BIO: Born in Bunbury, Western Australia, Worthington grew up in the nearby town of Australind, where he attended Australind Primary School and Australind Senior High School.

FAMILY: Worthington’s father, Greg, is a basketball coach who has been involved with the South West Slammers. His brother, Trent, played for many years with the Slammers’ SBL team.

Worthington and his wife, Andrea, have two sons, Taz and Axel.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Mark Worthington made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 22 years of age. He scored 16 points in his first game.

As a rookie, Worthington averaged 11.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists as the Kings finished with a record of 26-6 and in first place during the regular season.

2006/07
In 2006/07, Worthington averaged 15.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, playing a key role in the King’s rotation, helping the team finish reach a fourth place finish in the regular season with a 20-13 record.

2007/08
The Kings had been drifting further and further away from the championship since completing a three-peat in 2005. A grand final loss in 2006, a semi-final exit in 2005 and losing veteran Brad Sheridan to retirement and their second-leading scorer David Barlow prompted Sydney to re-tool their roster. The Kings would start by making a huge offer to Illawarra Hawks star Glen Saville, one which he couldn’t refuse. Imports Jerome Beasley and Ed Scott were replaced with Dontaye Draper and Isiah Victor and the Kings started the season off on fire.

Sydney won their first five games until they suffered a upset loss to rival club West Sydney, but backed this up by winning the next seven games in a row.

Worthington averaged 17.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists alongside Mark Worthington (17.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals) who delivered his best season to date, leading the Kings in both scoring and rebounds. Draper (13.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals), who led the team in assists and steals, provided the leadership needed at the point as the Kings delivered a balanced attack with six players averaging double figures, including Jason Smith (12.9 ppg), Luke Kendall (11.3 ppg), Victor (10.8 ppg) and Saville (10.6 ppg).

The Kings would finish the regular season with a 27-3 record, losing only one home game all season and ending the season on a eight game winning streak. Sydney clinched top spot on the ladder (five games ahead of Melbourne) after winning their last eight games of the season. With the league’s top eight team’s advancing to the playoffs, Sydney and Melbourne (22-8), would automatically advance to the semi finals. There they would face Perth and Brisbane respectively. Sydney would defeat Perth in three games, while Melbourne eliminated Brisbane to face each other in the best-of-five Grand Final series.

Worthington would erupt for 35 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists in game one in front of the home crowd, with the Kings convincingly winning Game one, 95-74. The key to the victory being the defensive efforts from Ian Crosswhite (11 points, 9 rebounds), Russell Hinder (4 points, 3 rebounds and Worthington, who held NBL MVP Chris Anstey to a mere 12 points

game two shifted to Melbourne and behind former King David Barlow (24 points), Sean Lampley (21 points) and a resurgent Anstey (21 points and 9 rebounds) the Tigers defeated Sydney 104-93.

game three saw Melbourne survive a fierce final quarter comeback behind a 89-87 victory, witnessed by 6,009 Kings fans at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Melbourne had allowed a 78-66 three-quarter-time lead to disappear by the fourth quarter, where they trailed by four points with just under four minutes to play. However, they outscored Sydney 7-1 in the game’s remaining moments, which saw import forward Sean Lampley clinching the game with a three-pointer to make it 89-87 victory with just 12 seconds remaining. With Sydney unable to respond, Anstey finished with 27 points and 15 rebounds for the Tigers, while Kings star Mark Worthington top-scored again for Sydney with 22 points.

The Kings made sure the same result wouldn’t happen in game four, thanks to inspired performances by injured guard Dontaye Draper (8 points, 4 assists and 2 steals) and forward Isiah Victor (23 points, 9 rebounds), the Sydney Kings came back from the dead to extend the series to a fifth game. To win, the Kings staged the biggest last-quarter comeback ever in a NBL Grand Final, trailing by as much as 18 points (72-54) late in the third quarter. Draper, who was not expected to play because of a hamstring injury, sat on the bench for almost all of the first three quarters. But, after coming on late in the third term, he scored eight points in the final quarter, including two crucial three-pointers, to help lift his side to a 90-87 victory, culminating with Kings coach Brian Goorjian running laps around our court with a clenched fist. Isiah Victor led the Kings with 23 points and 9 rebounds, while Chris Anstey led the Tigers, recording his second-highest score of the season, adding 33 points and eight rebounds in the losing effort.

Many expected the Tigers to roll over after the emotional game four loss, especially with game five being played a mere 48 hours later. The game was played in front of a sellout crowd of 10,244 (the King’s first sellout since 2003), and although Sydney finished the first quarter in front, the Tigers outscored them (28-19) in the second and at the end of the third, the Tigers held a 61-63 lead. In the series thus far, Sydney had outscored Melbourne 97-59 in the four previous fourth quarters, but with Tigers duo Chris Anstey and Dave Thomas both delivering 21 point games, Melbourne rebounded to defeat Sydney 85-73. Anstey, who had averaged 22.8 points and 10.4 rebounds over the five games, was fittingly named Finals MVP and in doing so, became only the second player ever (Sam MacKinnon had achieved the feat in 2007) to win a NBL championship, the season MVP, Grand Final MVP and Best Defensive Player all in the same season.

Mark Worthington led the Kings with 17 points while Jason Smith and Luke Kendall both finished with 7 points each, unable to get the types of shots they generally made.

On 24 March 2008, coach Brian Goorjian quit the club after a mutual agreement, and on 12 June 2008, the NBL terminated the Sydney team’s licence as Firepower collapsed and the Kings were unable to pay player salaries.

2008/09
The Dragons retained five players heading into their third season. Ingles, the blue-collar Matt Burston, wing Nathan Herbert, the naturalised Nick Horvath, and import Cortez Groves. The demise of the Sydney Kings saw legendary coach Brian Goorjian open to offers, and the Dragons quickly offered to bring him to Melbourne and replace Shane Heal. Talented point guard Adam Gibson also joined the roster after his team (Brisbane) also exited the league. Other new additions saw Tremmell Darden signed on as the team’s second import, Mika Vukona (via New Zealand) was brought in to add a new found physicality to the squad and Rhys Carter (via West Sydney), who due to having no NBL team’s interested in signing him, asked Goorjian if he could train with the team to keep in shape and his efforts were enough for Goorjian to offer him the backup point guard spot.

The season began with a slow start, a loss to Cairns and then Townsville saw the Dragons start the year with a 2-2 record. Then came a eight game winning streak which ended with Groves suffering a season ending injury which led to his release. The Dragons were 16-4 when Donta Smith was axed from his Chinese team Shanxi Zhongyu (making room for NBA star Bonzi Wells) and Goorjian, who was aware of Smith from his time playing for the Atlanta Hawks, quickly signed him as Groves replacement. Smith had dropped 41 and 35 point games in his last few weeks playing in China, but started his NBL campaign much quieter in comparison. Seven games in and Smith was still coming off the bench and yet to score over 14 in a game. During this time however, his talent was never questioned, as he was able to always fill the stat sheet in almost every other area which ensured the Dragons finished the season on top of the ladder (22-8).

Mark Worthington led the team in both points and rebounds (16.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.3 steals) while Smith finished up second on the team in scoring and first in assists (15 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals). Adam Gibson and Joe Ingles would earn the NBL’s Best Defensive Player and Rookie of the Year awards before heading into the playoffs, where the Dragons received a first-round bye (due to finishing top of the ladder) and meeting Townsville in the semifinals. The Dragons defeated Townsville at home in both game one (94-81) and game three (101-78), while on the other side of the bracket, the Melbourne Tigers defeated the NZ Breakers in two straight games, setting up a ‘All Melbourne’ Grand Final.

In game one, the Dragons defeated the Tigers by double digits (93–81) after holding Melbourne to 36 points in the second half. Mark Worthington (23 points) top scored for the Dragons, while Anstey (21 points and 9 rebounds) led the way for the Tigers.

After leading by 14 points midway through the final quarter of game two, the Tigers fought off a late comeback by the Dragons to win on the Tigers home court (88-83). David Barlow (26 points) and Anstey (21 points and 9 rebounds) finished as the Tigers’ best, and import Donta Smith (18 points and 6 rebounds) top scoring for the Dragons.

In game three, the series became front-page news after a clash between Anstey and Dragons backup point guard Rhys Carter. a incident that saw the Tigers star big man charged with ‘striking – with elbow’ after the altercation with Carter in the third quarter of the grand final series before being ejected from the match (along with Dragons forward Mika Vukona, who was involved in the subsequent on-court melee). The game was a bloodbath after Anstey’s ejection, with the Dragons hammering the defending champions 84-67 at Hisense Arena. The Dragons were led by Donta Smith (18 points), who scored 10 points in the final period.

After the NBL tribunal decided they wouldn’t suspend any players for the melee, game four saw Carter (17 points), who copped the brunt of Anstey’s anger in Game 3, came back with a big game but Anstey (31 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists) also erupted for his team in game four, propelling Melbourne to victory (108-95) and setting up a fifth and final game to decide the NBL championship.

Game five saw 9,000 fans packed Hisense Arena to witness the Dragons beat the Tigers by 21 points (102-81) and become NBL champions. Tremmell Darden (31 points) was the key for the Dragons in this game, scoring 21 points in the final quarter, and Donta Smith (21 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists) did the rest, almost notching up a triple-double. Worthington and Mika Vukona were able to limit the impact of limit Anstey (12 points and 3 rebounds) yet again, with Ebi Ere and David Barlow (16 points each) the only Tigers’ players able to make a impact.

Donta Smith was named MVP of the Finals after averaging 18.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists over the five-game series.

Although initial reports had the Dragons regrouping for a run at back to back titles, in a surprise move, the club announced it would withdraw from the NBL less than two months after hoisting the trophy. Although in a positive financial position, Dragons ownership felt that due to the league’s instability and focus on stablising itself conflicted with their goals of continuing to grow.

“The Dragons’ board of directors believe that more time is required to develop the league as a commercially viable entity,” said co-owner Mark Cowan at the time. “The Dragons aspire to play at the highest level, to the highest standards, in a fully professional league. This is a sad day for our club, but in many ways, it’s the only way forward for a sport which needs some time to reinvent itself.”

Cowan further addressed the club’s decision in a letter to Dragons members, outlining the testing time that it was for everyone involved across the league.

“The NBL is a mess,” stated Cowan. “In the last two years, team’s in Brisbane and Sydney have collapsed. Singapore pulled out of the league. Cairns and the Sydney Spirit had major financial crises. Fox Sports severely cut its telecasts, and mainstream media interest has waned. Crowds fall every year. Basketball Australia and the NBL owners decided something had to be done, so we handed in our licences on the condition that a reform process would be undertaken.”

2009/10
Thanks to the demise of the South Dragons in 2009, Mark Worthington, who found himself without a team, joined Melbourne to pair with Boomers teammate Chris Anstey in the frontcourt. Anstey’s body would struggle through the 2009/10 season, however, missing a large amount of the team’s games due to a recurring back injury. Even when he was able to suit up, Anstey (9.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game) was a shadow of himself on the court, putting up his worst numbers since his 1996 breakout season with the Magic. His absence would benefit rising star Daniel Johnson, who improved his numbers from 2.7 points and 1.9 rebounds to 10.6 points and 4.3 rebounds, including a career-high 17 points effort against Adelaide.

The Tigers’ injury woes didn’t finish with Anstey. New addition Ben Knight (4.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists) managed only four games before suffering a season ending injury after he jumped to get a loose ball against Gold Coast Blaze big man Pero Cameron. This was later diagnosed as a ruptured quad tendon in his right knee. Co-captain Nathan Crosswell was sidelined with a fractured finger for three weeks, forcing versatile import Julius Hodge to switch from small forward to point guard. Prior to Crosswell’s injury, the Tigers had just won their first set of back-to-back games for the year and, despite being last on the ladder, hoped to win seven of the team’s last nine games. After winning their next three games in a row, the Tigers fell well short, however, losing four games in a row to end the season in sixth place (11-17).

After failing to make the playoffs, Long time teammates Anstey and MacKinnon announced their retirements together at the end of the season. Worthington averaged 16.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2 assists.

The Tigers’ injury woes didn’t finish with Anstey. New addition Ben Knight (4.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists) managed only four games before suffering a season ending injury after he jumped to get a loose ball against Gold Coast Blaze big man Pero Cameron. This was later diagnosed as a ruptured quad tendon in his right knee. Co-captain Nathan Crosswell was sidelined with a fractured finger for three weeks, forcing versatile import Julius Hodge to switch from small forward to point guard. Prior to Crosswell’s injury, the Tigers had just won their first set of back-to-back games for the year and, despite being last on the ladder, hoped to win seven of the team’s last nine games. After winning their next three games in a row, the Tigers fell well short, however, losing four games in a row to end the season in sixth place (11-17).

After failing to make the playoffs, Anstey and Sam MacKinnon announced their retirements.

GOLD COAST BLAZE
2010/11
In 2010, following the dual retirements of Chris Anstey and Sam MacKinnon, the Melbourne Tigers undertook a significant roster overhaul, creating an opportunity for Mark Worthington to sign with the Gold Coast Blaze.

Worthington (16.8 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) delivered another strong individual campaign despite missing eight games due to injury. His absence prompted the Blaze to sign Ater Majok (2.8 points, 2.3 rebounds) on a short-term injury replacement deal, just one month after Majok had been released from a similar role with the Perth Wildcats. Majok later departed before the end of the season, seeking opportunities in the United States ahead of the 2011 NBA Draft.

Injuries significantly impacted the Blaze throughout the season. Anthony Petrie (15 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists) was sidelined for the remainder of the year after only three games, while team captain James Harvey (14.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) missed almost half the season, appearing in just 18 games. These setbacks severely disrupted team chemistry and continuity.

Around this time, the team also added Worthington’s former Tigers, Kings, and college teammate Luke Kendall. Kendall initially began the season with the resurrected Sydney Kings, playing just one game in November before parting ways with the team. After an extended period without a club, Kendall joined the Blaze in February 2011, though he struggled to find consistent playing time, averaging modest numbers (1.9 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists) across eight appearances.

Gold Coast had initially hoped for a boost from their import duo of Ira Clark and James Maye. Clark (17.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) quickly became a fan favourite with his electrifying, above-the-rim play, while Maye battled injuries and was released after appearing in only two games.

Despite these disruptions, the Blaze remained competitive, anchored by the consistent play of Clark and standout guard Adam Gibson (13 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists), who both earned All-NBL First Team honours. Additionally, Chris Goulding (11.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists) emerged as a promising young talent for the team.

Gold Coast maintained sixth position for much of the season, staying within reach of playoff contention until late in the campaign. However, their postseason hopes faded down the stretch, as they managed only two victories from their final five games. They finished the season with a 13-15 record, narrowly missing the playoffs.

2011/12
In 2011/12, Worthington averaged 14.3 points and 6.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, as the Blaze finished in third place with a 17-11 record.

MELBOURNE TIGERS
2013/14
Over in the west, former Melbourne coach Trevor Gleeson had replaced Rob Beveridge, who at that time had a verbal agreement with Mark Worthington to play for the Wildcats. With Beveridge gone and Anstey knowing Worthington wasn’t keen to play for Gleeson he quickly signed him to return to play with the Tigers.

Yep, @PerthWildcats fans. @Wortho33 had agreed to come back to the Wildcat’s in 2013.

But, as he says. the rest is history.

Full Rewind podcast with Mark Worthington 👇
Watch: https://t.co/1fMGAK7DWw
Listen: https://t.co/g327OUZf4h pic.twitter.com/AISEvpBgYS— NBL (@NBL) September 4, 2020

Anstey then added Canadian Scott Morrison and Stephen Dennis as imports to the core group of Lucas Walker, Nate Tomlinson, Adam Ballinger and team captain Tommy Greer.

Days before the Tigers season opener Dennis injured his Achilles tendon in pre-season training, resulting in Melbourne signing former import Ayinde Ubaka, who played with Anstey during the 2011/12 season, as a last minute replacement.

On 10 October 2013, Worthington was recognised by being named in the Sydney Kings 25th Anniversary Team.

The Tigers season also began with club MVP Chris Goulding and captain Tommy Greer both on the injured list and after a sluggish start (3-4) the Tigers released the underperforming Ubaka (5.3 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists) mid-season for the second time in three years. He was replaced by former LA Clippers guard Mustapha Farrakhan (10.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists) while the Tigers floundered through the first half of the season (6-6).

Once healthy, Goulding offensive talents were on full display, none moreso than on 9 March 2014, when he scored a career-high 50 points in the Tigers’ 92–82 win over the Sydney Kings. It was the NBL’s first individual 50-point game in the 40-minute era. He was subsequently crowned the NBL scoring champion for the 2013/14 season. With Goulding (22.8 points, 3.2 rebunds, 2.8 assists) and Worthington (14.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists) leading the team offensively, Melbourne finished the season strongly, finishing in third place and reaching the semi finals for the first time in five seasons. Worthington also added 14 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2 assists over the course of the season.

Facing Adelaide in the semifinals, Melbourne would lose the opening game of the series (101-85) thanks to an explosive performance from Gary Ervin (27 points and 7 assists).

Game two would then shift to Melbourne where Tigers guard Chris Goulding exploded for 37 points, allowing the Tigers to even the series behind a 98-87 victory.

In game three, Adelaide finished the job, demolishing Melbourne with a 102-63 victory which included holding them to a 27-point half-time score and winning every quarter by 7 points or more.

2014/15 – TIGERS BECOME UNITED
On 20 May 2014, the franchise was re-branded as Melbourne United. The change was a attempt to move away from the Melbourne Tigers junior program which was a team synonymous with ‘poaching’ young talent from other junior programs in Victoria and had negative connotations with much of Victoria’s basketball community. The name, attempting to symbolise a connection to all of Victorian basketball was a decision made by owner Larry Kestelman.

The team retained head coach Chris Anstey and added Tigers legend Daryl Corletto who had spent three years with the New Zealand Breakers. Australian Boomers players David Barlow, who had spent the past five years in Europe and Daniel Kickert signed on with the club as long time captain of the club Tommy Greer retired.

The team retained their Tigers core of Mark Worthington, Lucas Walker and Nate Tomlinson who were all chosen to share the captaincy this season and their last move was to complement the squad by signing their import talent, adding Jordan McRae and Stephen Dennis.

Adam Ballinger, who had signed a two-year deal the previous season, was a part of the team up until the week before the season when United chose to release him. a unfavorable situation for Ballinger as every other NBL team had completed their rosters, leaving Ballinger nowhere to negotiate. He was eventually signed by Illawarra and played the remainder of the season with the Hawks.

United’s inaugural season began with a loss to Cairns (89–61) which saw coach Chris Anstey resign and replaced by his assistant Darryl McDonald. Worthington would average 12.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists as United went on to finish the season in fifth place (13–15), missing out on the playoffs.

CAIRNS TAIPANS
2015/16
After becoming the first regional team since Geelong in 1984 to finish first with a 21-7 record before losing the Grand Final series 2-0 to New Zealand, Cairns returned under coach Aaron Fearne for 2015/16. Scottie Wilbekin (to Philadelphia), Mitchell Young (to Townsville), Corey Maynard (to Townsville) and Nathan Sobey (to Adelaide) departed, while Markel Starks (via Ferentino), Mark Worthington (via Melbourne) and Damon Heuir (via Cairns development player) joined and Torrey Craig re-signed. Wilbekin left for an NBA opportunity with Philadelphia, while Sobey used free agency to sign a multi-year deal with Adelaide and Maynard was released at his own request to pursue increased playing time.

The veteran forward signed a two-year deal with Cairns on July 7 after spending the previous two seasons in Melbourne, adding experience to the Taipans following their Grand Final appearance.

Cairns opened the season at the Cairns Convention Centre against Illawarra on October 8, where the new forward (12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals) came from the bench as Gliddon (19 points and 4 assists) and Weigh (15 points) helped the Taipans defeat the Hawks 79-74, while Penney (12 points) was Illawarra’s equal-leading scorer.

Worthington (11.3 points and 4.8 rebounds across 28 games) appeared in every game, starting 25 after coming from the bench in the opening three games, and did not miss a game through injury or illness.

Cairns added Jack White (via BA Centre of Excellence) to a development-player deal in January, with White (0 points across 2 games) called up as injury cover before later moving to Duke University.

On January 13, Worthington (22 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block) played his 300th NBL game at the Cairns Convention Centre, but Melbourne defeated the Taipans 83-65. Craig (20 points and 15 rebounds) and Starks (10 points) provided Cairns’ other main scoring, while Holt (19 points and 6 rebounds) led United as Cairns fell to 9-13.

Ten days later, Worthington (8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) provided the pass for one of the season’s highlights against New Zealand. With 0.8 seconds remaining in the first quarter, he heaved the inbounds pass downcourt to Craig (13 points and 8 rebounds), who caught the ball in the air and banked in a 45-foot shot as Cairns recovered to defeat the Breakers 90-87. Gliddon (23 points and 3 assists) led the Taipans, while Abercrombie (23 points and 4 rebounds) led New Zealand.

Worthington’s best game of the season came against Adelaide at the Cairns Convention Centre on February 5, where he made 7-of-12 shots and three three-pointers to finish with 24 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals as Cairns defeated the 36ers 95-89. Gliddon (19 points and 2 steals) and Craig (10 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) provided support, while Gibson (21 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Adelaide. The win improved Cairns to 12-14 with two games remaining, although the six-point margin fell short of the 11 points needed to claim the season-series tiebreaker if the teams finished level.

Captain Gliddon (13.5 points and 4.3 rebounds across 28 games) led Cairns in scoring and was named club MVP, while Starks (12.5 points across 26 games), Craig (11.6 points and 6.1 rebounds across 28 games), Tragardh (7.9 points across 26 games), Weigh (7.9 points and 3.2 rebounds across 20 games), Loughton (6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds across 28 games), Bruce (5.9 points across 28 games) and Burston (5.5 points and 5.6 rebounds across 27 games) provided the other major contributions. Craig received the Members’ Choice MVP award, Bruce won the Coaches Award and Players’ Player award, Worthington was named Best Defensive Player and Weigh received the Commitment to Community award. Cairns went 11-3 at home but won only once in 14 road games. During February, the veteran forward was also appointed head coach of QBL women’s side the Cairns Dolphins.

Cairns’ season ended in Townsville on February 11, where Worthington (13 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists), Gliddon (16 points) and Weigh (14 points and 5 rebounds) led the Taipans, but Samhan (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks) helped the Crocodiles win 85-68, leaving Cairns sixth with a 12-16 record and outside the playoffs.

2016/17
Cairns entered 2016/17 after finishing sixth with a 12-16 record and missing the playoffs the previous season, with Aaron Fearne returning as head coach and Cameron Gliddon remaining captain. Markel Starks (to Cremona), Torrey Craig (to Brisbane), Shaun Bruce (to Brisbane), Cameron Tragardh (released), Matt Burston (not re-signed) and Jack White (to Duke) departed, while Alex Loughton, Stephen Weigh and Damon Heuir returned. Nathan Jawai (via Perth) returned to his hometown club, Jarrad Weeks (via Illawarra) joined the backcourt and Travis Trice (via Westchester), Fuquan Edwin (via Ironi Nes Ziona), Nnanna Egwu (via Erie) and Mitchell McCarron (via Palencia) were added.

Cairns opened the season at Perth Arena on October 8, where Worthington (9 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) played 35 minutes off the bench as the Taipans lost 84-74 in overtime. Gliddon (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Egwu (14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) led Cairns, while Jaron Johnson (26 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Casey Prather (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Perth.

Worthington (9.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across 28 games) returned for the second season of his two-year deal and appeared in 26 of Cairns’ 28 regular-season games and both semifinals, starting 25 times after coming from the bench in the opening three games. He played through a serious shoulder injury for the final seven weeks which doctors said required reconstruction and became a game-to-game prospect late in the season. He missed only two regular-season games, sitting out the January 6 win over New Zealand with no separate injury or illness reported before being rested with shoulder soreness against Perth on January 16.

Cairns fell to 0-3 in Adelaide on October 21, where Worthington (11 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists) was struck by an elbow from Terrance Ferguson (8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) during a first-quarter rebound contest before the 36ers defeated the Taipans 83-67. Gliddon (14 points and 2 steals) and Loughton (11 points and 7 rebounds) provided support for Cairns, while Jerome Randle (23 points and 8 assists), Nathan Sobey (15 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Daniel Johnson (13 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Adelaide, with Ferguson later accepting a one-game suspension for striking.

Six days later Worthington (14 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) recorded his first double-double of the season as Cairns defeated Melbourne 83-75 at the Cairns Convention Centre for its first victory after the 0-3 start. Trice (28 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 1 steal) and Edwin (12 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists) provided support, while Ramone Moore (15 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) was Melbourne’s leading scorer.

One of his best all-round games came against New Zealand at Vector Arena on November 11, where Worthington (17 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal) helped Cairns defeat the Breakers 86-79. Gliddon (25 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Edwin (14 points) led the other Taipans, while Thomas Abercrombie (18 points and 6 rebounds), Corey Webster (17 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kirk Penney (16 points and 4 assists) led New Zealand.

His best game came against Sydney at the Cairns Convention Centre on December 9, where Worthington (22 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) made 7-of-14 shots and all seven free throws as the Kings defeated Cairns 86-78. Jawai (13 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal), Gliddon (12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Trice (12 points, 4 assists, and 1 steal) provided support, while Brad Newley (20 points and 3 assists), Kevin Lisch (18 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) and Josh Powell (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) led Sydney.

With Cairns sitting 9-11, Edwin (8.1 points and 3.5 rebounds across 20 games) (to Prishtina) was released on January 19 for personal reasons after returning to the United States. Tony Mitchell (8.6 points across 10 games) (via Hapoel Eilat) signed the following day as his replacement with eight regular-season games remaining, making him eligible for the postseason. “We obviously need some scoring punch, and that’s what we’re hoping he’ll give us,” Fearne said.

On January 22, Worthington announced he would retire at the end of the season, saying the shoulder injury had nothing to do with the decision. “I’ve enjoyed basketball, I love it. But it’s the right time to say goodbye.”

After receiving a video tribute before tip-off in Adelaide on February 11, Worthington (12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) hit back-to-back fourth-quarter three-pointers as Cairns defeated the league-leading 36ers 98-89. Trice (18 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal), Gliddon (16 points, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block), Weeks (16 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Weigh (14 points and 3 rebounds) led the other Taipans, while Randle (24 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists), Mitchell Creek (16 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) and Johnson (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) led Adelaide. The victory was Cairns’ sixth from its final seven games, completed a 15-13 regular season and secured second place and home-court advantage for the semifinals.

Trice (14.6 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.2 steals across 26 games) led Cairns in scoring and won the Taipans’ Most Valuable Player award, while Gliddon (10.6 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.2 steals across 30 games) remained a key two-way presence as captain and Jawai (10.1 points and 4.3 rebounds across 29 games) provided the interior scoring. McCarron (7.2 points and 3.8 rebounds across 29 games), Loughton (6.6 points across 26 games), Weeks (6.3 points across 30 games), Weigh (5.4 points across 29 games) and Egwu (5.1 points and 3.7 rebounds across 30 games) provided the other major contributions. Worthington received the Members’ Choice MVP award, McCarron received Best Defensive Player and Commitment to Community, Egwu received the Coaches’ Award and Heuir (3 points across 18 games) was named Players’ Player.

Cairns opened its semifinal series against defending champion Perth at the Cairns Convention Centre on February 17, where Worthington (11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block), Trice (15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Egwu (9 points) led the Taipans, while Bryce Cotton (34 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals), Prather (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals), Matthew Knight (14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) and Jesse Wagstaff (11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth to a 91-69 victory and a 1-0 series lead.

Game two moved to Perth Arena on February 20, where Trice (22 points and 5 assists), Mitchell (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Egwu (9 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) led Cairns, while Prather (24 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal), Wagstaff (20 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 steals) and Knight (12 points) led Perth. The Wildcats defeated Cairns 74-66 and completed the 2-0 semifinal sweep, with Worthington (3 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) playing his 335th and final NBL game.

Mark Worthington played eleven seasons across five NBL teams. This included the Sydney Kings, South Dragons, Gold Coast Blaze, Melbourne Tigers, Melbourne United and Cairns Taipans. He averaged 14.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 335 NBL games.