NICKNAME/S: Scuba

BIO: Stephen Holt was born in Portland, Oregon (USA) and attended Jesuit High School in Beaverton, Oregon, where he was a two-time Oregon Division 6A State Player of the Year. As a junior in 2008/09, he averaged 8.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, while helping his team post a 25–3 overall record and a Oregon 6A State championship. He was subsequently named first-team All-State and first-team All-Metro League.

As a senior in 2009/10, Holt averaged 12.7 points, six rebounds, and six assists per game to lead Jesuit to its second straight Oregon Division 6A state title after guiding his team to a 25–2 overall record during the season.attended Jesuit High School in Beaverton, Oregon, where he was a two-time Oregon Division 6A State Player of the Year.

As a junior in 2008/09, he averaged 8.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, while helping his team post a 25–3 overall record and a Oregon 6A State championship. He was subsequently named first-team All-State and first-team All-Metro League.

As a senior in 2009/10, Holt averaged 12.7 points, six rebounds, and six assists per game to lead Jesuit to its second straight Oregon Division 6A state title after guiding his team to a 25–2 overall record during the season.attended Jesuit High School in Beaverton, Oregon, where he was a two-time Oregon Division 6A State Player of the Year.

As a junior in 2008/09, he averaged 8.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, while helping his team post a 25–3 overall record and a Oregon 6A State championship.

He was subsequently named first-team All-State and first-team All-Metro League.

As a senior in 2009/10, Holt averaged 12.7 points, six rebounds, and six assists per game to lead Jesuit to its second straight Oregon Division 6A state title after guiding his team to a 25–2 overall record during the season.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Stephen Holt made his NBL debut with the Melbourne United at 23 years of age. He scored 17 points in his first game.

Melbourne re-signed Daniel Kickert, added the Most Improved Player from the previous season, Todd Blanchfield (via Townsville), and managed to bring Chris Goulding back after a year in Spain.

Kickert had a stellar season, narrowly missing the exclusive 50–40–90 club, with shooting splits of 52.5/47.2/90.5, falling just four made free throws short. Melbourne finished the season in first place (18-10), with Daniel Kickert (14.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) earning All-NBL First Team honours.

Despite this strong regular season under new coach Dean Demopoulos, the team was eliminated by New Zealand in the semifinals, losing in two straight games.

Holt appeared in 30 games, averaging 15.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists.

2017/18
In 2017/18, Holt averaged 9.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists, contributing to the Bullets’ eighth-place finish with a 9-19 record.

2018/19
After finishing dead last in 2018, Brisbane said goodbye to Adam Gibson (to South East Melbourne), Shaun Bruce (to Sydney), and Anthony Petrie (retired) and went on a recruiting drive that brought in Boomers sharpshooter Cameron Gliddon (via Cairns), Jason Cadee (via Sydney), Matt Hodgson (via Adelaide), Tom Jervis (via Perth), and Mika Vukona (via New Zealand). The Bullets also welcomed back Rio Olympian and former Chicago Bull Cam Bairstow, who was returning after a knee reconstruction, added Makoto Hiejima under the NBL’s Asian Player rule, making him the first Japanese player to sign with an NBL team, and added NBA veteran Alonzo Gee (via Puerto Rico) as an import.

These key signings were meant to bolster Brisbane’s roster as they prepared for a tough start to the season, with 12 of their first 15 games coming against last season’s top-four playoff teams.

Stephen Holt began the season as one of Brisbane’s key imports but struggled to find consistency. He played 11 games before being granted a mutual release in December to pursue an opportunity in Europe. Holt finished his stint with the Bullets averaging 7.1 points 1.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists. His best performances included 12 points 2 rebounds and 1 assist against New Zealand (11 Oct 2018), 12 points 3 rebounds and 3 assists against Melbourne (18 Nov 2018), and 12 points 1 rebound against Illawarra (22 Nov 2018).

After Holt’s departure, Brisbane signed Lamar Patterson (via China) to fill the gap. Despite the changes, Brisbane continued to be led by Lamar Patterson (17.8 points 6.2 rebounds 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals), Cameron Gliddon (13.7 points 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists), and Cam Bairstow (11.6 points 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists). Reuben Te Rangi (9.9 points 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists) won the league’s Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year awards.

Brisbane finished the regular season tied with Adelaide (14-14) but secured the fourth spot due to a higher points percentage and advanced to the playoffs where they would lose to Perth in the semi-finals (0-2).

Stephen Holt played three seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Melbourne United and the Brisbane Bullets. He averaged 11.7 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 69 NBL games.

Dan Boyce (833 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.