NICKNAME/S: J-Chill

BIO: Josh Childress was born in Harbor City, Illinois (USA) and grew up in Compton, California where he and his brother, Chris, played basketball and did their best to stay out of trouble. The neighborhood they lived in was very tight and supportive, but they lived under constant threat of gangsters in the area.

Childress attended Mayfair High School in nearby Lakewood. Besides playing basketball in high school and being named a McDonald’s High School All-American, he also played volleyball during his senior year. He led his high school volleyball team, the Monsoons, to a undefeated record and he was voted to the All-League volleyball team. Josh has his #22 jersey retired at Mayfair.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Josh Childress made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 31 years of age. He scored 26 points in his first game.

After finishing sixth with a 12-16 record and missing the playoffs in 2013/14, Sydney appointed former assistant Damian Cotter as head coach following the departure of Shane Heal and made several changes to its roster. Sam Young, AJ Ogilvy (to Wollongong), Charles Carmouche, Jesse Sanders, Brad Hill (to Wollongong) and James Harvey departed, while Ben Madgen, Tom Garlepp, Cody Ellis and Kevin White returned. The Kings added Kendrick Perry (via Youngstown State), Jason Cadee (via Adelaide), Angus Brandt (via Oregon State), Josh Duinker, Daniel Joyce and former NBA forward Josh Childress as they looked to return to the postseason.

On August 12, 2014, Sydney announced the signing of Childress, a former NBA lottery pick who had spent four seasons with the Atlanta Hawks before playing for Phoenix, Brooklyn and New Orleans, as well as two seasons with Olympiacos in Greece. His arrival was one of the highest-profile signings since the Kings returned to the NBL in 2010, bringing an experienced scorer, rebounder and defender to a team which had struggled to produce a winning season. Cotter was impressed by more than his NBA background, identifying his character, attitude and intelligence as important reasons for bringing him to Sydney.

Childress made his NBL debut against Wollongong at Qantas Credit Union Arena on October 11, finishing with 26 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks as Sydney defeated the Hawks 86-83. Garlepp (20 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals) and Brandt (13 points and 6 rebounds) provided support, while Jahii Carson (17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals) led Wollongong. The victory gave Sydney a winning start to the season, with Childress immediately establishing himself as the Kings’ main offensive threat.

Childress (21.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.1 blocks across 18 games) became the centrepiece of Sydney’s offence, using his ability to score inside, create for teammates and protect the basket to produce one of the league’s most complete individual seasons. He started every game in which he appeared, although a suspension and two separate injuries would eventually restrict him to 18 of Sydney’s 28 regular-season games.

His season attracted worldwide attention following an incident against Perth at Challenge Stadium on October 24. After being knocked down by an off-ball screen from Jesse Wagstaff, Childress (11 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks) got to his feet and struck the Wildcats forward with a raised forearm, resulting in his ejection as Perth defeated Sydney 84-63. Madgen (15 points and 5 rebounds) and Cadee (12 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists) led the Kings, while Jermaine Beal (16 points) was Perth’s leading scorer. Childress appeared before an NBL tribunal on October 28, where the charge of striking with an elbow was dismissed. He pleaded guilty to unduly rough conduct and received a two-game suspension, with one game suspended, leaving him to serve a one-game ban against Cairns. He was fined $3,750 for the incident and another $3,750 for publicly criticising officials, bringing his total fines to $7,500. The incident generated widespread media attention around the world.

Childress returned from his suspension against Wollongong on November 7, finishing with 18 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks as Sydney dominated the Hawks 82-53 at WIN Entertainment Centre. Perry (23 points, 2 assists and 2 steals) and Brandt (15 points and 6 rebounds) provided support as Sydney ended a three-game losing streak and improved to 2-3. The 29-point victory was the Kings’ biggest winning margin of the season.

Two days later, Childress produced his best game of the season against Adelaide, recording a season-high 36 points, 19 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 blocks while making 11-of-18 field goals and 13-of-15 free throws. With the scores tied 54-54 at halftime, Sydney opened the second half with ten unanswered points and held on for a 107-100 victory at Qantas Credit Union Arena. Madgen (26 points, 5 assists and 4 steals) and Garlepp (15 points) provided support, while Adam Gibson (30 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists) led Adelaide. The victory improved Sydney to 3-3 and Childress was named the NBL’s Player of the Week for Round 5 after combining for 54 points and 32 rebounds across the two wins. “Josh was challenged and responded,” Cotter said following the victory, describing his performance as brilliant. His continued dominance throughout the month also earned him the league’s Player of the Month award for November.

Childress continued producing strong individual performances as Sydney fought to establish itself among the league’s leading teams. One of his best all-round performances came against Cairns on November 20, where Childress (27 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal and 4 blocks) made 8-of-13 field goals and 10-of-13 free throws as Sydney defeated the second-placed Taipans 93-76 at Qantas Credit Union Arena. Cadee (18 points) and Madgen (17 points) provided support, while Scottie Wilbekin (21 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal) led Cairns. The victory improved the Kings to 4-4 and kept them in touch with the top four after an inconsistent opening month. “We have to protect our home court and win as many games here as possible, and we did a good job tonight,” Childress said following the victory, praising the team’s defensive effort.

Childress delivered another major performance against defending champion Perth on December 18, finishing with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal and 4 blocks as Sydney defeated the Wildcats 78-74 at Qantas Credit Union Arena. With the Kings protecting a two-point lead during the final minute, he blocked a shot from Wagstaff before scoring at the other end to secure one of the club’s most important victories of the season. Garlepp (15 points) and Madgen (13 points) provided support, while Beal (16 points) led Perth. The victory ended Sydney’s 16-game losing streak against the Wildcats since returning to the NBL in 2010 and improved the Kings to 7-6, placing them back in the playoff race. However, Childress suffered a hamstring injury which ruled him out of Sydney’s next three games, all losses, with the Kings falling to 7-9 during his absence.

Childress returned against Melbourne on January 2, recording 15 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and 1 block, but the Kings fell 82-68 at Qantas Credit Union Arena. Garlepp (18 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist) and Ellis (12 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals) provided the main support, while Mark Worthington (18 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks) led Melbourne. The loss extended Sydney’s losing streak to four games, with the team unable to regain the momentum it had built before Childress’s injury.

Sydney’s injury problems also affected rookie centre Brandt (7.4 points and 4 rebounds across 21 games), who suffered a knee injury during the Kings’ New Year’s Eve loss to Townsville and subsequently missed seven games. Sydney signed veteran Nick Horvath (via New Zealand) on January 14 as a short-term injury replacement, providing additional frontcourt depth while Brandt recovered.

Sydney produced one of its most impressive victories of the season against league-leading New Zealand on January 23, with Childress (28 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists) making 9-of-16 field goals, including two three-pointers, and 8-of-10 free throws as the Kings defeated the Breakers 101-81 at Vector Arena in Auckland. Garlepp (16 points and 6 rebounds) and Cadee (13 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists) provided support, while Cedric Jackson (21 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists) led New Zealand. Horvath (4 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist) also made his Kings debut, having joined the team to cover Brandt’s absence. The 20-point victory improved Sydney to 9-12 and kept its fading playoff hopes alive.

Childress’ season came to an abrupt end against Adelaide on January 25, when he suffered a torn right pectoral muscle during the third quarter of Sydney’s 105-86 home loss. Childress (16 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 4 blocks) played almost 27 minutes before the injury brought his first NBL campaign to a premature conclusion. Madgen (24 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists) and Kevin White (14 points) led the Kings, while Brock Motum (18 points and 6 rebounds) was Adelaide’s leading scorer. Scans confirmed the injury required surgery, and on January 28 Sydney announced that Childress would miss the remainder of the season. He underwent surgery the following day and faced a recovery period of four to six months, leaving the Kings without their leading scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker for their final six games.

A man's jam, a King's slam 👑

Josh Childress put the pain on Luke Schenscher with this monster dunk 🐉 pic.twitter.com/iL8az4XpMX— NBL (@NBL) July 26, 2023

Madgen (15.6 points and 3.6 rebounds across 26 games) remained Sydney’s next leading scorer, while Garlepp (13.6 points and 4.1 rebounds across 28 games) produced the highest-scoring season of his career after improving on his 8.8 points per game the previous season. Perry (10.4 points and 3.6 rebounds across 28 games) provided scoring and playmaking from the backcourt, with Cadee (8.1 points across 28 games), Ellis (6.9 points and 3.4 rebounds across 28 games), Duinker (5.6 points and 3.9 rebounds across 28 games) and Horvath (2.7 points and 3 rebounds across 3 games) adding further depth. However, the Kings struggled to replace the production of their injured import, and their problems continued when Madgen suffered a dislocated left shoulder against Wollongong in February, ending his season and leaving Sydney without its two leading scorers for the final games.

Despite missing ten games, Childress finished the season as the NBL’s leading scorer and rebounder while also ranking among the top five players in both assists and blocked shots. His combination of league-leading scoring and rebounding with top-five finishes in assists and blocks was a first in NBL history. He was selected to the All-NBL First Team alongside Cedric Jackson, Scottie Wilbekin, Brock Motum and Brian Conklin, completing an individually outstanding campaign despite Sydney’s struggles. Brandt was also recognised for his performances, winning the NBL Rookie of the Year award after an impressive first professional season.

Sydney entered its final regular-season game without Childress and Madgen, with Cotter forced to rely heavily on his remaining senior players and development squad. Cadee (23 points) and Garlepp (23 points) led the Kings, but Worthington (26 points and 6 rebounds) helped Melbourne United hold on for a 95-92 victory at Hisense Arena on February 22. The defeat completed a seven-game losing streak and left Sydney seventh with a 9-19 record, missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

2015/16
Since rejoining the NBL in 2010, the Sydney Kings had not managed a winning record, narrowly missing out the previous season when a season-ending injury to Josh Childress derailed their campaign.

On July 2, 2015, Childress re-signed with the Kings for the 2015/16 season, and the team bolstered its lineup around him, adding promising young players like Jason Cadee, Tom Garlepp, and reigning Rookie of the Year Angus Brandt. Veterans Julian Khazzouh, Steven Markovic, and Rhys Carter were brought in, and the team added NBA draftee Marcus Thornton as the second import.

Childress missed the first four games of the season (1-3) with a foot injury but returned on October 23 to face Adelaide. Despite scoring 23 points, he fractured his right hand during the game against the 36ers (91–80 loss) and was sidelined for an additional four to six games. While recovering from his injury, Childress was also suspended for two games for verbally abusing referees in the tunnel after a loss to Adelaide on November 10, further complicating his season.

Childress returned in late November, only to suffer a fractured left hand against Cairns two games later, which sidelined him for another three weeks. He rejoined the lineup on December 29, playing out the remainder of the season, and despite the setbacks, Childress averaged 21.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.7 blocks over just 13 games. Khazzouh (13.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks) was a strong contributor before tearing his right quadriceps tendon, while Markovic managed only three games due to illness and recovery. With these absences, the Kings were forced to have assistant coach Ben Knight suit up for four games.

In early January 2016, the Kings added Craig Moller and Jordan Vandenberg to help cover the loss of Khazzouh and forward Jeromie Hill (4.1 points and 3.0 rebounds). Former NBA players Damion James (7.0 points, 7.8 rebounds) and Al Harrington (17.7 points, 6.8 rebounds) joined briefly to cover Childress, but both departed after short stints without major team success, leading to coach Damian Cotter’s mid-season departure. Washington Wizards assistant Joe Connelly was brought in, developing Cadee (14.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists), Garlepp (14.0 points, 4.2 rebounds), and Brandt (8.1 points, 5.3 rebounds), who earned a spot with the national team. Despite this, Sydney finished last (6-22).

Healthy, Childress demonstrated his dominance, but after logging only 31 games across two seasons, the Kings did not re-sign him for the following year.

ADELAIDE 36ERS
2017/18
After finishing first with a 17-11 record the previous season before being eliminated by Illawarra in the semifinals, coach Joey Wright retained all eight Australian players from the 2016/17 roster—Mitch Creek, Nathan Sobey, Daniel Johnson, Matthew Hodgson, Brendan Teys, Majok Deng, Anthony Drmic and Adam Doyle—for another championship run. Reigning NBL MVP Jerome Randle (to Bahçeşehir) departed after reportedly seeking around $300,000 per season, while Terrance Ferguson (to Oklahoma City) and Eric Jacobsen (to Fukuoka) also left. Shannon Shorter was signed to replace Randle, with Ramone Moore (via Melbourne) and Ronald Roberts completing Adelaide’s import trio. The 36ers went undefeated at the Merlion Cup in Singapore and defeated the Shanghai Sharks in the final.

Adelaide’s import situation changed before the season began when Roberts was released after the club cited a knee injury, although Roberts responded publicly that he was “100 percent fine.” Alan Wiggins was signed as his replacement but broke his arm in his NBL debut against Sydney and required surgery that was expected to sideline him for eight weeks. Having spent the preseason with the Denver Nuggets before being released in his attempt to return to the NBA, Childress (via Denver) signed with Adelaide on October 21 as the club’s third import. Childress said, “I’m really excited to come out and be a part of an incredible organisation and team.”

Childress (12.1 points and 6.2 rebounds across 27 games) appeared in every Adelaide game from his October 27 debut through game two of the Grand Final. His 27 appearances meant he missed the 36ers’ first five games because he had not yet joined the team and the final three games after suffering a shoulder injury during the Grand Final, with Childress not missing a regular-season game after joining Adelaide.

Childress made his Adelaide debut against Cairns on October 27, playing just under 16 minutes and finishing with 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists as the 36ers defeated the Taipans 84-80. Johnson (20 points and 11 rebounds) and Sobey (17 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Adelaide, while Michael Carrera (19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks) was Cairns’ best.

Despite the addition of Childress, Adelaide remained inconsistent through the first half of the season and won eight of its first 16 games. Randle (19.6 points and 5.3 assists across 17 games) later left Turkey following payment issues and enquired about returning to Adelaide, but with the roster already full he instead signed with Sydney. Adelaide’s depth was then tested when Creek (14.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 31 games) tore a small muscle from the bone around his hamstring and was ruled out for approximately three weeks, while Drmic (6.7 points and 2.8 rebounds across 27 games) suffered a left knee MCL sprain and was also sidelined.

Childress’s best game of the season came against Cairns at Titanium Security Arena on Christmas Eve, where he finished with 20 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, but Adelaide fell 94-75. Hodgson (12 points and 4 rebounds) and Shorter (12 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) provided support, while Cameron Gliddon (27 points, 2 steals, and 1 block) led Cairns. The 19-point loss left the undermanned 36ers at 8-8 but became a turning point in their season.

Adelaide responded by winning 10 of its final 12 games, including seven consecutive victories. In the final game of the regular season, Childress (12 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists), Deng (20 points and 3 steals) and Creek (16 points and 6 rebounds) helped Adelaide defeat Brisbane 105-82 at Titanium Security Arena, while Travis Trice (20 points) led the Bullets. The victory completed an 18-10 regular season and secured second place for Adelaide.

Johnson (15.8 points and 6.8 rebounds across 35 games) led Adelaide in scoring, with Shorter (13.3 points, 5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.3 steals across 34 games), Sobey (12.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3 assists across 35 games), Moore (11.3 points and 3 rebounds across 32 games) and Deng (7.5 points and 2.6 rebounds across 34 games) providing the main support alongside Childress, Creek and Drmic. Johnson was selected to the All-NBL First Team, Creek earned All-NBL Second Team honours and the Fans MVP award, while Moore was named the NBL’s Best Sixth Man.

Adelaide opened the semifinals against defending champion Perth at Titanium Security Arena, where Childress (22 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals), Creek (20 points and 11 rebounds) and Shorter (18 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 block) led the 36ers to a 109-74 victory, while Bryce Cotton (22 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) led Perth. Childress was named player of the game as the 35-point margin handed the Wildcats the second-biggest finals defeat in club history.

Game two moved to Perth Arena, where Adelaide trailed by as many as 18 points and was still five points behind with 54 seconds remaining. Childress (25 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 block), Creek (22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Sobey (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the comeback, while Cotton (31 points and 3 assists) was Perth’s leading scorer. Childress put Adelaide ahead in the final minute as the 36ers won 89-88, swept the series 2-0 and advanced to their first Grand Final since 2014.

Melbourne hosted game one of the Grand Final at Hisense Arena, where Childress (12 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists), Johnson (18 points and 5 rebounds) and Shorter (16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block) led Adelaide, but Chris Goulding (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Casper Ware (20 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) carried United to a 107-96 victory. Wright was subsequently fined $5000 for comments made about the officiating following the loss.

Adelaide levelled the series at Titanium Security Arena with a 110-95 game two victory as Childress (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block), Deng (18 points and 6 rebounds) and Creek (17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the 36ers, while Casey Prather (20 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Goulding (19 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Melbourne. Late in the game, Childress drove to the basket and collided with David Barlow before landing heavily on his shoulder, with further examination revealing a fractured scapula that ruled him out for the remainder of the Grand Final series.

With Childress sidelined, Adelaide returned to Hisense Arena for game three, where Johnson (20 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal), Moore (18 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) and Deng (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) led the 36ers, while Ware (25 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists), Prather (23 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) and Goulding (15 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) helped Melbourne win 101-98. Sobey (9 points, 4 assists, and 1 block) was ejected at halftime following a clash with Prather that sparked an all-in melee, while Deng missed a potential game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds as United took a 2-1 series lead.

Childress remained sidelined for game four as Adelaide raced to a 55-31 halftime lead before Melbourne mounted a second-half comeback. Johnson (21 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 steal), Sobey (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Shorter (14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) helped the 36ers hold on for a 90-81 victory, while Prather (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Goulding (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Melbourne as Adelaide levelled the series at 2-2.

Without Childress for the deciding game five at Hisense Arena, Shorter (20 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block), Johnson (17 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) and Creek (15 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 steal) led Adelaide, while Goulding (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal), Ware (23 points, 2 assists, and 1 steal) and Prather (19 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals, and 1 block) led Melbourne. Goulding was named Grand Final MVP and Prather collected his third consecutive NBL championship, becoming the first player in league history to win titles in each of his first three seasons as Melbourne defeated Adelaide 100-82 to win the series 3-2.

Josh Childress played three seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Adelaide 36ers and the Sydney Kings. He averaged 17.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 58 NBL games.

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