NICKNAME/S: The General

BIO: Philip John Smyth AM was born in Adelaide, South Australia, and began playing basketball as a junior with the Sturt basketball program.

He played for Sturt in South Australia’s state league from 1978 to 1982. Before joining the NBL, Smyth had already represented Australia at the 1978 FIBA World Championship in the Philippines and the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, establishing himself as a national-team guard.

FAMILY: Phil’s brother, David Smyth also played 18 games in the NBL.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Phil Smyth made his NBL debut with the St Kilda Pumas at 23 years of age. He scored 20 points in his first game.

ST KILDA PUMAS
1982
In 1982, St Kilda entered a reset year after walking away from the 1981 NBL Finals to chase the World Club Championships, and the roster turned over heavily from the championship core as Larry Sengstock and Danny Morseu both left for Brisbane and star import Rocky Smith headed to Brazil after international clubs saw his talent when the Saints competed at the previous year’s FIBA World Cup.

Coach Brian Kerle moved quickly to reshape the backcourt and convinced South Australian Phil Smyth to drive eight hours from Adelaide every weekend to play, with the Adelaide junior and established Boomers guard joining St Kilda after representing Australia at the 1978 FIBA World Championship and the 1980 Moscow Olympics. The Saints also welcomed rookie Bill Runchey (via State League) and brought Tony Barnett back into the program after a season out of the league. Import Mike Slusher, Steve Breheny, Ken Burbridge and Alan Mikkor all returned to fill out the roster.

St Kilda’s season opened on 6 February in Canberra, where they fell to the Cannons (82–93) despite Smyth (20 points, 5 rebounds) producing a strong first-up effort, supported by Barnett (22 points), Slusher (16 points, 6 rebounds) and rookie Runchey (15 points, 7 rebounds) in the loss.

The Saints responded the next day by edging the Sydney Supersonics (78–77) to split the opening road trip, but February quickly exposed how much work remained as St Kilda were beaten twice by West Adelaide, including a 77–114 loss at the Apollo Entertainment Centre on 20 February.

After a 70–67 home win over Canberra on 28 February, St Kilda produced one of their best early-season results on 6 March in Launceston, defeating reigning champions Launceston Casino City (91–86) as Smyth (33 points, 4 rebounds) erupted to swing the road win, with Slusher (24 points) and Runchey (9 points, 11 rebounds) also contributing.

Nunawading proved a problem match-up and St Kilda dropped both meetings with the Spectres across the year, including an 81–79 loss at Albert Park on 7 March and an 85–77 loss at Burwood Stadium on 28 March.

Even with the uneven patches, the Saints kept banking results through March with wins over Perth (68–62), Wollongong (82–73) and Brisbane (83–66) to hold their ground around the middle of the table.

April remained mixed as St Kilda dropped games to Coburg (87–73) and Newcastle (85–77) but managed to squeeze past Bankstown (67–66) on 25 April to avoid sliding further back.

From May into July, the Saints found more consistency, highlighted by a 101–90 win over Launceston on 23 May and a late-season surge that closed with a 119–87 win over Wollongong at Albert Park on 10 July, where Breheny (31 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) and Runchey (22 points, 11 rebounds) featured heavily in the scoring while Smyth (16 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists) controlled the finish, with Templeton (10 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists) and Slusher (19 points, 7 rebounds) providing further support.

St Kilda finished sixth with a 17-9 record and did not qualify for the playoffs in 1982, the first time they missed the finals since the NBL began in 1979. Smyth (18.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists across 25 games) won the league’s Best Defensive Player award and was selected to the All-NBL First Team.

CANBERRA CANNONS
1983
The 1983 season marked a major shift for the Canberra Cannons, who entered a new era under freshly appointed head coach Bob Turner (via Newcastle), signed to a three-year deal. Turner quickly reshaped the team’s identity by building around three American imports—Wade Kirchmeyer, Dave Nelson, and Herb McEachin—and instilling a disciplined, defence-first philosophy that would define the club’s success.

Central to the transformation was Australian Boomers point guard Phil Smyth (14.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 2.6 steals), who relocated to Canberra after spending the previous season commuting from Adelaide to play for St Kilda. Smyth immediately brought stability, sharp shooting, and elite perimeter defence to the backcourt. He led the NBL in steals, won his second consecutive Best Defensive Player award and earned All-NBL First Team honours for the second consecutive year.

Canberra delivered a strong regular season campaign, finishing 16–6—good for fourth overall and second in the NBL’s Western Division behind Geelong (18–4). Kirchmeyer (20.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists) led the team in scoring, while Nelson (19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists) and McEachin (15.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.1 blocks) added a dynamic blend of scoring and defensive versatility.

The 1983 NBL Finals introduced an unusual divisional round-robin format for the top eight teams, with the top two teams in each division not guaranteed advancement. Canberra thrived in the chaos, going undefeated in the group stage with wins over Nunawading (89–81), Geelong (86–81), and St. Kilda (104–85) to book a spot in the semifinals.

In the semifinal against the Coburg Giants, Smyth was again a standout performer. He scored 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting and was a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line, showing his trademark composure in crunch time. Kirchmeyer (17 points), Nelson (18 points), and McEachin (18 points) all shot 50% from the field, while Canberra shot 91% from the line as a team to secure an 80–75 win. Smyth’s control of the tempo and defensive leadership proved crucial in a high-pressure elimination game.

Canberra advanced to the Grand Final to face the defending champion West Adelaide Bearcats, led by stars Leroy Loggins (23 points) and Al Green (18 points). In a classic title decider, Smyth contributed 16 points on 8-of-16 shooting as the Cannons edged the Bearcats 75–73. McEachin (18 points) led the scoring, while Kirchmeyer (17 points) and Nelson (10 points) rounded out a balanced attack. Smyth’s perimeter defence helped limit West Adelaide’s rhythm, and his ability to deliver on the biggest stage was a key factor in Canberra securing their first NBL championship.

The title cemented Phil Smyth’s status as one of the premier guards in the country. His leadership, court vision, and defensive excellence were foundational to Canberra’s success in 1983, and he emerged from the season not only as a champion but as a defining figure in the league’s growing legacy.

1984
In 1984, Smyth averaged 14.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.1 assists as Canberra finished fifth with a 16-7 regular-season record. The Cannons went on to claim a second consecutive NBL championship, defeating Brisbane 84-82 in the Grand Final at the Glass House in Melbourne. Smyth was again selected to the All-NBL First Team.

1985
During the 1985 season Smyth averaged 13.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.3 assists and helped the Cannons finish with a record of 19-7 and end the regular season in fourth place.

1986
During the 1986 season, Smyth averaged 12.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists and was a part of the Cannons squad which finished in second place with a record of 19-7.

1987
In 1987, Smyth averaged 18.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists as the Cannons finished with a record of 17-9 and in fifth place during the regular season.

1988
In 1988, Smyth averaged 22.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists as Canberra finished fourth with a 16–8 regular-season record. The Cannons advanced past Adelaide to reach the Grand Final against North Melbourne. Smyth led Canberra with 25 points and eight assists in the opening 120-95 victory at the AIS Arena, while Tim Dillon scored 29 for the Giants. North Melbourne levelled the series with a 117-101 win in game two, led by Dillon’s 43 points. The decider saw Canberra win 108-101 in Melbourne, with Willie Simmons scoring 23 for the Cannons and David Graham adding 28 for North Melbourne. The 2-1 victory delivered Canberra its third championship, while Smyth was named Grand Final MVP. He also earned All-NBL First Team and Best Defensive Player honours.

1989
In 1989, Smyth averaged 17.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists as Canberra finished first with an 18-6 regular-season record. The Cannons returned to the Grand Final but North Melbourne reversed the previous year’s result, winning 111-105 in Canberra and 111-97 in Melbourne to claim the championship 2-0. Smyth scored 23 points in the opening game and was named Best Defensive Player for the fourth time, as well as earning All-NBL First Team honours.

1990
During the 1990 season Smyth averaged 9.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists and helped the Cannons finish with a record of 16-10 and end the regular season in seventh place.

1991
During the 1991 season, Smyth averaged 15.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists and was a part of the Cannons squad, which finished in 10th place with a 9-17 record.

1992
In 1992, Smyth averaged 12.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7 assists, and helped guide the Cannons to an eighth-place finish during the regular season with an 11–13 record.

ADELAIDE 36ERS
1993
After two losing seasons under coach Don Shipway, Adelaide hired American Don Monson to replace him and steer the team back to its winning ways of the past decade. With the 36ers still regrouping from the huge loss of Boomers big man Mark Bradtke (who had left for Melbourne), they added young talent in Chris Blakemore (AIS) and Scott Ninnis (South East Melbourne) and veterans Phil Smyth (captain of the Australian Boomers at the time) and Willie Simmons from the Canberra Cannons.

Smyth averaged 10.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists while the team improved to a 14–12 record under Monson and made the playoffs by finishing in seventh place.

At the end of the season, Blakemore (5.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 0.6 assists) claimed Rookie of the Year honours and while Ninnis (19.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.3 steals) delivered his highest scoring season to date and collected the Most Improved Player award. The 36ers were then eliminated in the Quarterfinals by Ninnis’s former team, the defending NBL champions, South East Melbourne Magic.

1994
Phil Smyth (6.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists across 33 games) had his lowest-scoring and lowest-rebounding NBL season as the 36ers finished fourth with an 18-8 regular-season record under coach Mike Dunlap.

Adelaide defeated Brisbane in three games in the quarterfinals and swept Melbourne in the semifinals before facing North Melbourne in the Grand Final. In game one at the Clipsal Powerhouse, the Giants overcame a 17-point deficit to win 95-93 in overtime, with Darryl McDonald hitting a decisive jump shot. North Melbourne won game two 117-97 to claim the title 2-0, leaving Smyth as a Grand Final runner-up in his final season with Adelaide.

SYDNEY KINGS
1995
After a great start to the 1994 season, the Kings collapsed during the second half of the year with the team’s young roster felt to be the cause. Veteran talent Phil Smyth (Adelaide), Justin Withers (Canberra) and import Bruce Bolden (SE Melbourne), who would replace fan favourite Mario Donaldson, would bring the experience required in spades.

The Kings starting lineup had increased from the average age of 28 to 31, which meant although they had added a ton of experience, this roster would only have one or two years to make it count.

The season started with a narrow 85-86 loss to Bolden’s former team, the Magic, before a up-and-down season, where the Kings defeated a number of league’s top team’s but failed to close out games against those at the bottom of the ladder. Sydney would start the season with a 3-6 record, which included wins over Perth and North Melbourne, who would finish first and third, respectively, but suffered back-to-back losses to Canberra (who would finish tenth) and lost games to Townsville (finished 12th) and Gold Coast (finished 13th).

Leon Trimmingham (27.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 2.1 steals and 2.2 blocks) was named Kings team MVP after leading the team in scoring, rebounds, steals and blocks as Bolden (20.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals) and captain Damian Keogh (14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.6 steals) provided the additional scoring power. Sydney finished the season in tenth place with a record of 10-16 and failed to reach the playoffs.

Smyth appeared in 16 games and averaged 6.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists before retiring from NBL playing at the end of 1995.

Phil Smyth played fourteen seasons across four NBL teams. This included the St Kilda Pumas, Canberra Cannons, Adelaide 36ers and Sydney Kings. He averaged 13.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 356 NBL games.

CAREER RANKINGS:

– 15th in total assists
– 7th in total steals
– 24th in steals per game.

HIGHLIGHTS: