BIO: Luke Kendall was born in Melbourne, Victoria, and attended Box Hill Senior Secondary College. He began playing basketball as a junior with the Kilsyth Cobras program.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Luke Kendall made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 23 years of age. He scored 24 points in his first game.

The 2004/05 season was a memorable but bittersweet rookie campaign for Luke Kendall, who began his NBL career under the guidance of legendary coach Brian Goorjian. Kendall joined a Sydney Kings team aiming for history, as they sought to become the first team ever to win three consecutive NBL championships. Kendall immediately became the King’s starting point guard, allowing behind veteran star CJ Bruton to move to shooting guard.

Luke Kendall (12.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.3 assists 2.7 steals) showed promise early, competing closely with Brad Newley for the Rookie of the Year award before his season was cut short due to a devastating ACL injury.

Before the injury, he made 12 appearances, providing a valuable spark off the bench for a team stacked with talent. Jason Smith (19.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists) captained the squad to a first-place finish with a 21-11 record, leading the team on both ends of the floor. He was supported by Mark Sanford (16.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists) and Rolan Roberts (16.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists), who provided a strong inside presence. CJ Bruton (16.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists) was the team’s floor general, while Ben Knight (13.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists) added versatility in the frontcourt, replacing an exiting Matthew Nielsen.

Despite suffering a season-ending knee injury, Kendall was still part of a historic championship-winning team. The Kings entered the playoffs as minor premiers, defeating the Brisbane Bullets 2-0 in the semi-finals before dominating the Illawarra Hawks 3-0 in the Grand Final series. The Kings crushed Wollongong, winning Game 1 (96-73), Game 2 (105-80), and Game 3 (112-85) to claim their third consecutive title, with Jason Smith being awarded Grand Final MVP.

2005/06
The 2005/06 season was Luke Kendall’s second year in the NBL, as he continued to establish himself as part of the Sydney Kings’ rotation. After an injury-shortened rookie season, Kendall returned to play 37 games, averaging 12.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, along with 1.1 steals per game. Under head coach Brian Goorjian, the Kings once again dominated the regular season, finishing with a league-best 26-6 record and making their fourth consecutive NBL Grand Final appearance.

Kendall was joined by his former college teammate Mark Worthington, who made an immediate impact and went on to win NBL Rookie of the Year. The Kings were dominant throughout the regular season, winning a franchise-record 15 straight games, but their campaign suffered a setback when import center Rolan Roberts (12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) suffered a torn pectoral muscle during the NBL All-Star Dunk Contest. The team responded by signing Sedric Webber (13.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists) as a replacement.

After securing first place on the ladder, the Kings bypassed the Elimination and Quarterfinal rounds, advancing straight to the Semi-Finals, where they faced the Cairns Taipans. Sydney dominated Game 1 at home, winning 112-87, before sealing the series with an 84-82 victory in Cairns, booking their spot in the NBL Grand Final against the Melbourne Tigers.

In the Grand Final series, the Kings faced a red-hot Melbourne squad, led by Chris Anstey (22.5 points, 10 rebounds, and 3.8 assists). Despite a valiant effort, Sydney was swept 3-0, ending their bid for a fourth straight championship. The Kings lost Game 1 (100-93), Game 2 (88-83), and Game 3 (103-99), as Melbourne’s superior depth and Anstey’s MVP performances proved too much to overcome. Kendall played a key role in the series, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Tigers from claiming the title.

Despite the disappointing end to the season, Kendall emerged as a reliable backcourt option and continued to develop under Goorjian’s system. The Kings’ roster was filled with standout contributors, including CJ Bruton (18.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists), Jason Smith (16.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists), and Mark Worthington (11.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists), all of whom helped guide Sydney to another dominant season. Barlow (10.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists) also enjoyed a breakout season.

The season also marked a transition off the court, as Tim Johnston purchased the team for $2 million, later selling part ownership to Dorry Kordahi in 2007.

While the Kings fell short of another championship, Kendall’s continued contributions helped solidify his role in the team’s backcourt.

2006/07
The 2006/07 season marked another strong campaign for Luke Kendall and the Sydney Kings, but it ultimately ended in playoff heartbreak. With CJ Bruton departing for Brisbane in the offseason, Kendall took on an increased role in the backcourt rotation under head coach Brian Goorjian. Playing in 36 games, he averaged 11.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, providing steady playmaking and perimeter defense for a Kings team that finished fourth on the ladder with a 20-13 record.

Despite being dominant at home (14-2), Sydney struggled on the road (6-11), which proved costly in the playoffs. The Kings earned a bye in the Elimination Finals before crushing the Townsville Crocodiles 122-89 in the Quarterfinals, setting up a semi-final showdown against Bruton’s Brisbane Bullets—the team that had established itself as the most dominant in NBL history.

The semi-finals proved to be Sydney’s final hurdle, as Brisbane’s stacked roster, featuring Bruton, Sam MacKinnon, and Ebi Ere, overwhelmed them. In Game 1, the Kings fought hard but fell 91-84 on the road, with Russell Hinder (19 points, 12 rebounds) and Mark Worthington (18 points) leading the way. Kendall contributed 11 points and 5 assists, but it wasn’t enough to slow down Ebi Ere (22 points) and Dusty Rychart (16 points).

Returning home for Game 2, Sydney aimed to force a deciding game, but Brisbane closed out the series with a 93-86 win. Kendall had another strong outing, finishing with 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Hinder (16 points) and Worthington (14 points) did their best to keep the Kings alive. However, Bruton (21 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter) and Ere (23 points) proved too much, eliminating Sydney from the playoffs.

Despite the disappointing end to the season, Kendall was part of a talented roster that saw several players step up. Mark Worthington (15.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists) led the team in scoring, while David Barlow (15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) returned from injury to boost the squad late in the season. The Kings’ depth was tested, with players like Rodney Elliott (14.5 points, 6.6 rebounds) and Ed Scott (12.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists) stepping up in key moments.

Meanwhile, Brisbane went on to complete one of the most dominant seasons in NBL history, winning 21 straight games to close the regular season before defeating Melbourne 3-1 in the Grand Final. Sam MacKinnon (18.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists) was named league MVP and Finals MVP, capping off a historic campaign.

For Kendall, the season was another step in his development as a key backcourt contributor. While the Kings fell short of a championship, his growth as a playmaker and defender ensured he remained an important piece of Sydney’s rotation heading into the next season.

2007/08
The 2007/08 season saw Luke Kendall continue his role as a key backcourt contributor for the Sydney Kings, as they dominated the regular season and came agonizingly close to claiming another championship. Under head coach Brian Goorjian, Sydney steamrolled the competition, finishing with a league-best 27-3 record, including an eight-game winning streak to close the season.

Kendall appeared in 38 games, averaging 11.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, forming a versatile backcourt alongside Dontaye Draper (13.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists) and Jason Smith (12.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists). The Kings’ offense was one of the most balanced in the league, with six players averaging double figures, including Mark Worthington (17.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists), Isiah Victor (10.8 points and 5.4 rebounds), and Glen Saville (10.6 points and 6 rebounds).

The Kings clinched the No. 1 seed, advancing directly to the semi-finals, where they faced the Perth Wildcats. The series was a hard-fought battle, with Kendall making key contributions throughout. In Game 1, he helped Sydney secure a 101-98 victory, while in Game 2, he scored 15 points but couldn’t prevent a 94-85 loss in Perth. The decisive Game 3 saw Sydney dominate 109-77, with Kendall playing a key role in helping the Kings advance to the Grand Final for a highly anticipated rematch with Melbourne.

The Grand Final series was one for the ages. Sydney took Game 1 convincingly (95-74), with Mark Worthington erupting for 35 points, while Kendall provided steady backcourt play. However, Melbourne responded in Game 2, winning 104-93 behind David Barlow (24 points) and Chris Anstey (21 points and 9 rebounds). Game 3 saw Sydney suffer a heartbreaking 89-87 loss, despite a fierce comeback in the final minutes.

Facing elimination, Sydney delivered one of the greatest comebacks in NBL Grand Final history in Game 4. The Kings trailed by 18 points late in the third quarter (72-54) but staged a stunning rally, led by Isiah Victor (23 points and 9 rebounds) and Dontaye Draper (8 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals off the bench), to secure a 90-87 victory and force a deciding Game 5.

Game 5 was played in front of a sellout crowd of 10,244—the Kings’ first in five years. Sydney fought hard but ultimately fell 85-73, with Kendall contributing 7 points in the loss. Chris Anstey (21 points) and Dave Thomas (21 points) led the Tigers, while Worthington (17 points) was the Kings’ top scorer. Anstey was named Finals MVP, capping a dominant series where he averaged 22.8 points and 10.4 rebounds.

Despite the heartbreaking end to the season, Kendall was part of a historic Kings squad that dominated the league. The team’s balance and depth made them one of the strongest regular-season teams in NBL history, but off-court uncertainty loomed large. Just days after the Grand Final, head coach Brian Goorjian stepped down, and by June 2008, the Kings’ license was revoked due to financial issues.

MELBOURNE TIGERS
2008/09
The 2008/09 season saw Luke Kendall embark on an unexpected journey, starting the year without a team following the financial collapse of the Sydney Kings. With the Kings’ ownership unraveling under the fraudulent dealings of Firepower CEO Tim Johnston, players were left stranded, unpaid, and without a club to return to. Kendall, who had been living in Sydney and waiting for an opportunity, was left without an NBL contract as teams finalized their rosters. That lifeline came in the form of the Perth Wildcats, who signed him as an injury replacement player. In his 12-game stint with Perth, Kendall averaged 8.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, making the most of his temporary role. However, once the Wildcats’ injured players returned, Kendall was again left searching for a team.

That opportunity came in March when the Melbourne Tigers, looking to solidify their backcourt depth, signed Kendall to a full contract for the remainder of the season. His first game in a Tigers uniform was ironically against the Wildcats, the team that had briefly thrown him a lifeline. With Melbourne, Kendall played 18 games, averaging 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, providing valuable minutes off the bench. The Tigers, led by Chris Anstey (18.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.6 blocks) and David Barlow (14.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists), remained a championship contender, despite missing key forward Dave Thomas (8.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists) for the first half of the season due to injury.

The regular season saw Melbourne finish with a 20-10 record, securing second place behind their crosstown rivals, the South Dragons, setting up an all-Melbourne Grand Final for the first time in NBL history.

The Grand Final series began with the Dragons making a statement in Game 1, defeating the Tigers 93-81 after holding Melbourne to just 36 points in the second half. Mark Worthington (23 points) led the way for the Dragons, while Anstey (21 points and 9 rebounds) was Melbourne’s best performer. The Tigers responded in Game 2 with a hard-fought 88-83 win, holding off a late Dragons rally. Barlow (26 points) and Anstey (21 points and 9 rebounds) were instrumental in the win, while import Donta Smith (18 points and 6 rebounds) paced the Dragons.

Game 3 took an explosive turn when Anstey was ejected in the third quarter after a clash with Dragons guard Rhys Carter. The altercation resulted in a melee that saw Mika Vukona also thrown out, and with their captain missing, the Tigers collapsed in an 84-67 defeat. Smith (18 points) took over in the final period, scoring 10 points as the Dragons capitalized on Melbourne’s unraveling. With no suspensions handed down by the league, Game 4 saw Anstey (31 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists) return with a vengeance, delivering to lead the Tigers to a 108-95 victory, setting up a decisive Game 5.

With 9,000 fans packed into Hisense Arena, the Dragons overpowered the Tigers in Game 5, winning 102-81 to claim their first NBL championship. Tremmell Darden (31 points) exploded for 21 points in the final quarter, while Smith (21 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists) controlled the game, nearly posting a triple-double. Anstey (12 points and 3 rebounds) was again contained by Worthington and Vukona, while Ere (16 points) and Barlow (16 points) were Melbourne’s only consistent scorers. Smith was named Finals MVP after averaging 18.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists over the five-game series.

2009/10
The 2009/10 season saw Luke Kendall take on a larger role with the Melbourne Tigers, but it ultimately became a frustrating year for both him and the team. Melbourne had high hopes heading into the season after acquiring Mark Worthington, Kendall’s former college and Sydney Kings teammate, from the now-defunct South Dragons. Worthington joined a roster that already included Chris Anstey, Sam Mackinnon, and rising star Daniel Johnson. However, the team was plagued by injuries from the outset; first, Ben Knight (4.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists) was ruled out for the year after rupturing a quad tendon in his right knee just four games into the season. Anstey missed 12 games, Kendall missed 17 games, and co-captain Nathan Crosswell was sidelined for half the season with a fractured finger. With Crosswell out for three weeks, the Tigers were forced to turn to small forward Julius Hodge (17.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.2 steals) to run the offense, a role he never quite seemed comfortable in. Prior to Crosswell’s injury, Melbourne had just won back-to-back games for the first time all season, and despite sitting at the bottom of the ladder, they held aspirations of winning seven of their final nine games to sneak into the playoffs. However, the lack of continuity proved costly, and the team struggled to find consistent momentum.

Despite the instability, Worthington (16.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists) carried the team, appearing in all 28 games, while Kendall (12.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists) became a key rotation player and provided stability in the backcourt when healthy. Worthington’s strong play led the Tigers on a brief three-game winning streak, but any hopes of salvaging a playoff push quickly faded, as Melbourne dropped their last four games to finish with an 11-17 record, falling well short of postseason contention. Kendall’s season was particularly frustrating due to his extended absences, which prevented him from establishing a consistent rhythm. With backcourt minutes constantly shifting between Kendall, Daryl Corletto (9.8 points per game), and others, he struggled to solidify his role as the season progressed and ultimately faded out of the rotation.

The disappointing campaign also marked the end of an era for Melbourne, as long-time teammates Anstey (9.8 points, 5.6 rebounds) and Mackinnon (8.0 points, 4.4 rebounds) announced their retirements together at the conclusion of the season. Anstey, who had battled injuries all year, posted his lowest numbers since his breakout 1996 season and was a shadow of the dominant force that had led Melbourne to multiple championships. Johnson’s emergence as the league’s Most Improved Player was one of the few bright spots, as he increased his scoring from 2.7 points to 10.6 points per game, showing signs of being Melbourne’s big man of the future.

For Kendall, the season ended on a disappointing note as he struggled to solidify a long-term place in the Tigers’ plans. After finishing the previous season as a depth piece in their Grand Final run, he had hoped for a bigger role, but the team’s struggles, injuries, and inconsistent rotations left him without the opportunity to establish himself. With Melbourne heading into an offseason of change, Kendall’s future in the NBL remained uncertain.

GOLD COAST BLAZE
2010/11
The 2010/11 season proved to be a challenging one for Luke Kendall, marked by brief appearances and limited opportunities. Kendall initially began the season with the resurrected Sydney Kings, playing just one game in November before parting ways with the team. After a period without a club, Kendall joined the Gold Coast Blaze in February 2011, finishing the season with the team but struggling to find consistent playing time.

The Blaze faced their share of adversity, with injuries significantly impacting the roster. Anthony Petrie (15 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists) was sidelined for the remainder of the season after just three games, while captain James Harvey (14.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) missed nearly half the season, appearing in only 18 games due to injury. Mark Worthington (16.8 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists), Kendall’s former teammate from college and the Sydney Kings, was also absent for eight games, prompting the team to sign Ater Majok (2.8 points, 2.3 rebounds) on a short-term injury replacement contract after Majok had been released from a similar role with the Perth Wildcats just one month earlier.

Gold Coast had initially pinned their hopes on imports Ira Clark and James Maye. Clark (17.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) quickly became a fan favorite with his explosive, above-the-rim play, while Maye (7.5 points, 3 rebounds) battled injuries and was released after only two appearances.

Despite these disruptions, the Blaze remained competitive, anchored by Clark and standout guard Adam Gibson (13 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists), who both earned All-NBL First Team honors. Young talent Chris Goulding (11.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists) also emerged as a key contributor.

Throughout Kendall’s tenure, the Blaze hovered around sixth place, remaining in playoff contention until late in the season. Unfortunately, their postseason aspirations faded down the stretch, as Gold Coast managed only two victories from their final five games. They concluded the year sixth overall with a 13-15 record, narrowly missing the playoffs.

Kendall, in a limited role, averaged modest numbers (1.9 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists) across eight games for the Blaze, unable to find a consistent place in the rotation. It was a difficult campaign for Kendall, whose contributions were limited due to the team’s fluctuating roster and his own challenges in securing significant playing opportunities.

Luke Kendall played nine seasons across four NBL teams. This included the Sydney Kings, Melbourne Tigers, Perth Wildcats and Gold Coast Blaze. He averaged 10.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 173 NBL games.

Dan Boyce (832 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.