NICKNAME/S: Hammer

BIO: Shane Heal was born in Melbourne (VIC), He attended Upper Yarra Secondary College and began playing basketball as a junior with the Nunawading basketball association. Heal received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 1987. He spent three years year there and played for the program’s state league team (1987).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Shane Heal made his NBL debut with the Brisbane Bullets at 17 years of age. He scored 14 points in his first game.

The Brisbane Bullets entered the 1988 NBL season determined to defend their championship and chase a third title in four years. Under the guidance of head coach Brian Kerle, the defending champions retained the bulk of their title-winning roster from 1987. The only changes came at the end of the bench, with rookies Shane Heal (aged 17) and Simon Kerle stepping in for the departed James Carr and Paul Webb.

Brisbane remained a top contender throughout the regular season, sitting in second place with two rounds remaining. A critical 97–105 loss at home to the Canberra Cannons, however, saw them drop into a tie with the North Melbourne Giants at 18–6. With the season series tied 1–1, the Giants edged Brisbane out for second place on for-and-against (+9), pushing the Bullets into third position.

Leroy Loggins (24.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.4 steals) continued to lead by example, earning his seventh straight All-NBL First Team selection and finishing as the league’s most accurate free-throw shooter (85.6%). Import forward Emery Atkinson (16.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks) provided presence on both ends of the floor, while veterans Larry Sengstock (11.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) and Ron Radliff (12.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.2 steals) brought consistency to the rotation.

Rookie guard Shane Heal (15.0 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) was a major breakout story for the Bullets. In 27 minutes per game, he delivered instant offense and energy off the bench, backing up starting point guard Darren Perry (6.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals). Heal’s performance across the season earned him the NBL Rookie of the Year award.

With a third-place finish, Brisbane was forced into a sudden-death quarterfinal against the sixth-seeded Perth Wildcats at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Leroy Loggins led the charge with 31 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, and 5 steals in 45 minutes. Larry Sengstock added 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Emery Atkinson finished with 12 points and 8 boards. John Dorge contributed 6 points and 3 rebounds in just 10 minutes of play.

Despite their efforts, Brisbane’s outside shooting collapsed—just 2-of-16 from three-point range. Perth, meanwhile, were red-hot, shooting 52% from the field. Former Bullet Calvin Bruton returned to haunt Brisbane with 31 points, 4 assists, and 9-of-9 from the line, while James Crawford was unstoppable inside with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 blocks.

Shane Heal struggled in his first playoff appearance, finishing with 6 points on 2-of-11 shooting, and Ron Radliff also had a rough night, scoring 7 points on 3-of-12 from the floor.

The Bullets fell 98–113, bringing their season to a premature close and ending their streak of four consecutive Grand Final appearances.

GEELONG SUPERCATS
1989
Shane Heal’s 1989 season with the Geelong Supercats marked a major stepping stone in the early stages of his professional career. After winning NBL Rookie of the Year with the Brisbane Bullets in 1988, the talented 18-year-old point guard followed mentor Barry Barnes to Geelong, where Barnes had taken over as head coach of a completely rebranded and rebuilt team.

Backed by a group of local businessmen who saved the club from folding, the organisation reemerged in 1989 as the Supercats, shedding the “Cats” moniker and aiming for a new beginning. Barnes, one of the most respected coaches in the country, made Heal a centrepiece of the rebuild. Despite his youth, Heal was handed the keys to the offense, starting at point guard and leading the team in assists.

Heal responded with a strong sophomore campaign, averaging 14.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.4 steals per game across 22 appearances. His poise, perimeter shooting, and ability to run the offense stood out in a team filled with new faces, including American imports Daren Rowe (23.1 points, 11.7 rebounds) and Aubrey Sherrod (22.6 points), and naturalised centre Jim Bateman (17.2 points, 8.2 rebounds).

Although the Supercats finished with a 5–19 record, the season marked a substantial improvement from their winless 1988 campaign. Heal’s leadership and rapid development were key positives in a year of transition. Alongside fellow young players like Andrew Parkinson and a rotating cast of role players, Heal provided a glimpse of the elite playmaker he would soon become on both national and international stages.

1990
Shane Heal entered the 1990 NBL season as a promising 19-year-old guard, looking to establish himself in a Geelong Supercats roster that underwent another significant overhaul under head coach Barry Barnes. With the additions of John Dorge (via Brisbane), Vince Hinchen (via Westside Melbourne), and import Brian Vaughns, the Supercats were aiming to reverse their recent run of disappointing seasons.

Heal (22.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 2.7 steals) delivered a breakout campaign, setting career highs across every major category and quickly becoming one of the most exciting young guards in the league. His court vision, scoring instincts, and fearless approach made him a focal point in the Supercats offense and earned him the NBL’s Most Improved Player award.

Geelong opened the season with four straight losses, despite Vaughns (17.0 points, 12.0 rebounds) posting strong individual numbers. Vaughns was soon replaced by explosive American guard Bobby Locke, who ignited the team and the fanbase with a record-breaking 50-point performance in his NBL debut. Locke (31.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.4 steals) joined Heal in the backcourt, forming one of the most dynamic and entertaining guard tandems in the league.

With Daren Rowe (18.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.4 steals, and 3.2 blocks) anchoring the frontcourt and leading the league in blocks, the Supercats began to find their rhythm. Geelong won 11 games—more than the previous two seasons combined—and finished the year in 10th place with an 11–15 record.

Though the team missed the playoffs, Heal’s growth was undeniable. His emergence as a top-tier point guard laid the foundation for what would become a storied NBL career. In a year defined by transition and rebuilding, Heal’s performance stood out as a clear highlight in an otherwise turbulent season.

1991
Following three consecutive seasons with only 16 combined wins, the 1991 Geelong Supercats entered the NBL season as underdogs. But a refreshed team culture, savvy offseason recruiting, and a financial boost from a dedicated local ownership group—including four major stakeholders and around 30 shareholders—set the foundation for one of the most memorable seasons in club history. The Supercats stormed to a 17–9 record, finishing third on the ladder and reaching the playoffs for the first time since 1984.

The team underwent significant roster changes before the season tipped off. Athletic import forward Daren Rowe departed and was replaced by defensive ace Terry Dozier, who would go on to claim NBL Best Defensive Player honours. Rising swingman Andrew Parkinson also left for Southern Melbourne, giving rookie Leigh Cleary an opportunity to join the bench unit.

Led by head coach Barry Barnes, Geelong’s campaign started slowly with three losses to North Melbourne (109–112), Eastside Spectres (100–119), and Perth (105–110). But things shifted quickly after a morale-boosting 126–106 win over Brisbane, which sparked a major form reversal. The Supercats went on to win 16 of their final 22 games—more than their previous three seasons combined—and surged into the finals picture.

Much of that success can be credited to the outstanding play of Geelong’s starting unit, particularly young point guard Shane Heal. In just his third NBL season, Heal averaged 23.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 7.8 assists while playing 33+ minutes per game. With his fearless shot selection, long-range accuracy, and growing leadership, Heal cemented himself as one of the league’s elite guards and the engine behind Geelong’s up-tempo offense.

Heal formed a potent perimeter trio with veteran Bobby Locke (25.7 points, 6.4 assists, 3.0 steals) and Vince Hinchen (24.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists), creating matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. Meanwhile, Dozier (22.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals) brought toughness on both ends, and center John Dorge anchored the interior with 14.3 points, 13.7 rebounds, and an NBL-best 4.3 blocks per game.

Supporting the starting five was veteran Jim Bateman (7.5 points, 5.1 rebounds), who provided consistent minutes off the bench. The rotation also included Bruce Hultgren, Leigh Cleary, Mark Griffin, and Shane Crothers, giving the team enough depth to stay competitive against the league’s elite.

Geelong’s 17–9 record tied them with Eastside for second place, but the Supercats were pushed to third due to the league’s tiebreaker rule. The two clubs split their head-to-head games, but Eastside claimed the higher seed on point differential by a single point (+1).

In the Elimination Finals, the Supercats hosted North Melbourne in Game 1 and lit up The Arena in a 139–119 statement win. Shane Heal was unstoppable, finishing with 36 points, 11 assists, and nine three-pointers in one of the best playoff performances of his career. Hinchen chipped in 31 points, while Dozier added 17 points and 13 rebounds.

Game 2 saw North Melbourne respond at home, evening the series with a 136–116 win. Back in Geelong for the deciding Game 3, the Supercats gave it everything but fell short, 125–113. Heal scored 27 points, Locke added 31, and Hinchen poured in 23, but the Giants were simply too strong behind Paul Maley (24 points, 12 rebounds) and Scott Fisher (30 points on 14-of-20 shooting).

BRISBANE BULLETS
1992
In 1992, Heal averaged 20.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 7.1 assists as the Bullets finished with a record of 12-12 and in seventh place during the regular season.

1993
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.

Heal averaged 17.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 6.5 assists for the season.

1994
In 1994, Heal averaged 25.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists as the Bullets finished with a record of 18-8 and in Fourth place during the regular season.

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 back-up Heal.

Heal (22.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 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 Heal also adding 22.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 7.4 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).

SYDNEY KINGS
1996
Sydney went through a period of major change prior to the 1996 season. From 1989 to 1995, the Kings had been coached by Bob Turner and had established themselves as a powerhouse franchise, particularly off the court. Corporate sponsorship through global juggernauts like Coca-Cola and Reebok had assisted in the enormous growth of the brand, resulting in numerous sell-outs at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

But in 1995, the Kings struggled on the floor and failed to make the playoffs. And for a club that every year expected to not only make the playoffs but contend for a championship, that wasn’t good enough.

Bob Turner was replaced as coach by Alan Black, who had taken the Illawarra Hawks to the playoffs in 1993, 1994 and 1995 and was named NBL Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1995. Two foundation members of the Sydney Kings – Mark Dalton and Damian Keogh – were released from the club, as were a number of other players from the unsuccessful 1995 squad.

Black brought Hawks MVP Melvin Thomas along with him to the Kings and signed former Charlotte Hornets guard Tony Bennett as the team’s two imports. 25-year-old Stephen Whitehead (via Melbourne) joined the team, looking for more playing opportunities after serving a ‘apprenticeship’ behind stars Andrew Gaze and Lanard Copeland. But the key addition this year was owner Mike Wrublewski convincing Australia’s Boomers guard Shane Heal to move to Sydney and become the face of the franchise and captain of the team. Wrublewski even had the Kings swap their traditional purple and gold uniforms in favour of a black pin-striped design as a way to signify a new direction for Sydney in the hopes of re-energising a fan base.

Some addition by subtraction saw the Kings release Bennett during the pre-season and replace him with the high-flying excitement machine, Isaac ‘Ice’ Burton, out of Arizona State University. Burton (24.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.1 steals) and Heal (23.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists) formed a deadly combination in the backcourt. Up front, Melvin Thomas (20.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.9 blocks) and Bruce Bolden (16.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.1 blocks) were a unstoppable tandem, with both men adding toughness, rebounding and a deadly ability to knock down the midrange jumper.

Right from the start, they got the old Kingdome rocking, with Heal dropping 20 points in the fourth quarter of a unforgettable comeback win in the season opener at home against the North Melbourne Giants.

That set the scene for a incredible first two months, with Sydney jumping to a 11-3 record, winning their first eight games at home and leading the NBL standings. In one amazing stretch, the Kings won nine straight games, averaging 120.4 points per game over that span.

Those wins included a blowout win over the Gold Coast (131-112), which saw Shane Heal (35 points and 7 assists) and Melvin Thomas (26 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocked shots) putting up big numbers. A nail biter over Perthat home (122-121), where three players scored at least 20 points, and Thomas finished just two assists shy of a triple-double, and win over NSW rival Illawarra (128-106), where Isaac Burton (32 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists) dominated both ends of the court.

Unfortunately, a mid-season injury to Heal slowed the team down, but when Shane returned, he led the Kings to wins in four of their last five games, taking them to a fifth-place 16-10 record and a playoff appearance.

Sydney (16-10) faced off against Canberra (16-10) in the Quarter-finals, behind import duo Robert Rose and Darnell Mee. On the back of a season-high scoring night, Stephen Whitehead (24 points and 5 rebounds) surprised everyone in game one, winning by 24 points in the opening game (113-89). The Cannons would get a huge boost from their supporting cast in game two, with Jamie Pearlman (29 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists), David Close (25 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Ray Borner (21 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals) as well as Mee (29 points, 7 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks) all scoring over 20 points. Rose (11 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists) finished just shy of a triple-double with Canberra defeating Sydney by 47 points (146-99). The deciding game saw the stars of the series come out firing, with Canberra’s Rose (23 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Mee (20 points, 3 rebounds, and 8 assists) going head-to-head with Sydney’s Heal (21 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Burton (25 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 steals) but it was the team’s supporting casts the made the difference. Outside of Heal and Bruton, the Kings managed to score a mere 43 points, while the Cannons remaining roster tallied 58 points, with Borner (18 points and 7 rebounds), Blakemore (17 points and 6 rebounds), and Pearlman (17 points and 3 assists) all having big games. Canberra closed out the series with the win (101-89) and headed into a semi final against Melbourne.

While the Kings were unable to progress past the first round of the playoffs, it was still a season to remember.. Sydney averaged 108.8 points per game in the regular season – the most points scored per game in a regular season in franchise history – and also set team records that have never been broken for regular season field goal percentage (51.6%) and three-point percentage (41.2%).

Burton led the entire league in three-point percentage, was third in the NBL in steals and would go on to become the first Sydney King to win NBL Defensive Player of the Year. Heal would finish among the league’s best when he earned selection in the All-NBL Second Team.

After their 1996 elimination, the Kings would not make the NBL playoffs again until 2001, when they made it to the first round before being eliminated by the Townsville Crocodiles.

1998
After a single season in the NBA, Heal returned to the Kings in 1998. With two years remaining on his NBA deal, Heal left Minnesota, citing the lack of playing time behind Stephon Marbury, disliking the cold weather and suffering a calf injury the week before the opening round, which would require him to earn his way back into the rotation and returned to Australia.

Since Heal’s departure in 1996, the team had undergone a number of changes. Bill Tomlinson replaced coach Alan Black, imports Melvin Thomas and Isaac Burton were replaced by Matt Nover, a former NCAA Final Four centre better known as ‘Ricky Roe’ from the movie Blue Chips and a 19-year-old forward named Stephen Jackson, who became the youngest import signing in NBL history.

Jackson had been the leading scorer in the 1996 McDonald’s All-American Game on a team that included future NBA All-Stars Kobe Bryant, Jermaine O’Neal and Richard Hamilton. He’d been headed to the University of Arizona but was ruled academically ineligible, throwing him into the ’97 NBA Draft (while the Wildcat’s won the NCAA title without him), where Phoenix selected him in the second round. He failed to make the Suns roster and, instead, chose to play his first year as a pro in Australia.

The Kings had built themselves around a young core of Aussie talent, which included Aaron Trahair, Matthew Nielsen, Stephen Whitehead and Scott McGregor.

Nover (7.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 0.9 assists) and Jackson (6.0 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 1 assist) got off to rocky starts, combing for a total of 36 points across the team’s first three games. Jackson, who would later average 20+ points per game across numerous seasons in the NBA, had become the first import in NBL history to go scoreless in his debut game. Nonetheless, the Kings were rolling, with wins over Canberra, Newcastle and Melbourne firing them to a undefeated start.

In Round 3, the team travelled to Adelaide looking to keep their steak alive when, late in the third quarter, disaster struck for Jackson. Attempting to block 36ers’ star Kevin Brooks, Jackson landed awkwardly, broke his foot and would miss the remainder of the season.

In round 6, even with Aaron Trahair dropping 40 points on 13 of 16 shooting, the Kings lost to Wollongong (99-108) and shortly after released Nover. Former King Dave Simmons, who had been released by Newcastle, and former Sacramento King’s big man Evers Burns were signed as import replacements.

After six games, Simmons (6.5 points and 6.3 rebounds) was released as the Kings made room to sign former North Carolina State point guard Kelsey Weems and allow Shane Heal and Aaron Trahair to play more minutes at shooting guard.

Through the multiple import changes and roster juggling, the Kings dropped ten of their next twelve games, missed the playoffs and finished in the tenth spot (12-18). Heal (20.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists) would lead the team in scoring while rising star Nielsen continued to improve, boosting his numbers from 9.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in 27 minutes per game to 16.4 points and 8.3 rebounds in 34 minutes per game. During their short NBL stints, Weems (20.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.5 steals) filled the stat sheet during his 12 games, while Burns (16.5 points and 9.4 rebounds) on the other hand, wasn’t quite the player he was in the NBA. Jackson went on to play 858 NBA games, winning a championship with San Antonio in 2003.

2000/01
Heal averaged 24.6 points and 4 rebounds, and 6 assists during a lacklustre season where the Kings limped home to a fifth place finish with a 17-11 record.

2001/02
In 2001/02, Heal averaged 24.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 7.5 assists as the Kings finished with a record of 14-16 and in eighth place during the regular season.

2002/03
In 2002/03, Heal averaged 20 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 7.5 assists, playing a key role in the King’s rotation, helping the team finish reach a first place finish in the regular season with a 22-8 record.

SOUTH DRAGONS
2008/09
In 2006/07 Heal averaged 19.8 points and 2.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists, and helped guide the Dragons to a seventh-place finish during the regular season with a 15-18 record.

2007/08
In 2007/08 Heal averaged 15.8 points and 2.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, as the Dragons finished in third place with a 5-25 record.

GOLD COAST BLAZE
2008/09
Heal averaged 15.9 points and 3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists during a lacklustre season where the Blaze limped home to a tenth place finish with a 8-22 record.

Shane Heal played sixteen seasons across five NBL teams. This included the Brisbane Bullets, Geelong Supercats, South Dragons, Sydney Kings and Gold Coast Blaze. He averaged 20.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in 440 NBL games.

CAREER RANKINGS:
– 35th in total games played.
– 10th in total points
– 5th in total assists
– 37th in total steals
– 23rd in assists per game.

Dan Boyce (835 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.