Before the 2009-10 season, the NBL decided to move in line with FIBA and shorten the playing length of games from 48 to 40 minutes per game.
This move has made the game a much more attractive product to families and TV stations but ultimately has changed the landscape of the league’s all-time single game performances with current NBL stars having at least eight minutes less than their predecessors in the 1980’s, 1990’s and 2000’s.
This change in landscape makes comparing today’s NBL achievements with those of yesteryear almost unachievable. Will anyone be able to match Andrew Gaze’s 18,908 total points or Al Green’s 71-point game with two fewer minutes each quarter… unlikely.
In Aussie Hoopla’s stats section, we’ve listed every statistics tallied from any player who ever took the court. But here, we’ve separated NBL records into two categories: the 48-minute “Classic” Era, and the 40 minute “Modern” Era.
Everything before the 2009-10 season will be Classic, after, Modern. This three-part series will look at the Modern Era single-game, season and career records.
Modern Era Single Game Records
(* – most recent season)
Points
50 – Chris Goulding, Melbourne (March 9, 2014)
49 – Kirk Penney, New Zealand (January 21, 2010)
45* – Bryce Cotton, Perth (March 5, 2017)
41 – Jerome Randle, Adelaide (January 20, 2016)
40 – Jermaine Beal, Perth (December 10, 2015)
40 – Kevin Lisch, Illawarra (January 17, 2016)
40* – Jerome Randle, Adelaide (November 5, 2016)
39 – Rotnei Clarke, Illawarra (February 15, 2014)
39* – Casey Prather, Perth (December 9, 2016)
39 – Corey Webster, New Zealand (November 22, 2015)
In Melbourne’s 92-82 win against the Kings in 2014, Chris Goulding was unstoppable. The only instance of a half century in the Modern Era, Goulding played all 40 minutes, going 20/33 from the field and hitting a whopping nine three-pointers. He shot so well from the field that it is easy to overlook the fact he went 1/3 from the foul line.
Bryce Cotton won the 2016-17 NBL Finals MVP award, and it’s easy to see why. Not only was it a magnificent performance, but it was also one for the record books. His 45 points in game three were the third best Modern Era scoring feat.
Rebounds
26 – Charles Jackson, New Zealand (January 17, 2016)
21 – Julian Khazzouh, Sydney (December 8, 2011)
19 – Josh Childress, Sydney (November 9, 2014)
18* – Torrey Craig, Brisbane (February 11, 2017)
18 – Jacob Holmes, Adelaide (October 17, 2010)
17* – Torrey Craig, Brisbane (October 8, 2016)
17 – Mickell Gladness, Townsville (January 16, 2015)
17 – Scott Morrison, Melbourne (February 2, 2014)
17 – Mika Vukona, New Zealand (November 28, 2013)
17 – Julian Khazzouh, Sydney (December 31, 2010)
In the same game where Kevin Lisch scored 40 points (see above), Charles Jackson was a man mountain. Eight offensive and 18 defensive rebounds, Jackson had only nine rebounds less than the whole Hawks team, who beat the Breakers in overtime 103-96. Unfortunately, Jackson could have ripped down more rebounds as he fouled out in only 31 minutes on the court.
Torrey Craig also had a monster 2016-17, with two of the top six rebounding games finding their way onto the top 10.
Assists
15 – Nate Tomlinson, Melbourne (November 8, 2013)
14 – Adam Gibson, Adelaide (December 31, 2014)
14 – Cedric Jackson, New Zealand (October 11, 2015)
13 – Kevin Braswell, New Zealand (February 20, 2011)
13 – Cedric Jackson, New Zealand (January 19, 2012)
13 – Cedric Jackson, New Zealand (November 5, 2015)
13 – Gary Ervin, Wollongong (October 31, 2010)
12 – Cedric Jackson, New Zealand (April 24, 2012)
12 – Cedric Jackson, New Zealand (November 9, 2012)
12 – Cedric Jackson, New Zealand (November 10, 2012)
One man dominates this list with Cedric Jackson having six of the top ten Modern Era assist games. Nate Tomlinson may not get much playing time anymore, but in 2013-14 he was the best passing point guard in the league.
Tomlinson was the only player in the league to average over five assists per game and had three of the top five assist totals in the season, including his 15-assist game against Adelaide. Melbourne may have lost the contest, but Tomlinson had a blinder, with 15 assists to only two turnovers.
Steals
9 – Damian Martin, Perth (October 24, 2014)
7 – Ron Dorsey, Cairns (April 8, 2011)
7 – Damian Martin, Perth (April 10, 2011)
7 – Damian Martin, Perth, (March 13, 2011)
7 – Rolan Roberts, Townsville (November 20, 2009)
6* – Cameron Bairstow, Brisbane (December 19, 2016)
6 – Adam Gibson, Adelaide (November 2, 2014)
6 – Cedric Jackson, New Zealand (March 7, 2013)
6 – Cedric Jackson, New Zealand (January 8, 2015)
6* – Kevin Lisch, Sydney (October 24, 2016)
Damian Martin had the most “Damian Martin-esque” game when he stole the ball nine times. Playing nearly 33 minutes, Martin had nine steals, nine rebounds, eight assists, one turnover and only two points. And the Wildcats pumped the Kings. If that doesn’t sum up what Martin is about when he is on the floor, then nothing will.
Blocks
8 – AJ Ogilvy, Sydney (January 26, 2014)
7 – Larry Davidson, Wollongong (February 19, 2010)
6 – Ekene Ibekwe, New Zealand (February 15, 2015)
6 – Tom Jervis, Perth (October 18, 2013)
6 – Julian Khazzouh, Sydney (October 30, 2015)
6 – AJ Ogilvy, Illawarra (December 3, 2015)
6 – Alex Pledger, New Zealand (December 27, 2015)
6* – Alex Pledger, New Zealand (December 15, 2016)
6 – Trey Gilder, Sydney (January 8, 2011)
6 – Julian Khazzouh, Sydney (October 16, 2010)
During his 2013-14 season, AJ Ogilvy was in the top ten in big man scoring. In his eight-block night, he did not attempt a field goal. He did have seven points, all of them free throws, but his defence was the star of the show. Blocked shots are just the start of the story, as all the intimidation and shot changing do not show up in the box score. The Kings shot 54% from the field, the 36ers only 41%.
Turnovers
10 – Corey Wiliams, Melbourne (November 21, 2010)
10 – Corey Williams, Melbourne (December 18, 2010)
9 – Chris Goulding, Melbourne (October 21, 2012)
9 – Stephen Holt, Melbourne (January 29, 2016)
8 – Dillion Boucher, New Zealand (October 22, 2011)
8 – Eddie Gill, Townsville (December 18, 2011)
8 – Jerome Randle, Adelaide (November 5, 2015)
8 – Corey Williams, Melbourne (March 18, 2011)
8 – Corey Williams, Melbourne (January 22, 2011)
8 – Corey Williams, Melbourne (November 19, 2010)
Even though Corey “Homicide” Williams has five of the top ten turnover totals, including the only two double-digit games, it must be said that he did have the ball in his hands much more than the usual point guard.
Having seventy percent of the list Tigers/United players shows that Melbourne usually has ball dominant guards who make most of the offence. All five of Williams’ entries on this list were in the same season, so you can expect him to be high on the season total records.
Kyle has barracked for the North Melbourne Giants, Victoria Titans, Victoria Giants and the South Dragons. He's hoping the Melbourne United don't fold like the rest of them
