Rashad Tucker
July 23, 2020
Neil Mottram
- Nationality: AUS
- Date of Birth: 26/08/81
- Place of Birth: Melbourne (VIC)
- Position: F/C
- Height (CM): 205
- Weight (KG): 100
- Junior Assoc: VIC - Werribee
- College: None
- NBL DEBUT: 30/10/00
- AGE AT DEBUT: 19
- LAST NBL GAME: 26/01/08
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 26
- NBL History: Perth 2001-02 | Melbourne 2003-06 | Adelaide 2008
- Championships: 1
- Melbourne (2006)
BIO: Neil Mottram was born in Melbourne (VIC) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Werribee basketball program. Mottram received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 1999. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (1999, 2000).
FAMILY: Married to Jenni Screen.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Neil Mottram made his NBL debut with the Perth Wildcats at 19 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.
In 2000/01, Mottram averaged 4.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.1 assists as the Wildcats finished in third place with a record of 21-7 .
2001/02
In 2001/02, Mottram averaged 3.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.2 assists, playing a key role in the Wildcat’s rotation, helping the team finish reach a second place finish in the regular season with a 17-13 record.
MELBOURNE TIGERS
2002/03
After coming close to a NBL Grand Final berth the prior season, which many feel they would have if not for a ankle injury that derailed Andrew Gaze for the playoffs, the Tigers underwent some small roster changes in 2002. Moving on were Daniel Egan (to Brisbane) and Warrick Giddey (retired), while Neil Mottram (via Perth), Blake and import Matt Rueter, who had both been playing in the state league, were also added to the roster.
Tigers started off slowly (2-4) before findng their groove and recording a four winning streak to improve to return to the top six by round 10 (6-4). Melbourne would lose Gaze (22.1 points, 4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.1 steals) to a knee infection that saw him miss four games (one win, three losses) with David Smith (5.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists) inserted into the starting lineup. When Gaze returned to the lineup he was visibly unfit and several kilograms lighter. The Tigers had also dropped out of the playoffs picture again (9-11) after losing the NBL’s leading rebounder, Mark Bradtke (17.4 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 blocks) for six games with back and hamstring issues.
In addition to Gaze and Bradtke, the Tigers would rely on Lanard Copeland (18.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.4 steals) and Marcus Timmons (13.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3 assists 1.4 steals) to provide the offensive punch, with Neil Mottram (10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists) and Stephen Hoare (9.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists) also stepping up in Bradtke’s absence.
Heading into the last round, the Tigers (14-14) needed to a extra win to avoid losing the sixth spot on the ladder to West Sydney (12-16), who had the head to head advantage against Melbourne. They would defeat Illawarra (108-99) locking in a playoff spot, but then lose to Townsville (104-106) to end the regular season (15-15).
Melbourne faced the first seed Sydney (22-8) in the Qualifying Finals and lost the opening game (89-101) thanks to big games from Kings stars Shane Heal (25 points), Kavossy Franklin (19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists) and David Stiff (18 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks).
In game two, Bradtke (21 points, 20 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals) and Kings star import Chris Williams (32 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 4 blocks) would battle inside in one of the greatest head to head battles of all-time. Although Williams would do it all that night, the Tigers locked down the Kings backcourt of Heal (14 points) and Franklin (16 points) and thanks to big games from Gaze (25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists) and Copeland (22 points and 5 assists), came away victors in game two (108-104).
With the series returning to Sydney, the Kings simply outclassed the Tigers in game three (114-89), with Williams (25 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocks) continuing his unstoppable form and the Kings winning by 25 points. The Kings locked down Melbourne’s ‘Big Three’ of Gaze, Copeland and Bradtke who in rare fashion were limited to only 34 points combined. Stephen Hoare (15 points and 12 rebounds) top scoring for the Tigers.
2003/04
Coming off a qualifying-finals loss to Sydney, Melbourne entered the season without Marcus Timmons (to Cairns), Greg Blake (to Victoria), Matt Rueter and Nathan Taylor. Head coach Lindsay Gaze retained Andrew Gaze, Mark Bradtke, Lanard Copeland, Stephen Hoare, David Smith, Neil Mottram, Daryl Corletto and Luke McMillan, while adding Darryl McDonald (via Victoria), David Donaldson and import Thalo Green.
Dave Thomas (via Canberra) joined the Tigers after the season had begun, adding another athletic forward to Lindsay’s rotation.
Mottram (1.6 points and 1.2 rebounds across 5 games) appeared for only 44 minutes during his second season with Melbourne after playing all 33 games the previous year.
Mottram (4 points) produced his best scoring performance of the season in one of his five appearances, with limited opportunities keeping him outside Melbourne’s regular frontcourt rotation for most of the campaign.
Gaze (21.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 35 games) and Copeland (18.5 points and 3.2 assists across 35 games) remained Melbourne’s two leading offensive players, while Bradtke (15.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists across 32 games) led the NBL in rebounding and earned All-NBL First Team honours. Thomas (15.8 points, 9 rebounds, and 1.9 steals across 30 games), Hoare (9.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists across 30 games), McDonald (7.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.6 steals across 34 games) and Green (7.6 points across 34 games) filled out the main rotation, with McDonald winning the NBL Best Sixth Man award as Melbourne finished fifth with a 20-13 record.
The elimination final opened at the State Netball and Hockey Centre, where Melbourne recovered from a ten-point halftime deficit to defeat Adelaide 111-107 behind Gaze (31 points), Bradtke (25 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Thomas (23 points and 3 steals), while Martin Cattalini (31 points) and Dusty Rychart (27 points) led the 36ers.
The quarterfinals moved to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, where Stephen Black (24 points) led the Bullets to a 112-101 win despite Copeland (23 points), Gaze (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Thomas (12 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks).
2004/05
In limited minutes, Mottram averaged 2.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.7 assists, playing alongside Melbourne Tigers legends Andrew Gaze, Lanard Copeland and Mark Bradtke. He helped guide the team to a 17-15 record and a sixth place finish in the regular season. The team would defeat Perth 108-88 in the first round of the elimination finals before losing to the Townsville Crocodiles in the second elimination final, 100-112. This game would be the last for Tigers legends Andrew Gaze and his father, Lindsey, who had decided to retire at the season’s end.
2005/06
In 2005, the Tigers were forced into rebuilding mode as legendary figures Andrew Gaze and his father Gaze retired while Tigers stalwarts Mark Bradtke and Lanard Copeland headed to Brisbane. By a stroke of luck, Chris Anstey, who after three seasons in Europe had decided he wanted to return to play in Australia, began talking to the Tigers, who were now the only NBL team in Melbourne.
With Anstey on board and David Stiff, Rashad Tucker, Dave Thomas, Darryl McDonald, Stephen Hoare and Daryl Corletto returning, the Tigers core was set and so finalised their roster by adding a bunch of young talent in Tom Greer, Braith Cox and Matt O’Hea.
The Tigers opened the season with a huge win over the Wollongong Hawks at home (102–61), then reeled off wins against Perth (twice) and Brisbane to start the season 4-0 before suffering their first loss (88–95) to the Sydney Kings.
Anstey (22.5 points, 10 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 2.1 blocks) would lead the Tigers scoring, rebounds, blocks, and minutes played and, unsurprisingly, was named the Philips Most Valuable Player of the 2005/06 Philips Championship season. Both Corletto (11.2 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists) and Tucker (15.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists) were the primary benefactors of the exit of Gaze and Copeland, both seeing a major boost in their minutes and production. Tucker, who had struggled in the rotation the previous season, emerged as the team’s second option on offensive, which included Tucker erupting with a 35-point haul in a win over Perth (115-105), his former club.
Alongside Anstey and Tucker, Mottram averaged 8.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game.
The Tigers finished their season with the best record in franchise history (25-7) which included a almost unbeatable home record (15-1). Melbourne would still manage only second place however, with Sydney (15-1) also being unstoppable at home (15-1) and finishing with a better overall record (26-6).
With Melbourne and Sydney earning automatic entry to the semi finals, they awaited the winners of the play-in tournament, which resulted in Melbourne facing Perth and Sydney facing Cairns. Both team’s eliminated their competition in two straight games to set-up a Grand Final series between the two rivals who had been the clear front runners all season.
Anstey then led the Tigers to the franchise’s third title, winning three straight games against the defending triple-champion Sydney Kings to sweep them 3-0. Anstey’s play also saw him snare the Larry Sengstock Medal as MVP of the Philips Grand Final Series after he delivered arguably the most dominant performance of NBL Finals history, recording 24 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks In game one, 30 points 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in game two and 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists in Game 3.
ADELAIDE 36ERS
2007/08
Mottram received a offer to play in Italy during the 2006/07 and played in Europe for one season before returning to the NBL. He signed a one year deal with Adelaide andd averaged 5.0 points and 4.9 rebounds for the season. The 36ers finished in ninth place (14-16).
Mottram’s year with the 36ers would be his last in the NBL. He spent the remaining three years of his career playing in Sweden.
Neil Mottram played seven seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Perth Wildcats, Melbourne Tigers and Adelaide 36ers. He averaged 6.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 156 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-08 | 26 | Adelaide | 14-16 (9) | 26 | 478 | 129 | 127 | 16 | 52 | 75 | 13 | 11 | 30 | 91 | 47 | 91 | 52% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 35 | 59 | 59% | 54% | 52% | 16 |
| 2005-06 | 24 | Melbourne | 25-7 (2) | 34 | 727 | 279 | 173 | 25 | 85 | 88 | 4 | 13 | 53 | 107 | 109 | 198 | 55% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 61 | 104 | 59% | 56% | 55% | 16 |
| 2004-05 | 23 | Melbourne | 17-15 (6) | 17 | 196 | 42 | 38 | 12 | 17 | 21 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 41 | 20 | 37 | 54% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 2 | 13 | 15% | 49% | 54% | 12 |
| 2003-04 | 22 | Melbourne | 20-13 (5) | 5 | 44 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 4 | 50% | 51% | 0% | 4 |
| 2002-03 | 21 | Melbourne | 15-15 (6) | 33 | 874 | 346 | 180 | 32 | 74 | 106 | 13 | 26 | 76 | 122 | 137 | 215 | 64% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 72 | 128 | 56% | 63% | 64% | 19 |
| 2001-02 | 20 | Perth | 17-13 (2) | 22 | 318 | 82 | 82 | 4 | 37 | 45 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 51 | 33 | 59 | 56% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 16 | 33 | 48% | 55% | 56% | 12 |
| 2000-01 | 19 | Perth | 21-7 (3) | 19 | 220 | 78 | 51 | 2 | 21 | 30 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 26 | 30 | 45 | 67% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 18 | 39 | 46% | 61% | 67% | 17 | Totals | 156 | 2857 | 964 | 657 | 93 | 286 | 371 | 39 | 66 | 194 | 447 | 379 | 651 | 58.2% | 0 | 1 | 0.0% | 206 | 380 | 54.2% | 59% | 58% | 19 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-08 | 26 | Adelaide | 14-16 (9) | 26 | 18.4 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 0.6 | 2.0 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 3.5 | 52% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 1.3 | 2.3 | 59% | 54% | 52% | 16 |
| 2005-06 | 24 | Melbourne | 25-7 (2) | 34 | 21.4 | 8.2 | 5.1 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 1.6 | 3.1 | 3.2 | 5.8 | 55% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 1.8 | 3.1 | 59% | 56% | 55% | 16 |
| 2004-05 | 23 | Melbourne | 17-15 (6) | 17 | 11.5 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 2.2 | 54% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 0.1 | 0.8 | 15% | 49% | 54% | 12 |
| 2003-04 | 22 | Melbourne | 20-13 (5) | 5 | 8.8 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 50% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.4 | 0.8 | 50% | 51% | 0% | 4 |
| 2002-03 | 21 | Melbourne | 15-15 (6) | 33 | 26.5 | 10.5 | 5.5 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 3.7 | 4.2 | 6.5 | 64% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 2.2 | 3.9 | 56% | 63% | 64% | 19 |
| 2001-02 | 20 | Perth | 17-13 (2) | 22 | 14.5 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 0.2 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 56% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.7 | 1.5 | 48% | 55% | 56% | 12 |
| 2000-01 | 19 | Perth | 21-7 (3) | 19 | 11.6 | 4.1 | 2.7 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 67% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.9 | 2.1 | 46% | 61% | 67% | 17 | Total | 156 | 18.3 | 6.2 | 4.2 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 2.4 | 4.2 | 58.2% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0% | 0.0 | 54.2% | 59% | 58% | 19 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 19 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- AIS (1999–2000), Forestville (2003, 2011–2014)
Mottram joined the AIS for the 1999 state-league season and remained with the program in 2000, with his AIS stint running across the 1999–2000 seasons.
Mottram was part of Forestville’s 2003 ABA championship-winning team, with the Eagles defeating North Adelaide 109–107 in the grand final.
Forestville later had Mottram back in its senior program from 2011 through 2014, a stretch that included the club’s 2011 title win over Norwood 82–68 and its 2012 title win over Sturt 86–78 after his late basket forced overtime at 70–70.
The Eagles retained him for the 2013 season as Forestville completed another championship run, defeating West Adelaide 81–73 in the grand final.
Mottram continued with Forestville in 2014 where he played 8 games, averaged 23.3 minutes, 10.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.6 blocks and 1.3 steals, and shot 37-of-56 on two-point attempts for 66.1%.
His 2014 season included 18 points and 9 rebounds in a 75–95 loss to Central Districts on March 22, 24 points and 10 rebounds in a 77–80 loss to Sturt on April 12, and 13 points in an 83–71 win over North Adelaide on May 24.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Italy - Fabriano (2006-2007) | Sweden - Gothia (2009-2010), Sundsvall (2010-2011)
After winning a title with the Melbourne Tigers in 2006 Mottram received a offer to play in Italy with Fabriano where he averaged 4.9 points and 5.2 rebounds for the season.
After finishing up his NBL career in 2008 Mottram joined Gothia Basket for the 2009–10 Swedish Basketligan season and averaged 8.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, with his best game coming in a 64–68 loss to Uppsala Basket where he recorded 19 points and 9 rebounds.
Mottram also had 12 points and 11 rebounds in Gothia’s 71–64 win over ecoÖrebro on 13 October 2009, which was Gothia’s first win of the 2009–10 Swedish Basketligan season.
Mottram was out injured late in the 2009–10 season when Gothia confirmed on 11 March 2010 that he and Mario Drazic were unavailable through injury.
Neil Mottram joined Sundsvall Dragons for the 2010–11 Swedish Basketligan season alongside fellow Australian Liam Rush, with his minutes dropping from 25 per game to 12 per game and his production falling from 8 points and 7 rebounds to 3 points and 3 rebounds.
Mottram joined Sundsvall during January 2011 and the Dragons were leading the Swedish Basketligan at the end of that month with one match in hand.
Mottram scored 6 points for Sundsvall in a 91–75 quarter-final win over Jämtland Basket on 29 March 2011.
Mottram was part of Sundsvall’s 2011 Swedish championship team, with the Dragons defeating Norrköping Dolphins 102–83 in Game 7 of the Basketligan Finals, and it was Mottram’s first SM-gold title.
Mottram left Sundsvall after the 2010–11 season and retired from basketball at the end of 2011.
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