DJ Newbill
February 2, 2021
Kevin Dillard
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 31930
- Place of Birth: Homewood, Illinois (USA)
- Position: PG
- Height (CM): 183
- Weight (KG): 83
- Junior Assoc:
- College: Southern Illinois (2008–2010) / Dayton (2011–2013)
- NBL DEBUT: 30/12/16
- AGE AT DEBUT: 29
- LAST NBL GAME: 10/02/17
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 29
- NBL History: New Zealand 2017
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Kevin Dillard was born in Homewood, Illinois (USA).
NBL EXPERIENCE
Kevin Dillard made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 29 years of age. He scored 18 points in his first game.
Following the Breakers’ 2016 Grand Final loss to Perth, chief executive Richard Clarke and coach Dean Vickerman departed the organisation, with Paul Henare stepping up from assistant to take the reins as head coach while Dillon Boucher took control of the front office as general manager. Cedric Jackson (to Melbourne) and Tai Wesley (to Melbourne) also departed, while Thomas Abercrombie, Corey Webster, Alex Pledger and captain Mika Vukona returned. The Breakers brought Kirk Penney (via Illawarra) back to the club and added Robert Loe (via Limburg United), Ben Woodside (via Türk Telekom) and Akil Mitchell (via Antibes), while Finn Delany, Shea Ili and Jordan Ngatai were elevated from development player roles.
Injuries and repeated import changes left New Zealand scrambling for continuity during the first half of the season. Woodside (8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.3 steals across 6 games) suffered a right foot injury and was replaced by David Stockton (8.3 points and 4.2 assists across 10 games) (via Cedevita Zagreb), who later struggled with an ongoing back problem. Webster (11.7 points across 15 games) battled hip and back problems before opting for season-ending hip surgery, leading Paul Carter (9.1 points and 4.5 rebounds across 11 games) (via Alba Berlin) to join as his injury replacement while also providing cover for Abercrombie’s broken right hand. A 65-63 loss in Cairns left the Breakers last with an 8-11 record, and New Zealand released Stockton and Woodside before signing Kevin Dillard (via Pınar Karşıyaka) on January 7 for the remaining nine games. Dillard had recently left Pınar Karşıyaka and said of joining the Breakers, “I like pressure situations, that brings the best out in me.”
Dillard made his NBL debut the following afternoon against Adelaide at the North Shore Events Centre after arriving in Auckland and having not met most of his teammates until reaching the stadium. Dillard (18 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, and 1 steal) made four three-pointers and led New Zealand in scoring, while Penney (17 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) and Carter (12 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist) provided support. Jerome Randle (23 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) led Adelaide, which scored 62 first-half points and defeated New Zealand 113-95 to drop the Breakers to 8-12.
Dillard (18.1 points, 4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.6 steals across 9 games) started every game following his arrival and helped New Zealand finish 6-3 across its final nine games. He made 42.7 percent of his field goals, 38.2 percent from three and 85.7 percent at the free-throw line while immediately giving the Breakers another scorer and playmaker at point guard.
His first victory came against Sydney at Vector Arena on January 13, where Dillard (19 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals, and 1 block) produced one of his best all-around games as New Zealand defeated the Kings 92-74. Carter (23 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) and Penney (15 points) led the support, while Jason Cadee (18 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) was Sydney’s leading scorer. Dillard also produced one of the plays of the season during the third quarter, recovering from a loose contact lens before throwing a behind-the-back pass in transition which led to an alley-oop finish, then drew an unsportsmanlike foul from Josh Powell during the fourth quarter which helped trigger New Zealand’s decisive run.
Dillard’s best game came two days later in Brisbane, where he made 13-of-20 shots and finished with 28 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals as New Zealand defeated the Bullets 84-82. Penney (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Pledger (10 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) provided support, while Daniel Kickert (24 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, and 1 block) made all nine of his field-goal attempts for Brisbane. The Breakers trailed for the entire game before Dillard scored their final six points, stole the ball from Jermaine Beal with 18 seconds remaining and made a turnaround jumper as time expired to give New Zealand its only lead of the afternoon. Dillard later called it “my all-time greatest winning shot.”
The game winning 🗡 courtesy of @G0DS0N1 ❄️ gives the @NZBreakers the massive win to keep their #NBL17 hopes alive. pic.twitter.com/v5W0Z44LUA
— NBL (@NBL) January 15, 2017
Dillard delivered another major performance in Wollongong on January 20, finishing with 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists as New Zealand recovered from 13 points behind to defeat Illawarra 95-86. He made five three-pointers, including consecutive triples which tied the game late in the first half, while Penney (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Pledger (12 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) provided support. AJ Ogilvy (16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks) led Illawarra as the Breakers collected their third consecutive victory and climbed back into the finals race.
Two days later Dillard (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) helped New Zealand extend the streak to four games with an 86-82 victory over defending champion Perth at Vector Arena. Penney (25 points and 6 rebounds) and Carter (15 points and 5 rebounds) provided the main support, while Bryce Cotton (26 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) led Perth. The victory completed a remarkable turnaround from 8-12 to 12-12 and pushed the Breakers back into playoff contention despite 24 turnovers. “He’s been an awesome pick-up and we’re all very thankful he’s got a Breakers singlet on,” Penney said of Dillard.
The four-game winning streak ended against Cairns on January 26, where Dillard (9 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) was held to three field goals as New Zealand lost 94-81. Penney (18 points) and Mitchell (13 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) provided the main support, while Cameron Gliddon (26 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) led Cairns. The loss was compounded when Mitchell was accidentally poked in his left eye by Nnanna Egwu while contesting a rebound, dislodging his eyeball from its socket. His vision was restored after being taken to hospital, but Mitchell later returned to the United States for further specialist treatment and missed the final three games.
New Zealand then suffered its lowest-scoring performance of the season in Sydney on January 29, with Dillard (7 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) restricted to 22 minutes as the Kings defeated the Breakers 84-57. Penney (13 points and 7 rebounds) and Abercrombie (13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) were New Zealand’s leading scorers, while Greg Whittington (16 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal) led Sydney. The Breakers committed 25 turnovers and the consecutive losses left them 12-14 and requiring victories in their final two games and help elsewhere to reach the postseason.
Penney (17.4 points and 3.4 rebounds across 28 games) remained New Zealand’s leading scorer and was named both the Breakers’ team MVP and Fans MVP, while Abercrombie (11.7 points and 5.2 rebounds across 21 games) received the club’s Best Defensive Player award after missing seven games with his fractured right hand. Mitchell (9.5 points and 7.2 rebounds across 25 games) led the team in rebounding before his eye injury, while Pledger (8.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks across 28 games), Loe (7.1 points and 3.4 rebounds across 26 games) and Vukona (6.5 points and 5.1 rebounds across 27 games) provided the main frontcourt contributions. Penney and Pledger were the only Breakers to appear in all 28 games during an injury-hit season which saw New Zealand use 17 players.
With its season on the line, New Zealand travelled to Adelaide on February 4 and recovered from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the minor premiers 88-87. Dillard (20 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) made all seven of his free throws, including three consecutive foul shots which tied the game late, while Penney (21 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Loe (15 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) provided support. Daniel Johnson (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists) led Adelaide as the victory kept New Zealand’s playoff hopes alive entering its final game.
New Zealand closed the regular season against Melbourne on February 10 without Mitchell and Vukona, who had been hospitalised with a knee infection. Dillard (16 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) helped control the game despite making only four of 16 shots, while Penney (15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) and Delany (13 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block) provided support and Casper Ware (23 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) led Melbourne. New Zealand won 88-70, but Perth’s victory over Melbourne later in the round secured the final playoff position and left the Breakers fifth with a 14-14 record.
Kevin Dillard played one season in the NBL. He averaged 18.1 points, 4 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 29 | New Zealand | 14-14 (5) | 9 | 279 | 163 | 36 | 43 | 4 | 32 | 14 | 2 | 36 | 27 | 56 | 131 | 43% | 21 | 55 | 38% | 30 | 35 | 86% | 55% | 51% | 28 | Totals | 9 | 279 | 163 | 36 | 43 | 4 | 32 | 14 | 2 | 36 | 27 | 56 | 131 | 42.7% | 21 | 55 | 38.2% | 30 | 35 | 85.7% | 0.5566939891 | 0.5076335878 | 28 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 29 | New Zealand | 14-14 (5) | 9 | 31.0 | 18.1 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 0.4 | 3.6 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 6.2 | 14.6 | 43% | 2.3 | 6.1 | 38% | 3.3 | 3.9 | 86% | 55% | 51% | 28 | Total | 9 | 31.0 | 18.1 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 0.4 | 3.6 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 6.222222222 | 14.55555556 | 42.7% | 0.04749787956 | 0.04749787956 | 38.2% | 2.333333333 | 6.111111111 | 85.7% | 0.5566939891 | 0.5076335878 | 28 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 28 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
|---|
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Belgium - Antwerp Giants (2016) | France - Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez (2014–2015), Cholet (2015–2016) | Greece - Apollon Patras (2015–2016), PAOK (2017–2018) | Hungary - EGIS Körmend (2018), Soproni KC (2020–2021) | Israel - Maccabi Ashdod (2017) | Italy - Junior Casale (2013–2014) | Latvia - VEF Rīga (2014–2015) | North Macedonia - KK Gostivar (2022) | Romania - Dinamo București (2021) | Turkey - Pınar Karşıyaka (2016–2017), Sigortam.net İTÜ BB (2019–2020)
Kevin Dillard joined Junior Casale for the 2013–2014 Serie A2 season, playing his first season in Italy after signing on 7 August 2013.
In 2013–14 with Junior Casale, Dillard played 29 games and averaged 15.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, shooting 43.1% from the field, 35.2% on three-pointers, and 77.9% at the free throw line.
Dillard moved to VEF Rīga for the 2014–2015 season in Latvia, signing on 4 July 2014, and he appeared in four EuroLeague games with the club before parting ways on 8 November 2014.
He signed with Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez on 8 December 2014 and finished the 2014–2015 season in France’s top division, playing 23 league games and averaging 11.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 47.9% from the field, 34.1% from three-point range, and 78.9% at the free throw line.
Dillard returned to France with Cholet in 2015–2016, then moved mid-season to Greece with Apollon Patras on 25 November 2015 before finishing the 2015–2016 season in Belgium after signing with Antwerp Giants on 2 April 2016.
He joined Pınar Karşıyaka for the 2016–2017 season in Turkey after signing on 27 July 2016, then later played in Israel with Maccabi Ashdod in 2017 after signing on 22 February 2017, before returning to Greece to start 2017–2018 with PAOK Thessaloniki after signing on 8 July 2017.
After leaving PAOK on 4 November 2017, Dillard continued his European career with EGIS Körmend in Hungary from January 2018, later returning to Turkey with Sigortam.net İTÜ BB for 2019–2020 where he averaged 10.0 points and 5.6 assists per game, then moving back to Hungary with Soproni KC for 2020–2021, appearing in Romania for Dinamo București in 2021, and signing with KK Gostivar in North Macedonia on 27 February 2022.
COLLEGE
Kevin Dillard played college basketball at Southern Illinois during the 2008–09 and 2009–10 seasons before transferring to Dayton, where he competed from 2011 to 2013.
Dillard began his collegiate career with Southern Illinois in the 2008–09 season, appearing in 30 games as a freshman and starting 10 contests. He averaged 9.2 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game while shooting 41.4% from the field, 34.8% from three-point range, and 77.8% at the free-throw line. He recorded 20 double-figure scoring games, including a season-high 22 points against Missouri State, and finished the year with 91 assists against 68 turnovers.
As a sophomore in 2009–10, Dillard elevated his production significantly, starting 31 of 32 games and averaging 15.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game. He shot 42.0% from the field, 38.7% from beyond the arc, and 82.3% from the free-throw line. He posted 24 double-digit scoring performances and six 20-point games, including a 27-point outing against Illinois State. He finished the season with 134 assists and 74 made three-pointers. After the 2009/10 season, Dillard transferred to Dayton.
He had to sit out one season under NCAA rules.
Dillard became eligible for Dayton in the 2011–12 season and made an immediate impact, starting all 32 games as a junior. He averaged 13.3 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting 41.7% from the field, 34.0% from three-point range, and 79.2% from the free-throw line. He recorded 163 assists on the year, ranking among the Atlantic 10 leaders, and scored in double figures 21 times. His performance earned him All-Atlantic 10 Second Team honors as a junior.
In his senior season in 2012–13, Dillard started 30 of 31 games and averaged 18.7 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting 46.4% from the field, 37.6% from three, and 83.3% at the free-throw line. He led the Atlantic 10 in scoring and free throws made (180), recorded 17 games of 20 or more points, and surpassed the 30-point mark twice, including a 36-point performance against New Mexico in the NCAA Tournament. He finished his Dayton career with 1,018 points in two active seasons and was again named to the All-Atlantic 10 Second Team as a senior.
Across his four collegiate seasons between Southern Illinois and Dayton, Dillard appeared in 125 games, totaling over 1,900 career points and more than 450 assists, establishing himself as one of the Atlantic 10’s most productive guards during his tenure.
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