BIO: Miles Christian Plumlee was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana (USA) and attended Warsaw Community High School in Warsaw, Indiana and then Christ School in Arden, North Carolina, where his team had a 63–6 record in his tenure there.

Plumlee attended Warsaw Community for his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons before transferring to Christ School after issues arose with the coach.

He repeated his junior year while at Christ School.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Miles Plumlee made his NBL debut with the Perth Wildcats at 31 years of age. He scored six points in his first game.

After defeating Melbourne United 3-1 in the 2019 Grand Final to claim their ninth NBL championship, Perth focused on keeping its championship core together. Four-time championship-winning coach Trevor Gleeson re-signed on a three-year deal, while Damian Martin, Jesse Wagstaff and Terrico White also returned. In total, six members of the championship-winning squad remained, with Wani Swaka Lo Buluk elevated from development player to the full roster to replace Greg Hire (retired). Dario Hunt (via Charleroi) and Majok Majok (via New Zealand) were added to replace departing big men Tom Jervis (retired) and Angus Brandt (to Pistoia), while Clint Steindl also returned after signing a new two-year deal.

Perth opened the season 5-1 before falling to 8-5 following back-to-back losses. The Wildcats regrouped with four straight wins to close December with a 13-6 record. Martin (3.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 27 games) played his 300th game for the Wildcats during December before suffering a left heel injury which sidelined him throughout January.

After consecutive losses to begin 2020, Perth released Hunt (8.6 points and 6 rebounds across 21 games) and signed seven-year NBA veteran Miles Plumlee (via Zhejiang Lions) as his replacement. A first-round NBA draft pick in 2012, Plumlee had played 347 NBA games with Indiana, Phoenix, Milwaukee, Charlotte and Atlanta before joining Zhejiang in China. He appeared in seven games for the Lions before being released on January 2, allowing Zhejiang to use the roster spot to sign New Zealand guard Corey Webster, before Perth signed Plumlee six days later.

Plumlee had already been planning to visit Australia because of his relationship with Brisbane-born model Catherine McNeil and had been considering his playing future following his short stint in China when the Wildcats called. “I mean I was coming to Australia anyway when the offer popped up,” said Plumlee.

Gleeson said, “Miles has a wealth of experience – he’s an athletic six-eleven, he’s got a big motor, he’s a rim protector who can finish above the rim. That’s something we need, and it was timely that he was ready to come here on short notice. Our rebounding and our defence is our DNA and something we have to improve on if we’re going to challenge for a championship.”

“I’m going to be high energy, I’m going to play hard, bring athleticism and do whatever I can to win – defensive presence, especially inside, rebounding, blocking shots and finishing. I think I’m a good fit for this team,” said Plumlee.

With only seven regular-season games remaining, Plumlee was required to appear in every game to qualify for the playoffs. After only one full training session with the Wildcats, Plumlee (6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) made his NBL debut in Wollongong on January 10 as Perth defeated Illawarra 99-77. Bryce Cotton (23 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) led Perth, while Todd Blanchfield (26 points and 8 rebounds) was Illawarra’s best.

Plumlee (8.7 points and 6.5 rebounds across 13 games) provided the interior size and athleticism Perth had been looking for and shot 65.3 per cent from the field during his time with the Wildcats.

Plumlee’s best game of the season came against New Zealand on January 25, where he made 11-of-15 field-goal attempts and finished with 23 points, 17 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks as Perth held on for an 80-79 victory at RAC Arena. Nick Kay (20 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Cotton (23 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) provided support, while Brandon Ashley (21 points and 12 rebounds) led the Breakers. Plumlee became the first Wildcats player to record at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in a 40-minute NBL game.

Four days later, Plumlee (9 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) produced another strong performance before fouling out late as Melbourne defeated Perth 77-67. Kay (23 points and 8 rebounds) and Cotton (21 points) led the Wildcats, while Chris Goulding (17 points) and Jo Lual-Acuil (15 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks) led Melbourne.

Plumlee rested a sore wrist during the week leading into Perth’s final regular-season game but still needed to play against Adelaide to complete the seven appearances required to qualify for the playoffs. With Cotton (22.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.5 steals across 33 games) unavailable after experiencing knee soreness and White (14.7 points and 3.6 rebounds across 31 games) also sidelined with a knee injury, Plumlee (14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) helped Perth defeat Adelaide 94-79. Kay (23 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Steindl (14 points) led the Wildcats alongside him, while Daniel Johnson (18 points and 11 rebounds) was Adelaide’s best. Plumlee had appeared in all seven games required to qualify for the postseason, with Perth winning six of them to finish second with a 19-9 record and secure its 34th consecutive finals appearance.

Cotton won his second NBL MVP award and became the first import in league history to lead the NBL in scoring for three consecutive seasons. Kay (15.8 points, 8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.2 steals across 34 games) was selected to the All-NBL First Team for the second consecutive season, while Steindl (9.6 points across 33 games) provided scoring off the bench as Perth entered the postseason attempting to defend its championship.

Perth opened its semifinal series against Cairns with a 108-107 overtime win at RAC Arena, where Plumlee (7 points and 4 rebounds) started at centre and Cotton (42 points and 6 assists) made 10 three-pointers to tie the NBL finals record. Kay (23 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) also starred, while Scott Machado (31 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists), DJ Newbill (25 points) and Cameron Oliver (19 points and 17 rebounds) led Cairns.

Game two moved to Cairns, where Plumlee (8 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist) contributed inside but the Taipans defeated Perth 85-74. Steindl (18 points) and White (13 points and 4 rebounds) led Perth, while Oliver (22 points and 19 rebounds) and Newbill (16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) helped Cairns level the series at 1-1.

Back at RAC Arena for the deciding game three, Plumlee (6 points and 6 rebounds) made all three of his field-goal attempts before twisting his right ankle during the fourth quarter as Perth defeated Cairns 93-82. White (26 points and 4 rebounds) and Kay (24 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led the Wildcats, while Oliver (20 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Machado (19 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) led Cairns. Plumlee left the game following the ankle injury, but scans showed no damage and he was cleared to play in the Grand Final as Perth won the series 2-1 and advanced to its 15th NBL Grand Final.

Game one of the Grand Final moved to Qudos Bank Arena, where Plumlee (10 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) made all five of his field-goal attempts as Perth defeated Sydney 88-86 in front of 11,647 fans. Cotton (32 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Wildcats and Kay (14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) provided support, while Andrew Bogut (18 points and 12 rebounds) and Kevin Lisch (17 points) led Sydney as Perth took a 1-0 series lead.

Ahead of game two, the developing COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the remainder of the Grand Final series being closed to the public. In an empty RAC Arena, Plumlee (6 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block) battled inside as Sydney defeated Perth 97-83 behind Jae’Sean Tate (20 points), Bogut (19 points and 13 rebounds) and Lisch (19 points). Cotton (27 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kay (17 points and 7 rebounds) led Perth as Sydney levelled the series at 1-1.

Game three returned to Sydney, where Plumlee (13 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) made six of eight field-goal attempts as Perth defeated the Kings 111-96. Cotton (31 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Kay (30 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists) combined for 61 points, while Tate (20 points and 6 rebounds) and Brad Newley (19 points and 5 rebounds) led Sydney as the Wildcats moved ahead 2-1.

Prior to game four, Sydney withdrew from the series due to concerns surrounding COVID-19 and uncertainty over travel restrictions, leading the NBL to cancel the remaining two games. Two days later Perth was officially awarded the championship after holding a 2-1 series lead, securing its tenth NBL title and giving Plumlee the first championship of his professional career.

Miles Plumlee played one season in the NBL. He averaged 8.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1 assists in 12 NBL games.