NICKNAME/S: The Landlord

BIO: Simon Dwight was born in Melbourne (VIC) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Dandenong basketball program. Dwight received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 1993. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (1993, 1994).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Simon Dwight made his NBL debut with the Canberra Cannons at 18 years of age. He scored seven points in his first game.

In 1995, Dwight averaged 8.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists as the Cannons finished in ninth place with a 12-14 record.

1996
During the 1996 season, Dwight stepped into a larger role for Canberra, averaging 12.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. His contributions helped guide the Cannons to a fourth-place finish in the regular season with a 16-10 record.

1997
Dwight continued to improve in 1997, increasing his production to 16.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. His strong play helped the Cannons secure a fifth-place finish in the regular season with a 15-15 record.

1998
In 1998, Dwight remained one of Canberra’s most reliable players, averaging 15.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. The Cannons finished seventh in the regular season with a 14-16 record but fell short of a deep playoff run.

WEST SYDNEY RAZORBACKS
1998/99
The 1998/99 season marked the debut of the West Sydney Razorbacks, a newly established franchise led by General Manager Robbie Cadee and head coach Gordie McLeod. The team built a strong foundation with former league MVP Derek Rucker (via Townsville), veteran forward Bruce Bolden (via Sydney), sharpshooter John Rillie (via Adelaide), and one of the NBL’s most promising young big men, Simon Dwight, who arrived from Canberra.

The Razorbacks immediately made their presence felt in their inaugural game, securing a hard-fought victory over the Sydney Kings (103-97) on the road. The momentum continued with a second win against Canberra (104-89), but the team suffered its first setback in a narrow loss to Newcastle (87-89).

West Sydney displayed its potential early in the season, recording historic back-to-back road wins over Adelaide (112-95) and Perth (98-95) to become the first team in NBL history to complete the “Doomsday Double.” However, inconsistency became an issue as the season progressed, with a road loss to Wollongong (91-100) followed by a home defeat against Victoria (81-92), marking the start of a difficult stretch.

Simon Dwight (14.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks) anchored the Razorbacks’ defense, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier rim protectors and leading the NBL in blocked shots. His defensive presence complemented the offensive firepower of team captain Derek Rucker (20.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 7.3 assists), perimeter sharpshooter John Rillie (17.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists), and Sixth Man of the Year Bruce Bolden (15.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists).

Despite Dwight’s defensive dominance, the Razorbacks struggled to maintain consistency in the second half of the season. Key losses to Victoria (73-101) and Melbourne (90-109) made the playoff push increasingly difficult. However, the team delivered one of its most impressive performances in a home win over Sydney (78-72), where Dwight’s shot-blocking and defensive presence played a crucial role in limiting the Kings’ offensive output.

West Sydney finished their inaugural season in eighth place on the NBL ladder (12-14), with road struggles ultimately proving costly in their bid for a playoff spot.

1999/00
The Razorbacks’ second season saw head coach Gordie McLeod looking to build on the foundation established in their inaugural campaign. The team’s core remained intact, with import Cheikh Ya Ya Dia replacing Ernest Nzigamasabo in the frontcourt, and Greg Blake (via Newcastle) being the only other major addition. Simon Dwight, coming off a strong season where he established himself as one of the premier defensive players in the NBL, was once again expected to be a key presence inside for West Sydney.

West Sydney opened the season with a commanding 98-82 victory over Brisbane at the Sydney SuperDome. A dominant performance against Victoria (104-78) in round two was followed by a 95-85 win over Perth, giving the Razorbacks a 3-0 start to the season.

Dwight (14.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks) anchored the defense for West Sydney, providing elite rim protection and once again leading the NBL in blocked shots per game (3.0). His ability to alter shots and control the paint made him one of the most feared defenders in the league. Offensively, he continued to be an efficient option inside, working well alongside team captain Derek Rucker (20.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists), who orchestrated the offense, and John Rillie (18.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists), who provided perimeter scoring. Cheikh Ya Ya Dia (13.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks) complemented Dwight in the frontcourt, while Bruce Bolden (11.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) provided valuable experience and stability.

Despite early success, inconsistency became a recurring issue as the season progressed. A 101-86 road loss to Brisbane marked the team’s first defeat, followed by a setback against Perth (102-113) in round seven. The Razorbacks bounced back with key wins over Canberra (103-90) and Melbourne (121-107), but a string of costly road losses—including a 19-point loss to Victoria (81-100) and a 94-121 blowout against Canberra—hurt their playoff positioning.

A highlight of the season came in round 11, when the Razorbacks faced Sydney at the SuperDome in front of a record-breaking NBL crowd of 17,803. West Sydney secured a hard-fought 88-81 victory over their crosstown rivals, a defining moment in the season.

The Razorbacks finished the regular season in sixth place with a 12-16 record, securing their first-ever playoff berth. In the elimination finals, West Sydney hosted Perth in game one at the Whitlam Centre, coming away with a 91-80 victory behind Dwight’s defensive presence and rebounding, which helped control the paint.

Game two shifted to Perth, where the Wildcats responded with a 99-88 win, setting up a decisive third game. Back at the Perth Entertainment Centre, the Wildcats proved too strong, defeating the Razorbacks 82-74 to eliminate them from the playoffs.

2000/01
The Razorbacks entered the 2000/01 season looking to build on their first-ever playoff appearance, relocating from Liverpool’s Whitlam Centre to the State Sports Centre in Homebush Bay. Head coach Gordie McLeod retained the core of the roster, led by captain Derek Rucker, alongside key contributors John Rillie, Cheikh Ya Ya Dia, Bruce Bolden, and Simon Dwight. Scott McGregor (via Sydney) was added to bolster the frontcourt, while Bolden’s naturalisation allowed the team to sign an additional import, Jason Singleton.

West Sydney opened the season in emphatic fashion, defeating Wollongong 115-97, with their balanced attack on full display. However, inconsistency quickly became an issue, as the Razorbacks dropped their next three games, falling to Victoria (93-110), Adelaide (94-114), and Townsville (96-112). A hard-fought 103-99 road win over Cairns helped the team regain some momentum, but they continued to struggle with consistency throughout the season.

Simon Dwight (16.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks) anchored the Razorbacks’ defense, leading the league in blocked shots for the third consecutive season. His rim protection remained a cornerstone of West Sydney’s game plan, while his offensive game continued to evolve. Dwight’s interior presence provided balance to the perimeter firepower of Derek Rucker (19.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.6 assists) and John Rillie (19.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists). Cheikh Ya Ya Dia (15.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks) added much-needed physicality inside, while Bruce Bolden (12.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists) provided veteran leadership.

The Razorbacks’ struggles were highlighted in round four when they were outplayed by Sydney (101-113), failing to keep pace with their crosstown rivals. Back-to-back losses to Victoria (101-112) and Perth (91-92) saw the team slip further down the standings. A 114-92 victory over Brisbane in round 10 provided a much-needed confidence boost, while a commanding 121-93 win over Melbourne in round 15 demonstrated what the team was capable of when executing at a high level.

Midseason changes saw Jason Singleton (12.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists) released after 12 games. In February, former NBA player James Cotton was signed, but he made little impact, appearing in only three games before also being released, averaging 4.3 points, 1.0 rebound, and 0.7 assists.

Despite Dwight’s continued dominance in the paint, the Razorbacks were unable to find consistency down the stretch, dropping key games late in the season, including defeats to Perth (75-110), Melbourne (101-125), and Sydney (101-122).

West Sydney finished the season in eighth place with a 9-19 record, missing the playoffs after back-to-back postseason appearances.

2001/02
After missing the playoffs the previous season, the Razorbacks entered the 2001/02 campaign determined to re-establish themselves as contenders. The team secured a major offseason signing in Sam MacKinnon (via Townsville), a versatile two-way talent expected to be a difference-maker. However, a knee injury ruled MacKinnon out for the entire season, forcing the team to rely on their existing core. New additions Phil Handy and David Hinton were brought in to bolster the roster alongside returning players John Rillie, Derek Rucker, Bruce Bolden, Cheikh Ya Ya Dia, Scott McGregor, and defensive anchor Simon Dwight.

West Sydney opened the season with a road loss to Sydney (99-117) but responded with a commanding 107-81 win over Wollongong, setting the tone for the year. The team followed up with victories over Melbourne (110-89) and Perth (119-98), signaling their intent to compete for a playoff spot.

Simon Dwight (17.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks) was a dominant force in the paint throughout the season, once again leading the league in blocked shots and earning the NBL Best Defensive Player award. His rim protection and rebounding were crucial in West Sydney’s defensive schemes, allowing the team to control the interior against some of the league’s top offenses. Alongside Dwight, John Rillie (22.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists) provided elite perimeter scoring, leading the NBL in three-point percentage (47.4%), while Derek Rucker (16.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 6.9 assists) continued to provide veteran leadership. Bruce Bolden (13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists) and Phil Handy (11.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) offered additional support on both ends of the floor.

The Razorbacks experienced some midseason struggles, suffering losses to Brisbane (104-108) and Sydney (98-114), but responded emphatically with a 130-80 demolition of Cairns, where Dwight was instrumental in shutting down the Taipans’ interior attack. His defensive dominance continued as the Razorbacks picked up wins over Perth (106-99) and Victoria (81-79), though they stumbled in tough losses to Melbourne (85-104) and Adelaide (93-104).

One of Dwight’s standout performances came in a February 9 showdown against Sydney, where West Sydney secured a dominant 124-95 victory. His shot-blocking presence disrupted the Kings’ offensive rhythm, and his rebounding allowed the Razorbacks to control second-chance opportunities.

West Sydney finished the regular season with a 16-14 record, tying with Wollongong and Melbourne. Due to a three-way head-to-head tiebreaker, the Razorbacks secured the fifth seed and returned to the playoffs.

In the elimination finals, the Razorbacks hosted Perth in game one at the State Sports Centre, delivering a commanding 106-85 victory. Dwight’s defense was a key factor in limiting the Wildcats’ scoring opportunities.

Game two in Perth saw West Sydney close out the series with a 109-98 win, advancing to the semifinals.

In game one of the semifinals, the Razorbacks fell to Melbourne (93-114) at Hisense Arena. However, in game two, Dwight’s defensive presence and interior scoring helped propel West Sydney to a 125-109 victory, forcing a deciding game three.

Game three saw the Razorbacks advance to their first-ever Grand Final with a 115-103 victory, making history as the first Sydney-based team to reach the championship series.

In the Grand Final series, the Razorbacks fell in game one to Adelaide (106-97) at the Adelaide Arena but responded in game two with a 103-100 victory at the State Sports Centre.

Game three saw Adelaide put together a historic shooting performance, hitting a Grand Final record 19-of-31 three-pointers (61.2%) in a 125-107 win, securing their fourth NBL championship and denying the Razorbacks their first title.

2002/03
After helping lead the Razorbacks to the NBL Grand Final the previous season, Simon Dwight returned as the team’s defensive anchor, once again expected to be one of the league’s premier rim protectors. West Sydney’s roster saw notable changes heading into the season, with John Rillie departing to play for AEK Athens in Greece and Willie Farley (via Adelaide) brought in to replace him. Former Sydney Kings guard Aaron Trahair (via Sydney) was also signed to strengthen the backcourt, while Sam MacKinnon, who had missed the entire previous season due to injury, was set to make his long-awaited club debut.

West Sydney opened the season with a strong statement, defeating Adelaide 104-92 at home before following it up with a commanding 122-106 win over Brisbane. Dwight (15.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks) continued to be a force in the paint, controlling the boards and protecting the rim, as he looked to defend his Best Defensive Player award. Despite a promising start, the Razorbacks soon struggled with inconsistency, dropping three consecutive games, including a 94-122 loss to crosstown rivals Sydney and a 91-117 road defeat to Canberra.

As the season progressed, Dwight’s interior presence remained a critical component of the Razorbacks’ defense, while Sam MacKinnon (15.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists) provided versatility on both ends. Derek Rucker (17.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists) continued to lead the team from the point guard position, while Farley (16.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists) contributed as a scoring threat on the perimeter. Dwight’s shot-blocking dominance once again set him apart from the rest of the league, as he remained the NBL’s premier rim protector.

A strong midseason stretch saw the Razorbacks pick up key wins, including victories over Canberra (92-78), Townsville (104-87), and Cairns (116-105). Dwight was instrumental during this run, anchoring the defense while continuing to provide valuable scoring and rebounding. One of his best performances came in a narrow 96-95 victory over Melbourne, where he recorded a double-double and a season-high in blocks.

Disaster struck midway through the season when Dwight suffered a knee injury in a win over Townsville. An MRI revealed deep bone bruising, sidelining him for an extended period. His absence created a significant void in the Razorbacks’ defense, forcing the team to adjust without their best shot-blocker. The injury opened up a roster spot, allowing the club to pursue former Razorback John Rillie, who had been released from his contract with AEK Athens. Rillie ultimately returned to West Sydney, providing a much-needed offensive boost.

Even with Rillie’s return, the loss of Dwight proved difficult for the team to overcome. His defensive presence had been a key factor in West Sydney’s ability to challenge opponents inside, and without him, the Razorbacks struggled to contain opposing big men. Further compounding their problems, Derek Rucker suffered a fractured elbow later in the season, leaving the team without their floor general for a month.

Off the court, the Razorbacks were hit with organizational turmoil. Late in 2002, it was revealed that “The Oasis” development, a project connected to the team’s ownership group, had been plagued by misappropriation of funds.

Despite Dwight’s contributions prior to his injury, West Sydney was unable to maintain their momentum. A series of crucial losses, including a 101-124 defeat to Perth and a 101-104 loss to Victoria, saw the team fall out of the playoff race. They ultimately finished outside the postseason picture, failing to replicate the success of the previous year.

Even with his shortened season, Dwight’s defensive excellence was once again recognized, as he led the league in blocked shots (3.5 per game) and was named the NBL’s Best Defensive Player for the second consecutive year.

Simon Dwight played eleven seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Canberra Cannons and the West Sydney Razorbacks. He averaged 14.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 314 NBL games.

CAREER RANKINGS:
– 33rd in total rebounds
– 1st in total blocks
– 2nd in blocks per game.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Dan Boyce (825 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.