Steve Blake

Nationality: USA
Date of Birth: 26/02/80
Place of Birth: Hollywood, Florida (USA)
Position: PG
Height (CM): 191
Weight (KG): 78
Junior Assoc:
College: Maryland (1999–2003)

NBL DEBUT: 30/10/16
AGE AT DEBUT: 36
LAST NBL GAME: 28/11/16
AGE AT LAST GAME: 36
NBL History: Sydney 2017
Championships: 0
None

BIO: Steve Blake was born in Hollywood, Florida (USA). Blake spent his freshman and sophomore year at Miami Killian High School and then transferred to Miami High School, where he played with another future NBA player, Udonis Haslem.

Miami won consecutive state championships, but after the Miami New Times exposed the fact that Blake and other players, under head coach Frank Martin (himself later a NCAA Final Four coach), were using fake addresses to enroll in the school, the Stingarees were forced to forfeit their entire 1998 schedule.

After the FHSAA banned him from playing for any public high school in Florida again, Blake attended Oak Hill Academy before enrolling at the University of Maryland.

After high school, he attended the University of Maryland.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Steve Blake made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 36 years of age. He scored 12 points in his first game.

After finishing last with a 6-22 record in 2015/16, Sydney appointed Australian basketball icon Andrew Gaze as head coach on a three-year deal and rebuilt the roster. Reigning NBL MVP and Best Defensive Player Kevin Lisch (via Illawarra) turned down a contract extension with the Hawks to accept a more lucrative three-year deal with Sydney which made him the highest-paid player in the NBL, while Brad Newley (via Spain) and Aleks Maric (via Obradoiro) were added alongside returning locals Tom Garlepp, Jason Cadee, Jeromie Hill and Julian Khazzouh. Lisch becoming an Australian citizen in March opened all three import positions, with Josh Childress and Al Harrington not re-signed and Michael Bryson (via UC Santa Barbara), Greg Whittington (via Sioux Falls) and Josh Powell (via Luoyang Zhonghe) brought in. Powell’s signing became even more important when Khazzouh’s quadriceps injury ruled him out for the entire season, while Lisch was appointed captain.

Sydney had opened 3-1 and sat on top of the ladder when Bryson (released) was cut after struggling to make an impact across four games. On October 22, Steve Blake (via Detroit) agreed to join Sydney for the remainder of the season and replaced Bryson in the Kings’ third import position. Having played 870 NBA regular-season games and another 53 playoff games, the 13-year NBA veteran became the most experienced NBA player to play in the NBL at the time and was expected to form a three-guard rotation alongside Lisch and Cadee. “I am very excited to be joining the Sydney Kings. They are a great organization that I have heard nothing but great things about,” Blake said. “So I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to experience a part of the world I have never been to. I can’t wait to meet my teammates and coaches and get started.”

Blake’s best game came in his NBL debut against Brisbane at Qudos Bank Arena on October 30, where Blake (12 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) moved straight into the starting lineup with Lisch unavailable after straining his calf at training during the week. Newley (29 points and 8 rebounds) and Powell (16 points and 2 blocks) led Sydney, while Torrey Craig (22 points, 14 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) was Brisbane’s best as the Kings recovered from an 8-0 start to win 87-78, collect their fifth consecutive victory and improve to 5-1. “I had a lot of fun out there,” Blake said. “The fans were great, the guys on the team play with a lot of heart, the coach puts us in the right position to be successful and I couldn’t have asked for anything better for a first night.” He admitted he had been nervous early but expected to become more comfortable as the season continued.

Blake (5.9 points across 9 games) played in nine consecutive games from his debut through November 28, starting only his first appearance before moving to the bench. He made 17 of 55 field-goal attempts and 13 of 45 three-pointers as he struggled to reproduce the shooting and playmaking expected from his NBA career. Blake did not miss any games through injury while he was with Sydney, with his limited number of appearances instead the result of joining after the Kings had already played five games and then leaving the team during the season.

One of his better performances came against Perth at Qudos Bank Arena on November 19, where Blake (9 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) made three consecutive three-pointers during the second quarter and finished three of six from long range as Sydney defeated the Wildcats 83-72. Lisch (18 points and 4 assists) and Newley (18 points and 3 assists) led the Kings, while Casey Prather (13 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) was Perth’s leading scorer as Sydney improved to 8-4 and returned to the top of the ladder.

A week later Blake matched his second-highest scoring game against Melbourne at Hisense Arena, where Blake (9 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists) made three three-pointers, including a 28-footer immediately before halftime, as Sydney recovered from 15 points behind and tied the game in the final seconds. Newley (29 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Powell (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Kings, while Casper Ware (28 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) hit a three-pointer with two seconds remaining to give Melbourne a 95-92 victory.

Blake’s final appearance came two days later against Adelaide at Qudos Bank Arena, where Blake (6 points, 1 rebound, and 4 assists) made both of his three-point attempts as Sydney led by seven during the third quarter before losing 91-85. Lisch (25 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) and Newley (16 points and 9 assists) led Sydney, while Daniel Johnson (22 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Jerome Randle (20 points) led Adelaide. Before the game Blake informed the club that a serious family matter required him to immediately return to the United States, then addressed his teammates following the loss before being granted indefinite compassionate leave (to United States) to be with a sick family member. The Kings made clear that his departure was unrelated to his form and it soon became apparent he would not return for the remainder of the season.

Blake’s departure continued the movement through Sydney’s roster. Bryson (1.8 points across 4 games) (released) had been the original third import before being replaced by Blake, while Dion Prewster (0.9 points across 17 games) had begun the season as Khazzouh’s temporary injury replacement after initially accepting a practice-player role and was promoted to the 11-man roster in November. Craig Moller (3.3 points across 13 games), who had entered the season as a development player, was promoted to the full-time roster following Blake’s departure. Garrett Jackson (3.8 points and 3.5 rebounds across 6 games) (via North West Tasmania) was then signed on December 22 after training with the Kings and filled the vacant import position created by Blake leaving. Tony Tolovae (0 points across 1 game) suffered a season-ending ankle injury during a practice game against the NSW Under-20 squad, opening another position for William McDowell-White (2.1 points across 7 games) (via Fresno State), who joined as a development player after being unable to gain NCAA clearance to play college basketball.

Newley (17.6 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.2 steals across 23 games) led Sydney in scoring, while Lisch (16.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals across 27 games), Cadee (13 points and 3.2 assists across 28 games), Whittington (11.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 28 games), Powell (9.4 points and 4.8 rebounds across 27 games), Garlepp (5.6 points across 28 games) and Maric (5.4 points and 4.7 rebounds across 28 games) provided the other major contributions. Newley and Lisch were selected to the All-NBL Second Team. After reaching 8-4 during Blake’s stint, Sydney went 5-11 over the remainder of the season and lost nine of its final twelve games.

With Blake already back in the United States, Sydney travelled to Perth Arena on February 10 needing a victory to keep its playoff hopes alive. Newley (19 points) and Cadee (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Kings, while Prather (29 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) and Bryce Cotton (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Perth to a 101-74 victory, leaving Sydney seventh with a 13-15 record.

Steve Blake played one season in the NBL. He averaged 5.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 9 NBL games.

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
2016-17	37	Sydney	13-15 (7)	9	192	53	21	20	3	18	3	1	11	14	17	55	31%	13	45	29%	4	10	40%	44%	43%	12
Totals				9	192	53	21	20	3	18	3	1	11	14	17	55	30.9%	13	45	28.9%	4	10	40.0%	0.4461279461	0.4272727273	12

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
2016-17	37	Sydney	13-15 (7)	9	21.3	5.9	2.3	2.2	0.3	2.0	0.3	0.1	1.2	1.6	1.9	6.1	31%	1.4	5.0	29%	0.4	1.1	40%	44%	43%	12
Total				9	21.3	5.9	2.3	2.2	0.3	2.0	0.3	0.1	1.2	1.6	1.888888889	6.111111111	30.9%	0.03434343434		28.9%	1.444444444	5	40.0%	0.4461279461	0.4272727273	12

CAREER HIGHS

POINTS	REBOUNDS	ASSISTS	STEALS	BLOCKS	TURNOVERS	TRIPLE DOUBLES
12	5	4	2	1	3	0

NBA EXPERIENCE

Steve Blake was drafted by the Washington Wizards with pick #38 in the 2003 NBA Draft.

Blake played 870 games in the NBA. He averaged 6.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 4 assists per game over his NBA career.

NBA TRANSACTIONS:

- June 26, 2003: Drafted by the Washington Wizards in the 2nd round (38th pick) of the 2003 NBA Draft.
- September 28, 2005: Signed as a free agent with the Portland Trail Blazers.
- July 31, 2006: Traded by the Portland Trail Blazers with Ha Seung-Jin and Brian Skinner to the Milwaukee Bucks for Jamaal Magloire.
- January 11, 2007: Traded by the Milwaukee Bucks to the Denver Nuggets for Earl Boykins, Julius Hodge and cash.
- July 13, 2007: Signed as a free agent with the Portland Trail Blazers.
- February 16, 2010: Traded by the Portland Trail Blazers with Travis Outlaw to the Los Angeles Clippers for Marcus Camby.
- July 8, 2010: Signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers.
- February 19, 2014: Traded by the Los Angeles Lakers to the Golden State Warriors for Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks.
- July 10, 2014: Signed a 2-year contract with the Portland Trail Blazers.
- June 25, 2015: Traded by the Portland Trail Blazers with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to the Brooklyn Nets for Pat Connaughton and Mason Plumlee.
- July 13, 2015: Traded by the Brooklyn Nets to the Detroit Pistons for Quincy Miller.

Season	Team	PTS	AST	STL	BLK	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%
1	0	52%	80%	46%	50%
2	0	12	4	2	1
Total						17	55	30.9%	13	45	28.9%

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%
2015-16	35	Detroit	PG	58	2	986	254	89	200	9	80	24	5	81	70	93	240	39%	52	151	34%	16	20	80%	51%	50%
2014-15	34	Portland	PG	81	0	1529	350	137	288	16	121	41	5	104	118	122	327	37%	77	219	35%	29	41	71%	51%	49%
2013-14	33	Golden State	PG	28	1	607	122	56	102	5	51	20	6	31	36	45	120	38%	27	79	34%	5	8	63%	49%	49%
2013-14	33	LA Lakers	PG	27	27	891	256	103	205	8	95	34	2	71	49	88	233	38%	52	131	40%	28	35	80%	52%	49%
2012-13	32	LA Lakers	PG	45	13	1175	327	132	173	21	111	34	6	62	83	114	270	42%	72	171	42%	27	35	77%	57%	56%
2011-12	31	LA Lakers	PG	53	5	1237	276	85	175	9	76	39	2	72	75	101	268	38%	53	158	34%	21	27	78%	49%	48%
2010-11	30	LA Lakers	PG	79	0	1581	319	156	170	19	137	40	3	73	99	110	306	36%	73	193	38%	26	30	87%	50%	48%
2009-10	29	LA Clippers	PG	29	10	762	198	69	177	6	63	21	4	63	39	74	167	44%	38	87	44%	12	16	75%	57%	56%
2009-10	29	Portland	PG	51	28	1397	388	118	203	15	103	37	2	65	84	143	355	40%	78	207	38%	24	32	75%	53%	51%
2008-09	28	Portland	PG	69	69	2188	757	173	348	28	145	69	4	108	126	277	647	43%	140	328	43%	63	75	84%	56%	54%
2007-08	27	Portland	PG	81	78	2424	692	195	413	31	164	55	4	113	133	261	640	41%	121	298	41%	49	64	77%	52%	50%
2006-07	26	Denver	PG	49	40	1642	408	124	324	14	110	51	5	101	72	164	380	43%	48	140	34%	32	44	73%	51%	50%
2006-07	26	Milwaukee	PG	33	2	583	120	45	84	7	38	10	3	28	49	45	129	35%	19	68	28%	11	20	55%	44%	42%
2005-06	25	Portland	PG	68	57	1781	560	146	306	26	120	42	5	83	107	206	470	44%	76	184	41%	72	91	79%	55%	52%
2004-05	24	Washington	PG	44	1	648	191	71	69	18	53	13	0	39	47	61	186	33%	36	93	39%	33	41	80%	47%	43%
2003-04	23	Washington	PG	75	14	1392	444	117	209	18	99	57	7	128	100	157	407		75	202		55	67		51%	48%
2015-16	35	Detroit	PG	58	2	986	254	89	200	9	80	24	5	81	70	93	240	39%	52	151	34%	16	20	80%	51%	50%
2014-15	34	Portland	PG	81	0	1529	350	137	288	16	121	41	5	104	118	122	327	37%	77	219	35%	29	41	71%	51%	49%
2013-14	33	Golden State	PG	28	1	607	122	56	102	5	51	20	6	31	36	45	120	38%	27	79	34%	5	8	63%	49%	49%
2013-14	33	LA Lakers	PG	27	27	891	256	103	205	8	95	34	2	71	49	88	233	38%	52	131	40%	28	35	80%	52%	49%
2012-13	32	LA Lakers	PG	45	13	1175	327	132	173	21	111	34	6	62	83	114	270	42%	72	171	42%	27	35	77%	57%	56%
2011-12	31	LA Lakers	PG	53	5	1237	276	85	175	9	76	39	2	72	75	101	268	38%	53	158	34%	21	27	78%	49%	48%
2010-11	30	LA Lakers	PG	79	0	1581	319	156	170	19	137	40	3	73	99	110	306	36%	73	193	38%	26	30	87%	50%	48%
2009-10	29	LA Clippers	PG	29	10	762	198	69	177	6	63	21	4	63	39	74	167	44%	38	87	44%	12	16	75%	57%	56%
2009-10	29	Portland	PG	51	28	1397	388	118	203	15	103	37	2	65	84	143	355	40%	78	207	38%	24	32	75%	53%	51%
2008-09	28	Portland	PG	69	69	2188	757	173	348	28	145	69	4	108	126	277	647	43%	140	328	43%	63	75	84%	56%	54%
2007-08	27	Portland	PG	81	78	2424	692	195	413	31	164	55	4	113	133	261	640	41%	121	298	41%	49	64	77%	52%	50%
2006-07	26	Denver	PG	49	40	1642	408	124	324	14	110	51	5	101	72	164	380	43%	48	140	34%	32	44	73%	51%	50%
2006-07	26	Milwaukee	PG	33	2	583	120	45	84	7	38	10	3	28	49	45	129	35%	19	68	28%	11	20	55%	44%	42%
2005-06	25	Portland	PG	68	57	1781	560	146	306	26	120	42	5	83	107	206	470	44%	76	184	41%	72	91	79%	55%	52%
2004-05	24	Washington	PG	44	1	648	191	71	69	18	53	13	0	39	47	61	186	33%	36	93	39%	33	41	80%	47%	43%
2003-04	23	Washington	PG	75	14	1392	444	117	209	18	99	57	7	128	100	157	407		75	202		55	67		51%	48%
Total				870	347	20823	5662	1816	3446	250	1566	587	63	1222	1287	2061	5145	40%	1037	2709	38%	503	646	78%

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%
2015-16	35	Detroit	PG	58	2	17.0	4.4	1.5	3.4	0.2	1.4	0.4	0.1	1.4	1.2	1.6	4.1	39%	0.9	2.6	34%	0.3	0.3	80%	51%	50%
2014-15	34	Portland	PG	81	0	18.9	4.3	1.7	3.6	0.2	1.5	0.5	0.1	1.3	1.5	1.5	4.0	37%	1.0	2.7	35%	0.4	0.5	71%	51%	49%
2013-14	33	Golden State	PG	28	1	21.7	4.4	2.0	3.6	0.2	1.8	0.7	0.2	1.1	1.3	1.6	4.3	38%	1.0	2.8	34%	0.2	0.3	63%	49%	49%
2013-14	33	LA Lakers	PG	27	27	33.0	9.5	3.8	7.6	0.3	3.5	1.3	0.1	2.6	1.8	3.3	8.6	38%	1.9	4.9	40%	1.0	1.3	80%	52%	49%
2012-13	32	LA Lakers	PG	45	13	26.1	7.3	2.9	3.8	0.5	2.5	0.8	0.1	1.4	1.8	2.5	6.0	42%	1.6	3.8	42%	0.6	0.8	77%	57%	56%
2011-12	31	LA Lakers	PG	53	5	23.3	5.2	1.6	3.3	0.2	1.4	0.7	0.0	1.4	1.4	1.9	5.1	38%	1.0	3.0	34%	0.4	0.5	78%	49%	48%
2010-11	30	LA Lakers	PG	79	0	20.0	4.0	2.0	2.2	0.2	1.7	0.5	0.0	0.9	1.3	1.4	3.9	36%	0.9	2.4	38%	0.3	0.4	87%	50%	48%
2009-10	29	LA Clippers	PG	29	10	26.3	6.8	2.4	6.1	0.2	2.2	0.7	0.1	2.2	1.3	2.6	5.8	44%	1.3	3.0	44%	0.4	0.6	75%	57%	56%
2009-10	29	Portland	PG	51	28	27.4	7.6	2.3	4.0	0.3	2.0	0.7	0.0	1.3	1.6	2.8	7.0	40%	1.5	4.1	38%	0.5	0.6	75%	53%	51%
2008-09	28	Portland	PG	69	69	31.7	11.0	2.5	5.0	0.4	2.1	1.0	0.1	1.6	1.8	4.0	9.4	43%	2.0	4.8	43%	0.9	1.1	84%	56%	54%
2007-08	27	Portland	PG	81	78	29.9	8.5	2.4	5.1	0.4	2.0	0.7	0.0	1.4	1.6	3.2	7.9	41%	1.5	3.7	41%	0.6	0.8	77%	52%	50%
2006-07	26	Denver	PG	49	40	33.5	8.3	2.5	6.6	0.3	2.2	1.0	0.1	2.1	1.5	3.3	7.8	43%	1.0	2.9	34%	0.7	0.9	73%	51%	50%
2006-07	26	Milwaukee	PG	33	2	17.7	3.6	1.4	2.5	0.2	1.2	0.3	0.1	0.8	1.5	1.4	3.9	35%	0.6	2.1	28%	0.3	0.6	55%	44%	42%
2005-06	25	Portland	PG	68	57	26.2	8.2	2.1	4.5	0.4	1.8	0.6	0.1	1.2	1.6	3.0	6.9	44%	1.1	2.7	41%	1.1	1.3	79%	55%	52%
2004-05	24	Washington	PG	44	1	14.7	4.3	1.6	1.6	0.4	1.2	0.3	0.0	0.9	1.1	1.4	4.2	33%	0.8	2.1	39%	0.8	0.9	80%	47%	43%
2003-04	23	Washington	PG	75	14	18.6	5.9	1.6	2.8	0.2	1.3	0.8	0.1	1.7	1.3	2.1	5.4	39%	1.0	2.7	37%	0.7	0.9	82%	51%	48%
Total				870	347	23.9	6.5	2.1	4.0	0.3	1.8	0.7	0.1	1.4	1.5	2.4	5.9	40%	1.2	3.1	38%	0.6	0.7	78%

COLLEGE

Steve Blake played four NCAA seasons at Maryland from 1999–2000 through 2002–03, starting from the first game of his freshman year and finishing as the first ACC player to compile 1,000 points, 800 assists, 400 rebounds, and 200 steals in a career, while also ending his time in college fifth on the NCAA all-time career assists list with 972 and totaling 1,139 career points.

As a freshman in 1999–00, Blake played 35 games with 33 starts for a Maryland team that went 25–10 overall (11–5 ACC) and finished ranked 17th in the final AP poll, averaging 31.9 minutes, 7.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 2.0 steals per game while shooting .408 from the field, .363 from three, and .686 at the line.

In that 1999–00 season, he was a starting point guard for 33 of Maryland’s 35 games and earned ACC All-Freshman Team recognition along with honorable mention All-ACC and honorable mention ACC All-Defensive Team selection, while setting a Maryland freshman record with 217 assists and tying the freshman steals mark with 71, and he also produced a career-high 17 points in a March 1 win over Florida State while adding 10 assists for a points-and-assists double-double.

Maryland’s 1999–00 NCAA tournament run ended in the Midwest second round after a first-round win over Iona and a loss to UCLA, with the team’s season profile listing 76.7 points per game scored and 68.2 allowed across 35 games.

As a sophomore in 2000–01, Blake started all 36 games for a 25–11 Maryland team that finished ranked 11th in the final AP poll and reached the program’s first Final Four, averaging 28.8 minutes, 6.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game while shooting .399 from the field, .394 from three, and .714 at the line, and Maryland’s NCAA tournament path included wins over George Mason, Georgia State, Georgetown, and Stanford before a national semifinal loss to Duke (95–84).

In 2001–02, Blake helped lead the Terrapins to the NCAA championship as the starting point guard on a 32–4 team that went 15–1 in ACC play and won the national title game 64–52 over Indiana, and he averaged 8.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game while again clearing the six-assists-per-game mark that he maintained in each of his four seasons, with a notable NCAA tournament performance in the Elite Eight win over Kansas where he recorded 11 assists (with 8 points) in the 97–88 victory.

Blake’s senior season in 2002–03 was his best scoring year at 11.6 points per game, alongside 3.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game, as he was named to a variety of all-ACC teams during his career including the rookie and defensive squads before being capped by a first-team All-ACC spot as a senior, and he also received honorable mention AP All-American recognition while leading the ACC in assists for a third straight season as Maryland finished 21–10, ended the year ranked 17th in the final AP poll, and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for a third consecutive season.

At the start of the 2003/04 basketball season, Blake’s uniform number (25) became only the 15th to be retired to the rafters of Maryland’s Comcast Center, closing a college career defined by high-assist production, a Final Four appearance in 2001, and the 2002 NCAA championship, while also leaving him with 972 career assists and the unique ACC career totals benchmark of 1,000 points, 800 assists, 400 rebounds, and 200 steals.

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Podcasts

Mitch McCarron on What Went Wrong in Adelaide, United’s 2021 Championship & Overachieving in Cairns

Former NBL champion and Australian Boomer Mitch McCarron joins the podcast to reflect on retiring from professional basketball at just 32, what went wrong during his three seasons with the Adelaide 36ers, and narrowly missing out on representing Australia at an Olympics or World Cup. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with McCarron about the injuries which ultimately ended his NBL career, his transition into coaching and player relations, and why he continues to play basketball with Eltham…
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Podcasts

Darnell Mee on Adelaide’s 2001 Heartbreak, Defending NBL legends and more

Two-time NBL champion and five-time NBL Best Defensive Player Darnell Mee returns to the podcast to revisit the unfinished stories from one of the greatest careers in Australian basketball, including Adelaide’s heartbreaking 2001 playoff exit, his decision to leave the 36ers and the fight to keep the Cairns Taipans alive. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Mee about watching his son Micale build his own basketball career in Australia, the chemistry behind Adelaide’s back-to-back championships, becoming teammates…
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NBL History

Australia’s Greatest Basketball Associations

Junior basketball development is where the Australian basketball journey begins. Before players represent Australia or reach the NBL, most first learn the game through their local basketball association. While hundreds of rookies have entered the NBL over the years, the same junior basketball programs regularly appear in their backgrounds. Some associations have developed significantly more NBL talent than others, establishing themselves as important pathways into professional basketball. Until now, a complete record of the junior association responsible for developing every player to have competed in…
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Podcasts

Matt Garrison on Winning Back-to-Back Titles with Multiple NBL Teams, NBA Opportunities and Aussie Hoops Impact Overseas

Two-time NBL champion Matt Garrison joins the podcast to reflect on winning back-to-back championships with two different teams, helping the Wollongong Hawks claim their first NBL title in 2001 before joining the Adelaide 36ers and winning it all again in 2002. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Garrison about arriving in Wollongong as a mid-season import, adjusting from being a high-scoring starter to an important role off the bench, and being part of the Hawks team that…
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NBL History

Beyond the Arc: The Greatest Shooters in NBL History

In 1984, the NBL introduced the three-point line, forever altering the geometry of Australian basketball. Since then, the league has seen traditional snipers, stretch bigs and volume scorers completely revolutionise how offenses operate and defenses scramble. But as the modern game places a premium on spacing and perimeter shooting, a critical question arises: Who are the most efficient and devastating shooters in the 40-year history of the NBL? To cut through the noise, we have to look beyond raw percentages. By combining historical spreadsheet data…
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Podcasts

John Rillie on roster changes for NBL27, pressures from fans and media and Bryce Cotton/Trevor Gleeson narratives

Perth Wildcats head coach John Rillie joins the podcast to discuss the pressure that comes with coaching one of the NBL’s most successful clubs, the challenge of moving forward after Bryce Cotton’s departure, and what Perth needs to build its next championship contender. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Rillie about taking over the Wildcats after the club missed the finals for the first time since 1986, the expectations of the Red Army, and how Perth’s three…
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Podcasts

Rolan Roberts on Kings Titles, Dunk Contest Injury and Playing for Brian Goorjian and Trevor Gleeson

Former Sydney Kings and Townsville Crocodiles big man Rolan Roberts joins the podcast to reflect on his time in Australia, including joining the Kings mid-season and helping them complete their historic 2005 NBL three-peat. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Roberts about playing under Brian Goorjian, becoming a key interior presence for Sydney, and being part of the Kings team that became the first in NBL history to win three straight championships. The episode also dives into…
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