Download and listen to Aussie Hoopla podcast on the links below. iTunes – Spotify – Stitcher – Libsyn – TuneIn Dusty Rychart was a star at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis where he became a three year starter after being a walk-on in 1997. After missing out on the 2002 NBA draft, moved to Australia and joined the Victoria Giants for the 2002–03 NBL season. Although…
Read MoreRumours have circulated for weeks within basketball circles that the New Zealand Breakers had decided to part ways with head coach Kevin Braswell after the team missed the playoffs last season. Although no announcements have been made as yet, it seems Dan Shamir, the current coach of Hapoel Holon in the Israel Super League will…
Read MoreOne team’s trash becomes another team’s treasure with the announcement that former Melbourne United star Josh Boone, has signed a one year deal to play with the Illawarra Hawks. The 34-year-old Boone was overlooked by the Melbourne United, who chose instead to chase the signature of the much younger, 26-year-old Shawn Long who played last season…
Read MoreAlthough it seems he hasn’t put pen to paper as yet, Shawn Long has agreed to play with Melbourne United in 2019-20. Iight. Everyone is blowing me up. I’ll just go ahead and say I’m excited to sign with @MelbUnitedHQ ! Thank you @NZBreakers for the opportunity and support last season. I look…
Read MoreNate Jawai and the Cairns Taipans have failed to reach an agreement on a new contract for 2019-20 and chances of any being made in the future are now doubtful. Cairns coach Mike Kelly said earlier this month he was keen to bring Jawai back for another season and although it felt as though a…
Read MoreThe NBL plans to expand become a reality on the 2nd of September 2018 when businessman Romi Chaudry was granted the license to the NBL’s ninth franchise. The team now known as South East Melbourne Phoenix, an apt name that incorporates history and a nod to the future all at the same time, is a…
Read MoreIn 1984, the three-point line was introduced into the National Basketball League, with players such as Brian Goorjian, Darryl Pearce, Ron Radliff and Mark Gaze making immediate use of the long range bomb. Since then, we’ve seen Australians like Andrew Gaze, Daniel Kickert and John Rillie master the triple, while imports like Bryce Cotton, Gary…
Read MoreCasper Ware Jr. powered Melbourne United to a second straight NBL Finals appearance with a convincing 90-76 win over the Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena today. The 5’10” guard dominated the game from the start, racking up 17 points in the first half. Ware created havoc with an array of jumpers, three point buckets…
Read MoreIt’s do or die for the Sydney Kings as they prepare for game two of their semi-final showdown with the Melbourne United. The defending champions are rolling right now, having made the Kings look downright foolish in their first semi-final match-up. United cruised to a 95-73 win, making a bold statement that if the Kings…
Read MoreSydney, NSW – Today is D-Day for the Sydney Kings. It’s the second game of their best-of-three semifinal series against defending champions Melbourne United. After last Thursday’s trashing in Melbourne, Sydney are ready to make up for it and make a statement at home. Game 1 is behind them now. The 95-73 loss…
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Two-time NBL champion and five-time NBL Best Defensive Player Darnell Mee returns to the podcast to revisit the unfinished stories from one of the greatest careers in Australian basketball, including Adelaide’s heartbreaking 2001 playoff exit, his decision to leave the 36ers and the fight to keep the Cairns Taipans alive. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Mee about watching his son Micale build his own basketball career in Australia, the chemistry behind Adelaide’s back-to-back championships, becoming teammates…
READ MOREJunior basketball development is where the Australian basketball journey begins. Before players represent Australia or reach the NBL, most first learn the game through their local basketball association. While hundreds of rookies have entered the NBL over the years, the same junior basketball programs regularly appear in their backgrounds. Some associations have developed significantly more NBL talent than others, establishing themselves as important pathways into professional basketball. Until now, a complete record of the junior association responsible for developing every player to have competed in…
READ MORETwo-time NBL champion Matt Garrison joins the podcast to reflect on winning back-to-back championships with two different teams, helping the Wollongong Hawks claim their first NBL title in 2001 before joining the Adelaide 36ers and winning it all again in 2002. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Garrison about arriving in Wollongong as a mid-season import, adjusting from being a high-scoring starter to an important role off the bench, and being part of the Hawks team that…
READ MOREIn 1984, the NBL introduced the three-point line, forever altering the geometry of Australian basketball. Since then, the league has seen traditional snipers, stretch bigs and volume scorers completely revolutionise how offenses operate and defenses scramble. But as the modern game places a premium on spacing and perimeter shooting, a critical question arises: Who are the most efficient and devastating shooters in the 40-year history of the NBL? To cut through the noise, we have to look beyond raw percentages. By combining historical spreadsheet data…
READ MOREPerth Wildcats head coach John Rillie joins the podcast to discuss the pressure that comes with coaching one of the NBL’s most successful clubs, the challenge of moving forward after Bryce Cotton’s departure, and what Perth needs to build its next championship contender. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Rillie about taking over the Wildcats after the club missed the finals for the first time since 1986, the expectations of the Red Army, and how Perth’s three…
READ MOREFormer Sydney Kings and Townsville Crocodiles big man Rolan Roberts joins the podcast to reflect on his time in Australia, including joining the Kings mid-season and helping them complete their historic 2005 NBL three-peat. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Roberts about playing under Brian Goorjian, becoming a key interior presence for Sydney, and being part of the Kings team that became the first in NBL history to win three straight championships. The episode also dives into…
READ MOREAt some point over the next 12 months, the Boomers are going to have to make a decision that Australian basketball has managed to avoid for almost two decades. Who exactly is this team built around now? Since 2010, that answer was simple. It was Patty Mills’ team. Mills has been the primary scorer for the Boomers for nearly two decades and few Australian victories have been recorded without a major scoring performance from Patty. But as the Boomers move toward the 2027 FIBA World…
READ MOREA player arriving in the NBL with NBA experience always creates interest. Fans get excited when their team signs a former NBA player, commentators mention it during broadcasts, and every article about that player usually links their NBL performance back to their NBA résumé. Sometimes, we see a big-time college prospect use the NBL as a springboard to the NBA and never return. Other times, established NBA veterans come to Australia looking for a fresh opportunity. And in many cases, local talent develops in the…
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