BIO: Tom Garlepp was born in Perth (WA) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Perry Lakes basketball program. Garlepp received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2004. He spent one year there and played for the program’s state league team.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Tom Garlepp made his NBL debut with the Perth Wildcats at 21 years of age. He scored four points in his first game.

After being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, the Wildcat’s moved on from veteran Tony Ronaldson (to New Zealand) and guard Damien Ryan (Europe), looking to get younger and bigger and replaced them with Alex Loughton (Spain) and Tom Garlepp (NCAA). after an impressive debut season, Perth could not retain import Darren Brooks who received several lucrative offers from overseas and replaced him with Rashad Phillips.

Despite leading the league in assists, Phillips (13.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists) was released six games into the season, with the team sitting on a 3-3 record and head coach Scott Fisher citing Phillps fitness being the main issue.

‘ Unfortunately, Rashad never really showed us the athleticism or intensity needed to make himself or those around him better. Plus, he never really contributed to the defensive side of things. He lacked the leadership and on-court management that this group needs. So we felt it was in the best interest of the club to delist him.’

The team immediately replaced him with Gerald Brown (13.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists), who had been a former teammate of Luc Longley at the Phoenix Suns.

Rookie Loughton (14.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 steals)impressed during his rookie season, finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting (losing to Nathan Jawai). Shawn Redhage (22.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists) delivered a career high scoring season, which incliuded a career-high 40 points against Adelaide (10 Oct 2007) and became the fastest Wildcat to reach 2,000 career points, doing so in 95 games and 3,400 minutes. Captain Paul Rogers (12.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 blocks) proved he was still one of the competition’s elite big men, earning a spot on the All-NBL Third Team, joining Redhage who earned a spot on the All-NBL First Team. Despite the high-level play from Redhage and Rogers the team just couldn’t win on the road. Close to unbeatable at home (12-3) but woeful in away games (6-9), the Wildcats finished the season in fourth place (18-12).

Much like their results from the regular season, Perth was able to win at home but struggled on the road in the playoffs. They defeated fifth seed Townsville at home (96-78) in their quarterfinal matchup, but upon reaching the semi finals against Sydney, they were outmatched. Perth would push the Kings to the limit on their home court in game one (101-98) rebound behind a huge game from Redhage (35 points) to gain a win on home soil in game two (94-85) only to have Sydney hand Perth their worse loss of the season in game three (109-77), ending their playoff run. Shortly after, coach Fisher announced that he would not seek a new contract from the Wildcat’s and would return to the United States.

Redhage was selected to the All-NBL First Team, and captain Paul Rogers (12.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 blocks), who showed he was still one of the competition’s elite big men, was named on the All-NBL Third Team.

In his rookie season, Garlepp appeared in 29 games and averaged 1.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.4 assists in 7.5 minutes per game.

2008/09
After four seasons of leading the Wildcats, coach Scott Fisher decided it was time to return to his family in the US. Upon Fisher’s announcement that he would not return after leading the Wildcats to within one game of the grand final, a worldwide search was conducted for the hiring of the team’s next coach. Ultimately, Fisher’s replacement would be Conner Henry, a former college teammate of Fisher’s who had been with the Wildcats since 2006 as a assistant coach.

The core of the Wildcat’s roster, Shawn Redhage (University of Utah), Alex Loughton, Peter Crawford and Paul Rogers, would all return, with the only major changes to the team’s local roster being the additions of Ben Knight (via Singapore), Chris Goulding (via Brisbane) and Rookie Stephen Weigh. As a result of Shawn Redhage becoming a naturalised Australian (Jan 08), the Wildcats had the luxury of being able to sign two new imports with athletic forward Isiah Victor (via Sydney) and Darnell Hinson (via West Sydney), who both delivered debut NBL seasons the year prior.

Perth entered the season fighting off multiple injuries, with guards Adam Caporn, Brad Robbins, and Peter Crawford all fighting through knee issues. The team even placed starting centre Rogers on the deactivated list due to a lingering knee complaint. The additional roster spot allowed Perth to pull off a major recruiting coup, beating Melbourne Tigers and South Dragons for the signature of former Boomers point guard Luke Kendall.

At the mid-way point of the season, Rogers returned to the lineup, forcing the Wildcat’s to release Kendall (8.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals), who had become a key reserve with Robbins managing only three games over the season. Kendall signed a deal to play with Melbourne shortly after, who needed a replacement for Sam MacKinnon after medical staff advised him not to return to play. Team captain Rogers (9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks) played in only two games before a ruptured disc in his back that required surgery kept him out of the remaining games.

Perth’s efforts during the regular season were a carbon copy of the one before. The Wildcats were a force at home (11-4) but couldn’t win on the road (6-9), finishing in fourth place (17-13) for the second year in a row. Shawn Redhage (19.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists) would lead the team in scoring and rebounding, earning selection to the Al-NBL Second Team along the way. Hinson (13.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.7 steals), Loughton (13 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists) and Victor (12.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists) all playing key roles also.

Once into the postseason, Perth faced fifth seed Townsville, who defeated them in the Elimination Finals (96-103), abruptly ending their playoff run.

Garlepp would see limited opportunities to play during his second season, appearing in only six games for the Wildcats, averaging 2.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in 7.9 minutes per game.

ADELAIDE 36ERS
2009/10
The 2009/10 season started with Adelaide failing to re-sign Luke Schenscher (to Perth) and Aaron Bruce (to USA), but luckily, Adelaide was able to replace them with Matthew Burston, Nathan Herbert and Cortez Groves as a result of the South Dragons demise which left all three players without a team to play for. John Gilchrist was signed as a replacement for outgoing import Julius Hodge with the team heading into a new era following the retirement of long-serving club captain Brett Maher (525 games), who captained the club to 3 NBL championships (1998, 1999, 2002).

Burston, a welcome addition, also made his mark on the squad, leading the team in rebounding (9.9 points and, 6.5 rebounds). Adam Ballinger (17.6 points, 5.3 rebounds), in his third season with the club, became a Australian citizen (Jul 2009) and shortly after was appointed club captain of the Adelaide 36ers. He would lead the team in scoring alongside Gilchrist (16.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists), who, after his explosive debut with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists, suffered a serious knee injury against Melbourne that forced him to miss the last three games of the season.

Garlepp would contribute 1.8 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.3 assists for the season as well.

Groves struggled to give the 36ers much at all after injury, which seemed to have impacted his abilities quite significantly, resulting in him scoring his fewest points in a season across his NBL career (9.8 points) and his time with Adelaide being his last in the NBL. As a coach, Scott Ninnis seemed out of his depth, and the year concluded with the 36ers finishing on the bottom of the NBL ladder for the first time in their history with a 10–18 record. Following the club’s worst ever season, Ninnis was sacked as coach and replaced by former AIS coach Marty Clarke for the 2010/11 NBL season. Garlepp would continue to see limited playing opportunities, appearing in only four games for the 36ers, averaging 1.8 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.3 assists.

GOLD COAST BLAZE
2010/11
The 2010/11 season saw Garlepp average 5.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists and play a key role in helping the Blaze to a sixth-place finish during the regular season with a 13-15 record.

2011/12
During the 2011/12 season, Garlepp averaged 3.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.4 assists and helped the Blaze finish with a record of 17-11 and end the regular season in third place.

SYDNEY KINGS
2012/13
Having taken over the head coaching reigns mid-season the year before, Shane Heal set to work on helping the Kings return to the NBL playoffs for the first time since returning to the league in 2010. Heal began the season with some big roster holes to fill after losing both the leagues leading rebounder, Julian Khazzouh, Rookie of the Year Anatoly Bose and talented import Jerai Grant to European opportunities.

Heal would convince Former King Ian Crosswhite to return (via Cairns) and fill the shoes of Khazzouh, high-scoring shooting guard James Harvey (via Gold Coast) to cover the loss of Bose and recruit diminutive point guard Corin Henry and Darnell Lazare as the team’s import duo. Sydney was also bolstered by the return of Aaron Bruce, who had missed the second half of last season due to a tibia injury.

After losing to Illawarra in the opening game of the season (76–79), the team delivered a strong start to the season, and by the time of the league’s All-Star break, Sydney (9-5) was sitting in third place on the ladder.

The Kings’ second half of the season wasn’t as successful, managing just three wins from their remaining 14 games. Due to the dominance of the New Zealand Breakers (24-4) and Perth Wildcats (22-6), every other team in the NBL finished the season with a losing record. Thus, in unusual fashion, despite having a losing record, the Kings finished in fourth place and returned to the playoffs for the first time since returning to the league in 2010.

Once into the semi finals, the Kings were outclassed by the Breakers, who claimed game one in New Zealand (81-64) before closing out the series with a win on Sydney’s home floor (99-88). New Zealand would then defeat Perth in two games to become NBL Champions.

Sydney owed much of its success to a breakout season from Ben Madgen (18.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists), who led the league in scoring, was awarded the league’s Most Improved Player award and named in the All-NBL first team. Ian Crosswhite (10.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists) was named in the All-NBL third team and announced his retirement shortly after. Garlepp would produce the best season of his career to date, appearing in 30 games and averaging 6.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.6 assists.

2013/14
In 2013/14, Garlepp averaged 8.8 points and 5.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists and helped guide the Kings to a sixth-place finish during the regular season with a 12-16 record.

2014/15
After finishing sixth with a 12-16 record and missing the playoffs in 2013/14, Sydney appointed former assistant Damian Cotter as head coach following the departure of Shane Heal and made several changes to its roster. Sam Young, AJ Ogilvy (to Wollongong), Charles Carmouche, Jesse Sanders, Brad Hill (to Wollongong) and James Harvey departed, while Ben Madgen, Tom Garlepp, Cody Ellis and Kevin White returned. The Kings added Kendrick Perry (via Youngstown State), Jason Cadee (via Adelaide), Angus Brandt (via Oregon State), Josh Duinker and Daniel Joyce, before completing their roster with former NBA forward Josh Childress on August 12.

Garlepp entered the season in the first year of a two-year contract he had signed with Sydney in March 2014, having established himself in the starting lineup the previous season and earned the Kings’ Coaches Award. He was named co-captain for 2014/15 alongside Madgen, taking on a greater leadership role as Cotter attempted to build a competitive team around the returning core and its high-profile import. Having improved his scoring average from 6.2 points in 2012/13 to 8.8 points in 2013/14, Garlepp was looking to continue his development as one of Sydney’s main frontcourt contributors.

Sydney opened the season against Wollongong at Qantas Credit Union Arena on October 11, where Garlepp (20 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 block) made eight of eleven field goals and all four of his free throws as the Kings defeated the Hawks 86-83. Childress (26 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks) made an immediate impact in his NBL debut, while Brandt (13 points and 6 rebounds) also contributed. Jahii Carson (17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals) led Wollongong, with Sydney beginning the season with a narrow victory over its NSW rivals.

Garlepp (13.6 points and 4.1 rebounds across 28 games) appeared in every game for Sydney, producing his highest-scoring NBL season to date after increasing his output by almost five points per game from the previous year. He also averaged a career-high 2.3 assists, shooting 47.2 percent from the field and 76.5 percent from the free-throw line while starting throughout the season. Although the arrival of Childress gave Sydney a clear first scoring option, Garlepp’s ability to score around the basket, draw fouls and create opportunities for his teammates became increasingly important as injuries disrupted the Kings’ rotation.

Sydney struggled early, losing three consecutive games after its opening victory before defeating Wollongong and Adelaide to return to an even record. Garlepp (15 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 blocks) contributed to the Kings’ 107-100 victory over Adelaide at Qantas Credit Union Arena on November 9, with Childress (36 points, 19 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 blocks) producing his best performance of the season and Madgen (26 points, 5 assists and 4 steals) adding five three-pointers. Adam Gibson (30 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists) led Adelaide as Sydney improved to 3-3, with Childress named NBL Player of the Week after combining for 54 points and 32 rebounds across the Kings’ two victories.

One of Sydney’s most important victories came against defending champion Perth on December 18, when Garlepp (15 points, 3 assists and 1 block), Childress (17 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal and 4 blocks) and Madgen (13 points and 2 assists) helped the Kings defeat the Wildcats 78-74 at Qantas Credit Union Arena. Jermaine Beal (16 points) led Perth, but Childress blocked a late attempt from Jesse Wagstaff before scoring at the other end to secure the win. The victory ended Sydney’s 16-game losing streak against the Wildcats since returning to the NBL in 2010 and improved the Kings to 7-6, placing them back in the playoff race. However, Childress suffered a hamstring injury which ruled him out of the next three games, leaving Sydney without its leading scorer and rebounder during a crucial stretch of the season.

Garlepp produced his best overall game and highest-scoring performance of the season against New Zealand on Boxing Day, finishing with 24 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks while making eight of eleven field goals and all eight of his free throws. Madgen (25 points) provided the main support, but Tai Wesley (23 points and 8 rebounds) led the Breakers to a 97-85 victory at Qantas Credit Union Arena. With Childress sidelined through injury, Garlepp took on a greater share of the scoring responsibilities, but Sydney struggled to maintain its earlier momentum as the defeat left the Kings at 7-8. The loss was part of a five-game losing streak stretching from December 21 to January 9.

Sydney’s injury problems extended to rookie centre Brandt (7.4 points and 4 rebounds across 21 games), who suffered a knee injury during the Kings’ New Year’s Eve loss to Townsville and missed the following seven games. With their frontcourt depth depleted, Sydney signed veteran Nick Horvath (via New Zealand) on January 14 as a short-term injury replacement. Garlepp remained a constant presence in the starting lineup, providing experience alongside Childress following his return from injury as the Kings attempted to remain in the playoff race.

Sydney produced one of its most impressive victories of the season against league-leading New Zealand on January 23, with Garlepp (16 points, 6 rebounds and 1 block) contributing as the Kings defeated the Breakers 101-81 at Vector Arena in Auckland. Childress (28 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists) led Sydney, while Cadee (13 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists) provided support off the bench. Cedric Jackson (21 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists) was New Zealand’s leading performer, while Horvath (4 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist) made his Kings debut after joining as Brandt’s injury replacement. The victory improved Sydney to 9-12 and kept its fading playoff hopes alive.

Two days later, Sydney’s season took a major turn when Childress suffered a torn right pectoral muscle during the third quarter of the Kings’ 105-86 home loss to Adelaide. Garlepp (11 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 1 block) helped provide support alongside Madgen (24 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists) and Childress (16 points, 1 assist, 1 steal and 4 blocks), while Brock Motum (18 points and 6 rebounds) led the 36ers. Scans revealed that Childress required surgery, and on January 28 Sydney announced he would miss the remainder of the season after appearing in just 18 games. The injury left the Kings without their leading scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker, forcing Garlepp and the remaining senior players to shoulder a greater share of the offensive responsibilities.

Sydney’s season continued to unravel following the loss of Childress, with the Kings suffering four consecutive defeats before hosting Wollongong on February 15. Garlepp (15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block) and Perry (20 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists) led Sydney, but Oscar Forman (17 points) made two crucial three-pointers during the final minute to give the Hawks a 75-73 victory at Qantas Credit Union Arena. The defeat was compounded by a dislocated shoulder suffered by Madgen (6 points and 4 rebounds) during the second quarter, ruling Sydney’s second-leading scorer out of the remaining two games and leaving Garlepp as one of the Kings’ few experienced offensive options.

Garlepp produced one of his strongest all-round performances against Melbourne on February 20, finishing with 22 points, 5 rebounds, a season-high 8 assists, 3 steals and 1 block as Sydney narrowly lost 91-88 at Qantas Credit Union Arena. Cadee (16 points) and Brandt (16 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks) provided support, while Daniel Kickert (19 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks) led Melbourne. Garlepp helped Sydney establish a six-point halftime lead through his scoring and playmaking, but United recovered during the second half and held on for the victory. With Childress and Madgen both sidelined, Garlepp’s ability to facilitate the offence became increasingly important as Sydney’s losing streak extended to six games.

Childress (21.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.1 blocks across 18 games) had been Sydney’s dominant player before his season-ending injury, finishing as the NBL’s leading scorer and rebounder while also ranking among the top five in assists and blocked shots, becoming the first player in league history to achieve the combination. He was selected to the All-NBL First Team, while Madgen (15.6 points and 3.6 rebounds across 26 games) remained the Kings’ next leading scorer. Perry (10.4 points and 3.6 rebounds across 28 games), Cadee (8.1 points across 28 games), Ellis (6.9 points and 3.4 rebounds across 28 games) and Duinker (5.6 points and 3.9 rebounds across 28 games) provided the other major contributions. Brandt was named the NBL Rookie of the Year, while Garlepp’s consistent performances and leadership were recognised internally when he received Sydney’s Most Inspirational Player and Members’ Player of the Year awards.

Sydney travelled to Hisense Arena for its final regular-season game against Melbourne on February 22, where Garlepp (23 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals) and Cadee (23 points and 3 assists) led the Kings, with Perry (18 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists) also contributing. Mark Worthington (26 points and 6 rebounds) and Daniel Kickert (21 points and 8 rebounds) led Melbourne United, which survived a late Sydney comeback to win 95-92 in front of approximately 10,000 spectators. The defeat completed a seven-game losing streak and left the Kings seventh with a 9-19 record, missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

2015/16
Sydney came into 2015/16 still searching for its first winning season since returning to the NBL, having finished seventh with a 9-19 record the previous year after a season-ending injury to Josh Childress derailed its campaign. Damian Cotter remained as head coach, while Ben Madgen (to Belgium), Cody Ellis (to Illawarra), Kevin White (to Illawarra), Kendrick Perry (to Iowa), Josh Duinker (to Körmend) and Daniel Joyce departed. Childress, Jason Cadee and reigning Rookie of the Year Angus Brandt returned, with Julian Khazzouh (via Sagesse), Steven Markovic (via Townsville), Rhys Carter (via New Zealand), Jeromie Hill (via UTSA), Dion Prewster (via Wellington) and Marcus Thornton (via William & Mary) added.

The returning co-captain entered the second season of the two-year deal he had signed with Sydney in March 2014 after averaging a career-high 13.6 points the previous year. A shoulder knock kept him out of Sydney’s August 16 preseason victory over LSU, but the injury did not carry into the regular season.

Sydney opened the season against Cairns on October 10, where Garlepp (8 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) started as the Kings defeated the Taipans 87-63. Khazzouh (22 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 5 blocks) and Cadee (19 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) led Sydney, while Mark Worthington (13 points) was Cairns’ leading scorer.

Garlepp (13.9 points and 4.2 rebounds across 27 games) produced the highest-scoring season of his NBL career, starting 24 games while shooting 52.9 percent from the field, 50 percent from three-point range on 20-of-40 attempts and 77.7 percent from the free-throw line. He missed only one of Sydney’s 28 games, with food poisoning making him a late withdrawal against Perth on February 5, and did not miss a regular-season game through injury.

Sydney added development player Jayden Hodgson (0 points across 6 games; via Centre of Excellence) on October 15 after he had trained with the Kings during the school holidays. Childress (21 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.7 blocks across 13 games) missed the opening four games with a foot injury before returning against Adelaide on October 23 and breaking his right hand. Al Harrington (17.7 points and 6.8 rebounds across 6 games; via Fujian) was brought out of retirement as Childress’ short-term injury replacement after Childress contacted his former Atlanta teammate. With Sydney at 2-7 during Harrington’s stint, Garlepp volunteered to give up his starting position so Harrington could move into the first five. “Sometimes when you are on a bit of a losing streak, you’ve got to take gambles or maybe sacrifice,” he said. Harrington’s six-game stint ended when Childress returned in late November, before Cotter was released on November 28 with Sydney at 3-9 and former Washington Wizards assistant Joe Connelly was appointed interim head coach.

Childress fractured his left hand in his second game back and Sydney responded by signing Damion James (7 points and 7.8 rebounds across 5 games; via Le Mans) as another injury replacement, with James’ stint ending when Childress was reactivated on December 29. Khazzouh (13.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks across 17 games) then ruptured his right quadriceps tendon against Illawarra on December 18 and was ruled out for the remainder of the season, forcing assistant coach Ben Knight (0.5 points across 4 games; via North Sydney) to come out of retirement as emergency frontcourt cover. Craig Moller (training squad) and Jordan Vandenberg were brought into training during the search for another big man, with Vandenberg (3.1 points across 8 games; via Westchester) signed on January 7 as Khazzouh’s injury replacement for the remainder of the season while Moller remained a training player. Markovic (3 points across 7 games) underwent surgery to remove his tonsils in December and Sydney believed there was insufficient time for him to return to full fitness, leading to Indiana Faithfull (2.6 points across 7 games; via West Liberty) being signed as his replacement.

Garlepp played his 200th NBL game against Melbourne at Hisense Arena on December 16 and scored 17 points during the opening quarter before finishing with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists as Sydney snapped a five-game losing streak with a 96-81 victory. Cadee (28 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Khazzouh (12 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) provided support, while Todd Blanchfield (18 points and 11 rebounds) led Melbourne.

Garlepp’s best game came against Perth at Perth Arena on January 15, where he made 12-of-18 field goals and three three-pointers to finish with a season-high 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist. Carter (8 points and 3 assists) and Childress (7 points and 9 rebounds) were Sydney’s next leading contributors, but Casey Prather (27 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) led the Wildcats to a 95-68 victory.

When available, Childress and Harrington gave Sydney its strongest individual scoring, while Cadee (14 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 28 games) developed into the team’s leading full-season scorer alongside Garlepp. Thornton (12.8 points across 28 games), Brandt (8.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks across 28 games) and Carter (5.6 points across 28 games) provided the other major contributions. Garlepp’s consistency and leadership during a season repeatedly disrupted by injuries earned him the Kings’ Club Most Valuable Player award, with Connelly regularly praising his work ethic and describing him as the first player at training and the last to leave. Cadee received the Members’ Most Valuable Player and Community awards, Brandt received the Mike Wrublewski Most Inspirational Player award, Prewster (3.5 points across 28 games) was named Defensive Player of the Year and Knight received the Laurie Watterson Clubman of the Year award. Garlepp and Cadee were also named to the NBL All-Australian team following the season.

Sydney finished its season in Townsville on February 13, where Garlepp (11 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists), Cadee (32 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal) and Childress (31 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocks) helped the Kings force overtime, while Omar Samhan (25 points and 13 rebounds) led the Crocodiles to a 126-123 victory after the scores were tied 109-109 at the end of regulation, leaving Sydney last with a 6-22 record.

2016/17
After finishing last with a 6-22 record in 2015/16, Sydney entered the season under new head coach Andrew Gaze, who signed a three-year deal and began rebuilding the roster. Reigning NBL MVP Kevin Lisch (via Illawarra) turned down an extension with the Hawks to sign a lucrative three-year deal which made him the highest-paid player in the NBL, while Brad Newley (via Spain) and Aleks Maric were added on multi-year deals alongside returning locals Jason Cadee, Jeromie Hill, Julian Khazzouh and the previous season’s captain and Club MVP. Lisch becoming an Australian citizen opened all three import positions, with Josh Childress and Al Harrington not re-signed and Michael Bryson, Greg Whittington and Josh Powell added. Powell’s signing became even more important when a quadriceps injury ruled Khazzouh out for the entire season, while Lisch was appointed captain.

Coming off career-high numbers and winning the Kings’ Club MVP award, the previous season’s captain had re-signed with Sydney on a two-year deal, keeping him with the club through 2017/18.

Sydney opened the season against Brisbane at Qudos Bank Arena on October 8, where Garlepp (2 points and 3 rebounds) played 15 minutes off the bench as the Bullets defeated the Kings 77-73. Lisch (20 points and 3 steals) and Hill (14 points and 3 blocks) led Sydney, while Daniel Kickert (17 points and 4 assists) was Brisbane’s leading scorer.

Garlepp (5.6 points across 28 games) played in every one of Sydney’s 28 games and started five, with no games missed through injury or illness as his role decreased from the previous season. Sydney responded to its opening loss by collecting its first win of the season and a video of the team celebrating afterwards went viral, with many picking the Kings to return to the playoffs.

Import Michael Bryson (1.8 points across 4 games) (released) struggled to make an impact and was replaced by 13-year NBA veteran Steve Blake (5.9 points across 9 games) (via Detroit), while Dion Prewster (0.9 points across 17 games) was moved from his temporary injury-replacement role to the full roster after the first seven games. Sydney opened 3-1 and continued its strong start, with Garlepp (0 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) contributing defensively on November 12 as the Kings defeated Melbourne 87-71 behind Lisch (30 points and 5 rebounds) and Cadee (26 points), while David Andersen (12 points) led United. The victory moved Sydney to 8-3 and had the Kings being viewed as title favourites, with Gaze and Blake saying Lisch was good enough to play in the NBA.

Things began to deteriorate from there. Blake was granted indefinite leave on compassionate grounds to return home to be with a sick family member and did not return, with Garrett Jackson (3.8 points and 3.5 rebounds across 6 games) added after playing in the state league and spending time as a Kings training player. Tony Tolovae (0 points across 1 game) suffered a season-ending ankle injury, opening another place on the roster for William McDowell-White (2.1 points across 7 games), who joined as a development player after being unable to gain clearance to play at Fresno State. Sydney had lost five of eight games by Christmas and fallen to third at 11-8, before eventually going 5-12 after its 8-3 start and losing nine of its final twelve games.

Garlepp’s best game came in Adelaide on January 21, where he made five of nine shots and finished with 15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block as Sydney lost 87-73. Lisch (13 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Whittington (12 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) provided support, while Jerome Randle (19 points and 11 assists) led Adelaide, with the defeat Sydney’s seventh loss in eight games and leaving the Kings needing to win their remaining games to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Newley (17.6 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.2 steals across 23 games) and Lisch (16.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals across 27 games) led Sydney and were both selected to the All-NBL Second Team. 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) and Maric (5.4 points and 4.7 rebounds across 28 games) were the Kings’ other major contributors.

Sydney entered its final game needing to win at Perth Arena to keep its playoff hopes alive, where Garlepp (2 points) played 11 minutes as the Wildcats defeated the Kings 101-74. Newley (19 points) and Cadee (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Sydney, while Casey Prather (29 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth, ending Sydney’s season in seventh place with a 13-15 record.

2017/18
After missing the playoffs the previous season, Sydney parted ways with Greg Whittington, Josh Powell, Steve Blake, Aleks Maric, Garrett Jackson and Craig Moller (to Melbourne). Brad Newley, Kevin Lisch, Jason Cadee and Garlepp returned, with the former Kings captain entering the second season of the two-year deal he had signed in 2016. Head coach Andrew Gaze added Todd Blanchfield (via Melbourne), Perry Ellis (via Greensboro), Travis Leslie (via Fort Wayne), Isaac Humphries (via Kentucky), Dane Pineau (via Saint Mary’s) and Amritpal Singh (via Pune).

Before the regular season, Sydney became the first NBL team to travel to the United States to face an NBA team, playing the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 2. Tom (0 points) played 4:57 off the bench as the Kings lost 108-83.

After sitting outside the rotation for Sydney’s opening two regular-season games, Tom (0 points) made his first appearance against Illawarra at Qudos Bank Arena on October 15, playing 2:21 as the Kings defeated the Hawks 103-87 for their first win of the season. Perry Ellis (33 points and 2 rebounds) and Jason Cadee (17 points) led Sydney, while Kevin Lisch (7 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) suffered a right calf injury during the third quarter which would keep him sidelined for most of the season.

Garlepp (2.4 points across 22 games) saw his role reduced significantly after appearing in all 28 games the previous season. No injury was reported as the reason for the six games he missed, with the former captain regularly left outside Gaze’s rotation and contemporary coverage later describing him as having not received the playing time his experience warranted.

One of his better early performances came against New Zealand on October 19, where Garlepp (7 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) played 10 minutes and made seven of eight free throws in a 90-73 loss in Auckland. Ellis (16 points and 2 rebounds), Leslie (10 points and 4 rebounds) and Newley (10 points and 2 steals) were Sydney’s other leading scorers, while Edgar Sosa (19 points and 7 assists) and Alex Pledger (19 points and 7 rebounds) led New Zealand.

Lisch (11.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 11 games) was expected to miss eight weeks after tearing his calf, leading Sydney to sign Jeremy Kendle (6.8 points across 6 games, via Brisbane) as his injury replacement. With the Kings sitting at 2-6, further changes were made in November. Leslie (12.3 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 8 games, released) was cut to create an import spot for former NBA centre Jeremy Tyler (13.3 points and 5.8 rebounds across 11 games, via China), while Kendle’s temporary stay ended to make room for reigning NBL MVP Jerome Randle (19.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists across 19 games, via Bahcesehir).

Tyler made his debut against Melbourne at Hisense Arena on November 11, where Garlepp (8 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist) scored his season-high in just over nine minutes as Sydney lost 108-90. Cadee (17 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Newley (17 points and 5 rebounds) led Sydney, while Tyler (8 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) played his first game for the Kings. Casey Prather (22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Tai Wesley (21 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Josh Boone (19 points and 13 rebounds) led Melbourne.

Garlepp (5 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) provided important minutes against Cairns at Qudos Bank Arena on November 30, driving through contact for a basket and creating another score with a steal as Sydney defeated the Taipans 81-72 and collected its first win since October 29. Randle (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists), Cadee (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Tyler (15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks) led Sydney, while Cameron Gliddon (20 points and 3 steals) and Alex Loughton (19 points and 5 rebounds) led Cairns.

Two nights later the teams met again in Cairns, where Garlepp (2 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists) played a season-high 20 minutes but was ejected in the dying stages after being called for an offensive flop as the Taipans won 80-71. Randle (24 points and 3 steals) and Tyler (21 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks) were Sydney’s leading performers, while Jerry Evans Jr (15 points and 6 rebounds) and Loughton (15 points and 5 rebounds) led Cairns.

Garlepp (0 points) played his 250th NBL game against Cairns at Qudos Bank Arena on December 17, while Cadee also made his 100th appearance for the Kings. Sydney fell 14 points behind before recovering for an 88-69 win behind Randle (17 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals), Cadee (15 points and 3 rebounds), Tyler (15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Humphries (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block), while Jarrad Weeks (14 points) led Cairns.

Tyler’s time in Sydney became increasingly unsettled despite his production. Contemporary coverage described him as “a clear distraction” and reported claims that he had missed numerous training sessions and struggled to control his emotions during games, while Randle later spoke publicly about the difficulties he experienced playing alongside him. Sydney released Tyler on January 9 with eight games remaining, officially choosing to use the remainder of the season to assess young big men Humphries (6.9 points and 3.7 rebounds across 26 games) and Pineau (2.9 points across 24 games). Managing director Jeff Van Groningen said, “At this time we are keen to look closely at some of the young big men both on our roster and on the edge of it.” Garlepp appeared in all eight remaining games following Tyler’s release and played double-digit minutes four times.

Garlepp’s best all-around game came against Brisbane on February 15, where Garlepp (6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) made three of five shots in 12 minutes as Sydney defeated the Bullets 90-73. Ellis (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists), Lisch (18 points and 4 rebounds) and Randle (15 points and 7 assists) led Sydney, while Daniel Kickert (18 points and 5 rebounds) and Reuben Te Rangi (14 points) were Brisbane’s leading scorers.

After losing 16 of their opening 21 games, Sydney found form late in the season following Lisch’s return. Ellis (14.8 points and 5.8 rebounds across 27 games) led the Kings in total scoring, while Newley (11.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists across 27 games), Cadee (11.1 points and 3.3 assists across 28 games) and Blanchfield (9.1 points and 4 rebounds across 25 games) were the other major contributors. Randle became the first player since Andrew Gaze in 1989 to lead the NBL in both scoring and assists and was named to the All-NBL Second Team, while Humphries was named NBL Rookie of the Year.

Garlepp was named Sydney’s Most Inspirational Player at season’s end, with the campaign ultimately proving to be his final year in the NBL. Reflecting on his retirement, he said, “As a player, you try really hard to maximise your potential and win a championship.” Although he fell short of winning a championship, he later reflected on helping Sydney return to the semifinals in 2012/13, the club’s move into Qudos Bank Arena and how much he enjoyed representing the Kings throughout his six seasons in Sydney.

His final NBL appearance came against New Zealand at Qudos Bank Arena on February 18, where Garlepp (6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) played 10 minutes as Sydney came from behind to defeat the Breakers 101-86. Cadee (30 points and 3 assists) made six three-pointers, Blanchfield (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) and Randle (18 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists) provided support, while Jordan Ngatai (17 points) led New Zealand. Sydney outscored the Breakers 33-18 in the fourth quarter to collect its sixth win from the final seven games and finish seventh with an 11-17 record.

Tom Garlepp played eleven seasons across four NBL teams. This included the Perth Wildcats, Gold Coast Blaze, Adelaide 36ers and Sydney Kings. He averaged 6.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1 assists in 261 NBL games.

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