbourne United entered Dean Demopoulos’ second season with another major roster change. Stephen Holt and Hakim Warrick departed, while Daniel Kickert (to Brisbane) also left. United added Cedric Jackson (via New Zealand), Ramone Moore (via Europe), Devin Williams (via West Virginia), Tai Wesley (via New Zealand) and David Andersen (via Europe), with Wesley able to be registered as a local under the NBL’s Asian player rule. David Barlow also returned after missing the previous season with an Achilles injury.

United struggled through the opening months and was 3-6 when Jackson was released on November 9, before falling to 3-7 by the time Casper Ware (via Washington) arrived on November 14 as his replacement. Melbourne’s frontcourt was then hit by injuries, with Andersen suffering a knee injury against Perth on December 9 and Williams injuring his knee against Brisbane on December 17. With both big men facing extended absences, Melbourne signed Josh Boone (via Pınar Karşıyaka) on December 23 as a temporary injury replacement. Boone’s most recent playing stint had been a one-game appearance in Turkey, and lengthy delays while travelling from New York through Los Angeles meant he did not arrive in Melbourne until late on Christmas Eve and entered his first game without practising with his new teammates.

Boone made his NBL debut against Brisbane at Hisense Arena on Boxing Day, where Boone (7 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) provided 19 minutes from the bench as Melbourne defeated the Bullets 97-59 in front of a sell-out crowd of 10,300. Goulding (19 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Moore (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists) led United, while former Melbourne forward Kickert (13 points and 4 rebounds) was Brisbane’s leading scorer. “Tired. Tired. It’s been a really long trip between flight delays and cancellations but ultimately I’m just happy to be here,” Boone said.

Boone (10.1 points and 9.3 rebounds across 12 games) came from the bench in every one of Melbourne’s final 12 games, averaging 22.5 minutes and shooting 60 percent from the field. His 12 appearances were entirely the result of joining the team in December, with Boone not missing a game through injury or illness after signing. He finished as the NBL’s leading rebounder and quickly became one of Melbourne’s most effective players around the basket, while also rating as United’s best player in several advanced measures including PER, ORtg, DRtg, eFG%, TRB% and BLK%.

With four games remaining, Melbourne secured Boone for the remainder of the season on January 31. Williams (3.2 points and 3.9 rebounds across 16 games) had returned to full fitness after missing five weeks with his knee injury, but United released him under the league’s import rules so Boone could remain on the roster, allowing Williams to pursue opportunities in the United States. Andersen (9.8 points and 4.4 rebounds across 19 games) had also missed eight weeks with his knee injury before returning during Melbourne’s late-season finals push. “He brings not only a huge inside presence for us on the court,” United chief executive Vince Crivelli said.

Boone produced his strongest performance to that point against Illawarra at Hisense Arena on February 6, making 10-of-13 field goals and finishing with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 1 block as Melbourne defeated the Hawks 78-72. Goulding (18 points and 4 rebounds) and Ware (16 points and 7 assists) provided support, while Rotnei Clarke (19 points) led Illawarra. The win moved United to 13-13 and into third place with two games remaining, with Boone’s work inside helping Melbourne win the rebounding battle and keep its finals hopes alive.

Ware (22.1 points, 4.5 assists, and 1.3 steals across 18 games) transformed Melbourne’s offence after replacing Jackson (8.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.3 steals across 9 games) and earned All-NBL First Team honours despite playing only 18 games. Goulding (16.4 points across 22 games) remained United’s other major scorer despite missing six games with ankle problems, while Moore (10 points across 20 games) suffered a season-ending calf injury in January and was replaced by Lasan Kromah (via Patras), who appeared in Melbourne’s final three games. Wesley (8.5 points and 3.3 rebounds across 28 games), Blanchfield (7.9 points and 3.6 rebounds across 22 games), Majok (5.5 points and 5.5 rebounds across 28 games) and Barlow (5.1 points across 19 games) provided the other main contributions, with Wesley and Majok the only United players to appear in all 28 games. Barlow missed the opening nine games with a calf injury, while Blanchfield also missed time through injury, including a delayed concussion.

The repeated injuries and three midseason import changes prevented Melbourne from establishing continuity, with only six players appearing in at least 75 percent of the season. United finished with the second-worst true shooting percentage in the league and went 2-5 in games decided by five points or fewer. Tensions between Demopoulos and several of Melbourne’s veterans had also become public by the end of the season, with their relationship described as not “civil”, and Melbourne moved on from Demopoulos following the campaign.

Boone’s best game came in Melbourne’s final game against Perth at Hisense Arena on February 12, where Boone (27 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 assist) made 11-of-12 field goals and five of six free throws as United pushed the Wildcats to the final possession. Ware (27 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) and Goulding (21 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) provided support, while Casey Prather (26 points and 11 assists) led Perth. Boone suffered a shoulder injury in a heavy fall during the final minute before Ware missed a potential tying three-pointer in the dying seconds as Perth held on for a 96-94 victory in front of 9,545 fans, leaving Melbourne sixth with a 13-15 record.

2017/18
After finishing sixth with a 13–15 record and missing the playoffs, Melbourne replaced Dean Demopoulos with former Sydney assistant Dean Vickerman on a two-year deal. Todd Blanchfield (to Sydney), Ramone Moore (to Adelaide) and Nate Tomlinson (retired) departed, while Craig Moller (via Sydney) and Daniel Dillon (via Hiroshima) were added. Dillon ruptured his Achilles while playing for Kilsyth before the season and was ruled out for six-to-eight months, leading Melbourne to sign Peter Hooley (via Ballarat) as his injury replacement.

Melbourne opened the season in Adelaide on October 5, where Boone (10 points and 10 rebounds) started as United defeated the 36ers 99–97, with Casper Ware (23 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Casey Prather (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) leading the scoring while Nathan Sobey (21 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists) was Adelaide’s best.

Boone (12.9 points and 8.9 rebounds across 35 games) had entered the season after re-signing with Melbourne on a one-year extension. He had originally arrived during 2016/17 as a temporary injury replacement for Devin Williams, with Melbourne later releasing Williams once he returned to fitness so Boone could remain for the playoff push. Boone then helped the Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions win the ASEAN Basketball League championship before returning to United. “I really enjoyed my time last year. It’s one of my favourite places I’ve ever played in my professional career,” he said after re-signing. Ware (16.6 points and 4.3 assists across 35 games) also returned, while two-time defending champion Prather (15.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 23 games) joined Melbourne (via Perth). Boone started all 35 games and did not miss a game through injury.

Three days after the season opener, Melbourne nearly produced an NBLxNBA upset against Oklahoma City, where Boone (13 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block) helped United push the Thunder to an 86–85 loss. Ware (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Tai Wesley (13 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) also contributed, while Paul George (22 points and 6 rebounds) led Oklahoma City.

After the season had started, Melbourne added Durrell McDonald (via Mercyhurst) and Felix Von Hofe (via Eastern Washington) as development players on October 13, while Chinese centre Jet Meng (via Shanghai) joined as a training player in November.

One of Boone’s strongest games during Melbourne’s early-season inconsistency came against Sydney on December 11, where Boone (17 points, 17 rebounds, and 2 blocks) controlled the boards as United defeated the Kings 95–69. Chris Goulding (23 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Prather (21 points and 4 rebounds) led Melbourne’s scoring, while Brad Newley (18 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists) was Sydney’s best as United improved to 7–6.

On December 16, Prather dislocated his left elbow during the second quarter against Illawarra and was ruled out for at least eight weeks. Von Hofe was initially elevated while Melbourne searched for a replacement before former NBA forward Carrick Felix (via Long Island Nets) was signed as Prather’s injury replacement on December 22. Felix helped United win nine of the ten games he played. With David Andersen also unavailable later in the season, Chris Patton (via Cairns) returned to Melbourne on January 24 as an injury replacement after completing an earlier injury-replacement stint with the Taipans.

Boone matched his regular-season scoring high in Sydney on January 28, where Boone (22 points, 13 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) shot 9-of-16 from the field as Melbourne defeated the Kings 93–76. Goulding (21 points and 4 rebounds) and Ware (20 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals) provided support, while former United forward Blanchfield (18 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals) led Sydney.

Prather returned against Perth on February 16 after passing the required medical tests. NBL rules required him to return to Melbourne’s active roster once declared healthy, meaning Felix remained with the team but was removed from the active roster after ten games. Felix (8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds across 10 games) had provided important defensive depth during Prather’s absence.

Goulding (14.7 points across 33 games) and Wesley (11.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks across 35 games) joined Ware, Prather and Boone as Melbourne’s major contributors as United recovered from winning only five of its first ten games to finish first with a 20–8 record. Boone led the NBL in rebounding for the second consecutive season and was named to the All-NBL First Team alongside Ware, while Wesley was selected to the All-NBL Second Team and Vickerman was named Coach of the Year. Boone was also named Melbourne’s Best Defensive Player.

Melbourne opened the semifinals against New Zealand with an 88–77 win at Hisense Arena, where Boone (7 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists) contributed inside while Ware (33 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Prather (15 points and 5 rebounds) led United. DJ Newbill (19 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Shea Ili (16 points and 5 assists) led the Breakers.

Boone’s best game for the season came in game two at Spark Arena, where Boone (33 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) shot 14-of-19 from the field and scored the match-winning putback at the buzzer to give Melbourne an 88–86 overtime victory. After Thomas Abercrombie blocked his initial attempt, Boone recovered the ball and scored before time expired, completing the semifinal sweep. Ware (15 points and 6 assists) and Goulding (14 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) also contributed, while Newbill (21 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Kirk Penney (17 points) led New Zealand. “With this team anybody on the court could have taken that last shot,” Boone said after sending Melbourne into the Grand Final.

Adelaide swept reigning champion Perth in the other semifinal to set up the Grand Final.

Melbourne opened the Grand Final with a 107–96 win at Hisense Arena, where Boone (17 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 steal) provided an inside presence alongside Goulding (26 points and 4 rebounds) and Ware (20 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists). Ware left the floor after a first-quarter collision but returned after halftime, while Daniel Johnson (18 points and 5 rebounds) and Shannon Shorter (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals) led Adelaide.

Adelaide levelled the series with a 110–95 win in game two, where Boone (6 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) took a heavy fall early in the game as Melbourne dealt with further injury concerns but remained available for the rest of the series. Prather (20 points and 7 rebounds) and Goulding (19 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led United, while Majok Deng (18 points and 6 rebounds), Mitch Creek (17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Moore (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Adelaide. Josh Childress (13 points and 8 rebounds) suffered a shoulder injury during the fourth quarter and missed the remainder of the series.

The series returned to Melbourne for game three, where a halftime melee resulted in Sobey (9 points and 4 assists) being ejected following a clash with Prather. Boone (10 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block) helped United hold on for a 101–98 victory behind Ware (25 points and 3 assists) and Prather (23 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals), while Johnson (20 points and 3 assists) and Moore (18 points and 2 steals) led Adelaide. Deng missed a potential game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds.

Game four moved back to Adelaide, where the 36ers built a 55–31 halftime lead and won 90–81 to force a deciding game five. Boone (10 points and 6 rebounds), Prather (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Goulding (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Melbourne, while Johnson (21 points and 9 rebounds), Sobey (16 points and 4 rebounds) and Shorter (14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) led Adelaide.

The deciding game five returned to Hisense Arena, where Boone (10 points and 12 rebounds) collected another double-double as Melbourne defeated Adelaide 100–82 in front of a sold-out crowd of 10,300. Goulding (23 points and 4 rebounds), Ware (23 points) and Prather (19 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals, and 1 block) led Melbourne’s scoring, while Shorter (20 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Johnson (17 points and 8 rebounds) and Creek (15 points and 10 rebounds) led Adelaide. Goulding was named Grand Final MVP as the victory secured the series 3–2 and delivered Boone his first NBL championship.

2018/19
After finishing first with a 20-8 record and defeating Adelaide 3-2 in the 2018 Grand Final series, Melbourne entered the season looking to defend its championship. Casey Prather (to BC Khimki), Tai Wesley (to New Zealand), David Andersen (to Illawarra), Majok Majok (to New Zealand) and Kyle Adnam (to Sydney) departed, while United retained captain Chris Goulding, David Barlow and Casper Ware and added DJ Kennedy (via Turkey), Mitch McCarron (via Cairns), Alex Pledger (via New Zealand) and Daniel Trist.

Josh Boone re-signed with Melbourne on August 14 on a one-year deal, returning for a third season with United despite attracting strong interest from overseas. Boone and Ware had both been named to the All-NBL First Team during Melbourne’s championship season, with Boone having led the league in rebounding. Coach Dean Vickerman said, “To have Casper and Josh back is not only good for the chemistry of this group, and the synergy that they’ve already had.”

Melbourne travelled to North America for two NBLxNBA preseason games, losing 104-84 to Philadelphia on September 28, where Josh did not play, before Toronto defeated United 120-82 on October 5, with Josh (9 points and 11 rebounds) coming off the bench.

Melbourne opened the NBL season in Wollongong on October 12 and survived four overtimes to defeat Illawarra 123-122. Josh (24 points, 12 rebounds, 1 steal, and 5 blocks) led United, with Goulding (23 points and 3 assists) and Kennedy (21 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) providing support, while Todd Blanchfield (26 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) led Illawarra. By the fourth overtime his hip had cramped badly enough that his leg effectively shut down after almost 43 minutes on court, later recalling, “All game long it was back-and-forth, back-and-forth.”

Boone (10.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 34 games) remained Melbourne’s starting centre and appeared in every game during the regular season and playoffs. The hip cramping suffered in the season opener did not force him to miss a game, and he did not have an injury absence during the season.

Boone’s best scoring game came against New Zealand on November 16, where he finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 5 blocks as Melbourne defeated the Breakers 108-101 in Auckland. Ware (24 points and 5 assists) and Kennedy (14 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) helped United improve to 7-2, while Corey Webster (31 points and 8 assists) led New Zealand.

Another of his best games came in Adelaide on January 28, where Boone (19 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) led Melbourne to a 114-91 victory. Ware (16 points and 10 assists) and Kennedy (16 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) were among four other United players to score 16 points, while Nathan Sobey (24 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Adelaide.

Melbourne added Venky Jois (via Japan) (1.7 points across 11 games) in late January to provide additional frontcourt depth for the run home. United had opened the season 3-2 before going 6-1 through November and remained among the league leaders despite injuries affecting players including Goulding and Kennedy during the season.

Ware (18.8 points and 4.5 assists) led Melbourne in scoring and finished second in MVP voting before being named to the All-NBL First Team, while Goulding (14.4 points), Kennedy (12.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals), McCarron (11.6 points and 5.1 rebounds), Barlow (11.1 points and 4.6 rebounds) and Pledger (6.4 points and 4.4 rebounds) provided the other major contributions. Vickerman won Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season as Melbourne finished second with an 18-10 record.

Melbourne opened the semifinals against Sydney with a 95-73 victory at Melbourne Arena. Boone (14 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) continued his battle with league MVP Andrew Bogut (7 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks), while Ware (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Kennedy (20 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) led United. Brad Newley (17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) was Sydney’s leading scorer.

Game two moved to Sydney, where Boone (8 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks) helped Melbourne complete the sweep with a 90-76 victory. Ware (30 points and 5 rebounds) and Goulding (23 points, 3 assists, and 1 steal) led United, while Kevin Lisch (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Kyle Adnam (13 points and 1 steal) were Sydney’s leading scorers and Bogut (10 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) produced a double-double.

Perth opened the Grand Final series with an 81-71 victory at RAC Arena, with Boone (4 points and 12 rebounds) leading Melbourne on the glass. Ware (19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Goulding (15 points and 1 steal) led United offensively, while Terrico White (19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Angus Brandt (14 points and 7 rebounds) and Bryce Cotton (10 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth.

Melbourne responded in game two with a 92-74 victory at Melbourne Arena to level the series. Boone (10 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals) helped United control the paint, while Goulding (14 points), Ware (14 points) and Kennedy (12 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led a balanced Melbourne performance. Cotton (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and White (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Perth.

The series returned to Perth for game three, where Boone (6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block), Kennedy (13 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) and Barlow (13 points and 5 rebounds) were unable to prevent the Wildcats from winning 96-67 and moving ahead 2-1. White (31 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) made seven three-pointers and Cotton (16 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) controlled the game for Perth.

In game four, Boone (6 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 steal), Ware (18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block), Goulding (15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Barlow (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) led Melbourne, but Perth won 97-84 to claim the championship 3-1. Cotton (28 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals), White (20 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Nick Kay (12 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led the Wildcats, with White named Grand Final MVP after averaging 21.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across the four games.

Following the season, Melbourne elected not to re-sign Boone and he joined Illawarra (to Illawarra) on a one-year deal, ending his three-season stint with United before Melbourne replaced him at centre with Shawn Long.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS
2019/20
After finishing seventh with a 12-16 record and missing the playoffs the previous season, Illawarra entered the new campaign under first-year head coach Matt Flinn. Kevin White (to Adelaide), Brian Conklin, Jordair Jett and Cedric Jackson departed, while Todd Blanchfield, AJ Ogilvy, Tim Coenraad, Emmett Naar, Daniel Grida and David Andersen returned. Flinn added Next Star LaMelo Ball, former NBA guard Aaron Brooks, Josh Boone (via Melbourne), Sunday Dech (via Perth) and Sam Froling (via Creighton).

Boone signed a one-year deal with Illawarra after Melbourne decided to look at other options at centre. When Flinn learned United was moving in another direction, he contacted Boone and his agent within hours, adding an experienced big man who had helped Melbourne win the 2018 championship and reach the 2019 Grand Final. Soon after joining the Hawks, Boone was selected to headline an NBL team for a three-game tour of China, with Flinn serving as an assistant coach.

Illawarra opened the season against Brisbane at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 6, where Boone (2 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) started but the Hawks lost 90-81. Brooks (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Ogilvy (13 points and 5 rebounds) led Illawarra, while Lamar Patterson (25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) was Brisbane’s best.

Boone (8.2 points and 5.8 rebounds across 24 games) shared the centre rotation with Ogilvy and started 12 games during his only season with the Hawks. He missed the October 19 game against South East Melbourne, with no injury confirmed around the absence, before returning for the next two games. Boone then sat out the October 27 game against Perth with a broken nose, while Brooks (17.9 points, 3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists across 7 games) tore his Achilles during the same game and was ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Boone produced one of his strongest games in Cairns on November 9, finishing with 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks off the bench as Illawarra defeated the Taipans 101-91. Ball (24 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) and Dech (21 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Hawks, while Mirko Djeric (19 points and 5 rebounds) was Cairns’ leading scorer.

Ball (17 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1.7 steals across 12 games) took on an increased role following Brooks’ injury and produced consecutive triple-doubles before bruising his foot during practice in December and missing the remainder of the season. Darington Hobson (5.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.3 steals across 13 games) was added during December, while Billy Preston (6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds across 3 games) also joined the team before being released following multiple missed practices, with the club citing family reasons. Boone was a late withdrawal from Illawarra’s December 20 win over Adelaide with a leg injury and also missed the December 22 game against New Zealand before returning against South East Melbourne on December 28.

Boone’s best game of the season came against league-leading Sydney at the WIN Entertainment Centre on December 31, where he made 10-of-13 shots and finished with 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block off the bench as bottom-placed Illawarra upset the Kings 85-80. Naar (16 points, 8 assists, and 2 steals) and Blanchfield (13 points) provided support, while Jae’Sean Tate (23 points and 6 rebounds) led Sydney.

Boone delivered another strong performance in Cairns on January 31, finishing with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block as the Hawks lost 99-75. Froling (13 points and 5 rebounds) and Blanchfield (12 points and 6 rebounds) provided support, while DJ Newbill (20 points) led Cairns as Illawarra suffered its seventh consecutive loss.

With Brooks and Ball both unavailable for large parts of the season, Blanchfield (13.3 points and 3.9 rebounds across 28 games) became Illawarra’s leading scorer and won the Hawks’ MVP award for the second consecutive season. Dech (9.2 points and 3.7 rebounds across 27 games), Ogilvy (8.5 points and 6.3 rebounds across 26 games), Coenraad (8.1 points across 28 games), Andersen (6.6 points across 16 games), Froling (6 points and 3.4 rebounds across 17 games), Naar (5.6 points and 3.6 assists across 25 games) and Angus Glover (5.2 points across 27 games) were the Hawks’ other major contributors, with Froling missing 11 games due to an ankle injury. Ball was named NBL Rookie of the Year.

“Success is measured in different ways. While we are not happy with our record, we are proud of the progress made and the exposure brought to the club,” Flinn said.

Illawarra closed the season against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on February 14, where Boone (4 points and 1 rebound) started in what became his final NBL appearance as the Hawks lost 98-82. Dech (26 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Glover (15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Illawarra, while Tate (19 points and 5 rebounds) led Sydney as the Hawks finished ninth with a 5-23 record and ten consecutive losses.

Josh Boone played four seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Melbourne United and the Illawarra Hawks. He averaged 10.7 points, 8 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 105 NBL games.