NICKNAME/S: Sobey-Wan Kenobi, Sobes

BIO: Nathan Sobey was born in Warrnambool (VIC), where he began playing basketball with the Warrnambool basketball program.

Sobey attended Emmanuel College in Warrnambool before moving to St Patrick’s College in Ballarat.

As a junior, Sobey initially concentrated more on Australian rules football than basketball and was overlooked at his first state basketball selection trial.

Sobey continued developing through basketball in Warrnambool and Ballarat, where former Warrnambool import Tim Gainey recognised his potential.

With Gainey’s assistance, Sobey secured an opportunity to attend Cochise College, a junior college in Arizona (USA), and moved to the United States in 2010.

FAMILY: The son of Peter and Kerrie Sobey. He also has two brothers, Josh and Jacob.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Nathan Sobey made his NBL debut with the Cairns Taipans at 24 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

Cairns came into 2014/15 after a fifth-place 12-16 season had kept the club out of the playoffs. Aaron Fearne retained captain Alex Loughton, Cameron Gliddon, Cameron Tragardh, Stephen Weigh, Matt Burston, Mitchell Young and Shaun Bruce, while Jamar Wilson (to Adelaide), Clint Steindl (to Townsville) and Demetri McCamey departed. Scottie Wilbekin (via Florida), Torrey Craig (via USC Upstate) and Corey Maynard (via Bryant) joined the main roster, with Nathan Sobey (via Ballarat) added to the training squad.

Fearne had followed Sobey during his college career at Wyoming and offered him an opportunity with Cairns after he returned to Australia and impressed with the Ballarat Miners. Sobey joined the Taipans as a training player in August before being moved into the club’s 11th-man position in September. “He has great competitive spirit, he’s a strong defender and his athleticism is as good as it gets in this league,” Fearne said.

An opportunity to enter the playing rotation arrived after Maynard injured his left thumb against Townsville on January 3. With Cairns also dealing with an injury to Bruce during January, Sobey was promoted from the 11th-man position into the ten-man playing squad as Maynard’s injury replacement.

Sobey made his NBL debut against defending champion Perth at the Cairns Convention Centre on January 9, finishing with 0 points and 1 rebound in 11 seconds as the Taipans won 91-76. Craig (19 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Tragardh (18 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) led Cairns from the bench, while Tom Jervis (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks) produced a season-high scoring performance for Perth.

Sobey (1.5 points across 10 games) remained at the end of Fearne’s rotation after his elevation, making nine regular-season appearances and one postseason appearance. His first NBL points came against Sydney on January 17, before he continued to receive short opportunities behind Wilbekin, Gliddon and Bruce in the Taipans’ backcourt.

His best game of the season, which also matched his season-high scoring total, came against Melbourne on February 13. Sobey (5 points and 6 rebounds) played a season-high 18:38 as Craig (21 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Wilbekin (17 points and 3 rebounds) led Cairns to an 84-62 victory, while Daniel Kickert scored 17 points for United.

Fearne was able to use Wilbekin, Gliddon, Weigh, Loughton and Burston as the same starting five throughout all 28 regular-season games, an NBL first. Wilbekin (15.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists across 32 games) led Cairns in scoring and assists, won the club MVP and Best Defensive Player awards and earned All-NBL First Team honours. Tragardh (12.1 points and 4.8 rebounds across 32 games) was named NBL Best Sixth Man, while Loughton (11.2 points and 4.5 rebounds across 32 games), Gliddon (10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 32 games), Craig (8.9 points and 5.7 rebounds across 32 games) and Weigh (8.1 points and 3.2 rebounds across 32 games) provided the other major contributions. Cairns won nine of its final ten games to finish 21-7, claiming its first minor premiership and becoming the first regional team since Geelong in 1984 to finish on top of the NBL ladder, while Fearne was named Coach of the Year.

Maynard had recovered from his thumb injury by the postseason, but Cairns retained Sobey in its finals lineup. Sobey did not take the court in game one of the semifinals against fourth-placed Perth, where Wilbekin (23 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Tragardh (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Taipans, while Jermaine Beal scored 20 points and Damian Martin added 7 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 steals for the Wildcats. Cairns won 71-64 to take a 1-0 series lead.

Sobey (0 points) played 28 seconds in game two at Perth Arena as Wilbekin (16 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Weigh (16 points and 3 rebounds) led Cairns. Beal scored 21 points and Matthew Knight finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds for Perth, but the Taipans won 80-68 to complete the 2-0 sweep and advance to the second Grand Final series in club history.

Minor premier Cairns held home-court advantage against New Zealand in the Grand Final, although Sobey did not play in the opening game. Wilbekin scored 16 points and Gliddon added 13 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals, while Cedric Jackson (22 points and 7 rebounds) and Ekene Ibekwe (19 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led the Breakers to an 86-71 victory.

Sobey again did not take the court in game two in Auckland, where Tragardh (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block), Craig (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Gliddon (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Cairns, while Thomas Abercrombie scored 19 points and Jackson added 15 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals for New Zealand. Wilbekin tied the game from the free-throw line with 1.2 seconds remaining, but Ibekwe caught the ensuing inbound pass and hit a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer to give the Breakers an 83-81 win and complete the 2-0 Grand Final sweep. Jackson was named Grand Final MVP as Cairns fell short of its first NBL championship.

Despite his limited court time, Sobey had impressed Adelaide coach Joey Wright, who noticed him continuing to work out after a Taipans practice while the 36ers were in Cairns. Wright subsequently offered him a full roster position, with Sobey signing a multi-year deal with Adelaide the following season.

ADELAIDE 36ERS
2015/16
After finishing third with a 17-11 record before being swept by eventual champion New Zealand in the 2014/15 semifinals, Adelaide reshaped its roster after club MVP Jamar Wilson (to Rouen), Brock Motum (to Žalgiris Kaunas) and Luke Schenscher (to Townsville) departed. Coach Joey Wright added Kenyon McNeail (via Oliveirense), two-time NBL champion Ebi Ere (via Bayamón), Lucas Walker (via Melbourne), Matthew Hodgson (via Frankston) and Nathan Sobey (via Cairns), who had spent the previous season as a training player with the Taipans.

Sobey had been elevated into Cairns’ squad during the previous season after injuries created opportunities, appearing in 10 games before Wright noticed him working out after a Taipans practice when Adelaide was in town. Wright subsequently offered him a full roster position with the 36ers. On July 15, Sobey was offered a three-year deal to play for Adelaide.

Adelaide opened the season against defending champion New Zealand at Titanium Security Arena on October 7, where Sobey (7 points, 3 assists, and 1 block) came off the bench for 14 minutes as the 36ers won 90-71. Hodgson (18 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, and 3 blocks) and Johnson (15 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block) led Adelaide, while Cedric Jackson (14 points and 6 assists) was New Zealand’s leading scorer.

Sobey (4 points across 27 games) spent his first season with Adelaide in a development role behind the more experienced backcourt, averaging around 10 minutes per game and coming off the bench in all but the final game of the season. His only non-appearance came against Cairns on November 27, with no injury or other reason for the absence confirmed.

McNeail (4 points across 3 games) (released) entered the regular season carrying the shoulder injury he suffered during the preseason dunk contest and was released on October 19 when the injury failed to respond to treatment. Adelaide replaced him with Randle (23 points and 5.2 assists across 23 games) (via Eskişehir Basket), who had spent the previous five seasons overseas after being viewed as “too small” to make the NBA. Randle later said he had begun to “fall out of love” with basketball before Wright told him, “If you don’t play your game, then you’re gonna f***in’ sit on the bench!” Randle remembered thinking, “Damn, I’m at home now”, with Adelaide’s new import quickly becoming the focal point of the offence.

Sobey’s highest-scoring game came against Perth on December 4, where Sobey (11 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists) scored in double figures for the first time with Adelaide, making four field goals in 10 minutes off the bench as the Wildcats defeated the 36ers 90-72. Petrie (17 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) and Randle (18 points) led Adelaide, while Casey Prather (23 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block) was Perth’s best.

Sobey’s best game of the season came at the WIN Entertainment Centre on January 28, where Sobey (10 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) made three of four field goals in 15 minutes off the bench as Illawarra defeated Adelaide 104-97. Randle (28 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals) and Ere (23 points and 3 rebounds) led the 36ers, while Kevin Lisch (27 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals) was Illawarra’s leading scorer.

Randle finished as the NBL’s leading scorer after scoring 30 points or more three times, including a season-high 41 against Sydney, becoming the first Adelaide player to lead the league in scoring. He also won the inaugural NBL Australia Post Fan’s MVP and was selected to the All-NBL First Team. Johnson (15.5 points and 9.3 rebounds across 28 games) led the NBL in rebounding and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Ere (10.8 points across 28 games), Petrie (9.9 points and 6.3 rebounds across 28 games), Creek (9.9 points and 4.1 rebounds across 26 games), Gibson (9.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists across 27 games) and Walker (5.3 points and 4.9 rebounds across 28 games) were Adelaide’s other major contributors.

Adelaide closed the season at Perth Arena on February 14, where Sobey (7 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) made his only start of the season and played 16 minutes as the Wildcats defeated the 36ers 100-84. Creek (17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) and Gibson (16 points) led Adelaide, while Tom Jervis (14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) was Perth’s best, leaving Adelaide fifth with a 14-14 record.

2016/17
After finishing fifth with a 14–14 record and missing the playoffs, coach Joey Wright reshaped Adelaide’s roster. Adam Gibson (to Brisbane), Anthony Petrie (to Brisbane), Ebi Ere (to Nancy) and Lucas Walker (to Perth) departed, while Jerome Randle was retained and Anthony Drmic (via Boise State), Majok Deng (via Louisiana-Monroe), Eric Jacobsen (via Arizona State), Adam Doyle (via Forestville) and Terrance Ferguson (via high school) were added. Walker had not been re-signed by Adelaide and joined Perth before the season as an injury replacement for Matthew Knight. Ferguson chose to play professionally in the NBL rather than attend college, a move which later helped pave the way for the NBL’s Next Stars Program. Most pundits predicted Adelaide’s young roster to finish last.

Adelaide opened the season at WIN Entertainment Centre on October 7, where Sobey (7 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) came off the bench as Illawarra defeated the 36ers 122–88. Creek (24 points) and Deng (13 points and 6 rebounds) led Adelaide, while Marvelle Harris (21 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) was Illawarra’s best.

Sobey (15.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists across 31 games), in his second year with Adelaide, played in every regular-season and playoff game and emerged as one of the league’s breakout players. After Creek (12.1 points and 5.4 rebounds across 21 games) suffered a foot stress fracture and was ruled out for eight weeks early in the season, Sobey moved into the starting lineup and remained there after Creek returned. Daniel Johnson (15.1 points and 7.1 rebounds across 29 games) also missed two games with a hamstring injury. Sobey did not miss a game through injury, with his scoring rising from 4 points in 10 minutes per game the previous season.

One of Sobey’s first major performances came in Auckland on October 29, where Sobey (32 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) recorded a career-high and game-high scoring total, but New Zealand defeated Adelaide 119–93. Randle (20 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Johnson (15 points and 5 rebounds) provided support for the 36ers, while Kirk Penney (27 points and 4 assists) and Akil Mitchell (17 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Breakers.

Adelaide reached its low point against Brisbane on November 19, where Sobey (24 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Johnson (20 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) led the 36ers, but Torrey Craig (34 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Petrie (23 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) powered the Bullets to a 105–87 win that dropped Adelaide to 3–6 and last place.

Five days later, Sobey (18 points and 2 rebounds), Randle (22 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) and Johnson (18 points and 6 rebounds) led Adelaide to a 101–83 road win over Brisbane, while Craig (20 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) was the Bullets’ best. The victory began an eight-game winning streak.

Sobey produced another of his best games against Cairns on December 12, slamming down two early dunks before suffering a corked wrist during the second quarter. Sobey (19 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) remained in the game and helped Adelaide defeat the Taipans 96–83 for its fifth consecutive win, with Johnson (27 points and 9 rebounds) and Randle (18 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists) leading the 36ers, while Nathan Jawai (17 points and 7 rebounds) led Cairns.

Sobey’s best game of the season came against Melbourne at Titanium Security Arena on January 12, where Sobey (32 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal) made five of his six three-point attempts as Adelaide defeated United 100–73. Randle (19 points and 8 assists) and Johnson (11 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) provided support, while David Barlow (14 points and 2 steals) and Josh Boone (9 points and 12 rebounds) were Melbourne’s best.

The winning streak carried Adelaide from last place to first by Round 11, and by Round 16 the 36ers had won 14 of their previous 15 games and secured top spot with three rounds remaining. Adelaide lost its final four regular-season games but still finished first with a 17–11 record, two games clear of the rest of the competition.

Randle (21.3 points, 3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists across 31 games) led Adelaide in scoring and was selected to the All-NBL First Team and named NBL Most Valuable Player, becoming the second 36ers player after Mark Davis in 1987 to win the award. Johnson was also selected to the All-NBL First Team, while Jacobsen (6.8 points and 5.9 rebounds across 31 games), Drmic (6 points and 3.2 rebounds across 30 games), Hodgson (5.6 points and 5.7 rebounds across 31 games) and Teys (5.1 points across 31 games) completed Adelaide’s main rotation. Sobey was selected to the All-NBL Second Team and received 49 votes to win the NBL Most Improved Player award, becoming the fifth Adelaide player to win the award. Drmic was named Rookie of the Year and Wright won Coach of the Year. At Adelaide’s club awards, Randle was named MVP, Sobey received the Member’s Choice MVP and Most Improved awards, Teys won the Coach’s Award and Creek was named Best Defensive Player.

Big ups to the one and only Sobey Wan-Kenobi on taking out the Most Improved Player at #NBL17MVP @sobes2zero #NBL17 #YourGame pic.twitter.com/Tm0YFgFQlB— The NBL (@NBL) February 13, 2017

Adelaide opened its semifinal series against fourth-placed Illawarra at Titanium Security Arena, where Sobey (16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block), Randle (26 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Johnson (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 block) led the 36ers, while Tim Coenraad (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) was Illawarra’s best. Adelaide won 93–78 and snapped the four-game losing streak it carried into the playoffs.

Game two moved to WIN Entertainment Centre, where Sobey (9 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists), Randle (20 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal) and Johnson (17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Adelaide, while Coenraad (17 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists), Mitchell Norton (17 points and 3 assists) and AJ Ogilvy (9 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks) helped Illawarra win 100–94 and level the series.

The deciding game returned to Titanium Security Arena, where Illawarra led by 21 points before Adelaide mounted a late fourth-quarter comeback. Sobey (22 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) scored 20 points after half-time, while Randle (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Teys (9 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) helped cut the margin to five with two minutes remaining. Rotnei Clarke (20 points) and Harris (17 points) steadied the Hawks as Illawarra won 106–98 and eliminated Adelaide 2–1.

2017/18
After finishing first with a 17-11 record before being eliminated by Illawarra in the semifinals the previous season, coach Joey Wright retained all eight Australian players—Mitch Creek, Nathan Sobey, Daniel Johnson, Matthew Hodgson, Brendan Teys, Majok Deng, Anthony Drmic and Adam Doyle—and looked to go one step further. 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 (via Hebei Xianglan) was signed to replace Randle, with Ramone Moore (via Melbourne) and Ronald Roberts completing Adelaide’s import trio.

In April 2017, Sobey signed a two-year contract extension with Adelaide after turning down interest from other NBL clubs. Coming off a season where he had won the NBL’s Most Improved Player award and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, Sobey said, “We’ve got that unfinished business and hopefully we can move forward from it.” During the off-season, Sobey attended a Utah Jazz free-agent mini-camp before joining teammate Creek on the Jazz’s 2017 NBA Summer League roster. Adelaide then went undefeated at the Merlion Cup in Singapore and defeated the Shanghai Sharks in the final. Roberts was released immediately before the NBL season after the club cited a knee injury, although Roberts responded publicly that he was “100 percent fine.”

Adelaide opened the season against Melbourne at Titanium Security Arena on October 5, where Sobey (21 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block), Drmic (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Shorter (14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) led the 36ers, but Casper Ware (23 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 block) carried United to a 99-97 win.

Sobey (12.1 points and 3.7 rebounds across 35 games) appeared in all 35 games Adelaide played during the season and did not miss any games through injury.

Alan Wiggins Jr (2 points and 4 rebounds across 1 game) was signed following Roberts’ departure but broke his arm in his NBL debut against Sydney and required surgery that was expected to sideline him for eight weeks. Former Sydney Kings star Josh Childress (via Denver; 12.1 points and 6.2 rebounds across 27 games) was subsequently added to fill the import position. Adelaide struggled for consistency despite performing strongly on the road and won only half of its first 16 games. Around this time Randle (19.6 points and 5.3 assists across 17 games), who had left Turkey after claiming his salary had not been paid on time, enquired about returning to Adelaide, but with the roster already finalised he instead signed with Sydney as a replacement for Travis Leslie.

Sobey delivered one of his best early-season performances against Sydney at Titanium Security Arena on October 21, scoring 13 points in the opening quarter and 20 by halftime before finishing with 25 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block in a 114-84 victory. Shorter (19 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) and Hodgson (14 points and 4 rebounds) provided support, while Travis Leslie (25 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals, and 2 blocks) led Sydney. Adelaide scored 69 first-half points, setting a record for the most points in a first half during the NBL’s 40-minute era.

With Creek sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury in Perth two days earlier, Sobey (22 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists) helped Adelaide defeat New Zealand 95-92 at Titanium Security Arena on December 10. Johnson (17 points and 7 rebounds) and Childress (15 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) provided support, while Edgar Sosa (26 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) led the Breakers.

Creek (14.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 31 games) was subsequently ruled out for approximately three weeks after tearing a small muscle from the bone around his hamstring, while Drmic (6.7 points across 27 games) suffered a medial collateral ligament sprain in his left knee and was also sidelined. With Adelaide undermanned on Christmas Eve, Sobey (7 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) was unable to prevent a 94-75 home loss to Cairns despite Childress (20 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Hodgson (12 points and 4 rebounds), while Cameron Gliddon (27 points, 1 rebound, 2 steals, and 1 block) led the Taipans. The loss left Adelaide at 8-8 but became the turning point in its season.

Sobey’s best game of the season came against Illawarra at Titanium Security Arena on January 19, where he made 11 of 14 field goals and all three of his three-point attempts to finish with 25 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals as Adelaide defeated the Hawks 112-90. Johnson (17 points and 10 rebounds) and Childress (14 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals, and 1 block) provided support, while Rotnei Clarke (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Illawarra.

Sobey was ejected against Illawarra at the WIN Entertainment Centre on February 11 after receiving two technical fouls, although Adelaide still won 111-87. Sobey (15 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists), Johnson (21 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Shorter (20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) led the 36ers, while Demitrius Conger (27 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) was Illawarra’s leading scorer.

Adelaide completed the regular season against Brisbane at Titanium Security Arena on February 17, where Sobey (9 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists), Deng (20 points and 3 steals) and Creek (16 points and 6 rebounds) helped the 36ers win 105-82, while Travis Trice (20 points) led Brisbane. Adelaide won 10 of its final 12 games, including a seven-game winning streak, to finish second with an 18-10 record.

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

Adelaide opened the semifinals against defending champion Perth at Titanium Security Arena, where Sobey (15 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals), 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 a 109-74 victory, while Bryce Cotton (22 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) led Perth. The 35-point margin handed the Wildcats the second-biggest finals defeat in club history.

Game two moved to Perth Arena, where Sobey (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists), Childress (25 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 block) and Creek (22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) led Adelaide, while Cotton (31 points and 3 assists) carried Perth. The 36ers trailed by as many as 18 points and were still five points behind with less than a minute remaining before Sobey attacked Cotton and converted a continuation play as Adelaide completed the comeback to win 89-88, sweep the series 2-0 and advance to its first Grand Final since 2014.

Melbourne hosted game one of the Grand Final at Hisense Arena, where Sobey (7 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal), Johnson (18 points and 5 rebounds), Shorter (16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block) and Creek (14 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) led Adelaide, but Chris Goulding (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Ware (20 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) carried United to a 107-96 win. Ware briefly left the game following a collision before returning, while Wright was later 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 Sobey (14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block), Deng (18 points and 6 rebounds), Moore (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) 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. The victory came at a significant cost when Childress (13 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) suffered a shoulder injury late in the game that ruled him out for the remainder of the series.

Game three returned to Hisense Arena, where Sobey (9 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, and 1 block) was ejected at halftime following a clash with Prather that sparked an all-in melee. Johnson (20 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Moore (18 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) led Adelaide after his departure, 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 accepted a $1000 fine for headbutting and a reduced $375 fine for engaging in the melee, allowing him to avoid a one-game suspension and return for game four.

Facing elimination in game four, Sobey (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) returned and sparked Adelaide during a first half in which the 36ers built a 55-31 lead. Johnson (21 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Shorter (14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) helped Adelaide withstand Melbourne’s second-half comeback, while Prather (23 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) and Goulding (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led United. Sobey made two important free throws late and Johnson hit a crucial corner three-pointer as Adelaide won 90-81 and levelled the series at 2-2.

The deciding game five returned to Hisense Arena, where Sobey (7 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal), 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, 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 1 steal) and Prather (19 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals, and 1 block) led Melbourne. Goulding was named Grand Final MVP after averaging 19.6 points and 3.6 rebounds across the series, while Prather collected his third consecutive NBL championship to become 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.

Nathan Sobey — Best Plays of NBL26 (2025/26)

Watch Nathan Sobey’s official NBL26 season highlights on YouTube

2018/19
Adelaide entered the 2018/19 season after falling one win short of the NBL championship, losing 100-82 to Melbourne in the deciding fifth game of the previous season’s Grand Final series. The 36ers were then forced to reshape their roster when second-leading scorer Mitch Creek (to Long Island Nets) pursued an NBA opportunity. Creek had initially been given approval to play in Germany during the off-season with the expectation he would return, but his performances overseas attracted interest from the Brooklyn Nets organisation. Adelaide filed an injunction to prevent Basketball Australia approving his move without compensation before the parties eventually reached an agreement allowing Creek to leave. Shannon Shorter (to Japan), Matthew Hodgson (to Brisbane) and Josh Childress (retired) also departed.

Coach Joey Wright added import Jacob Wiley (via Germany) as Creek’s replacement after being impressed by him at NBA Summer League and signed point guard Adris De León to add scoring and playmaking. Harry Froling (via Marquette) and Jack McVeigh (via Nebraska) arrived from college, while Daniel Johnson returned and replaced Creek as captain. Majok Deng, Anthony Drmic, Adam Doyle, Brendan Teys and import Ramone Moore also remained with the club.

Adelaide opened the season at Titanium Security Arena against Perth on October 11, where Sobey (20 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 block) started in the backcourt, but the Wildcats won 99-91. Johnson (23 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 block) and Wiley (13 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 steal) provided support, while Cotton (22 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) led Perth.

Sobey (16.1 points, 5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists across 28 games) entered the second season of the two-year contract he signed with Adelaide in April 2017 and took on greater responsibility as the team’s primary ball-handler following Creek’s departure. Moving between shooting guard and point guard required Sobey to balance his attacking game with running Adelaide’s offence, describing the transition as “a bit of a learning curve.” Sobey started all 28 games and did not miss a game through injury.

Two days after the season opener, Sobey (21 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists) helped Adelaide collect its first win, defeating Sydney 94-83 at Qudos Bank Arena. Johnson (22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) and Drmic (14 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) provided support, while former 36er Randle (28 points and 7 assists) led Sydney.

Sobey’s best all-round performance came in Cairns on October 26, where he recorded a triple-double with 22 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 steals as Adelaide defeated the Taipans 91-83. Wiley (18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block) and Johnson (17 points and 7 rebounds) helped the 36ers improve to 3-2, while Kernich-Drew (17 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Cairns.

Adelaide then lost four consecutive games while Moore (9.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists across 19 games) missed four games after straining his left calf against Melbourne. Moore returned against Sydney on November 10, but Sobey (10 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists), Froling (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Johnson (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 steal) were unable to prevent a 93-81 loss, while Newley (26 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) led the Kings. De León (11 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) had entered the game with his position under pressure and De León (7.7 points across 9 games) was released following the loss, with Conger (11.8 points and 4.9 rebounds across 19 games) (via Illawarra) signed as his replacement.

Sobey produced another strong all-round performance in Brisbane on December 15, finishing with 24 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block as Adelaide defeated the Bullets 101-91. Johnson (20 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) and Drmic (12 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal) provided support, while Patterson (24 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) led Brisbane. The victory began Adelaide’s best stretch of the season, with the 36ers winning four consecutive games.

Adelaide completed that four-game winning streak against New Zealand on December 30, where Sobey (21 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) helped the 36ers win 109-98 and move back into the top four. Johnson (28 points and 7 rebounds) and Wiley (12 points and 6 rebounds) provided support, while Ili (19 points and 4 steals) led the Breakers.

Moore re-injured his left calf during Adelaide’s January 12 game against Brisbane and was placed on the long-term injury list, with the injury initially expected to keep him out for the remainder of the regular season. Bruce (2.4 points across 7 games) (via Wellington) was signed as his injury replacement.

Adelaide remained in the playoff race but suffered its biggest defeat of the season against Melbourne on January 28. Sobey (24 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led the 36ers in the 114-91 loss, with Johnson (15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and McVeigh (11 points and 7 rebounds) providing support, while Boone (19 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) led Melbourne.

Sobey’s highest-scoring game came at Spark Arena on February 7, where he made nine of 14 shots and four of seven three-pointers to finish with 27 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1 block as Adelaide defeated New Zealand 114-107. Johnson (19 points and 1 steal) and the returning Moore (18 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) helped the 36ers remain in the top four, while Long (28 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) led New Zealand. Moore returned earlier than initially expected after missing five games with the calf injury, while Bruce remained with Adelaide after Doyle suffered a hamstring injury.

Johnson (17 points and 6.8 rebounds across 28 games) led Adelaide in scoring, with Sobey providing the team’s second scoring option while leading the offence. Wiley (12.3 points and 4.9 rebounds across 28 games), Drmic (9.3 points and 4.6 rebounds across 28 games), Froling (7.9 points and 4.6 rebounds across 28 games), Deng (7.6 points across 28 games), Moore and Conger were the team’s other major contributors. Sobey and Johnson were both selected to the All-NBL Second Team, while Froling was named NBL Rookie of the Year. Johnson received Adelaide’s MVP award, Sobey was named the club’s Most Defensive Player for the second consecutive season and also received the Members Choice Award, Wiley received the Coaches Choice and McVeigh (3.4 points across 20 games) was named Most Improved Player.

Adelaide entered its final home game against Melbourne on February 10 in control of its playoff position, but Sobey (11 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists), Drmic (20 points and 8 rebounds) and Johnson (15 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists) were unable to secure the win as Melbourne prevailed 89-87 behind Ware (20 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals). The loss left the 36ers needing to defeat Perth in their final game or have Brisbane lose its last game against New Zealand.

Adelaide travelled to RAC Arena on February 15 and led Perth by as many as 16 points during the first half before the Wildcats recovered to win 93-85. Sobey (9 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 block), Johnson (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Drmic (18 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals) led Adelaide, while Cotton (29 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals) carried Perth. Brisbane subsequently secured fourth place on points percentage, leaving Adelaide fifth with a 14-14 record.

BRISBANE BULLETS
2019/20
After returning to the playoffs in 2018/19 with a 14-14 record before losing to Perth in the semifinals, Brisbane reshaped its roster around its returning core. Adam Gibson (to South East Melbourne) and Cameron Bairstow (to Rytas Vilnius) departed, while coach Andrej Lemanis added Nathan Sobey (via Adelaide), Taylor Braun (via Hapoel Be’er Sheva) and EJ Singler (via Hawke’s Bay Hawks), before Lamar Patterson re-signed with the club.

On 5 April 2019, Sobey signed a three-year deal with the Brisbane Bullets after spending the previous four seasons with Adelaide.

Brisbane opened the season against Illawarra at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 6, where Sobey (17 points and 5 rebounds) made five three-pointers in his Bullets debut as Brisbane defeated the Hawks 90-81. Patterson (25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Matthew Hodgson (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks) were Brisbane’s other leading performers, while Aaron Brooks (23 points and 4 rebounds) led Illawarra.

Sobey (16 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists) played all 28 games and did not miss a game through injury, but his first season in Brisbane was less productive than his final year in Adelaide, with his field-goal percentage falling from 46 percent to 42 percent and his rebounding and playmaking numbers also declining. The combination of Sobey and Cameron Gliddon (6.9 points) had been one of the major talking points entering Brisbane’s championship push, but the backcourt did not have the impact expected early as the Bullets sat sixth with a 5-6 record after 11 games.

On December 29, Sobey (24 points and 3 assists) helped Brisbane defeat Melbourne United 102-96 at Melbourne Arena in front of 10,300 fans. Patterson (35 points and 6 rebounds) and Jason Cadee (21 points) joined Sobey in combining for 80 points, while Shawn Long (25 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals) led Melbourne. The victory was Brisbane’s eighth of the season and kept the Bullets in a crowded finals race.

Brisbane’s season gathered momentum through January and the Bullets eventually put together six consecutive wins to move into the top four. New Zealand ended that run at Nissan Arena on February 7, despite Sobey (30 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) making five three-pointers. Patterson (18 points) and Cadee (14 points) provided support, while Scotty Hopson (31 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led the Breakers to a 91-87 win. The loss left Brisbane and New Zealand level on 14 wins with the Bullets still to face Perth and Cairns.

Patterson (21 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.2 steals) remained Brisbane’s leading offensive player, earning All-NBL First Team honours and finishing third in MVP voting, while Cadee (11 points) won the NBL Sixth Man award. Hodgson (10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds), Will Magnay (8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks), Singler (7.8 points and 4.1 rebounds), Gliddon and Braun (6.7 points) were the other major contributors. Magnay was elevated into the starting lineup during his breakout season and was named the NBL Most Improved Player, while veteran Mika Vukona (1.6 points) saw his role reduced by injuries before retiring at the end of the season.

After losses to New Zealand and Perth, Brisbane entered its final game needing to defeat Cairns by at least 34 points to remain alive in the playoff race. Sobey’s best game of the season came at Nissan Arena on February 15, where he made 10-of-22 shots and four three-pointers to finish with 30 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals as Brisbane defeated Cairns 124-88. Gliddon (25 points and 4 steals) and Singler (21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) helped turn the game into a 36-point win, while Majok Deng (20 points and 7 rebounds) led Cairns. The victory was the biggest winning margin by any NBL team that season and Brisbane’s 124 points were a league season-high, but Melbourne United defeated South East Melbourne 109-90 the following day to claim fourth place, leaving Brisbane fifth with a 15-13 record.

2020/21
After finishing fifth with a 15-13 record and missing the playoffs the previous season, Brisbane reshaped its roster under coach Andrej Lemanis. Lamar Patterson (to New Zealand), Cam Gliddon (to South East Melbourne), Reuben Te Rangi (to South East Melbourne), Will Magnay (to New Orleans), Mika Vukona (to Southern Districts), Taylor Braun (to Israel) and EJ Singler (to NZNBL) departed, while Anthony Drmic and Harry Froling (both via Adelaide), Tanner Krebs (via St Mary’s), Tamuri Wigness and imports Vic Law and Orlando Johnson were added.

Sobey entered the second season of the three-year deal he had signed with Brisbane in April 2019.

Brisbane opened the season against Illawarra at Nissan Arena on January 16, where Sobey (19 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) led the Bullets, with Law (17 points and 9 rebounds) and Drmic (14 points and 5 rebounds) also productive, while Sam Froling (19 points and 4 rebounds) led the Hawks to a 90-84 win.

Sobey (21.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists across 36 games) delivered the best season of his career, taking on an increased scoring load while remaining available for every game Brisbane played. After losing its opening two games to Illawarra, Brisbane collected its first win against Sydney on January 26, where Sobey (26 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists) delivered several important plays late in the game, Law (27 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 blocks) and Harrison (11 points and 11 rebounds) provided support, while Jarell Martin (26 points and 11 rebounds) led Sydney as Brisbane won 90-87.

Four days later, Sobey (30 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) helped Brisbane erase a 15-point deficit against Cairns at Nissan Arena. Law (29 points and 11 rebounds) scored the winning basket at the end of overtime and Cadee (11 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) also contributed, while Scott Machado (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 10 assists) led Cairns as Brisbane won 105-103.

Brisbane showed what it was capable of during the NBL Cup, defeating Illawarra 97-91 on February 26 behind Law (29 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) and Sobey (18 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block), while Hodgson (12 points and 5 rebounds) helped Brisbane’s centres combine for 13 rebounds and Justinian Jessup (26 points and 7 rebounds) led the Hawks.

Sobey produced another of his biggest performances against defending champion Perth on March 5, finishing with 31 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal as Brisbane defeated the Wildcats 95-92. Law (23 points and 5 rebounds) and Orlando Johnson (13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) helped Sobey carry the offence, while Bryce Cotton (29 points and 4 assists) led Perth.

Two days later Brisbane knocked off top-of-the-table Melbourne 96-88, with Sobey (17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block) contributing across the floor, Hodgson (24 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block) recording his best scoring game of the season and Law (10 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks) producing his best rebounding performance, while Chris Goulding (21 points) led Melbourne.

Sobey remained in strong form against Adelaide on March 11, finishing with 30 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists and hitting the match-winning three-pointer after making a diving save to keep possession with Brisbane late in the game. Law (22 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Cadee (16 points and 4 assists) provided support, while Daniel Johnson (29 points and 9 rebounds) led Adelaide as Brisbane won 109-104 and moved to the top of the NBL Cup standings.

His best scoring game came two days later against Sydney at John Cain Arena, where Sobey (35 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) made six three-pointers. Law (23 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block) and Hodgson (12 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks) also contributed, while Casper Ware (25 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, and 1 steal) led Sydney to a 119-108 win.

Illness swept through Brisbane before its March 20 game against New Zealand, with Sobey having a COVID test return negative and remaining touch-and-go because of hydration issues. He also appeared to injure his hand during the second quarter but stayed on the floor, with Sobey (12 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists) playing 28 minutes as Froling (20 points and 4 rebounds) and Hodgson (16 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Brisbane, while Tai Webster (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) was New Zealand’s best in an 88-67 Bullets win. Sobey did not miss a game as a result and appeared in all 36 games during the season.

Brisbane made a major roster change during this period, releasing Orlando Johnson (6.9 points and 4.1 rebounds across 15 games) on March 18 and bringing Patterson back after his release from New Zealand. Patterson (14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.5 steals across 17 games) arrived while still recovering from the knee injury he had suffered with the Breakers and was unavailable for Brisbane’s next three games before returning against Illawarra on April 7.

“The circumstances with Lamar have been difficult from day one,” said Head Coach Dan Shamir at the time of Patterson’s release. “When we signed Lamar, we knew it was going to be quite some time before we could get him with the team because of COVID border restrictions entering New Zealand. Lamar got to us 12 days before game one, and unfortunately, he was not in top shape to play, and it was a difficult situation. It influenced how he played, and it influenced the whole team. He was getting in shape and getting better, then he got hurt.”

Brisbane’s hopes of putting its strongest roster together disappeared when Law (18.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks across 16 games) suffered an ankle injury after the win over New Zealand. He missed the next three games before further testing revealed a torn tendon which required surgery and ended his season. Brisbane had been 9-7 when Law made his final appearance, but lost six of its next seven games to fall to 10-13, conceding 90 points per game while scoring only 77.3 during the slide. BJ Johnson was signed to strengthen the depleted roster and averaged 10 points and 3.7 rebounds across 11 games.

Brisbane’s season-low came against South East Melbourne on May 22, where Sobey (4 points, 1 rebound, 7 assists, and 3 steals) played 24 minutes but was held to his lowest scoring total of the season. Drmic (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Patterson (11 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals) were Brisbane’s only double-figure scorers, while Yannick Wetzell (18 points and 9 rebounds) led the Phoenix to a 95-66 win that delivered another blow to Brisbane’s playoff chances.

Alongside Sobey and the midseason combination of Law and Patterson, Drmic (10.1 points and 3.1 rebounds across 34 games), Hodgson (10.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks across 32 games), Cadee (9.5 points and 4 assists across 36 games), Froling (8 points and 4.9 rebounds across 36 games) and Harrison (5.2 points and 5.9 rebounds across 36 games) made up Brisbane’s main rotation. The Bullets scored 3,204 points for an average of 89 per game but conceded a league-high 3,274 points at 90.9 per game, with three consecutive wins their longest winning streak of the season.

Sobey’s 758 points were the most scored by any player across the season and his 21.1 points per game ranked second behind Cotton. He scored 30 or more points seven times, was named to the All-NBL First Team and finished third in MVP voting behind Cotton and Tyler Harvey. Sobey also won Brisbane’s Leroy Loggins MVP Award and Members MVP, while Cadee received the Players Player Award, Hodgson was named the club’s Defensive Player of the Year and Wigness received the Young Player of the Year award. The season also proved to be Lemanis’ last after five years coaching Brisbane, with James Duncan appointed to replace him for NBL22.

Brisbane won four of its final five games but had already left itself too much work to reach the postseason. The Bullets closed the season against South East Melbourne on June 8, where Sobey (16 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists) produced his best rebounding game of the season, Patterson (19 points and 3 assists) and BJ Johnson (16 points and 5 blocks) led the supporting group, while Mitchell Creek (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) was the Phoenix’s best as Brisbane won 94-84 and finished sixth with an 18-18 record.

2021/22
Coming off the back of finishing sixth with an 18-18 record and missing the playoffs, Brisbane entered the 2021/22 season with Andrej Lemanis leaving after five years as head coach. After considering assistant coach and former Bullets player CJ Bruton for the role, the club appointed former Sydney Kings assistant James Duncan.

Vic Law (to Perth), Matt Hodgson (to Perth), Harry Froling (to Illawarra), Callum Dalton (to Melbourne) and BJ Johnson (to Orlando) departed, while Lamar Patterson returned and Tyrell Harrison and Jason Cadee signed two-year deals. Brisbane added Robert Franks (via Lakeland Magic), Isaiah Moss (via Otago), Jack Salt (via New Zealand), Deng Deng (via Illawarra), Chuanxing Liu (via China) and Next Star Tom Digbeu (via Lithuania). The returning captain entered the season after being named to the All-NBL First Team and helping Australia win bronze at the Tokyo Olympics.

Brisbane opened the season at MyState Bank Arena on December 3, where Sobey (24 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) made a late three-pointer to force overtime before being ejected after an unsportsmanlike foul was added to an earlier technical. Franks (19 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks) and Patterson (10 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) provided support, while Adams (20 points) led Tasmania to an 83-74 victory in its first NBL game.

Sobey (16.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists across 12 games) started 11 of his appearances and remained Brisbane’s captain and leading local scorer, but played only twice after January as a knee injury caused him to miss 16 of the Bullets’ 28 games.

Sobey (19 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) produced his best all-round game at RAC Arena on December 12 as Brisbane defeated Perth 97-94 in double overtime and collected its first win of the season. Patterson (27 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) made six three-pointers and Franks (21 points and 12 rebounds) hit the go-ahead three with 27 seconds remaining, while Law (29 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Perth.

Sobey (7 points and 4 assists) played through chest discomfort after taking an elbow before halftime in Brisbane’s 83-70 loss to Perth at RAC Arena on December 17, with Franks (28 points and 9 rebounds) leading the Bullets while Cotton (29 points) was Perth’s best. The injury did not force Sobey to miss a game.

His best scoring game came at Nissan Arena on January 21, where Sobey (30 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Brisbane back from a 19-point deficit to defeat Sydney 96-87. Cadee (18 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Franks (16 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) helped the Bullets outscore Sydney 31-15 in the fourth quarter, while Adams (33 points and 7 assists) led the Kings.

Two days later, Sobey (12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) played his 200th NBL game at Qudos Bank Arena, but Sydney responded with a 97-73 win behind Vasiljevic (23 points) and Martin (19 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block), while Patterson (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block) and Franks (11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) led Brisbane.

After missing four games with the knee injury, Sobey (11 points and 2 assists) returned under a minutes restriction against Cairns on February 24 and scored 11 points in 13 minutes, but the Taipans won 73-69 behind Machado (17 points and 7 assists), while Cadee (15 points and 8 assists) was Brisbane’s leading scorer.

Sobey’s final appearance came two days later at Nissan Arena, where Sobey (14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) played 21 minutes as Brisbane kept its finals hopes alive with a 94-86 win over Tasmania. Franks (23 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Patterson (16 points, 3 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1 steal) led the Bullets, while McIntosh (21 points) was Tasmania’s joint-leading scorer. Sobey pulled up badly following the game and further assessment revealed the bone bruising in his knee had worsened. “I came back in that first week, got through the first game half decent and then second game it just didn’t feel great,” he said. Brisbane initially ruled him out for four weeks before confirming on April 2 that he would miss the remainder of the season.

Brisbane held a 5-9 record at the halfway point before injuries further disrupted Duncan’s rotation. Franks (18.2 points and 8.9 rebounds across 27 games) led Brisbane in scoring 13 times and finished fifth in the NBL in scoring, while Patterson (16.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists across 27 games), Cadee (10.4 points and 5 assists across 28 games), Drmic (7.4 points and 3.3 rebounds across 26 games), Deng (6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds across 28 games) and Harrison (6.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks across 17 games) were the team’s other players above five points per game. Harrison also missed 11 games with an elbow injury as Brisbane finished as the league’s worst defensive team at 89.3 points conceded per game and led the NBL with 14.6 turnovers per game.

Franks received the Leroy Loggins MVP Award and Members’ MVP, Salt was named Players’ Player, Deng received Defensive Player of the Year and Liu won Young Player of the Year.

Despite the extended rehabilitation ahead of him, Sobey signed a three-year contract with the final season as a club option. “My family and I love it up here and Brisbane is home for us,” Sobey said.

Brisbane had closed its season four days before the contract announcement, travelling to Cairns with only seven available players on April 23. With Sobey already ruled out, Franks (30 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) and Krebs (20 points and 3 rebounds) led the Bullets, while McCall (42 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block) produced the first 40-point, 10-assist game of the NBL’s 40-minute era as Cairns won 112-98 and Brisbane finished eighth with a 10-18 record.

2023/24
After finishing ninth with an 8–20 record and using three head coaches during a turbulent 2022/23 campaign, Brisbane appointed Justin Schueller and rebuilt around captain Nathan Sobey, Aron Baynes and Tyrell Harrison. Jason Cadee (to Adelaide) and Tyler Johnson departed, while Schueller added Isaac White and Sam McDaniel (both via Tasmania), Mitch Norton (via Perth), Josh Bannan (via NCAA), Shannon Scott (via Cairns), Chris Smith (via Chiba Jets) and Next Star Rocco Zikarsky. The captain returned for his fifth season with Brisbane and the second year of the multi-year contract he signed in April 2022.

Brisbane opened the season at Nissan Arena on September 29, recovering from a 15–0 deficit to defeat Adelaide 86–71. Sobey (18 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Bullets, with Baynes (12 points and 13 rebounds) and McDaniel (13 points and 11 rebounds) controlling the glass, while Humphries (17 points and 7 rebounds) was Adelaide’s best.

Sobey set a then career-high against Adelaide at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on December 24, finishing with 36 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists, but Brisbane lost 95–88. McDaniel (16 points and 7 rebounds) and Harrison (9 points and 8 rebounds) provided support, while Vasiljevic (23 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists) led the 36ers.

Six days later, Sobey dunked four seconds into the game and finished with 35 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists as Brisbane defeated South East Melbourne 95–83 at Nissan Arena and ended a four-game losing streak. Bannan (17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and McDaniel (14 points and 4 rebounds) supported Sobey, while Kenyon (14 points and 8 rebounds) led the Phoenix before Browne was ejected for striking Baynes during the fourth quarter.

Sobey’s best scoring game came against Adelaide at Nissan Arena on February 9, where he made 13 of 22 shots and six of eight three-pointers to finish with a career-high 37 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals as Brisbane won 102–84. Norton (15 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) and Baynes (10 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) provided support, while Vasiljevic (28 points and 7 rebounds) was Adelaide’s best as the Bullets kept their play-in hopes alive.

An injury to Mitchell (5 points across 15 games) led Brisbane to sign three-time NBL champion Casey Prather (via Israel) in December. Prather (6.7 points and 3 rebounds across 7 games) returned after spending two seasons out of the NBL with knee injuries and joined the Bullets with the team holding a 7–9 record.

Sobey (20.1 points and 4.4 rebounds across 27 games) started every appearance and, for the second season in a row, led Brisbane in points, assists and steals. He was selected to the All-NBL Second Team and received the Leroy Loggins Trophy as the Bullets’ MVP for the second consecutive season.

Bannan (11.9 points and 7.2 rebounds across 19 games) and Smith (11 points across 27 games) were Brisbane’s next leading scorers, while Harrison (9.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 27 games), McDaniel (9 points and 4 rebounds across 28 games), Baynes (7.3 points and 4.3 rebounds across 23 games), Norton (7.1 points across 28 games) and White (7 points across 28 games) filled out the main rotation. Sobey received the Leroy Loggins Trophy as club MVP for the second consecutive season, Norton won the H.A.B.I.T.S Player of the Year award, McDaniel was named Defensive Player of the Year, Bannan received the Youth Player of the Year award and Smith’s game-winning three-pointer against Tasmania was voted Members Moment of the Year.

Despite Brisbane exercising the final-year club option on Sobey’s contract in early March, the Bullets and Sobey (to South East Melbourne) mutually agreed to part ways later that month, with the Phoenix buying out the remaining season of his deal.

“Really this decision wasn’t about Nathan, but how we can continue to move forward as a club and build a true contender,” Schueller said. “We needed to lean more into our culture and bring in winners who can help us grow. We can’t shy away from Nathan’s production, but we also know there’s other areas we must improve if we want to win a championship.”

Brisbane’s season had ended at Spark Arena on February 16, where Bannan (29 points and 4 rebounds) and Norton (10 points, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) provided support, while Jackson-Cartwright (27 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) led New Zealand to a 103–87 win that left the Bullets seventh with a 13–15 record and outside the play-in on percentage. Sobey (16 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 block) played 32:23 minutes in the loss.

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
2024/25
Following a wooden spoon finish and a 10-18 record in 2023/24, South East Melbourne entered the following season without long-time franchise anchor Mitch Creek (to Trabzon) and import centre Alan Williams (to Goyang), who was released by mutual agreement despite having another year remaining on his contract. Reuben Te Rangi and Gorjok Gak (both to Tasmania), Kody Stattmann (to Cairns) and Rhys Vague (to Tokyo) also departed, while Mike Kelly was retained as head coach and rebuilt the roster around Nathan Sobey (via Brisbane), Jordan Hunter and Angus Glover (both via Sydney), Derrick Walton Jr (via Zhejiang), Joe Wieskamp (via Maine), Matt Hurt (via Memphis) and Next Star Malique Lewis (via Mexico City).

After securing a mutual release from Brisbane, Sobey signed a one-year deal with South East Melbourne that included a mutual option for a second season. The Olympic bronze medallist arrived after leading the Bullets in points, assists and steals during the previous season and was appointed co-captain alongside fellow recruit Hunter.

South East Melbourne opened the season against Perth at HoopsFest on September 20, where Sobey (13 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists) made his Phoenix debut, but the Wildcats won 106-98 at RAC Arena. Hunter (19 points and 7 rebounds) and Hurt (16 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led South East Melbourne, while Pinder (29 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals) was Perth’s best.

Sobey (17 points, 4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.4 steals across 29 games) started every regular-season game and led South East Melbourne in assists and steals, providing the rebuilt roster with experience, defensive pressure and another primary ball-handler alongside Walton Jr. However, the Phoenix dropped their opening five games and Kelly was dismissed, with assistant Sam Mackinnon elevated to interim head coach.

Mackinnon delivered an immediate response against Melbourne on October 20, where Sobey (16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) returned to the starting lineup and helped South East Melbourne collect its first win with a 93-84 Throwdown victory. Hunter (20 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block) and Hurt (18 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) led the Phoenix, while Clark (19 points and 4 rebounds) was Melbourne’s best.

After Mackinnon guided the team to two wins from three games, Josh King was appointed head coach and introduced an aggressive system that allowed Sobey to attack in transition and apply pressure defensively. In King’s second game on November 3, Sobey (20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks) scored his 4,000th NBL point during a 100-76 win over Perth, with Hurt (17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Glover (17 points) providing support, while Pepper (17 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals) led the Wildcats.

Sobey’s best scoring game came against his former team in Traralgon on January 11, when he made four three-pointers and finished with 31 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals as South East Melbourne defeated Brisbane 105-86. Hurt (32 points and 12 rebounds) and Wieskamp (16 points) helped the Phoenix outscore the Bullets 36-18 in the fourth quarter, while Bannan (23 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Brisbane before leaving with a knee injury. Walton Jr also suffered a hamstring injury during the win and did not return until the postseason.

Hurt (20.1 points and 7.4 rebounds across 29 games) and Sobey formed South East Melbourne’s primary offensive combination, while Walton Jr (11.8 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals across 15 games) controlled the offence when healthy. Wieskamp (10.9 points and 4.9 rebounds across 28 games), Hunter (10.6 points and 7 rebounds across 29 games), Glover (9.7 points across 29 games), Foxwell (7.9 points across 28 games) and Lewis (7 points and 4.1 rebounds across 29 games) carried the remaining rotation. Hurt earned All-NBL First Team honours and became the first player other than Creek to win the Phoenix’s club MVP award, while King finished runner-up for Coach of the Year.

South East Melbourne closed the regular season against Melbourne at John Cain Arena on February 8, where Sobey (11 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists), Ayre (15 points and 3 assists) and Hurt (14 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 block) led the Phoenix, but United won 103-93 behind Ili (18 points). South East Melbourne finished fourth with a 16-13 record, becoming the first team of the 40-minute era and only the second in NBL history to qualify for the postseason after opening 0-5.

The postseason began with a Seeding Qualifier at the Perth High Performance Centre, where Pinder (35 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks), Cotton (27 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Doolittle (20 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Perth to a 122-105 win. Glover (25 points and 2 steals), Hurt (24 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) and Sobey (22 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists) led South East Melbourne, which surrendered a 67-62 halftime advantage after Perth produced a decisive 35-9 run either side of three-quarter time.

South East Melbourne then hosted Adelaide in an elimination game at John Cain Arena and trailed by 21 points before outscoring the 36ers 59-30 during the second half to win 85-75. Hurt (25 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block), Ayre (17 points) and Sobey (11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led the comeback, while Davis (26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Harrell (17 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 blocks) were Adelaide’s best.

Illawarra opened the semifinal series at the WIN Entertainment Centre with a 101-94 victory behind Kell III (24 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists), Harvey (24 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) and Blanchfield (16 points and 6 rebounds). Wieskamp (22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks), Sobey (17 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) and the returning Walton Jr (15 points, 3 rebounds, and 11 assists) led South East Melbourne, which surrendered an 11-point second-half advantage after Illawarra responded with 21 consecutive points.

Game two moved to John Cain Arena, where Hurt (30 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks), Sobey (25 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) and Glover (16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) led South East Melbourne to its first playoff-series victory with a 101-94 win. Hickey (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists), Froling (11 points and 5 rebounds) and Harvey (10 points and 4 assists) led Illawarra as the Phoenix forced a deciding game in Wollongong.

Game three returned to the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Kell III (30 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal), Blanchfield (28 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Harvey (12 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals) powered Illawarra into the Championship Series with the highest postseason score and biggest finals victory in club history. Wieskamp (25 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Foxwell (13 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals) provided South East Melbourne’s other major contributions. Sobey (19 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) played 28:58 in the 126-96 loss.

2025/26
After turning a 0-5 start into a 16-13 record, fourth place and a semifinal appearance in 2024/25, South East Melbourne returned with Josh King for his second season as head coach but farewelled Matt Hurt (to Trapani), Derrick Walton Jr. (to Holon), Joe Wieskamp (to Jena), Ben Ayre (to Tasmania), Luke Fennell (to Syracuse) and Matt Kenyon (to Adelaide). Co-captains Nathan Sobey and Jordan Hunter remained alongside Angus Glover, Owen Foxwell, Malique Lewis and Luke Rosendale.

King added Akech Aliir (via Melbourne), Daniel Foster (via Nevada), DJ Mitchell (via Manchester), Gorjok Gak (via Tasmania), Hunter Maldonado (via Ludwigsburg) and John Brown III (via Belgrade), while Lewis re-signed for another season.

On March 31, Sobey and the Phoenix mutually exercised the option on the second season of his original two-year deal, keeping the co-captain in the Heartland for NBL26.

South East Melbourne opened the season at John Cain Arena on September 20, where Sobey (13 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals) directed the Phoenix to a 114-77 win over Cairns, with Glover (18 points and 5 rebounds) and Maldonado (16 points and 5 assists) leading the other scorers, while Smith (19 points and 6 rebounds) was Cairns’ best.

Sobey (22.5 points, 4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.7 steals) produced the highest-scoring season of his career and led South East Melbourne in points and assists. He played his 300th NBL game during October before signing a two-year extension on February 14, with the second season a mutual option.

Sobey’s best regular-season scoring game came at the State Basketball Centre on January 8, where Sobey (37 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals) scored 13 points in overtime and threw down a late dunk over Mason Peatling as South East Melbourne defeated Illawarra 124-113. Glover (22 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) and Mitchell (16 points and 4 rebounds) provided support, while Froling (22 points and 9 rebounds) was Illawarra’s best.

Iwundu (11.6 points and 3.3 rebounds) (via Patras) joined after the season began and quickly moved into the starting group. December brought further change when Gak (2.9 points) (to Sichuan) and Maldonado (11.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.4 steals) (to Brisbane) departed, with Clark (13.7 points) (via Santurce) signed as Maldonado’s replacement.

Brown (10.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.1 steals) became the defensive anchor of King’s lineup, winning the Damian Martin Trophy as NBL Defensive Player of the Year and joining Sobey in the All-NBL First Team. Brown also received the Phoenix fan-voted, Locker Room and club Defensive Player of the Year awards, while Sobey tied for third in the NBL MVP voting and won the club MVP award.

Hunter (11.6 points and 5.9 rebounds) remained the starting centre, while Foxwell (10.7 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.3 steals) continued his development in the backcourt. Glover (10.4 points) provided scoring and defensive pressure off the bench and won the NBL Sixth Man of the Year award, while Lewis (6.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals) supplied athleticism on the wing and received the club’s Community Impact Award. King finished second in Coach of the Year voting as the Phoenix remained in the top three for most of the season.

South East Melbourne closed the regular season against Melbourne United at John Cain Arena on February 19, where Sobey (29 points and 7 rebounds), Iwundu (17 points and 4 rebounds) and Clark (14 points and 2 blocks) led the Phoenix, but Doyle (25 points) carried United to a 95-91 win. The result left South East Melbourne third with a 22-11 record.

The Phoenix opened the postseason against Perth at John Cain Arena on March 4, where Sobey (24 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals), Foxwell (18 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals) and Clark (16 points) led South East Melbourne to a 111-94 win, while Doolittle (22 points and 6 rebounds) and Windler (13 points, 7 assists, and 2 blocks) were best for the Wildcats.

Game one of the semifinals was played at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on March 10, where Sobey (23 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals), Glover (14 points and 4 rebounds) and Hunter (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) led South East Melbourne, but Cotton (42 points and 5 assists), Vasiljevic (17 points) and Rakocevic (14 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block) carried Adelaide to a 104-97 win.

Game two moved to John Cain Arena, where South East Melbourne fell 18 points behind during the second quarter and trailed by 13 at half-time before Sobey (41 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) made eight three-pointers and scored 17 points during a 39-20 third quarter. Brown (12 points and 7 rebounds) and Glover (10 points and 3 rebounds) provided support, while Cotton (29 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists), Rakocevic (18 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Vasiljevic (14 points) led Adelaide before the Phoenix won 101-92 and forced a deciding game.

Game three returned to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on March 17, where Clark (32 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals), Sobey (17 points and 8 assists) and Brown (9 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals) led South East Melbourne, while Cotton (38 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists), Vasiljevic (27 points and 4 assists) and Rakocevic (14 points and 12 rebounds) carried Adelaide to a 108-96 win.

Nathan Sobey currently plays for the South East Melbourne Phoenix and has played 339 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 15.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists since entering the league in 2014.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

South East Melbourne Phoenix – 2 Year Deal (2024-26)
2nd Year Mutual Option

CAREER RANKINGS:

– 40th in total points
– 29th in total assists

HIGHLIGHTS: