Cam Oliver explains how playing for Cairns helped him reach the NBA and potentially returning to the NBL
April 17, 2024
Scott Machado
- Nationality: USA/BRA
- Date of Birth: 8/09/90
- Place of Birth: Queens, New York (USA)
- Position: GRD
- Height (CM): 185
- Weight (KG): 93
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: Iona (2008–2012)
- NBL DEBUT: 4/10/19
- AGE AT DEBUT: 29
- LAST NBL GAME: 8/04/22
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 31
- NBL History: Cairns 2020-22
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Scott Machado was born in Queens, New York (USA). Machado played for three years at St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset, New York, where he was teammates with future NBA player Danny Green. He transferred to Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School for his senior year, where he played for Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley’s son, Danny. As a freshman at Iona, Machado led the Gaels in points scored (288, a 9.2 per game average), set a school record for assists by a freshman (150) and was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference rookie of the year.
As a sophomore, he averaged 12.5 points and 3.9 assists, leading the Gaels to a 21-win season. He was selected second team All-Conference.
As a junior, Machado broke out, averaging 13.2 points and 7.6 assists per game (second in the nation).
He set a school record for assists in a season (281) and was named first team all-conference.From Queens, New York.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Scott Machado made his NBL debut with the Cairns Taipans at 29 years of age. He scored six points in his first game.
On August 9, 2019, Machado signed with the Cairns Taipans in Australia for the 2019/20 NBL season. He led the team in scoring, and assists and averaged 16.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 7.7 assists (league leader) across his 31 games. He became the first Taipans player to lead the NBL in assists at 7.7 per game – the highest by any player in the 40-minute NBL era.
He narrowly missed out on being named NBL MVP but was named the Fan’s MVP, selected on the All-NBL First Team and claimed Taipans Club MVP.
2020/21
On November 22, 2020, Machado re-signed with the Cairns Taipans on a two-year deal. He averaged 15.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 7.0 assists in 34 games.
2021/22
Machado sustained a heel injury in round two of NBL22, missing more than six weeks with the injury. In April 2022, he re-injured his heel and missed the rest of the season. He parted ways with the Taipans in June 2022.
Scott Machado played three seasons the Cairns Taipans. He averaged 14.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in 84 NBL games.
CAREER RANKINGS:
– 15th in assists per game.
HIGHLIGHTS:
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 31 | Cairns | 9-19 (9) | 18 | 494.4 | 183 | 54 | 96 | 3 | 51 | 12 | 2 | 53 | 34 | 61 | 202 | 30% | 23 | 101 | 23% | 38 | 47 | 81% | 41% | 36% | 26 |
| 2020-21 | 30 | Cairns | 8-28 (9) | 35 | 1,087.5 | 546 | 119 | 245 | 23 | 96 | 36 | 2 | 106 | 80 | 195 | 477 | 41% | 68 | 190 | 36% | 88 | 110 | 80% | 52% | 48% | 31 |
| 2019-20 | 29 | Cairns | 16-12 (3) | 31 | 1,013.1 | 514 | 119 | 238 | 15 | 104 | 39 | 1 | 99 | 82 | 179 | 395 | 45% | 62 | 154 | 40% | 94 | 108 | 87% | 58% | 53% | 31 | Totals | 84 | 2595 | 1243 | 292 | 579 | 41 | 251 | 87 | 5 | 258 | 196 | 435 | 1074 | 40.5% | 153 | 445 | 34.4% | 220 | 265 | 83.0% | 52% | 48% | 31 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 31 | Cairns | 9-19 (9) | 18 | 27.5 | 10.2 | 3.0 | 5.3 | 0.2 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 2.9 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 11.2 | 30% | 1.3 | 5.6 | 23% | 2.1 | 2.6 | 81% | 41% | 36% | 26 |
| 2020-21 | 30 | Cairns | 8-28 (9) | 35 | 31.1 | 15.6 | 3.4 | 7.0 | 0.7 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 5.6 | 13.6 | 41% | 1.9 | 5.4 | 36% | 2.5 | 3.1 | 80% | 52% | 48% | 31 |
| 2019-20 | 29 | Cairns | 16-12 (3) | 31 | 32.7 | 16.6 | 3.8 | 7.7 | 0.5 | 3.4 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 3.2 | 2.6 | 5.8 | 12.7 | 45% | 2.0 | 5.0 | 40% | 3.0 | 3.5 | 87% | 58% | 53% | 31 | Total | 84 | 30.9 | 14.8 | 3.5 | 6.9 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 3.1 | 2.3 | 5.2 | 12.8 | 40.5% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 34.4% | 1.8 | 5.3 | 83.0% | 52% | 48% | 31 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 31 | 8 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- Mandurah (2021)
Machado joined Mandurah Magic for the 2021 NBL1 West season after signing on June 12, 2021 for the rest of the campaign, adding a high-usage point guard to Mandurah’s backcourt for the second half of the season.
He played 12 games for Mandurah and averaged 21.41 points, 6.16 rebounds, 7.33 assists and 2.75 steals per game, leading NBL1 West in both assists and steals per game while earning the Men’s Golden Hands award.
Machado produced several major individual games for Mandurah, including 37 points, four rebounds and four assists against Goldfields, 24 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds against Lakeside, and 23 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals in a win over Perth.
His season finished with All-NBL1 West First Team selection, recognising him among the top five men’s players in the league during the 2021 NBL1 West campaign.
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Machado represented the United States national team at the 2015 Pan American Games, where he won a bronze medal alongside former NBL teammate Shawn Long.
In 2018, Machado debuted for the Brazilian national team during the FIBA World Cup Americas qualifiers. He averaged 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists in four games.
NBA EXPERIENCE
Played six games for the Houston Rockets in 2013 before joining the Golden State Warriors, playing in five playo games.
Also played four games for the Los Angeles Lakers last season After going undrafted in the 2012 NBA draft, Machado joined the Houston Rockets for the 2012 NBA Summer League. In five games, he averaged 8.0 points, 5.6 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game. On September 7, 2012, he signed with the Rockets where he played six games before finishing out the season with the Rockets G-League team, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. On January 7, 2013, he was waived by the Rockets.
On January 29, 2013, Machado played with the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G-League, then signed a 10-day contract with the Golden State Warriors. Machado stayed with the Santa Cruz Warriors for the teams D-League playoff run until Santa Cruz lost the best-of-three 2013 NBA D-League Finals series to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on April 26. Two days later, he made his NBA debut in Game 4 of the Warriors first-round series against the Denver Nuggets, recording two points and one rebound in the Warriors 115-101 victory.
In 2013, Machado spent the 2013 NBA Summer League playing with the Golden State Warriors. On July 24, 2013, he was waived by the Warriors.
During the 2013/14 season, he played for both the Santa Cruz Warriors and the Idaho Stampede in the G-League.
After a season in Europe, Machado joined the Toronto Raptors for the 2014 NBA Summer League.
In 2017, Machado returned to the G League to play for the South Bay Lakers. In 46 games (22 starts), he averaged 15.9 points (.450 FG%, .405 3P%), 8.7 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 31.4 minutes per game.
On March 21, 2019, Machado signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. He had a career high 7 points and 3 assists on March 27 against the Utah Jazz.
Machado played 10 games in the NBA. He averaged 1.8 points, 0.1 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- September 18, 2012: Signed as a free agent with the Houston Rockets.
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November 14, 2012: Assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the G-League.
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November 26, 2012: Recalled from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the G-League.
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November 30, 2012: Assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the G-League.
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December 22, 2012: Recalled from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the G-League.
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January 7, 2013: Waived by the Houston Rockets.
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April 7, 2013: Signed a 10-day contract with the Golden State Warriors, then signed a contract for the rest of the season.
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April 8, 2013: Assigned to the Santa Cruz Warriors of the G-League.
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April 28, 2013: Recalled from the Santa Cruz Warriors of the G-League.
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July 24, 2013: Waived by the Golden State Warriors.
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October 12, 2018: Signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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October 13, 2018: Waived by the Los Angeles Lakers.
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March 21, 2019: Signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Lakers
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 82% | 99% | 84% | 41% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 31 | 13 | 4 | 1 | ||||||
| Total | 435 | 1074 | 40.5% | 153 | 445 | 34.4% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 28 | LA Lakers | PG | 4 | 0 | 19 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 67% | 1 | 1 | 100% | 1 | 1 | 100% | 78% | 75% |
| 2012-13 | 22 | Houston | PG | 6 | 0 | 21 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 2 | 2 | 100% | 58% | 50% | Total | 10 | 0 | 40 | 18 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 58% | 1 | 2 | 50% | 3 | 3 | 100% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 28 | LA Lakers | PG | 4 | 0 | 4.8 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 67% | 0.3 | 0.3 | 100% | 0.3 | 0.3 | 100% | 78% | 75% |
| 2012-13 | 22 | Houston | PG | 6 | 0 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 50% | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0% | 0.3 | 0.3 | 100% | 58% | 50% | Total | 10 | 0 | 4.0 | 1.8 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 58% | 0.1 | 0.2 | 50% | 0.3 | 0.3 | 100% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- France - ASVEL Basket (2014) | Estonia - BC Kalev/Cramo (2014–2015) | Germany - EWE Baskets Oldenburg (2015–2016), Rasta Vechta (2016) | Spain - ICL Manresa (2016–2017) | Israel - Hapoel Eilat (2022) | Russia - Avtodor Saratov (2022–2023) | Brazil - Flamengo (2023–2024), Minas (2024–2025), Botafogo F.R. (2026)
After several seasons playing in the G-League, Machado chose to pursue European opportunities. In 2014, he signed with ASVEL Basket in France for the second half of the 2013–14 LNB Pro A season. He went on to appear in four league games.
He then signed with BC Kalev/Cramo of Estonia for the 2014/15 season and then spent 2015/16 with EWE Baskets Oldenburg of Germany.
Machado joined BC Kalev/Cramo for the 2014–15 season in Estonia after signing on September 3, 2014, and in 30 VTB United League games he averaged 15.2 points, 7.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds while being named the league’s MVP for March 2015.
Machado moved to EWE Baskets Oldenburg for the 2015–16 season in Germany after signing on July 24, 2015, and he averaged 6.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists while EuroCup records show a season high of nine assists against Union Olimpija Ljubljana on December 16, 2015.
On August 7, 2016, Machado signed with Rasta Vechta of Germany for the 2016–17 season. On December 5, 2016, he parted ways with Vechta. Eight days later, he signed with Spanish club ICL Manresa for the rest of the 2016–17 ACB season. In its second game in Spain, its first at home, Machado scored a winning layup against Movistar Estudiantes.
Machado opened the 2016–17 season with Rasta Vechta in Germany and later moved to ICL Manresa in Spain, where his winning basket with 0.5 seconds left secured a 77–75 home victory over Estudiantes on December 27, 2016.
On June 11, 2022, Machado signed with Hapoel Eilat of the Israeli Basketball Premier League. He later signed with Avtodor Saratov of the VTB United League to finish out the 2022/23 season.
Machado joined Hapoel Eilat for the 2022–23 season in Israel after signing on June 11, 2022, and on December 7, 2022 he moved to Avtodor Saratov in Russia for the remainder of the season.
Machado moved to Flamengo for the 2023–24 season in Brazil, and in 41 NBB games he averaged 7.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists while adding 7.3 points and 4.6 assists in 10 Basketball Champions League Americas games.
Machado signed with Minas on September 10, 2024 for the 2024–25 season in Brazil, and Basketball Champions League Americas statistics show he led Minas in assists with 3.4 per game.
Machado signed with Botafogo F.R. on January 14, 2026 for the 2025–26 season in Brazil, and through 14 games he averaged 10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists.
COLLEGE
Scott Machado played four seasons at Iona from 2008–09 through 2011–12, becoming the Gaels’ all-time assists leader with 870 career assists while also finishing with 1,598 points, leaving him No. 10 on Iona’s all-time scoring list and No. 1 in program history in assists.
Machado made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2008–09, setting Iona’s freshman assists record with 150 and earning MAAC Rookie of the Year honours as he emerged as the engine of the Gaels’ offence from the point guard spot.
By his junior season in 2010–11, Machado had become one of the most productive playmakers in the country, averaging 13.2 points and 7.6 assists per game (second nationally) while setting a then-school record with 281 assists and earning First Team All-MAAC recognition.
Machado’s senior season in 2011–12 was the peak of his college résumé, as he was named MAAC Player of the Year and also won the Haggerty Award as the top metropolitan-area Division I player after averaging 13.6 points, 9.9 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game while shooting .495 from the field, .404 from three, and .811 at the line.
That 2011–12 campaign included a 327-assist season that set Iona’s single-season record and ranked among the top single-season assist totals in NCAA Division I history, while his 9.9 assists per game led Division I in the NCAA’s season assist-rate leaderboard for the year.
As his profile exploded nationally, Machado was named to the Wooden Award midseason Top 25 and was a Bob Cousy Award finalist, and he also produced signature stat-line games such as 13 points and 15 assists against Nevada (his 11th double-double of the season) before leading Iona into the 2012 NCAA Tournament.
In the First Four against BYU on March 13, 2012, Machado finished with 15 points and 10 assists as Iona built a massive first-half lead before falling 78–72 in a game widely noted for BYU’s historic comeback, closing his Iona career on the NCAA Tournament stage.
AWARDS
- 1x All-NBL First Team- All-NBL1 West First Team (2021)
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NBL1 West Golden Hands (2021)
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NBA D-League All-Rookie First Team (2013)
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NCAA season assists leader (2012)
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Haggerty Award (2012)
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MAAC Player of the Year (2012)
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2× First-team All-MAAC (2011, 2012)
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Second-team All-MAAC (2010)
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MAAC Rookie of the Year (2009)
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MAAC All-Rookie Team (2009)
Related
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