BIO: Paul Rees was born in Terang (VIC) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Terang basketball program. Rees was known for his presence under the basket and while not blessed with a great jumping ability he was able to use his physical size to his advantage and was considered to be a strong rebounder.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Paul Rees made his NBL debut with the Brisbane Bullets at 21 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

After finishing eighth with an 11–13 record in 1989 and missing the playoffs for the first time under coach Brian Kerle, Brisbane completely rebuilt its roster. Only Leroy Loggins, Robert Sibley and Greg Fox returned, with captain Larry Sengstock and Ron Radliff (both to Gold Coast) joined by Rodger Smith (to Gold Coast), John Dorge (to Geelong), Darren Perry (to Eastside) and Dan Clausen (to Adelaide) in departing. Greg Giddings, Shane Edwards and import Winston Crite were not re-signed, while Danny Morseu retired.

Kerle added imports Derek Rucker and Andre Moore, comeback big Chris McGraw and young Melbourne pair Paul Rees and Craig Adams, with Steve McLeod and Chris Clarkson also joining the new-look group. Loggins returned from the off-guard role he had occupied with mixed success in 1989 to his preferred small forward position, while Moore and Sibley headed the rebuilt front line. The overhaul reduced Brisbane’s average age from 26.5 years to 23.1.

Rees made his NBL debut against Adelaide at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on March 30, going scoreless in 2:58 as Brisbane held on for a 122–119 victory. Rucker (48 points, 2 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals) produced a spectacular debut of his own and Moore (23 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) impressed inside, while Mark Davis (44 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led Adelaide.

Rees (3.9 points across 31 games) spent his first NBL season providing reserve frontcourt minutes behind Brisbane’s more experienced big men. Known for using his physical size around the basket and on the boards, he gradually earned a larger role as the season progressed. The rebuilt Bullets opened 4–0, responded to their first defeat by winning their next five games and later put together another four-game winning streak.

His best all-around performance came against Eastside on July 28, when Rees (12 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks) made 3-of-5 field goals and all six of his free throws in 21 minutes. Rucker (28 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Moore (28 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Brisbane’s scoring, but Eastside defeated the Bullets 137–122 at the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre.

Rees matched his season-high with 13 points against Newcastle on September 15, making 5-of-6 field goals and all three of his free throws while adding 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block in 16 minutes. Moore (40 points and 8 rebounds) and Rucker (39 points, 13 assists, and 4 steals) powered Brisbane to a 153–116 victory at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Rucker (33 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 2.6 steals across 33 games) won the NBL Most Valuable Player award, while Moore (26.9 points, 12.6 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 2 blocks across 34 games) gave Brisbane another dominant import. Loggins (22 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.8 steals, and 1.2 blocks across 34 games) led the league in steals and was named the NBL’s Best Defensive Player, with Sibley (15.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 33 games) and Fox (8.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 1.2 steals across 34 games) providing further support. Brisbane finished third with an 18–8 record, while Rucker, Loggins and Moore made history by becoming the first three players from the same club selected to the All-NBL First Team in one season, and Kerle received his second Coach of the Year award.

Brisbane opened its best-of-three elimination final series in Sydney, where Rees (2 points and 4 rebounds) came from the bench as Moore (28 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Rucker (21 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) led the Bullets. Damian Keogh (26 points and 5 assists) led Sydney to a 98–87 victory and a 1–0 series advantage.

Game two returned to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, where Rees (6 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) produced productive reserve minutes as Rucker (37 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Loggins (25 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals) led Brisbane. Steve Carfino (30 points) was Sydney’s leading scorer, but the Bullets won 124–96 to level the series.

Rees went scoreless in game three as Rucker (46 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) and Moore (25 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 steals, and 1 block) carried Brisbane. Mark Ridlen (35 points) led Sydney, but the Bullets survived 107–104 to win the series 2–1 and advance to the semifinals.

Brisbane hosted Eastside in game one of the semifinals, where Rees (9 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) made 4-of-7 shots in almost 14 minutes. Moore (36 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Loggins (29 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) led the Bullets, while former Brisbane guard Darren Perry (22 points and 12 assists) was Eastside’s leading scorer as Brisbane won 121–111.

Game two moved to the Glass House, where Rees (4 points and 2 rebounds) made both of his field-goal attempts. Moore (35 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Loggins (29 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) again led Brisbane, while Bruce Bolden (35 points and 8 assists) starred for Eastside. The Bullets escaped 120–119 to complete the 2–0 sweep and advance to a Grand Final rematch with Perth.

Perth took the Grand Final opener 112–106 at the Perth Entertainment Centre despite Rees contributing 5 points and 2 rebounds from the bench. Rucker (27 points, 5 rebounds, and 10 assists) and Moore (25 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Brisbane, while Ricky Grace (32 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks) powered the Wildcats to a 1–0 series lead.

Brisbane responded in game two, where Rees (2 points and 1 rebound) played six minutes as Rucker (27 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Moore (26 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks) led a 106–90 victory. James Crawford (22 points and 14 rebounds) was Perth’s best as the Bullets levelled the series in front of 13,221 fans at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, then the largest crowd the NBL had seen and a Grand Final attendance record outside Melbourne that stood until 2013.

Another 13,159 fans filled the Brisbane Entertainment Centre for the deciding game three, where Rees (4 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist) played almost 13 minutes. Rucker (21 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Moore (18 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) led Brisbane, but Grace (25 points and 7 assists) powered Perth to a 109–86 victory and its first NBL championship with a 2–1 series win, while Grace was named Grand Final MVP.

1991
After falling to Perth in the 1990 Grand Final, Brisbane entered 1991 without Craig Adams (to South Melbourne), Darren Breeding and Chris Clarkson, while captain Leroy Loggins, Derek Rucker, Andre Moore, Robert Sibley, Paul Rees and Greg Fox returned under head coach Brian Kerle. Veteran guards Gordie McLeod (via Hobart) and Brendan Joyce (via Melbourne) joined the roster alongside Cameron Dickinson, Lyndon Brieffies and Jason Cameron.

Brisbane opened the season against North Melbourne at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on April 6, where Rees finished with 2 points and 1 block in 5:41 as the Bullets won 126–119. Rucker (36 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Moore (29 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 5 blocks) led Brisbane, while Scott Fisher (36 points) was North Melbourne’s leading scorer.

Rees (7.2 points and 3.9 rebounds across 25 games) took on a larger reserve role during his second NBL season and almost doubled his scoring from his rookie year.

His best and highest-scoring game came against Geelong at The Arena on June 28, where Rees made 9-of-13 field goals and finished with 22 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in 25 minutes. Rucker (30 points) and Loggins (25 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) led Brisbane’s other scoring, but Bobby Locke (33 points, 13 assists, and 3 steals) powered Geelong to a 119–112 victory.

Rucker (26.6 points, 5.8 assists, and 2.3 steals across 25 games) remained Brisbane’s leading scorer, while Loggins (25.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks across 26 games) earned All-NBL Second Team honours and won Brisbane’s club MVP award. Moore (23.5 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.9 blocks across 26 games) remained a dominant interior presence, with Sibley (14.1 points and 6.6 rebounds across 25 games) providing further support.

Brisbane remained in the playoff race late in the season but was unable to repeat its Grand Final run, finishing ninth with a 13–13 record. The Bullets completed the season at the AIS Arena on September 21, where Rees (11 points and 6 rebounds) made all three of his field-goal attempts as Brisbane defeated Canberra 131–118. Loggins (24 points and 8 rebounds) and Moore (22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) led the Bullets, while Jamie Kennedy (36 points and 3 steals) was Canberra’s leading scorer.

1992
After missing the playoffs in 1991, Brisbane entered the season without Derek Rucker, Robert Sibley (to Melbourne), Gordie McLeod, Brendan Joyce (to South East Melbourne) and Cameron Dickinson. Head coach Brian Kerle retained captain Leroy Loggins, Andre Moore, Paul Rees and Greg Fox, and with Rucker gone added Adrian Branch, Shane Heal (via Geelong), Simon Kerle, Blair Smith, Luke Gribble and Matthew Moore.

Brisbane opened the season at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on April 4 with a 138–116 win over Hobart, where Rees (10 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists) made four of his six shots off the bench. Loggins (33 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 steals) and Simon Kerle (23 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) led the Bullets, while Ken McFadden (37 points) was best for the Devils.

Rees (4.9 points and 3.3 rebounds across 26 games) remained a reserve frontcourt option and appeared in every Brisbane game during his third season with the Bullets. It proved to be the final year of his first stint in Brisbane before joining North Melbourne for 1993.

Brisbane made it two wins from two against Geelong on April 10, where Rees (6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) contributed off the bench as Branch (43 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Heal (29 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) powered a 135–127 victory, while Bobby Locke (29 points) led the Supercats.

Rees produced his best and highest-scoring game of the season against Illawarra on September 12, finishing with 12 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Branch (27 points and 9 rebounds) and Heal (26 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal) led Brisbane’s scoring, but the Hawks won 117–100 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Branch (28.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals across 25 games) became Brisbane’s leading scorer, while Loggins (23.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.9 steals across 23 games) remained one of the league’s premier two-way players and earned All-NBL Second Team honours. Heal (20.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 1.5 steals across 25 games) directed the offence, while Moore (20.3 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks across 26 games) anchored the frontcourt.

Brisbane won its opening two games and reached 6–4 through its first ten before suffering three consecutive losses to Hobart, Melbourne and South East Melbourne in June. The Bullets recovered to finish seventh with a 12–12 record and earn a quarterfinal matchup with second-placed Sydney.

The quarterfinal series opened at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on September 28, where Rees (3 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal), Loggins (29 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) and Moore (25 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) led Brisbane, while Dwayne McClain (27 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists) paced Sydney to a 100–91 win.

Game two moved to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on October 3, where Rees (8 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) made both of his field-goal attempts and all four free throws. Branch (36 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal) and Simon Kerle (28 points, 1 rebound, and 5 assists) led the Bullets, while McClain (32 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) carried Sydney to a 130–123 win, completing the 2–0 sweep and ending Brisbane’s season.

NORTH MELBOURNE GIANTS
1993
After finishing fourth with a 14-10 record and reaching the semifinals in 1992, North Melbourne chose not to re-sign long-term head coach Bruce Palmer, who had led the Giants to the semifinals in five of his six seasons and to the 1989 championship. Melbourne Tigers assistant Brett Brown replaced him in what was viewed as a cost-saving move as the club began facing financial uncertainty. Reigning co-MVP Scott Fisher (to Perth), David Graham (to South East Melbourne) and Ray Borner (to Geelong) were among the major departures, while Paul Maley, Pat Reidy, Darryl Pearce, Rod Johnson and Mark Leader returned.

Brown initially trialled import Chuckie White as Fisher’s replacement, but White failed to make it through the preseason before the Giants signed Jason Reese (via Canberra), a ‘workhorse’ and dominant inside scorer who had spent the previous two seasons with Hobart and Canberra. Paul Rees (via Brisbane) and Larry Sengstock (via Gold Coast) were also added, while Leader became a naturalised Australian in 1993 and replaced Fisher as captain, with Fisher’s move to the ‘deeper pockets’ of Perth another sign of North Melbourne’s financial pressures.

North Melbourne opened the season against Adelaide at the Melbourne Sports & Entertainment Centre on April 18, where Rees finished with 6 points and 1 rebound in his first game for the Giants, making all three of his field-goal attempts. Jason Reese (39 points, 18 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Maley (21 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) led North Melbourne, while Scott Ninnis (36 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal) led Adelaide to a 118-105 victory.

Rees (5.1 points and 3 rebounds across 26 games) played a supporting frontcourt role during his first season with North Melbourne, with his strength around the basket and rebounding remaining the main features of his game.

His best and highest-scoring game came against Canberra at the AIS Arena on June 5, where Rees (18 points, 13 rebounds, and 1 assist) made 6-of-8 field goals and 6-of-8 free throws. Leader (14 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) and Reidy (13 points and 9 rebounds) provided the other major contributions, while Fred Herzog (20 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) led Canberra to a 94-81 victory.

Jason Reese (26.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals across 28 games) led North Melbourne in scoring, while Maley (22.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 28 games) was the Giants’ leading rebounder. Reidy (16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2 steals across 29 games), Pearce (11.6 points, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals across 29 games), Johnson (6.8 points, 3.9 assists, and 1.6 steals across 29 games) and Leader (6.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists across 29 games) provided the other major contributions. North Melbourne endured a four-game losing streak from July 30 through August 22 before recovering to finish eighth with a 13-13 record and claim the final playoff spot.

North Melbourne faced minor premiers Perth (21-5) and former Giant Fisher in the quarterfinals. Rees did not play in game one at the Melbourne Sports & Entertainment Centre, where Jason Reese (27 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) and Reidy (23 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led the Giants, while Trevor Torrance (29 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) was Perth’s best as North Melbourne won 105-101 and took a 1-0 series lead.

Game two moved to the Perth Entertainment Centre, where Rees scored 2 points in 1:24. Jason Reese (37 points, 17 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) and Pearce (18 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) led North Melbourne, while Ricky Grace (29 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals) led Perth to a 108-98 victory and levelled the series.

The deciding game remained in Perth, where Rees finished scoreless with 2 rebounds and 1 steal in 9:14. Reidy (22 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Leader (16 points, 3 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals) led North Melbourne, while Grace (26 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) led Perth to a 117-104 victory, giving the Wildcats the series 2-1 and ending the Giants’ season.

1994
After finishing 13–13 and falling to Perth in the quarterfinals the previous season, North Melbourne entered 1994 with its financial problems having become public. A group of new investors saved the Giants at the eleventh hour and immediately changed the club’s look, moving away from its traditional maroon uniforms and adopting colours similar to the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets.

Brett Brown returned for his second season as head coach with Pat Reidy, Paul Maley, Paul Rees, Larry Sengstock, Rod Johnson, Darryl Pearce and Mark Leader forming the experienced core. High-scoring import Jason Reese (to Canberra) departed, while Brown made the surprise move to add 30-year-old point guard Darryl McDonald and John Stelzer (via Canberra). With the oldest roster in the league and McDonald arriving in place of a proven scorer, the media and betting agencies largely wrote off the Giants, with most tipping them to finish last.

North Melbourne opened the season against Perth at the Glasshouse on April 7, where Rees finished with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Maley (21 points and 7 rebounds) and Reidy (17 points and 10 rebounds) led the Giants, but Ricky Grace (29 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists) recorded a triple-double as the Wildcats won 112–95.

Rees (12.5 points and 5.6 rebounds across 33 games) more than doubled his scoring from the previous season and appeared in every regular-season and postseason game, becoming a much larger part of North Melbourne’s frontcourt rotation while benefitting from McDonald’s ability to create opportunities for the Giants’ big men.

The first sign that North Melbourne had been significantly underestimated came during the ‘Doomsday Double’. Rees finished with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks against Perth on April 21 as Maley (25 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) and Reidy (22 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) powered the Giants to a 121–90 victory at the Perth Entertainment Centre. Former Giant Scott Fisher (25 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Wildcats as North Melbourne emphatically avenged its opening-round loss.

Two nights later at the Clipsal Powerhouse, Rees added 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block as Maley erupted for 32 points and 11 rebounds and McDonald added 15 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. Robert Rose (13 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) led Adelaide, but North Melbourne held on 84–83 to become the first team since 1986 to complete the Perth-Adelaide road double.

Rees’ highest-scoring game came against Geelong at the Glasshouse on May 27, where he made 8-of-9 field goals and finished with 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block as North Melbourne defeated the Supercats 131–105. McDonald (30 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 6 steals) and Reidy (30 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) also reached 30 points, while Ray Borner (27 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) was Geelong’s best.

Reidy (19.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.5 steals across 33 games) and Maley (19.4 points and 6.7 rebounds across 25 games) led North Melbourne in scoring, while McDonald (17.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4.5 steals across 33 games) transformed the Giants’ offence from the point guard position. Johnson (12.7 points across 33 games), Sengstock (9.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.8 steals across 33 games) and Leader (8.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across 33 games) gave Brown a deep veteran rotation.

North Melbourne finished second with a 19–7 record, losing the top seed to Melbourne on the head-to-head tiebreaker after the Tigers won both meetings between the teams. Brown was named NBL Coach of the Year, McDonald led the NBL in steals, earned All-NBL First Team honours and won the Good Hands Award while finishing runner-up to Andrew Gaze in MVP voting and Darren Lucas in Best Defensive Player voting, while Reidy was selected to the All-NBL Third Team. The season also became the first in NBL history to pass one million spectators during the regular season.

The quarterfinals opened at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, where Rees finished with 11 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block as the Kings blitzed North Melbourne 131–109. Maley (26 points and 6 rebounds) led the Giants and McDonald added 11 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, and 4 steals, but Greg Hubbard (32 points, 4 assists, and 7 steals) led Sydney and put the Kings ahead 1–0 in the series.

Game two moved to the Glasshouse, where Rees responded with 11 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. Reidy (28 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) made 11-of-12 shots and McDonald added 14 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, while Leon Trimmingham (22 points, 10 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) led Sydney as North Melbourne won 112–91 and forced a deciding game.

Rees finished with 15 points and 5 rebounds in game three as Maley (33 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals) led the scoring and McDonald played all 48 minutes, producing 17 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal while making 7-of-10 shots. Trimmingham (31 points and 10 rebounds) led the Kings, but the Giants won 104–95 to eliminate Sydney and advance to the semifinals.

South East Melbourne had eliminated Perth to set up an all-Melbourne semifinal and Rees contributed 11 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal in the opening game at Melbourne Park. Reidy (22 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and McDonald (20 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 8 steals, and 1 block) led the Giants, while Andrew Parkinson (21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) was the Magic’s best as North Melbourne won 108–87.

Game two moved back to the Glasshouse, where Rees produced 17 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks and McDonald controlled the offence with 9 points, 9 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block. Parkinson (22 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 steals) led South East Melbourne, but Adonis Jordan’s three-point heave in the closing moments missed its mark and North Melbourne escaped 79–76 to complete the semifinal sweep and advance to the Grand Final.

Game one of the Grand Final was played at the Clipsal Powerhouse, where Rees finished with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks without committing a turnover. Maley (25 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) led the Giants and McDonald recorded 17 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block, while Robert Rose (33 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 6 steals) dragged Adelaide back into the game after North Melbourne had held a 14-point advantage inside the final six minutes. The game went to overtime before McDonald hit the winning shot to give the Giants a 95–93 victory and a 1–0 series lead.

Game two returned to the Glasshouse, where Rees made all seven of his field-goal attempts and finished with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist. Maley added 21 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal and McDonald produced 11 points, 3 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block, while Rose again led Adelaide with 31 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. North Melbourne led 51–41 at halftime and pulled away during the third quarter as an injured Mark Davis was held scoreless on 0-of-7 shooting. The Giants won 117–97 to complete the 2–0 sweep and claim their second NBL championship, with Rees named Grand Final MVP.

1995
After winning the 1994 championship, North Melbourne entered Brett Brown’s third season with its title core still in place, with Darryl McDonald, Pat Reidy, Paul Rees, Larry Sengstock, Rod Johnson, Darryl Pearce, Mark Leader and John Stelzer all returning. Paul Maley had also been due back, but a back injury ruled him out for the season in the final weeks before the opener, forcing Brown to find a late replacement before the Giants signed former Ohio State forward Chris Jent (via Houston Rockets), who had won the 1994 NBA championship only months earlier.

North Melbourne opened the season on April 22 against Gold Coast, where Rees finished with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks as the Giants defeated the Rollers 118–97. Jent (33 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Reidy (22 points and 12 rebounds) led North Melbourne, while Fred Herzog (22 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) was Gold Coast’s best.

Rees (14.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across 34 games) remained North Melbourne’s starting centre and appeared in every regular-season and postseason game, producing the highest-scoring season of his NBL career.

On May 6, Rees (25 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks) delivered his first major performance of the year as North Melbourne edged South East Melbourne 96–94 at Melbourne Park, giving the Giants an early win over one of their main championship rivals.

Rees’ best and highest-scoring regular-season game came on July 28 against Townsville, where he made 12-of-16 shots and finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals as North Melbourne defeated the Suns 112–103.

On September 9, Rees (21 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) controlled the glass as the Giants defeated Sydney 119–101 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre and continued their late-season push towards the top of the ladder.

North Melbourne closed the regular season in Brisbane on September 16, where Rees (16 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block) helped the Giants defeat the Bullets 122–109. Jent (31 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals) and McDonald (26 points, 8 rebounds, 15 assists, and 9 steals) led North Melbourne, while Shane Heal (30 points and 6 assists) led Brisbane. The victory completed a five-game winning streak and left the Giants third with an 18–8 record during a season where Brisbane, Sydney, North Melbourne, South East Melbourne and Melbourne had all spent time on top of the ladder.

Jent (25.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.9 steals across 34 games) led North Melbourne in scoring after replacing Maley and earned All-NBL Third Team honours, while Reidy (20.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.5 steals across 34 games) remained a major scoring and rebounding option on the wing. McDonald (17.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 10.4 assists, and 3.8 steals across 34 games) led the NBL in assists and steals for a second consecutive season, earned All-NBL First Team honours and won the Good Hands Award.

Johnson (11.5 points across 33 games) gave the Giants another scoring option, while Sengstock (5.7 points and 4.4 rebounds across 28 games), Pearce (5.7 points across 29 games) and Leader (4.6 points and 3 rebounds across 31 games) completed Brown’s veteran rotation. Sengstock retired at season’s end as the NBL’s only five-time champion at the time.

The quarterfinals opened in Brisbane, where Jent (34 points and 7 rebounds), Reidy (25 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals), Johnson (20 points and 4 assists) and McDonald (7 points, 6 rebounds, 19 assists, and 6 steals) led North Melbourne to a 115–105 win, while Rees (7 points and 8 rebounds) battled foul trouble and helped the Giants take control of the series. Leroy Loggins (42 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block), Mike Mitchell (17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Shane Heal (16 points, 12 assists, and 5 steals) kept Brisbane within reach.

Game two moved to Melbourne, where McDonald (32 points, 3 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals), Reidy (28 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists), Jent (21 points and 5 rebounds) and Rees (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 blocks) dominated as North Melbourne completed the sweep with a 130–99 win, while Loggins (25 points and 8 rebounds), Mitchell (22 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals) and Heal (14 points and 5 assists) led Brisbane.

The semifinals opened against South East Melbourne, where Jent (24 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block), Rees (17 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 block) and McDonald (11 points, 5 rebounds, 12 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) helped North Melbourne hold the Magic to 77 points and take game one 98–77.

Game two moved to South East Melbourne, where Jent (17 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals), McDonald (17 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) and Rees (12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) filled the stat sheet again, but the Magic responded with a 98–79 win and forced a deciding game.

Game three remained in Melbourne, where Reidy (27 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals), Jent (25 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and McDonald (14 points, 5 rebounds, 13 assists, and 8 steals) led North Melbourne to a 107–92 win, with Rees (9 points and 3 rebounds) helping the Giants move into the Grand Final for a second consecutive season.

The Grand Final series opened at the Perth Entertainment Centre, where Jent (29 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals), Johnson (21 points and 3 assists), Reidy (21 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists) and McDonald (18 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals) powered North Melbourne to a 104–97 win over Perth, while James Crawford (24 points and 9 rebounds) led the Wildcats and Rees (7 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) contributed inside.

Game two moved to Melbourne, where Perth trailed 53–45 at halftime and faced elimination before lifting its defensive pressure in the second half. Andrew Vlahov (29 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Wildcats, while Jent (28 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block), McDonald (17 points, 3 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) and Rees (6 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) kept North Melbourne close before Perth won 97–88 and levelled the series.

Game three returned to Perth, where the Wildcats scored 30 points while holding North Melbourne to 15 in the opening quarter, limited the Giants’ leading scorer to 5-of-14 shooting and forced North Melbourne to shoot 29-of-77 from the field. Crawford (32 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 5 blocks) made 15-of-18 shots and powered Perth to a 108–88 win, with Vlahov named Grand Final MVP after averaging 24 points across the series. Rees finished with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal in 23:50 as Perth won the championship series 2–1.

1996
After falling one win short of back-to-back championships, North Melbourne returned most of its roster for Brett Brown’s fourth season. Darryl McDonald, Pat Reidy, Paul Maley, Rod Johnson, Larry Sengstock, Matthew Shanahan and John Stelzer all remained in place, while Mark Leader and Darryl Pearce retired and Chris Jent (to New York Knicks) exited after his one-season stint with the Giants. Australian Boomers guard Tonny Jensen (via Townsville) joined the roster, while Maley returned from the back injury that had ruled him out for the entire 1995 season.

North Melbourne opened the season in Sydney on April 12, where Rees (12 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block) played 32:20 minutes, but the Kings defeated the Giants 102-97 despite Maley (20 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals) and McDonald (16 points, 4 rebounds, 12 assists, and 2 steals) keeping North Melbourne close.

Rees (14 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks) remained North Melbourne’s main interior presence and four days later produced one of his strongest early games, finishing with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks as the Giants defeated Melbourne 105-85 at Melbourne Park. McDonald (20 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) recorded a triple-double, while Reidy (27 points and 10 rebounds) led the scoring in North Melbourne’s first win of the season.

Rees’ best game of the season came in Townsville on May 18, where he finished with 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks, but North Melbourne fell 97-95 to the Suns despite Maley (23 points and 9 rebounds) and Reidy (13 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists) helping keep the Giants close.

Rees (18 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals) helped North Melbourne edge Adelaide 90-89 on May 24, with Reidy (23 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and McDonald (13 points, 3 rebounds, 11 assists, and 4 steals) giving the Giants a narrow home win.

Rees (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks) added another strong frontcourt game against Gold Coast on June 7 as North Melbourne defeated the Rollers 114-98, with Reidy (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Maley (25 points and 15 rebounds) leading the Giants.

Rees (19 points and 9 rebounds) helped North Melbourne escape against Perth on September 7, with Reidy (25 points and 8 rebounds) and McDonald (16 points, 5 rebounds, 14 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) leading the Giants to a 100-97 win over the Wildcats.

Reidy (20.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.5 steals) led North Melbourne in scoring, while McDonald (17.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3.9 steals) again led the NBL in assists, earned All-NBL First Team honours, won the Good Hands Award and was named NBL All-Star Game MVP. Maley (17.3 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.7 steals) returned strongly after missing the previous season, Jensen (14.6 points) gave the Giants another perimeter scorer, while Johnson (9.1 points and 1.3 steals), Shanahan (5 points), Sengstock (4.9 points and 4.8 rebounds) and Stelzer (2.1 points) completed Brown’s rotation as North Melbourne finished seventh with a 15-11 record in a tight ladder where only two games separated third place and eighth.

The quarterfinals opened at the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre, where South East Melbourne defeated North Melbourne 96-82 behind Andrew Parkinson (19 points). Rees (28 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks) led the Giants, while Reidy (19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) and McDonald (11 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block) also contributed as the Magic took control of the series.

Game two moved to Melbourne Park, where Tony Ronaldson (25 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Mike Kelly (17 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) led South East Melbourne to an 87-77 win and completed the sweep. Reidy (17 points and 14 rebounds) led North Melbourne, while Rees (10 points and 10 rebounds) played 39:30 minutes in the 87-77 loss.

1997
After finishing seventh with a 15-11 record and being swept by South East Melbourne in the 1996 quarterfinals, North Melbourne entered Brett Brown’s fifth season with Paul Rees, Darryl McDonald, Pat Reidy, Rod Johnson, Matthew Shanahan and Stephen Hoare returning. Tonny Jensen (to Newcastle), Larry Sengstock (retired) and John Stelzer (retired) exited, while Paul Maley remained unavailable with a back injury. With Gold Coast, Hobart and Geelong no longer in the league, Brown added David Stiff (via Hobart), Mike Mitchell (via Brisbane), Andrew Goodwin (via Brisbane), Matthew Reece (via Newcastle) and Cameron Jackson as North Melbourne carried the league minimum of 11 players.

North Melbourne opened the season with an 85-81 win over Sydney at the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre, where Reidy (24 points) and Mitchell (23 points and 12 rebounds) led the Giants, while Isaac Burton (19 points and 6 rebounds) was Sydney’s leading scorer, with the injured centre remaining sidelined.

Rees (4.6 points and 3.8 rebounds across 11 games) missed most of the regular season with a severe knee injury, appearing in only nine regular-season games before returning for North Melbourne’s final two playoff games. His absence left Stiff and Goodwin to absorb the majority of the frontcourt minutes.

Rees’ best scoring game came during his late-season return, when he finished with a season-high 14 points. His comeback was interrupted again against Brisbane in the second-last round of the regular season when he broke his wrist, ruling him out again as North Melbourne prepared for the playoffs.

Reidy (20.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals) led North Melbourne in scoring, while McDonald (17.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 8.9 assists, and 3.3 steals) led the NBL in assists and steals, won the Good Hands Award, finished runner-up in MVP voting and earned All-NBL Second Team honours. Mitchell (15.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals) gave the Giants another reliable import option, while Stiff (13.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks) became the main interior presence during Rees’ absence. Johnson (10.8 points), Goodwin (10.5 points and 5.7 rebounds) and Shanahan (7.7 points) completed Brown’s main rotation.

With Rees still sidelined by the broken wrist, North Melbourne closed the regular season with a 106-102 loss to Perth and finished third with an 18-12 record.

A little 90's Nth Melb Giants v Sydney Kings.. Enjoy!! pic.twitter.com/3VdqfONAJN

— RANDOM HOOPS (@HoopsRandom) May 14, 2023

Rees remained sidelined as the elimination finals opened at the AIS Arena, where Reidy (25 points and 7 rebounds) and Goodwin (23 points and 11 rebounds) led North Melbourne, but Robert Rose (22 points and 10 rebounds) and Ray Borner (18 points and 6 rebounds) helped Canberra win 104-93 and take the early edge in the best-of-three series.

Rees remained unavailable for game two at the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre, where Reidy (26 points and 4 rebounds) and McDonald (20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals) led North Melbourne to a 108-98 win, while Mario Donaldson (25 points) was Canberra’s leading scorer.

Rees also missed game three, where Reidy (20 points and 11 rebounds), McDonald (14 points, 7 rebounds, 14 assists, and 7 steals) and Stiff (14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) led North Melbourne to a 102-75 win, while Rose (23 points and 9 rebounds) led Canberra as the Giants advanced to the semifinals.

Rees (0 points, 1 assist, and 1 steal) returned against Melbourne in game one of the semifinals and played 12 minutes at the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre. Stiff (24 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) and Reidy (20 points) led North Melbourne, but Andrew Gaze (39 points) and Bradtke (25 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 blocks) carried Melbourne to a 107-99 win.

Game two moved to Melbourne Park, where Rees (0 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 block) played 20:29 minutes as McDonald (27 points, 3 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals) and Reidy (20 points and 4 rebounds) led North Melbourne, but Gaze (34 points) and Bradtke (26 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Melbourne to a 112-105 win and completed the sweep. Rees left North Melbourne at the end of the season (to Adelaide), with Ben Pepper (via Newcastle) joining the Giants’ frontcourt for 1998.

ADELAIDE 36ERS
1998
After a severe knee injury kept him out for most of the 1997 season with North Melbourne before he returned and broke his wrist against Brisbane late in the year, Paul Rees joined Adelaide (via North Melbourne). The 36ers had finished seventh with a 14-16 record and replaced Dave Claxton with former Adelaide guard Phil Smyth, whose only previous coaching experience had come as a specialist coach at the Australian Institute of Sport during his playing career.

Imports Leon Trimmingham and Jeff Brown departed, while Brett Wheeler (to South East Melbourne), Brad McKinnon, Willie Simmons and Nathan Hawkes were also no longer with the club. Captain Brett Maher held serious talks with Sydney before re-signing, while Mark Davis, Martin Cattalini, John Rillie, Rupert Sapwell and Scott Ninnis returned. Smyth added Darnell Mee (via France/Canberra), Kevin Brooks, Dean Brogan (via AIS), Paul Bauer and Jason Williams.

Mee had spent the previous season in France while rehabilitating the knee injury which limited his first NBL campaign before recommending former Denver Nuggets teammate Brooks to Adelaide. Brooks signed a two-year deal, and although his unusual shooting release initially caused concern among his new teammates, he quickly established himself as the team’s leading scorer.

Adelaide opened the season against Townsville at Adelaide Arena on January 31, where he finished with 9 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 2 blocks as the 36ers defeated the Crocodiles 125-86. Cattalini (26 points and 9 rebounds) and Brooks (20 points and 7 rebounds) led the scoring as Smyth began his coaching career with a 39-point victory.

Rees (7.4 points and 5.1 rebounds across 34 games) appeared in every regular-season and postseason game, giving Adelaide a reliable interior presence after injuries had disrupted his final season with North Melbourne. The 36ers won seven of their opening eight games before going 12-10 across the remainder of the regular season.

One of his strongest all-round performances came against Wollongong at Beaton Park on April 26, where Rees (3 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) helped Adelaide defeat the Hawks 114-100. Brooks (34 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) made eight three-pointers and Maher (23 points and 5 rebounds) provided support, while Clayton Ritter (33 points and 10 rebounds), Elliot Hatcher (21 points and 4 steals) and Glen Saville (21 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks) led Wollongong.

Rees’ best scoring game came against Melbourne at Adelaide Arena on May 9, where he finished with 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist, but the Tigers defeated the 36ers 122-103. Maher (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Sapwell (17 points and 7 rebounds) led Adelaide’s remaining scoring.

Brooks (19.4 points and 6.7 rebounds) led Adelaide in scoring, while Maher (17.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals), Cattalini (15.8 points and 6.7 rebounds) and Mee (14.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks) provided the team’s other major offensive options. Rillie (9.8 points and 4.3 rebounds), Davis (9.8 points and 4.8 rebounds), Sapwell (6.1 points) and Ninnis (5.4 points) completed Smyth’s main rotation.

Adelaide lost its final three regular-season games, with Rees finishing with 11 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block in a 101-89 loss to Brisbane at the Brisbane Convention Centre on June 7. Rillie (19 points, 17 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Maher (18 points and 4 rebounds) led the 36ers as they finished second with a 19-11 record and recorded their most regular-season victories since 1988.

The semifinals matched Adelaide against a Perth team which had lost only four regular-season games. The 36ers had won two of the three meetings between the clubs, defeating the Wildcats 103-87 and 106-97 at Adelaide Arena before losing 106-103 at the Perth Entertainment Centre.

Game one was played at Challenge Stadium, where Rees (2 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks) contributed as Adelaide defeated Perth 114-97. Maher (36 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists) made seven three-pointers, while Cattalini (20 points and 5 rebounds), Mee (16 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Rillie (15 points) provided support. James Crawford (22 points and 6 rebounds), Ricky Grace (20 points) and Scott Fisher (19 points and 10 rebounds) led Perth.

Game two moved to Adelaide Arena, where Rees (11 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block) made five of his seven field-goal attempts as the 36ers defeated Perth 117-110 and completed the sweep. Maher (26 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists), Brooks (22 points and 4 rebounds), Cattalini (20 points and 5 rebounds), Rillie (19 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Mee (12 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) led Adelaide, while Andrew Vlahov (32 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists), Grace (26 points and 5 assists) and Fisher (18 points and 11 rebounds) led Perth.

The Grand Final matched Adelaide against defending champion South East Melbourne, which had finished first with a 26-4 record and swept Brisbane during the semifinals. The Magic had defeated Adelaide in all three regular-season meetings by a combined six points, before Brooks and Mee suggested every 36ers player shave his head ahead of the series.

The Grand Final opened at Adelaide Arena, where Rees (8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) made all three of his field-goal attempts as the 36ers defeated South East Melbourne 100-93. Brooks (24 points and 8 rebounds), Davis (16 points and 4 rebounds), Cattalini (16 points and 8 rebounds), Rillie (15 points and 6 rebounds) and Mee (14 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks) led Adelaide, while Brett Wheeler (29 points and 9 rebounds), Clinton McDaniel (20 points and 4 assists) and Tony Ronaldson (18 points and 8 rebounds) led the Magic.

Game two moved to Melbourne Park, where Adelaide forced 26 turnovers and held South East Melbourne below 15 points in three quarters. Brooks (21 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks), Cattalini (20 points and 6 rebounds), Maher (11 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals), Mee (11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) and Rillie (10 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led the 36ers, while Wheeler (12 points and 5 rebounds), Ronaldson (11 points and 6 rebounds) and Sam Mackinnon (9 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Magic as Adelaide won 90-62, completed the sweep, collected its first championship since 1986 and Brooks was named Grand Final MVP, with Rees collecting his second NBL championship after finishing with 7 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block.

1998/99
After winning the 1998 NBL championship, Adelaide entered the league’s first summer season without John Rillie (to West Sydney), Dean Brogan (to Newcastle) and Scott Ninnis, who retired from playing and joined Phil Smyth’s coaching staff. Captain Brett Maher, Kevin Brooks, Darnell Mee, Martin Cattalini, Mark Davis, Paul Rees, Rupert Sapwell, Paul Bauer and Jason Williams returned from the championship roster.

David Stiff (via North Melbourne) was added to a frontcourt already containing Rees, Davis, Cattalini and Paul Rees’ former North Melbourne teammate. Mee signed a three-year deal, while Brooks returned on a one-year contract after considering more lucrative offers from Europe and South America.

Adelaide opened its championship defence against Perth at the Perth Entertainment Centre on October 10, where he finished with 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals, but the Wildcats defeated the 36ers 106-96. Brooks (22 points), Cattalini (20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks) and Mee (18 points, 7 assists, and 4 steals) led Adelaide, while Scott Fisher (26 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists), Andrew Vlahov (19 points) and Paul Rogers (16 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) led Perth.

Rees (6.2 points and 4.2 rebounds across 32 games) remained part of Adelaide’s interior rotation during his second season with the club, appearing in 25 of the 36ers’ 26 regular-season games and every postseason game. The defending champions won only two of their opening six games before beginning to settle after the addition of Stiff.

Rees’ best scoring game came against West Sydney at the Whitlam Centre on December 27, where he made all seven of his field-goal attempts and finished with 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block, although the Razorbacks defeated Adelaide 101-94. Brooks (23 points and 9 rebounds), Mee (20 points and 3 steals), Maher (11 points) and Cattalini (10 points) provided Adelaide’s other double-figure scorers in the second game of a two-night road double.

He produced another strong performance against Newcastle at the Clipsal Powerhouse on December 12, finishing with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks as Adelaide defeated the Falcons 111-98. Maher (26 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists), Cattalini (17 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists), Sapwell (16 points) and Davis (12 points and 6 rebounds) led the scoring, while Pat Reidy (22 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals), Rod Johnson (21 points) and Willie Simmons (12 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks) were Newcastle’s best.

Rees delivered his best all-round game in Adelaide’s final regular-season match against Townsville on March 13, finishing with 12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals as the 36ers defeated the Crocodiles 107-92. Brooks (27 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals), Maher (22 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Mee (15 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) helped Adelaide complete the road victory, while Robert Rose (25 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists), Andrew Goodwin (15 points and 8 rebounds) and Sam Mackinnon (14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) led Townsville.

Maher (19.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals) led Adelaide in scoring, while Brooks (17.3 points and 6.1 rebounds), Cattalini (14.9 points and 7 rebounds) and Mee (14.8 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1.2 blocks) remained the team’s other major contributors. Stiff (9.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks), Davis (8.9 points and 4.2 rebounds) and Sapwell (7.3 points and 3.6 rebounds) completed Smyth’s main rotation.

Brooks was selected to the All-NBL Team, while Mee won the NBL Best Defensive Player award. Adelaide won nine of its final 10 regular-season games and entered the final round needing victories over Brisbane and Townsville, as well as a Melbourne loss to Perth, to finish first. The 36ers completed their road double and Perth defeated Melbourne, allowing Adelaide to claim its first minor premiership since 1988 with an 18-8 record.

Adelaide opened the qualifying finals against a Perth team which had defeated the 36ers in two of their three regular-season meetings, including both games played at the Perth Entertainment Centre.

Game one was played at Challenge Stadium, where Rees finished with 1 rebound and 2 steals as Adelaide defeated Perth 99-87. Brooks (24 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals), Davis (18 points and 5 rebounds), Maher (14 points) and Mee (13 points, 9 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) led the 36ers, while Vlahov (26 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists), Fisher (20 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Anthony Stewart (18 points and 5 rebounds) were Perth’s best.

Game two moved to the Clipsal Powerhouse, where Rees finished with 6 points and 4 rebounds as Adelaide defeated Perth 97-80 to complete the sweep. Mee (25 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals), Maher (22 points), Cattalini (16 points and 8 rebounds) and Sapwell (10 points) led Adelaide, while Fisher (17 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists), Ricky Grace (16 points and 5 assists), Stewart (15 points) and Vlahov (12 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks) led Perth.

The semifinals matched Adelaide against a Wollongong team which the 36ers had defeated in two of their three regular-season meetings.

The series opened at the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Rees grabbed 4 rebounds as Adelaide defeated Wollongong 93-81. Maher (25 points and 7 rebounds), Brooks (22 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists), Cattalini (14 points and 5 rebounds) and Stiff (9 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block) led the 36ers, while Clayton Ritter (23 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals), Mat Campbell (15 points and 6 assists) and CJ Bruton (13 points and 5 assists) led Wollongong.

Game two moved to the Clipsal Powerhouse, where Wollongong led 88-85 with 9.9 seconds remaining before Stiff saved Sapwell’s missed three-pointer from going out of bounds and returned the ball to Sapwell, who made his second attempt to force overtime. Rees finished with 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block as Adelaide defeated Wollongong 99-98, with Stiff (22 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 blocks), Maher (19 points), Brooks (16 points and 7 rebounds), Sapwell (11 points and 4 rebounds) and Mee (9 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks) completing the sweep, while Bruton (27 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists), Campbell (20 points) and Ritter (9 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists) were Wollongong’s best.

Adelaide entered the Grand Final undefeated during the postseason against the Victoria Titans, a new club formed through the merger of the South East Melbourne Magic and North Melbourne Giants. The 36ers had defeated Victoria in both regular-season meetings and held home-court advantage after finishing first.

The Grand Final opened at Melbourne Park, where Rees finished with 7 points and 4 rebounds as Adelaide defeated Victoria 104-94. Maher (31 points and 5 rebounds) made six three-pointers, while Mee (25 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks), Sapwell (11 points) and Stiff (7 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks) also contributed. Darryl McDonald (23 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals), Tony Ronaldson (19 points) and Ben Pepper (18 points) led Victoria.

Game two moved to the Clipsal Powerhouse, where Rees made all four of his field-goal attempts and finished with 11 points and 1 block, but Victoria defeated Adelaide 88-82 to level the series. Maher (25 points), Brooks (12 points), Cattalini (12 points) and Mee (9 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) led the 36ers, while Ronaldson (22 points), Brett Wheeler (18 points and 9 rebounds), Jason Smith (15 points and 6 rebounds) and McDonald (12 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists) led the Titans. As the teams left the court at halftime, Brian Goorjian approached the referees before Rees stopped in front of him, causing the Victoria coach to walk into his back and fall to the floor, with Goorjian calling him a “son of a bitch” before Rees later admitted the collision was not accidental.

The deciding game remained at the Clipsal Powerhouse, where Adelaide held Victoria to 32 first-half points and defeated the Titans 80-69 in front of more than 7,000 supporters. Cattalini (19 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks), Maher (15 points and 7 rebounds), Brooks (13 points and 6 rebounds) and Sapwell (13 points) led Adelaide, while Pepper (15 points) and Ronaldson (15 points) led Victoria as the 36ers became the first team to win consecutive NBL championships since Perth in 1990 and 1991 and Maher was named Grand Final MVP, with Rees finishing with 6 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block.

Paul Rees played seventeen seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Brisbane Bullets, North Melbourne Giants and Adelaide 36ers. He averaged 7.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1 assists in 508 NBL games.

CAREER RANKINGS:
– 14th in total games played.
– 40th in total rebounds
– 19th in total blocks