NBL Tribunal Needs Overhaul After a Decade of Inconsistencies
September 16, 2024
Tim Soares
- Nationality: BRA
- Date of Birth: 2/02/97
- Place of Birth: Deming, Washington (USA)
- Position: CTR
- Height (CM): 211
- Weight (KG): 107
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: The Master's (2016–2020)
- NBL DEBUT: 17/09/22
- AGE AT DEBUT: 25
- LAST NBL GAME: 15/03/23
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 26
- NBL History: Sydney 2023
- Championships: 1
- Sydney (2023)
BIO: Timothy Luiz Soares was born in Deming, Washington (USA) and attended Mount Baker High School in Deming. Playing for the school’s basketball team he averaged 16.6 points and 11.3 rebounds per game during his senior year 2015/16. He was named All-Northwest Conference, despite playing with a bone chip in his shoulder.
FAMILY: Soares is the son of Rogerio and Susan Soares who were Christian missionaries. His siblings are Jessica, Stephanie (who was the 2020 NAIA Division I player of the year), Tiago, and Rebecca. His father played for The Master’s University men’s basketball from 1992 to 1995, and his mother was the national Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year as a high school senior in 1986, and then played at the University of Texas.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Tim Soares made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 25 years of age. He scored six points in his first game.
After winning the championship, Sydney underwent significant roster changes, losing star imports Jaylen Adams, Jarrell Martin, and Ian Clark to lucrative overseas deals. To compensate for these losses, the Kings opted to build around their local core of Xavier Cooks, Dejan Vasiljevic, and Angus Glover, who had all shown substantial improvement during their title run.
To complement their Aussie talent, Sydney brought in Derrick Walton Jr on a one-year deal to replace Adams’ scoring, while defensive ace Justin Simon and sharpshooting center Tim Soares, who arrived from Europe, completed the import trio. Soares, who signed a one-year contract, shared the same agent as fellow Kings players Shaun Bruce, Jackson Makoi, and Xavier Cooks.
“He is a versatile center who has a great shooting touch and range – he allows us to stretch the floor and will play a key role in our offense this season,” said Sydney Kings CEO Chris Pongrass upon signing Soares.
“He fits perfectly into our brand of Sydney Kings basketball and the up-tempo, exciting style our coach Chase Buford and his team have brought to the Harbour City. Chase’s first priority is to get it done on the defensive end – between Tim, Xavier, and Justin, we will have the longest and most disruptive defensive trio in the league.”
With Makur Maker departing for the NBA, the Kings signed Kouat Noi from Cairns and finalized their roster with rookie Jackson Makoi.
Sydney started their campaign for back-to-back titles with wins over Illawarra, Brisbane, and Melbourne, kicking off the season at 3-0. Their dominant 91-71 victory over Melbourne was particularly impressive, featuring a stunning second quarter where the Kings reeled off a 25-0 run while holding United to just six points. This win streak saw Sydney achieve their 15th consecutive road victory, setting a new NBL record and surpassing the Canberra Cannons’ mark from the mid-1980s.
Sydney’s first defeat came in their next outing as Cairns stunned them with an 83-78 upset. Despite missing their star Tahjere McCall, the Taipans excelled defensively, while Sydney struggled from the free-throw line, making just 14 of 25 attempts. Shannon Scott led Cairns with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, while DJ Hogg added 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Sydney rebounded with a road win against Brisbane but suffered a narrow 92-88 home loss to Adelaide, who had just returned from a successful preseason trip against the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Despite multiple opportunities to tie or take the lead in the closing moments, missed shots and a defensive stand by Adelaide captain Mitch McCarron sealed the Kings’ fate. Craig Randall II finished as the game’s top scorer with 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Sydney avoided a third consecutive home loss in Round 5 when Noi hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer against his former team Cairns, securing a thrilling 106-103 win. Xavier Cooks played a pivotal role in the victory, coming close to a triple-double with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Sydney’s top-of-the-table clash against the New Zealand Breakers saw them survive a late rally to win 81-77. However, Walton Jr sustained an ankle injury after scoring 12 points in just 18 minutes, while Cooks also went down with an injury, forcing him to miss the next three weeks, including an Australian Boomers World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.
An epic 83-82 victory over Illawarra followed, thanks to a clutch Shaun Bruce buzzer-beater.
LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE ⚡
THE SYDNEY KINGS HAVE DONE IT AGAIN 🔥
Watch #NBL23 live & free 📺 10 Peach & 10play | Live on ESPN via Kayo & Foxtel pic.twitter.com/CvxWVxOkI8
— NBL (@NBL) November 20, 2022
Soares played a key role in Sydney’s record-breaking 49-point victory over Brisbane (116-67), contributing 20 points as the Kings achieved their largest win in franchise history.
Sydney ended the regular season on top of the ladder (19-9), despite losing their final two games. Xavier Cooks was named NBL MVP, averaging 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. Soares finished his debut NBL season averaging 9.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1 block per game.
In the playoffs, Sydney faced Cairns in the semifinals, with Cooks delivering a dominant 27-point, 14-rebound performance in game one (95-87). Game two saw a drama-filled encounter where Kings coach Chase Buford was ejected, and Soares was charged with striking in a heated matchup. Cairns capitalized, winning 93-82.
Sydney advanced to the Grand Final after defeating Cairns 79-64 in game three, with Vasiljevic stepping up with 15 points, including three crucial three-pointers.
In the championship series against New Zealand, Sydney suffered an early setback with a 95-87 loss in game one. The Kings responded in game two with a 91-68 win behind Soares’ strong defensive performance and Simon’s contributions.
Sydney clinched the championship in game five, defeating New Zealand 77-69 in front of a record-breaking 18,124 fans at Qudos Bank Arena. Walton Jr (21 points, 6 assists) was named Championship Series MVP, while Cooks added 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Soares concluded his first NBL season as a key contributor to Sydney’s successful championship run, providing a strong inside presence and stretching the floor with his shooting touch.
67,811 fans attended the Championship Series, marking the highest Grand Final attendance in NBL history.
It was the last game of the season, and it delivered all sorts of drama.
Re-live the best bits thanks to @HungryJacksAU ⤵ pic.twitter.com/KxOiNZnVDW
— NBL (@NBL) March 15, 2023
Tim Soares played one season in the NBL. He averaged 9.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 35 NBL games.
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 26 | Sydney | 19-9 (1) | 35 | 728.0 | 328 | 168 | 19 | 47 | 121 | 24 | 35 | 47 | 109 | 121 | 234 | 52% | 33 | 83 | 40% | 53 | 71 | 75% | 61% | 59% | 24 | Totals | 35 | 728 | 328 | 168 | 19 | 47 | 121 | 24 | 35 | 47 | 109 | 121 | 234 | 51.7% | 33 | 83 | 39.8% | 53 | 71 | 74.6% | 62% | 59% | 24 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 26 | Sydney | 19-9 (1) | 35 | 20.8 | 9.4 | 4.8 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 3.5 | 6.7 | 52% | 0.9 | 2.4 | 40% | 1.5 | 2.0 | 75% | 61% | 59% | 24 | Total | 35 | 20.8 | 9.4 | 4.8 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 3.5 | 6.7 | 51.7% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 39.8% | 0.9 | 2.4 | 74.6% | 62% | 59% | 24 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 24 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
|---|
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Soares has both Brazilian and US passports. He played two games for Brazil during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 (Americas Qualifiers) where he averaged 10.5 points and 3.5 rebounds.
Soares was a part of the Brazilian national team that competed at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and finished in 13th place (3-2 record)
FIBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 26 | 5 | 98 | 49 | 19 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 16 | 16 | 30 | 53.3% | 9 | 15 | 60.0% | 8 | 11 | 72.7% | Total | 9 | 198 | 50 | 39 | 15 | 13 | 26 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 24 | 34 | 66 | 52% | 13 | 27 | 48% | 16 | 21 | 76% |
FIBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 26 | 5 | 19.6 | 9.8 | 3.8 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 6.0 | 53.3% | 1.8 | 3.0 | 60.0% | 1.6 | 2.2 | 72.7% | Total | 9 | 22.0 | 5.6 | 4.3 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 3.8 | 7.3 | 52% | 1.4 | 3.0 | 48% | 1.8 | 2.3 | 76% |
NBA EXPERIENCE
Played in the 2022 NBA summer league with Milwaukee appearing in two of the teams four games. There he played alongside fellow NBL alumni Rayjon Tucker, Hugo Besson and Dusty Hannahs.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 65% | 41% | 68% | 93% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 24 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||||||
| Total | 121 | 234 | 51.7% | 33 | 83 | 39.8% |
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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 26 | Sydney | 19-9 (1) | 35 | 728.0 | 328 | 168 | 19 | 47 | 121 | 24 | 35 | 47 | 109 | 121 | 234 | 52% | 33 | 83 | 40% | 53 | 71 | 75% | 61% | 59% | 24 | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Turkey - Samsunspor (2020–2021) | Israel - Ironi Ness Ziona (2021-2022)
During the 2020-21 season, Soares played for Samsunspor in the Turkish Basketball First League. There he averaged 14.1 points and 9.5 rebounds (5th in the league) per game, and was named All-League First Team.
In July 2021, Soares joined Ironi Ness Ziona of the Israeli Basketball Premier League. In the Israeli league he averaged 14 points (60% FG, 54% 3P), 6.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.
COLLEGE
Soares attended The Master's University in Santa Clarita, California. As a freshman center in 2016-17, he averaged just over eight points a game.
As a sophomore in 2017/18, Soares averaged 14.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, leading the conference. He also finished third in the nation with 90 blocks. He was named All-GSAC, the GSAC Defensive Player of the Year, and Third Team National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All-American.
As a junior in 2018/19 he averaged just under 15.8 points per game, and 8.8 rebounds (3rd in the GSAC) per game, with a conference-leading 69 blocks (2.1 per game; 8th in the nation), a field goal percentage of 58.8 (6th in the GSAC), and a free throw percentage of 83.2 (3rd in the GSAC). Soares was named All-GSAC and GSAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row, and was a NAIA Division 1 Honorable Mention All-American.
As a senior in 2019-20 Soares averaged 18.7 points per game (5th in the GSAC), 8.4 rebounds per game (3rd in the GSAC), and led the GSAC for the third consecutive season in blocks, with 62 (2.2 blocks per game), along with a 56.8% field goal percentage (4th). He was named All-GSAC, GSAC Defensive Player of the Year, and NAIA Division I All-American Second-Team for the third straight season.
AWARDS
- Second-team NAIA All-American (2020)
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Third-team NAIA All-American (2018)
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Honorable mention NAIA All-American (2019)
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3× All-GSAC (2018–2020)
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3× GSAC Defensive Player of the Year (2018–2020)
Related
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