NBL EXPERIENCE

Orlando Williams made his NBL debut with the Geelong Supercats on 10/5/1996. He scored 23 points in his first game.

1996 would see coach Jim Calvin replaced by up-and-coming coach Ian Stacker, with the team overhauling its roster. Major moves included securing Rupert Sapwell (via South East Melbourne) and Matt Scalzi (via Adelaide) to fill the departures of David Graham and Justin Cass, and bringing in powerhouse import Ray Owes to replace Jeff Arnold. Owes was joined by returning guard Joey Wright, who was injured after just two games and replaced by high-scoring Orlando Williams.

Williams, a former member of the Harlem Globetrotters, quickly became the Supercats’ top perimeter scorer, averaging (23.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.3 steals) across 21 games. His impact was immediate, scoring 23 points and adding 5 steals in his May 10 debut against North Melbourne. He followed that with 19 points against Melbourne and 20 points against Canberra, before erupting for 29 points (10-of-24 FG, 5-of-15 3PT) and 6 assists in a May 25 clash with South East Melbourne.

His best stretch of the season came from late May through July. On May 31, Williams exploded for 34 points (11-of-18 FG, 7-of-13 3PT, 5-of-6 FT) and 4 rebounds against Hobart. The following week, he poured in 32 points (12-of-20 FG, 6-of-11 3PT) with 6 rebounds versus the Magic on June 7. Williams continued his offensive form with 29 points and 2 steals in a June 22 thriller against North Melbourne and added 24 points and 6 boards against Newcastle on July 6.

In a nail-biting 119–116 road loss to Townsville on August 24, Williams delivered one of his finest performances of the year. He tallied 32 points (13-of-25 FG, 3-of-11 3PT, 3-of-5 FT), 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 4 steals while playing 42 minutes. That night also saw Ray Owes unleash a towering performance with 40 points, 22 rebounds (11 offensive), 4 blocks, 3 assists, and 2 steals. The following evening, in the second game of the road double, Williams again starred with 32 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists in Geelong’s 131–93 demolition of Gold Coast—marking the final NBL win in Supercats history. Owes added 33 points, 26 rebounds and 3 blocks (13-of-19 FG, 7-of-7 FT). Trevor Torrance (20 points) and Chad McClendon (20 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 blocks) led the Rollers.

Williams closed out his season with a consistent performance in the team’s penultimate game against Sydney on September 13, finishing with 31 points. He recorded 22 points and 8 assists in his final appearance, a September 16 loss to South East Melbourne. His last official game in the NBL came on September 21 against the Rollers, where he notched another 32-point game to pair with 4 rebounds and 7 assists, before departing for an overseas opportunity alongside Owes.

In Geelong’s last-ever NBL game—a 100–94 road loss to the Sydney Kings on September 28—Williams did not play. The Kings were led by Shane Heal (25 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals) and Isaac Burton (25 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals), while the Supercats’ top contributors were Rupert Sapwell (23 points, 12 rebounds) and Simon Kerle (20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists).

Ray Owes stood out as one of the league’s most dominant frontcourt players, averaging (22.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) across 25 games and earning All-NBL First Team honours.

Despite the influx of talent, the Supercats endured a difficult campaign, finishing 13th with a 6–20 record and ultimately handing back their NBL licence at season’s end due to financial strain and league restructuring.

Despite the Supercats’ struggles, Owes remained a consistent force, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, and interior presence. Alongside Orlando Williams (23.5 points), Simon Kerle (17.0 points, 5.2 assists), and Rupert Sapwell (11.7 points, 6.3 rebounds), Owes formed the core of Geelong’s offensive identity. As the club exited the league, Williams’ explosive scoring and athleticism left a lasting mark on a team battling to stay afloat.

Orlando Williams played one season in the NBL. He averaged 23.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 21 NBL games.

Dan Boyce (836 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.