Ron Radliff

  • Nationality: USA/AUS
  • Date of Birth: 19/09/57
  • Place of Birth: Enumclaw, Washington (USA)
  • Position: GRD
  • Height (CM): 184
  • Weight (KG): 75
  • Junior Assoc:
  • College: Western Washington (1976–1980)
  • NBL DEBUT: 12/02/83
  • AGE AT DEBUT: 25
  • LAST NBL GAME: 25/09/92
  • AGE AT LAST GAME: 35
  • NBL History: Brisbane 1983-89 | Gold Coast 1990-92
  • Championships: 2
  • Brisbane (1985, 1987)

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NICKNAME/S: The Rat, The Baseline Bandit

BIO: Ron Radliff is a naturalised Australian citizen who was born and raised in Enumclaw, Washington. Radliff, more commonly known as “The Rat”, graduated from Enumclaw Senior High School in Washington State in 1976. He then attended and graduated from Western Washington University.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Ron Radliff made his NBL debut with the Brisbane Bullets at 25 years of age. He scored six points in his first game.

In 1983, Larry Sengstock (13.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) took over as sole team captain of the Bullets and together with first year talent Radliff (10.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists) guided the Bullets to a fifth place finish behind a record of 10 wins and 12 losses.

The 1983 playoffs were played in unusual circumstances. As a cost-cutting measure, the NBL decided to play two divisional finals, a three-game round-robin tournament for the top eight team’s. This strangely saw the league’s two best team’s excluded from the NBL playoffs as both the first-placed team in the Western Divison (Sydney) and the first place team in the Eastern Division (Geelong) finished third in the three-game ‘play-in tournament’, eliminating them from the playoffs. West Adelaide and Coburg, who both had the same record (2-1) as Sydney but squeaked through to the finals thanks to a better points percentage, then faced Nunawading and Canberra in the semifinals.

The semi finals resulted in reigning champions West Adelaide defeating Nunawading 84-77 and Canberra eliminating Coburg 80-75. Canberra would go on to become champions, going undefeated in the playoffs and defeating Loggins and West Adelaide 75-73 in the championship game.

1984
Under new coach Brian Kerle the Bullets underwent a number of roster changes, the biggest being the return of Leroy Loggins, who had spent the previous two seasons with the West Adelaide Bearcats. The team then added import guard Ron ‘The Rat’ Radliff, known for his long curly hair and brilliant outside shooting, to help spread the floor for Loggins and co.

It clearly worked, as Loggins (29.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 3.4 steals and 1.9 blocks) delivered his finest season to date, going on to be selected to the All NBL First team and voted the league’s Most Valuable Player.

Alongside Loggins, Radliff (20.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.0 steals) and captain Larry Sengstock (18.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists) provided the additional firepower the Bullets needed to make their first playoff appearance since 1981. The team finishing the regular season in first place with a 19–5 record, a major improvement on their 10–12 record in 1983.

After defeating the Coburg Giants and the Geelong Supercats, they had reached the Grand Final for the first in Bullets history. The Grand Final would be played at a pre-determined ‘neutral’ venue that season (the last time the NBL held the Grand Final at a neutral location), the ‘Glass House’ in Melbourne.

Despite all the improvement Brisbane had delivered that season, the team ultimately fell short, losing to the defending champs Canberra 84–82. First year coach Kerle and his efforts in turning the team around were rewarded by the league voting him Coach of the Year.

1985
After falling short against Canberra Cannons in the previous year’s Grand Final, the Brisbane Bullets added the legendary Cal Bruton to the squad and a young John Dorge to the squad.

Behind the brilliance of Leroy Loggins (27.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.7 steals, and 2.0 blocks), the returning Cal Bruton (17.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists) and team captain Larry Sengstock (16.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) the Bullets emerged to be the league’s most powerful team. With head coach Brian Kerle having a season of experience behind him, he delivered a first-place finish for the second year in a row, this time with a 20–6 record. Radliff would also add 17.5 points, 2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists for the season.

The Bullets received a first-round bye in the NBL playoffs and would meet the winner of the elimination final between the Coburg Giants and last year’s champs, Canberra. Canberra eliminated Coburg convincingly by 23 points which would give Brisbane a chance at revenge after being beaten by the Cannons in the previous year’s Grand Final.

Radliff contributed 12 points and 3 assists alongside Loggins, who led the Bullets in most categories, racking up 28 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals, and Cal Bruton who added 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists. Brisbane were able to come away victorious behind a 93-76 victory while Adelaide defeated Newcastle by a record score of 151–103 on the other side of the semi final bracket.

With the game being held at their home venue, the Chandler Arena, the Bullets went into the series as favourites against the Adelaide 36ers, who, after merging with West Adelaide in 1985, had seen them become one of the strongest team’s in NBL history.

The grand final would be played as a single-game elimination (the last time the NBL decided a grand final this way) on Brisbane’s home court, the Sleeman Sports Centre.

Leading 78–74 and going into the last period of play, the Bullets then outscored Adelaide 42–21, setting a NBL grand final record for points scored in the final period and easily accounting for the 36ers. Radliff seemingly had saved his one of his best game’s of the season for the encounter, notching up 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists while Sengstock recorded 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, Bruton nearly replicated his semi final performance with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, and Loggins unleashed one of his finest games, notching up 41 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in Brisbane’s 121-95 championship win.

Although there was no Grand Final MVP awarded that year, Loggins was named player of the game. Loggins form also saw him selected to his fourth straight All NBL First team.

1986
The team’s major change during the 1986 season was when they moved out of the Chandler Arena (2,700 seats) and into the brand new Brisbane Entertainment Centre, which could seat up to 13,500 fans. The move easily gave the Bullets the largest and newest home arena in the NBL at the time (the next largest venue in the league was The Glass House, which could only seat 7,200). At the time, the Entertainment Centre was not only the NBL’s but also Australia’s largest indoor arena.

Brisbane finished the regular season in third place (17–8) and progressed to their third Grand Final in a row after wins over the Sydney Supersonics and regular postseason rivals, the Canberra Cannons.

The team was led by Leroy Loggins (29.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 3.3 steals and 1.3 blocks), who would win the NBL MVP that season, alongside Cal Bruton (16.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists) and team captain Sengstock (12.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists). Radliff also contributed 16.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists.

This season’s Grand Final would be decided in a best-of-three series for the first time ever. Brisbane would face Adelaide in a rematch of last year’s Grand Final, who, behind coach Ken Cole, had lost only two games all year and were unbeaten at home.

In the opening game, over 11,000 fans, a then indoor sports attendance record in Australia, watched Radliff fill the box score with 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists in game one but it wasn’t enough to overcome the 36ers. Adelaide would narrowly defeat Brisbane 122–119 in overtime at the Entertainment Centre.

In game two, Brisbane became the only team to defeat the 36ers in Adelaide that year winning 104–83 at the Apollo Stadium with Radliff playing a key role, finishing with 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. The Bullets would lose the deciding game three in Adelaide (113–91), Delivering Adelaide their first championship. Crucially, Loggins fouled out of both game one and 3 of the Grand Final series, which limited his on-court impact.

The Bullets moved from the 2,700-seat Chandler Arena into the larger, 13,500-capacity Brisbane Entertainment Centre in 1986 and Radliff would play a key role in Brisbane finishing the season in second spot, behind the Adelaide 36ers whom they beat in the NBL Finals the season prior. This would also prompt the NBL to extend the deciding series from a one-game playoff to a three-game series from here onwards.

1987
With Brisbane looking to go ‘younger, bigger and faster’ with their roster to compete with the likes of Adelaide’s Mark Davis and Perth’s James Crawford, the decision was made to release US born players Cal Bruton and Dave Nelson in favour of incoming import Emery Atkinson and giving more playing time to young local talent.

The Bullets were led by star Leroy Loggins (28.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.9 steals), who became the first player to win back-to-back NBL Most Valuable Player awards, sharing the award with Mark Davis of the Adelaide 36ers. Behind Loggins’s brilliance, Brisbane finished with 20 wins and 6 losses and finished in second place (behind Adelaide) during the regular season.

Beyond Loggins, the Bullets had built a roster so full of talent that the team’s second-leading scorer, import Emery Atkinson (15.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals), came off the bench. Veterans Radliff (15.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.9 steals) and team captain Larry Sengstock (12.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists) supported the two imports offensively, while 25-year-old John Dorge (11.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks), 21-year-old Robert Sibley (11.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists), and 19-year-old Darren Perry (6.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals) all made huge contributions despite their inexperience.

Ending the season with a 20-6 record, the Bullets finished in second place (Adelaide claimed top spot) and, as a result, received a first-round bye. There, they would face the Illawarra Hawks after they defeated the North Melbourne Giants in the elimination finals. With Illawarra advancing, the Bullets easily won game one of the semi finals (109-87) before losing game two in a nail-biter (77-78). Brisbane rebounded in game three (100-82), earning a spot in the 1987 NBL Grand Final after winning game three 100-82.

Brisbane made it to the NBL grand final for a league-record fourth consecutive season and would face off against the Perth Wildcats, who had just upset the defending champions Adelaide on the other side of the semi final bracket.

Perth was led by player/coach and former Bullets’ favourite Cal Bruton. Bruton’s exit had also come on the back of a very public falling out with coach Brian Kerle. In a surprise move, Brisbane elevated teenage point guard Darren Perry (10 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals) into the starting lineup for the playoffs and alongside Atkinson (22 points on 10/16 shooting and 9 rebounds) and Loggins (17 points and 5 rebounds) the Bullets defeated Perth in a low scoring, grind it out, 80-79 victory. Kendall Pinder (27 points and 15 rebounds) and James Crawford (23 points, 14 rebounds and 2 blocks) led the way for the visitors.

In game two, although Pinder (25 points, 15 rebounds) and Crawford (22 points, 11 rebounds) still proved hard to stop, Brisbane’s frontcourt of Sengstock (8 points and 6 rebounds), John Dorge (7 points and 10 rebounds) and Emery Atkinson (12 points and 4 rebounds), made it almost impossible for the Wildcats’ guards to score inside. The Wildcats guard rotation of Bruton (9), Mike Ellis (6) and Alan Black (2) combined for just 17 points and after the Bullets won a tightly fought first half (47-44), they owned the Wildcat’s in the second.

Brisbane outscored Perth by 16 points, with Loggins (36 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) doing most of the damage on the scoreboard.

With the final score reading 106-87 and Brisbane winning their second championship, Radliff finished with 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals in 42 minutes of court time and Loggins, who averaged 26.5 points over the two games, was named Grand Final MVP.

1988
After winning their second NBL championship in 1987, Brisbane entered the 1988 season looking to defend their title and claim a third championship in four years. Head coach Brian Kerle retained almost his entire championship-winning squad, with Leroy Loggins, Ron Radliff, Larry Sengstock, Emery Atkinson, Darren Perry, Robert Sibley, John Dorge and Danny Morseu all returning. James Carr and Paul Webb departed, while promising young guards Shane Heal (via AIS) and Simon Kerle were added to provide further backcourt depth.

Brisbane opened the season against Geelong on February 13, overwhelming the Supercats 149-85 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. The game also marked the NBL debut of 17-year-old Heal (14 points), as Brisbane began its pursuit of another championship with a 64-point victory.

Radliff (12.4 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.2 steals across 25 games) continued to provide Brisbane with experienced backcourt play and outside shooting, although his scoring average dropped from 15.4 points the previous season. Known as ‘The Rat’, he remained one of the league’s most reliable perimeter shooters, connecting on 70 three-pointers at 44 percent while also making 26-of-28 free throws, shooting 93 percent from the line. Averaging 32 minutes per game, he remained an important part of Brisbane’s rotation alongside Perry and emerging young guard Heal. His highest-scoring performance of the season was a 27-point game, while his ability to create opportunities for teammates remained a significant part of his contribution.

One of Brisbane’s most important early victories came against North Melbourne on March 18, when Radliff (16 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) made 6-of-10 field goals, including two three-pointers, as the Bullets defeated the Giants 137-132 at the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre. Atkinson (32 points and 8 rebounds) and Loggins (32 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) led Brisbane offensively, while Tim Dillon (47 points and 8 rebounds) produced a huge scoring performance for North Melbourne. The five-point victory would later prove important when both teams completed the regular season with identical records.

Radliff produced one of his best all-around performances against Perth at Challenge Stadium on April 29, finishing with 12 points, 3 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. He also connected on two three-pointers and made all four of his free throws as Brisbane defeated the Wildcats 125-113. Atkinson (27 points and 13 rebounds) and Loggins (25 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) led the Bullets in scoring, while James Crawford (29 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Calvin Bruton (22 points) led Perth. Radliff’s 10 assists highlighted his ability to distribute the ball and helped Brisbane claim an important road victory over the team they had defeated in the previous year’s Grand Final.

Brisbane remained among the league’s leading teams and occupied second place with two rounds remaining, but a crucial home game against Canberra on July 2 proved costly. Radliff (6 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals) struggled offensively, making only 3-of-8 field goals, while Sengstock (22 points and 15 rebounds) and Heal (20 points) led Brisbane in scoring. Phil Smyth (29 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists) led Canberra to a 105-97 victory at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. The defeat ultimately left Brisbane tied with North Melbourne at 18-6, with the Giants claiming second place by nine points on head-to-head differential after the teams split their two meetings. Brisbane finished third, missing the automatic semifinal berth and being forced into a knockout quarterfinal.

Loggins (24.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.4 steals across 25 games) remained Brisbane’s leading scorer and earned his seventh consecutive All-NBL First Team selection while leading the competition in free-throw percentage at 85.6 percent. Atkinson (16.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks across 25 games) continued to provide an athletic presence around the basket, while Sengstock (11.1 points and 10.2 rebounds across 25 games) remained the team’s captain and leading rebounder. Perry (10.4 points and 3.7 assists across 24 games) continued as Brisbane’s starting point guard, with Heal (15 points across 25 games) quickly emerging as one of the league’s most exciting young players. Playing approximately 27 minutes per game, Heal established himself as a dangerous outside shooter and was awarded the NBL Rookie of the Year award. Sibley (8.6 points and 4.7 rebounds across 21 games) and Dorge (7.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 25 games) provided additional frontcourt depth.

Brisbane faced sixth-placed Perth in the knockout quarterfinal at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on July 16, where Radliff (7 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) struggled with his shooting, making only 3-of-12 field goals and 1-of-6 three-pointers. Loggins (31 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, and 5 steals) produced one of his finest all-around playoff performances, while Sengstock (17 points and 10 rebounds) and Atkinson (12 points and 8 rebounds) provided support. Despite those efforts, Brisbane struggled from outside, making only 2-of-16 three-point attempts, while Perth shot 52 percent from the field. Former Brisbane star Bruton (31 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals) made all nine of his free throws, while Crawford (26 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 blocks) dominated inside as the Wildcats defeated Brisbane 113-98, eliminating the defending champions in the quarterfinals and ending their run of four consecutive Grand Final appearances.

1989
Brisbane entered 1989 after finishing third the previous season before being eliminated by Perth in the first round of the playoffs. Head coach Brian Kerle retained Ron Radliff, Leroy Loggins, Larry Sengstock, Darren Perry, Robert Sibley and John Dorge, but Shane Heal (to Geelong) and Emery Atkinson (to Canberra), two of Brisbane’s top three scorers in 1988, departed. Winston Crite and Greg Giddings (via Hobart) were added as the Bullets attempted to reshape their rotation.

Brisbane opened the season in Newcastle on April 21, where Radliff (12 points, 1 rebound, and 7 assists) helped the Bullets defeat the Falcons 109-93. Crite (44 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) produced a spectacular NBL debut and Dorge (17 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) provided support, while Jerry Everett (39 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Newcastle.

Radliff (12 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.4 steals across 24 games) appeared in all 24 regular-season games during his seventh season with Brisbane. His scoring and playmaking dipped slightly from the previous year, but he remained a dangerous perimeter shooter, making 68 three-pointers at 45 percent for the season.

Radliff delivered his best and highest-scoring game against Wollongong on May 13, finishing with 31 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 steals, and 1 block while shooting 12-of-17 from the field and 7-of-12 from three. Loggins (43 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals, and 1 block) and Sibley (32 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 steals, and 2 blocks) also produced huge performances as Brisbane overwhelmed the Hawks 170-127, while Norman Taylor (27 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led Wollongong.

On June 3, Radliff (0 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) was held scoreless in 14 minutes, but Brisbane defeated Perth 110-103 behind Crite (40 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals, and 1 block) and Loggins (21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block). James Crawford (32 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) was Perth’s best.

Radliff (8 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) contributed on August 5 as Brisbane defeated Hobart 110-97. Loggins (40 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks) and Crite (22 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) carried the scoring load, while Paul Stanley (28 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) led the Devils. The victory lifted Brisbane to 10-7, but the Bullets then lost six consecutive games.

During that losing streak, Radliff (23 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist) played all 48 minutes against North Melbourne on September 1, making five three-pointers as Brisbane fell 127-118. Sibley (32 points, 19 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Loggins (28 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) led the Bullets, while Scott Fisher (30 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals) was outstanding for the Giants.

Loggins (22.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.8 steals across 24 games) remained Brisbane’s leading scorer, while Crite (20.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 20 games) provided another major offensive option. Sibley (15.4 points and 6.4 rebounds across 24 games) enjoyed a breakout season, with Sengstock (12.6 points and 7.5 rebounds across 23 games) and Giddings (9.2 points and 4.7 assists across 19 games) also filling important roles.

Brisbane closed the season against Sydney on September 16, where Radliff (11 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) made three three-pointers as the Bullets snapped their six-game losing streak with a 116-103 victory. Loggins (32 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Sengstock (29 points, 20 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led Brisbane, while Steve Carfino (29 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals) was Sydney’s best. The Bullets finished eighth with an 11-13 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1983. It was Radliff’s final game for Brisbane after seven seasons with the club before he joined the expansion Gold Coast Cougars for their inaugural NBL season in 1990.

GOLD COAST COUGARS
1990

1990 saw Gold Coast Cougars enter the NBL, playing home games out of Carrara Indoor Stadium. Tom Wiseman was named the team’s first-ever head coach, and his first move was filling his roster with a number of players from state rival club Brisbane. In their inaugural season, Gold Coast boasted four ex-Bullets, veterans Larry Sengstock and Ron Radliff, as well as 1989 Bullets rookie Rodger Smith and early 1980s bench player Mark Kitching.

The team would be led by its imports Leroy Combs (23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.3 blocks) and Brian Kellybrew (14.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists) as well as US born Eric Bailey (17.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists), who after playing a number of seasons in both the NBL and the state league, had become a naturalised Australian.

Australian Boomers big man Paul Kuiper (15.3 points and 8.7 rebounds), who had been playing for the St Kilda Saints, was also added to the roster while Radliff (13.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.0 steals) and team captain Sengstock (11.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists) provided veteran leadership.

Overall, the team struggled to deliver wins over the league’s more successful team’s and replaced Wiseman with rookie coach Brian Lester mid-way through the season. The Cougars then finished their first NBL season with a record of 9 wins, 17 losses with Combs being named the team’s MVP.

GOLD COAST ROLLERS
1991

In 1991, Gold Coast re-branded themselves from the Cougars to the Rollers, a effort to engage with Jupiter’s Casino at the time. After replacing inaugural head coach Tom Wiseman with Brian Lester mid-way through the team’s first year, the Rollers looked for stability and brought in Gold Coast local Dave Claxton, who had previously coached the Brisbane Bullets, as the team’s new coach.

Under 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, 7.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 blocks) and Andre LaFleur (22 points, 3.1 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 2.6 steals), while veterans like Paul Kuiper (13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds) and team captain Larry Sengstock (12.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists) provided leadership from the bench.

The team also got a added boost from the development of talented youngster Rodger Smith (8.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5 assists), who developed into one of the league’s most exciting young guards.

Despite the winning record, the Rollers would not qualify for the postseason.

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 (26.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.9 steals) 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 then signed as his replacement, and the team looked to LaFleur (22.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 9.6 assists, and 2.2 steals) and Sengstock (13.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists) to step things up in Mitchell’s absence.

Radliff also added 13.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, but the Rollers were unable to cover Mitchell’s loss and struggled to generate wins against any of the top team’s. Gold Coast ended the year with a record of 11-13 and a tenth-place finish in a disappointing season for Gold Coast fans.

Ron Radliff played ten seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Brisbane Bullets, Gold Coast Cougars and Gold Coast Rollers. He averaged 14.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 263 NBL games.

CAREER RANKINGS:
– 29th in total steals

NBL TOTAL STATISTICS

SEASONAGETEAMTEAM RECORDGPMINSPTSREBASTORDRSTLBLKTOPFFGMFGAFG%3PM3PA3P%FTMFTAFT%TS%EFG%HS
199235Gold Coast11-13 (10)2485131665832441437244510623246%7016044%344183%63%61%27
199134Gold Coast14-12 (8)2578522646100222449028408118344%4712538%171989%59%57%18
199032Gold Coast9-17 (11)26878360521191636534434412227644%8018843%364482%61%59%34
198932Brisbane11-13 (8)246902894375113233427359923941%6815145%232785%57%56%31
198830Brisbane18-6 (3)2580631055871540294393110724943%7016044%262893%59%57%27
198730Brisbane20-6 (2)311,2984781031361687602634417041141%8720243%516184%54%52%26
198629Brisbane17-9 (3)3105101041412579780685718644642%7616945%627484%53%50%28
198528Brisbane20-6 (1)280489561191640393575418841346%6914647%445777%56%54%34
198426Brisbane19-5 (2)270541631201251546475121147345%7216743%475585%54%52%41
198325Brisbane10-12 (11)22024048541731382343910722148%000%263476%51%48%20
Totals263530837596351034174461476324304401377314343.8%639146843.5%36644083.2%56%54%41

NBL PER GAME STATISTICS

SEASONAGETEAMTEAM RECORDGPMINSPTSREBASTORDRSTLBLKTOPFFGMFGAFG%3PM3PA3P%FTMFTAFT%TS%EFG%HS
199235Gold Coast11-13 (10)2435.513.22.73.51.01.71.80.31.01.94.49.746%2.96.744%1.41.783%63%61%27
199134Gold Coast14-12 (8)2531.49.01.84.00.91.02.00.01.11.63.27.344%1.95.038%0.70.889%59%57%18
199032Gold Coast9-17 (11)2633.813.82.04.60.61.42.00.21.71.74.710.644%3.17.243%1.41.782%61%59%34
198932Brisbane11-13 (8)2428.812.01.83.10.51.31.40.21.11.54.110.041%2.86.345%1.01.185%57%56%31
198830Brisbane18-6 (3)2532.212.42.23.50.61.61.20.21.61.24.310.043%2.86.444%1.01.193%59%57%27
198730Brisbane20-6 (2)3141.915.43.34.40.52.81.90.12.01.45.513.341%2.86.543%1.62.084%54%52%26
198629Brisbane17-9 (3)310.016.53.44.50.82.52.50.02.21.86.014.442%2.55.545%2.02.484%53%50%28
198528Brisbane20-6 (1)280.017.52.04.30.61.41.40.12.01.96.714.846%2.55.247%1.62.077%56%54%34
198426Brisbane19-5 (2)270.020.02.34.40.41.92.00.21.71.97.817.545%2.76.243%1.72.085%54%52%41
198325Brisbane10-12 (11)220.010.92.22.50.81.41.70.11.51.84.910.048%0.00.00%1.21.576%50.6%48%20
Total26320.214.32.43.90.71.81.80.11.61.75.212.043.8%0.00.043.5%2.45.683.2%56%54%41

CAREER HIGHS

POINTS REBOUNDS ASSISTS STEALS BLOCKS TURNOVERS TRIPLE DOUBLES
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COLLEGE

Radliff played college basketball at Western Washington from 1976 to 1980, beginning with the 1976-77 season. As a freshman in 1976-77, he was part of a Western Washington team that finished 8–19 under head coach Chuck Randall and advanced to the NAIA District/Region 1 playoffs, where WWU lost to Central Washington 111–56.

In 1977-78, Western Washington improved to 17–11 under Randall and returned to the NAIA District/Region 1 playoffs, defeating Simon Fraser 78–70 before falling to Central Washington 79–69.

During the 1978-79 season, WWU went 18–10 with another NAIA District/Region 1 appearance, beating Alaska Fairbanks 86–73 and then losing to Central Washington 89–81.

As a senior in 1979-80, Radliff averaged 13.2 points per game and set a school single-season free-throw percentage record by shooting 91.1% (72-of-79) at the line, while Western Washington finished 11–15 under Randall and again reached the NAIA District/Region 1 playoffs, defeating Alaska Fairbanks 73–59 before losing to Central Washington 76–68.

He was a four-year letter winner at Western Washington from 1976 to 1980 and earned honorable mention NAIA District 1 all-star recognition and Western Washington team MVP honors in 1979-80.

COACHING HISTORY

After retiring from the NBL following the 1992 season, Radliff moved into coaching and remained closely involved with basketball in Queensland.

Radliff later served as head coach of the Gold Coast Warriors in the Continental Basketball Association, continuing his involvement with basketball on the Gold Coast after finishing his playing career with the Gold Coast Rollers.

By the 2002/03 NBL season, Radliff was working as an assistant coach with the Brisbane Bullets under head coach Joey Wright. Wright later recalled working with Radliff and point guard Stephen Black on the offensive system that became a major part of Brisbane’s attack.

Radliff remained on Wright’s staff and became the Bullets’ lead assistant coach. He was part of the coaching staff when Brisbane won the 2006/07 NBL championship, with the Bullets finishing the regular season 28–5 and defeating the Melbourne Tigers 3–1 in the Grand Final series.

The championship made Radliff a three-time Brisbane Bullets champion, having previously won the 1985 and 1987 titles as a player before adding the 2007 championship as an assistant coach.

In 2007, Radliff also coached the Queensland Under-18 South Boys team, with a squad that included future NBL players Cameron Bairstow, Brock Motum and Brendan Teys.

Radliff remained a Brisbane assistant through the club’s final NBL season in 2007/08.

When Joey Wright was appointed head coach of the Gold Coast Blaze in 2009, Radliff followed him to the club as an assistant coach.

Radliff remained on the Gold Coast coaching staff through the Blaze’s final NBL season in 2011/12, with the club withdrawing from the league after the season.

Western Washington University later credited Radliff with playing and coaching in more than 900 games in the Australian NBL and recognised his 2007 championship as an assistant coach when he was inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014.

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