BIO: Peter Jeffrey Hooley was born in Hahndorf (SA) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Norwood basketball program.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Peter Hooley made his NBL debut with the Melbourne United at 25 years of age. He scored five points in his first game.

2017 saw the beginning of the ‘Dean Vickerman’ era with the former Sydney assistant coach replacing Dean Demopoulos, who had struggled to fit in with the playing group during his tenure. Vickerman signed on for two seasons, and shortly after, the team re-signed David Barlow and imports Josh Boone and Casper Ware. Vickerman also brought in forward Craig Moller (via Sydney) as a replacement for the departing Todd Blanchfield (to Illawarra) and added Casey Prather (via Perth) as the team’s third import. Melbourne won their season opener against Adelaide (99–97) with Prather (20 points) leading the team offensively. Despite United’s hot start, they would win only five of their first ten games.

On December 16, Prather went down with a dislocated elbow in the second quarter of Melbourne’s win over Illawarra (84–78) and was subsequently ruled out for a minimum of eight weeks. While United searched for an injury replacement, development player Felix Von Hofe was elevated into the team until they signed former NBA talent Carrick Felix. Felix joined the team in December, and with his addition, the team sparked a strong run home, finishing 15-3 for the remainder of the season.

Peter Hooley (2.0 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) was a reliable contributor off the bench, stepping in when needed during a championship-winning season. His most notable performances included his 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists against the New Zealand Breakers and his 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists against the Adelaide 36ers. Though his minutes were limited, Hooley’s consistent play provided a steady presence in the backcourt and contributed to Melbourne’s overall depth.

Melbourne finished in first place (20-8) during the regular season, before going on to meet fourth-seed New Zealand in the semifinals. In game one, Prather (15 points) led the team in scoring despite starting on the bench and led United to an 11-point win (88–77). Prather (12 points) then helped Melbourne win game two in overtime (88–86) and progress to the Grand Final. On the opposite side of the bracket, the Adelaide 36ers eliminated the reigning champions Perth in two games as well.

The opening game of the Grand Final saw Casper Ware (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) start strong before leaving the game with a hip injury. United’s sharpshooter Chris Goulding then stepped up with an impressive shooting display (26 points) to give Melbourne the victory (107-96) at Hisense Arena. Daniel Johnson (18 points) led the 36ers in scoring, with Mitch Creek (14 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists) also contributing.

In game two, Adelaide came out firing behind Majok Deng (18 points), Mitch Creek (17 points), and Ramone Moore (17 points) to tie the series with a 15-point win (110-95). Melbourne was led by Casey Prather (20 points) and Chris Goulding (19 points), who kept the game competitive. However, Adelaide’s win came at a cost, with import Josh Childress (13 points and 8 rebounds) going down with a shoulder injury that would remove him from the remaining games.

The series returned to Melbourne for game three, where tensions exploded at the end of the first half as Adelaide’s Nathan Sobey clashed with Casey Prather after the United import hit a three-pointer on the stroke of halftime. Sobey was ejected, and further drama ensued after the final buzzer, leading to penalties and fines. Melbourne ultimately secured a narrow victory (101-98) after Adelaide’s Majok Deng missed a game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds. Casper Ware (25 points), Prather (23 points), and Chris Goulding (15 points) were key contributors.

Game four saw Adelaide swingman Nathan Sobey (16 points) lead the charge, but Melbourne couldn’t match Adelaide’s intensity, losing (90-81). Johnson (29 points and 10 rebounds) and Prather (23 points) topped the scoring for their respective sides.

In the deciding game five, Melbourne claimed victory (100-82) to win their first title since rebranding from the Melbourne Tigers. Goulding, Ware (both 23 points), and Prather (19 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 steals) led the way. Shannon Shorter (20 points) was Adelaide’s top scorer, while Chris Goulding was named Finals MVP after averaging 16.6 points and 3.6 rebounds over the series. Prather also made history by becoming the first player to win three straight NBL titles in his first three seasons.

2018/19
After finishing first with a 20-8 record and defeating Adelaide 3-2 in the 2018 Grand Final series, Melbourne entered the season looking to defend its championship. Casey Prather (to BC Khimki), Tai Wesley (to New Zealand), David Andersen (to Illawarra), Majok Majok (to New Zealand) and Kyle Adnam (to Sydney) departed, while United retained captain Chris Goulding (two-year deal), David Barlow (one-year deal), Josh Boone (one-year deal) and Casper Ware (one-year deal). DJ Kennedy (via Turkey), Mitch McCarron (via Cairns), Alex Pledger (via New Zealand) and Daniel Trist were added to strengthen the defending champions.

During the preseason, Melbourne travelled to North America for two NBLxNBA games, losing 104-84 to Philadelphia on September 28 and 120-82 to Toronto on October 5.

Melbourne opened the season in Wollongong on October 12, where Peter Hooley (4 points) came off the bench as United survived four overtimes to defeat Illawarra 123-122. Boone (24 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocks) and Goulding (23 points and 3 assists) led Melbourne, while Todd Blanchfield (26 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) led Illawarra. Late in the fourth overtime, Dean Vickerman inserted Hooley for a defensive possession and United got the stop before he was fouled and missed both free throws, leaving the Hawks one final opportunity before Ware stopped Kevin White at the rim. “I was freezing cold. I’d been sitting for almost an hour of actual time.”

Hooley (2 points across 34 games) returned for his second season with Melbourne after joining the club (via Ballarat) the previous year when Daniel Dillon’s Achilles injury opened a roster spot. Used primarily as a reserve ball-handler and defender, he appeared in all 28 regular-season games and all six playoff games without making a start. Hooley did not miss a game through injury during the season.

His season-high scoring game came against Illawarra on October 29, where Hooley (9 points) played almost 18 minutes with Goulding sidelined by a knee injury as Melbourne defeated the Hawks 99-93. Ware (26 points and 3 assists) and Barlow (17 points and 7 rebounds) led United, while Brian Conklin (24 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal) was Illawarra’s leading scorer.

Five days later in Cairns, Hooley (6 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals) received almost 20 minutes off the bench and helped Melbourne defeat the Taipans 98-85. Ware (32 points) made eight three-pointers and Barlow (18 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) provided support, while Melo Trimble (34 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Cairns.

Hooley’s best all-around game came against Cairns on November 11, where Hooley (2 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) contributed at both ends as Melbourne recovered from a 12-point deficit to win 87-80. Ware (34 points, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) scored 13 points in the fourth quarter and McCarron (16 points and 9 rebounds) provided support, while Trimble (19 points, 4 assists, and 1 steal) led Cairns.

Another of his best performances came in Auckland on February 1, where Hooley (7 points) shot 3-of-4 from the field as Melbourne defeated New Zealand 107-87. Goulding (24 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Barlow (23 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) led United, while Armani Moore (17 points and 1 steal) was New Zealand’s leading scorer.

Melbourne began the season 3-2 before going 6-1 through November and remaining among the league leaders. On January 26, United added Venky Jois (via Germany) (1.7 points across 11 games) for the remainder of the season, providing additional depth as injuries affected the roster heading towards the playoffs.

Ware (18.8 points and 4.5 assists) led Melbourne in scoring and finished second in MVP voting with 77 votes before being named to the All-NBL First Team. Goulding (14.4 points), Kennedy (12.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals), McCarron (11.6 points and 5.1 rebounds), Barlow (11.1 points and 4.6 rebounds), Boone (10.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks) and Pledger (6.4 points and 4.4 rebounds) formed the major rotation around him. Dean Vickerman became the third coach in NBL history to win consecutive Coach of the Year awards as Melbourne finished second with an 18-10 record.

Melbourne opened the semifinals against Sydney with a 95-73 victory at Melbourne Arena, with Hooley (0 points and 1 steal) playing three minutes off the bench. Ware (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Kennedy (20 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) led United, while Brad Newley (17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Kevin Lisch (13 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Sydney, with league MVP Andrew Bogut (7 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks) held quiet offensively.

Game two moved to Sydney, where Hooley (0 points and 1 steal) played nine minutes as Melbourne completed the semifinal sweep with a 90-76 victory. Ware (30 points and 5 rebounds) and Goulding (23 points, 3 assists, and 1 steal) led United, while Lisch (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists), Kyle Adnam (13 points and 1 steal) and Bogut (10 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) led Sydney as Melbourne advanced to a second consecutive Grand Final.

Perth opened the Grand Final series with an 81-71 victory at RAC Arena, with Hooley (0 points) playing three minutes off the bench. Ware (19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Goulding (15 points and 1 steal) led Melbourne, while Terrico White (19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Angus Brandt (14 points and 7 rebounds) and Bryce Cotton (10 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth.

Melbourne responded in game two with a 92-74 victory at Melbourne Arena to level the series, with Hooley (3 points) playing 10 minutes. Goulding (14 points), Ware (14 points) and Kennedy (12 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led a balanced United performance, while Cotton (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and White (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Perth.

The series returned to Perth for game three, where Hooley (0 points) played eight minutes as the Wildcats defeated Melbourne 96-67 and moved ahead 2-1. Kennedy (13 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) and Barlow (13 points and 5 rebounds) were United’s leading scorers, while White (31 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) made seven three-pointers and Cotton (16 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) controlled the game for Perth.

In game four, Hooley (0 points) played 81 seconds as Melbourne’s attempt to defend its championship ended with a 97-84 loss. Ware (18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block), Goulding (15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Barlow (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) led United, while Cotton (28 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals), White (20 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Nick Kay (12 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Perth, with White named Grand Final MVP after averaging 21.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across the four games.

Peter Hooley played two seasons the Melbourne United. He averaged 2.3 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 1 assists in 66 NBL games.