CJ Bruton
February 2, 2021
Rodger Smith
- Nationality: AUS
- Date of Birth: 14/06/68
- Place of Birth: Shepparton (VIC)
- Position: GRD
- Height (CM): 195
- Weight (KG): 84
- Junior Assoc: VIC - Shepparton
- College: None
- NBL DEBUT: 21/04/89
- AGE AT DEBUT: 20
- LAST NBL GAME: 31/03/01
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 32
- NBL History: Brisbane 1989, 1994-99, 2001 | GOLD COAST 1990-93
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Rodger Smith was born in Shepparton (VIC) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Shepparton basketball program.
Smith had a successful NBL career stretching more than a decade and was even recently mentioned among the best small forwards to have played for the Brisbane Bullets.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Rodger Smith made his NBL debut with the Brisbane Bullets at 20 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.
Brisbane entered the 1989 NBL season undergoing major changes, losing key scorers Shane Heal (to Geelong) and import Emery Atkinson (to Canberra) from the previous year. To fill the gap, the Bullets added new imports Winston Crite and Greg Giddings, aiming to restore their offensive firepower.
Rookie Rodger Smith (1.3 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.3 assists) saw limited action, appearing in just eight games and playing minimal minutes throughout the season.
Leroy Loggins (22.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.8 steals, and 1.1 blocks) once again led the side, but for the first time since 1981, was left off the All-NBL First Team. Winston Crite (20.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks) posted strong numbers but didn’t find the same chemistry with Loggins as past imports had.
Veterans Larry Sengstock (12.6 points, 7.5 rebounds) and Ron Radliff (12.0 points, 3.1 assists) remained key contributors, while Robert Sibley (15.4 points, 6.4 rebounds) emerged as a major positive, stepping up with career-best numbers in a larger role.
Despite individual performances, Brisbane finished 11–13 and in eighth place, missing the playoffs for the first time since 1983.
GOLD COAST COUGARS
1990
In 1990, left Brisbane and travelled a hour down the Pacific Motorway to play for the Gold Coast Cougars. There Smith continued to develop as a player, increasing his output to 1.8 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.3 assists per game. The Cougars finished the regular season with a 9-17 record.
GOLD COAST ROLLERS
1991
In 1991, Gold Coast re-branded themselves from the Cougars to the Rollers and under new head coach Dave Claxton they recorded their best team result ever, finishing with 14 wins and 12 losses. The team was headlined by import stars Mike Mitchell (29 points per game) and Andre LaFleur (22 points per game) but despite the winning record the Rollers would not qualify for the post season. This season Smith became a regular part of the team’s rotation and boosted his numbers to 8.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5 assists per game in what would be the most successful year of the franchise’s six years of existance.
1992
A stroke of luck saw the Rollers able to retain team captain Larry Sengstock who signed a three-year deal (worth $300,000) to play with Westside Melbourne only to see that disintegrate after they merged with Eastside Melbourne (forming South East Melbourne) and had no room on the roster. Sengstock then returned to the Gold Coast who re-signed star imports Mike Mitchell and Andre LaFleur and looked to take things one step further after narrowly missing out on the playoffs in their first season playing together. Nine games into the season, however, the Rollers suffered a huge blow when they lost Mitchell on May 31, 1992, after he suffered a horrific injury after a loss in Illawarra. Mitchell had punched a wire-reinforced glass panel of a locker-room door after Gold Coast narrowly lost to the Illawarra Hawks, which saw his arm almost severed, and his muscle cut from the bone. Mitchell was found slumped on the floor in a pool of blood by Rollers teammate Ron Radliff. Doubt was initially cast over whether Mitchell would ever play again, miraculously he recovered, making his return to the court the following season.
Mitchell had averaged 26.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3 assists prior to the injury and left a huge hole at both ends of the court. Willie Jennette, who had averaged 37.3 points over three seasons in the state league (SEABL) was signed as his replacement. LaFleur stepped up in Mitchell’s absence, he averaged 22.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 9.6 assists for the season and Smith averaged 7.9 points, 4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists but the Rollers were unable to cover Mitchell’s loss.
BRISBANE BULLETS
1993
In 1993, former Coach of the Year (1988) and 1989 championship winner Bruce Palmer was named the new Bullets coach, and the team made it as far as the semi finals.
Smith averaged 7.6 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists for the season.
In 1993, Brisbane replaced long time coach Brian Kerle with former Coach of the Year (1988) and 1989 championship winning coach Bruce Palmer. Under Palmers tutelage the Bullets finished the season winning 50% of their games (same as the previous year under Kerle) and made it to the semi finals before being eliminated in two straight games by Dwayne McClain and the Sydney Kings.
Smith averaged 7.6 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists for the season.
In 1993, former Coach of the Year (1988) and 1989 championship winner Bruce Palmer was named the new Bullets coach, and the team made it as far as the semi finals.
Smith averaged 7.6 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists for the season.
In 1993, Brisbane replaced long time coach Brian Kerle with former Coach of the Year (1988) and 1989 championship winning coach Bruce Palmer. Under Palmers tutelage the Bullets finished the season winning 50% of their games (same as the previous year under Kerle) and made it to the semi finals before being eliminated in two straight games by Dwayne McClain and the Sydney Kings.
Smith averaged 7.6 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists for the season.
1994
In 1994, Smith averaged 6.5 points and 3.6 rebounds, and helped guide the Bullets to a fourth place finish in the regular season (18-8).
1995
Having lost to Adelaide in the quarterfinals the previous season, the Bullets re-tooled their roster prior to 1995. The early exit saw Brisbane revamp their frontcourt, releasing veteran forward Shane Froling and imports Dave Colbert and Andre Moore. Although Leroy Loggins, Rodger Smith, Robert Sibley and Wayne Larkins were retained from last season, coach Bruce Palmer set out to recruit a younger roster he could develop over the next 2-3 seasons. He signed Andrew Goodwin and Mike Mitchell (both from rival team Gold Coast), and added import Chris Munk as their replacements.
John Rillie, who had just graduated from Gonzaga University, was a late addition to the team signed to backup Brisbane’s leading scorer Shane Heal.
Heal (22.9 points and 7.4 assists), Loggins (21.7 points and 7.5 rebounds), and Mitchell (20.9 points and 6.8 rebounds) would carry the team offensively, notching up 60+ points a game between them with Smith also adding 5.2 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Additionally, promising young talent John Rillie finished the season with 13.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game and was awarded the NBL Rookie of the Year award but the ‘new look’ Bullets didn’t fare much better than the old ones. Brisbane finished in fifth place with a record of 16-10 and would suffer elimination during the Quarterfinalsstage yet again, this time losing to North Melbourne (0–2).
1996
In 1996, the Brisbane Bullets re-loaded by adding veteran big man Mark Dalton (via Sydney) and signing star import Steve Woodberry from rival club Gold Coast. Woodberry, who as coming off a major injury, averaged 23 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists and was selected to the All-NBL second team.
Under new head coach David Ingram, the Bullets finished with a record of 14-12 and in eighth place. Smith averaged 6.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 26 games.
1997
In 1997, Smith averaged 9.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists as the Bullets finished with a record of 15-15 and in sixth place during the regular season.
1998
In 1998, Smith averaged 4.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, playing a key role in the Bullets rotation, helping the team finish reach a fourth place finish in the regular season with a 16-14 record.
1998/99
Bullets import Steve Woodberry delivered his best season, leading the team with 27.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists and taking home the 1999 NBL MVP in the process. Smith averaged 6.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists as the Bullets finished in fifth place with a 13-13 record. Brisbane met the Melbourne Tigers in the quarterfinals of the NBL playoffs where the Bullets would lose to Melbourne in two straight games. This would be the last time the Bullets reached the NBL playoffs until 2004.
2000/01
Smith would not play in the 1999/00 season but was brought back into the squad for a one game cameo due to injuries in 2001. The 2000/01 season was especially disappointing for the Bullets, under new head coach Richard Orlick they finished second-last on the ladder, winning just 4 of their 28 fixtures.
Rodger Smith played twelve seasons in the NBL. He averaged 6.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 268 NBL games.
HIGHLIGHTS:
I love when I find these NBL gems on my tapes. My Aussie fans will enjoy this!! pic.twitter.com/guPmCUFzBu
— RANDOM HOOPS (@HoopsRandom) May 25, 2024
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-01 | 32 | Brisbane | 4-24 (10) | 1 | 13.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0 | |
| 1998-99 | 30 | Brisbane | 13-13 (5) | 26 | 690.0 | 169 | 72 | 64 | 13 | 59 | 26 | 9 | 39 | 60 | 60 | 166 | 36% | 19 | 55 | 35% | 30 | 46 | 65% | 45% | 42% | 21 |
| 1998 | 30 | Brisbane | 16-14 (4) | 33 | 694.0 | 155 | 93 | 82 | 33 | 60 | 41 | 8 | 60 | 66 | 54 | 175 | 31% | 19 | 63 | 30% | 28 | 40 | 70% | 40% | 36% | 11 |
| 1997 | 29 | Brisbane | 15-15 (6) | 32 | 1,062.0 | 303 | 149 | 133 | 43 | 106 | 53 | 14 | 68 | 97 | 108 | 239 | 45% | 37 | 103 | 36% | 50 | 68 | 74% | 56% | 53% | 23 |
| 1996 | 28 | Brisbane | 14-12 (8) | 26 | 602.0 | 165 | 112 | 80 | 40 | 72 | 46 | 7 | 43 | 78 | 61 | 127 | 48% | 5 | 14 | 36% | 38 | 56 | 68% | 54% | 50% | 16 |
| 1995 | 27 | Brisbane | 16-10 (5) | 17 | 288.0 | 89 | 51 | 42 | 15 | 36 | 11 | 2 | 28 | 31 | 32 | 57 | 56% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 25 | 35 | 71% | 60% | 56% | 12 |
| 1994 | 26 | Brisbane | 18-8 (4) | 29 | 693.0 | 188 | 105 | 120 | 33 | 72 | 41 | 12 | 63 | 92 | 74 | 128 | 58% | 1 | 5 | 20% | 39 | 49 | 80% | 62% | 58% | 14 |
| 1993 | 25 | Brisbane | 16-10 (4) | 27 | 715.0 | 204 | 108 | 107 | 35 | 73 | 52 | 8 | 49 | 88 | 84 | 167 | 50% | 1 | 9 | 11% | 35 | 45 | 78% | 54% | 51% | 14 |
| 1992 | 24 | Gold Coast | 11-13 (10) | 24 | 748.0 | 189 | 96 | 105 | 28 | 68 | 37 | 14 | 39 | 75 | 65 | 174 | 37% | 8 | 53 | 15% | 51 | 65 | 78% | 46% | 40% | 15 |
| 1991 | 23 | Gold Coast | 14-12 (8) | 26 | 680.0 | 214 | 97 | 129 | 28 | 69 | 40 | 16 | 50 | 90 | 76 | 155 | 49% | 11 | 37 | 30% | 51 | 71 | 72% | 57% | 53% | 19 |
| 1990 | 22 | Gold Coast | 9-17 (11) | 19 | 159.0 | 35 | 22 | 30 | 10 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 28 | 15 | 36 | 42% | 0 | 4 | 0% | 5 | 6 | 83% | 45% | 42% | 10 |
| 1989 | 21 | Brisbane | 11-13 (8) | 8 | 51.0 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 43% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 4 | 5 | 80% | 53% | 0% | 4 | Totals | 268 | 6395 | 1721 | 912 | 895 | 280 | 632 | 361 | 97 | 451 | 712 | 632 | 1432 | 44.1% | 101 | 345 | 29.3% | 356 | 486 | 73.3% | 52% | 48% | 23 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-01 | 32 | Brisbane | 4-24 (10) | 1 | 13.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0 |
| 1998-99 | 30 | Brisbane | 13-13 (5) | 26 | 26.5 | 6.5 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 6.4 | 36% | 0.7 | 2.1 | 35% | 1.2 | 1.8 | 65% | 45% | 42% | 21 |
| 1998 | 30 | Brisbane | 16-14 (4) | 33 | 21.0 | 4.7 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 5.3 | 31% | 0.6 | 1.9 | 30% | 0.8 | 1.2 | 70% | 40% | 36% | 11 |
| 1997 | 29 | Brisbane | 15-15 (6) | 32 | 33.2 | 9.5 | 4.7 | 4.2 | 1.3 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 2.1 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 7.5 | 45% | 1.2 | 3.2 | 36% | 1.6 | 2.1 | 74% | 56% | 53% | 23 |
| 1996 | 28 | Brisbane | 14-12 (8) | 26 | 23.2 | 6.3 | 4.3 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 2.8 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 4.9 | 48% | 0.2 | 0.5 | 36% | 1.5 | 2.2 | 68% | 54% | 50% | 16 |
| 1995 | 27 | Brisbane | 16-10 (5) | 17 | 16.9 | 5.2 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 56% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 1.5 | 2.1 | 71% | 60% | 56% | 12 |
| 1994 | 26 | Brisbane | 18-8 (4) | 29 | 23.9 | 6.5 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 1.1 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 2.2 | 3.2 | 2.6 | 4.4 | 58% | 0.0 | 0.2 | 20% | 1.3 | 1.7 | 80% | 62% | 58% | 14 |
| 1993 | 25 | Brisbane | 16-10 (4) | 27 | 26.5 | 7.6 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 1.8 | 3.3 | 3.1 | 6.2 | 50% | 0.0 | 0.3 | 11% | 1.3 | 1.7 | 78% | 54% | 51% | 14 |
| 1992 | 24 | Gold Coast | 11-13 (10) | 24 | 31.2 | 7.9 | 4.0 | 4.4 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 3.1 | 2.7 | 7.3 | 37% | 0.3 | 2.2 | 15% | 2.1 | 2.7 | 78% | 46% | 40% | 15 |
| 1991 | 23 | Gold Coast | 14-12 (8) | 26 | 26.2 | 8.2 | 3.7 | 5.0 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 3.5 | 2.9 | 6.0 | 49% | 0.4 | 1.4 | 30% | 2.0 | 2.7 | 72% | 57% | 53% | 19 |
| 1990 | 22 | Gold Coast | 9-17 (11) | 19 | 8.4 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 42% | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0% | 0.3 | 0.3 | 83% | 45% | 42% | 10 |
| 1989 | 21 | Brisbane | 11-13 (8) | 8 | 6.4 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 43% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.5 | 0.6 | 80% | 53% | 0% | 4 | Total | 268 | 23.9 | 6.4 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 2.4 | 5.3 | 44.1% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 29.3% | 0.4 | 1.3 | 73.3% | 52% | 48% | 23 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 23 | 12 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- Gold Coast (1987–1988), Brisbane (1999–2000)
Smith joined Gold Coast for the 1987 Travelodge State League season, helping the club win the Queensland state league championship after a 99–90 overtime grand final win over Townsville, where he scored 18 points in the title game.
Rodger Smith remained with Gold Coast in 1988 after being part of the club’s 1987 William Jones Cup trip, where Gold Coast finished third in Taipei after wins over teams from the Philippines, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
Rodger Smith joined Brisbane for the 1999 Queensland state league season, playing with the Brisbane Capitals after establishing himself as a mainstay of the Brisbane Bullets during the 1990s. He was known in the Queensland state league for lockdown defence, athleticism and fierce competitiveness.
Rodger Smith remained with Brisbane for the 2000 Queensland state league season, continuing with the Brisbane Capitals during a period when the club was a regular championship contender. His state league career later placed him among Queensland basketball’s top state league players since 1990, with his defensive impact central to that recognition.
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