BIO: Tonny Jensen was born in Wagga (NSW) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Queanbeyan basketball program.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Tonny Jensen made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 20 years of age. He scored three points in his first game.

Townsville entered the NBL in 1993 as the league’s newest expansion franchise, debuting under the name “Townsville Suns” with local coach Mark Bragg at the helm and veteran Graham Kubank named captain. The team began the season with a roster featuring locals David Blades, Lucas Agrums, Jason Cameron, Tonny Jensen, and Kubank—most of whom had previously played for Townsville’s state league team—and paired them with imports Ricky Jones and Rimas Kurtinaitis.

Townsville’s first import signing, Rimas Kurtinaitis, a 33-year-old Lithuanian Olympian, made NBL history as the first European-born player to feature as an import.

Townsville’s maiden NBL game (17 April) was a loss to Newcastle (110–106) where Jones’ 47-point debut grabbed headlines, the rookie Jensen also quietly impressed in 14 high-energy minutes—scoring 14 points, dishing five assists and swiping a steal.

The Suns struggled out of the gate, dropping their first four games before recording their first-ever NBL victory—a 98–89 home win over Newcastle on May 14. With a sell-out crowd behind them, Townsville prevailed behind a combined 50+ points from Kurtinaitis and Jones. That result snapped a four-game losing skid and validated the team’s arrival in the NBL.

Jensen’s breakout arrived on 4 June against Geelong. Logging 44 minutes, he produced a triple-double of 22 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and 4 steals, sparking a late comeback that fell just short (118–112). Six weeks later (14 August vs Canberra) he torched the Cannons for 21 points (7-for-10 FG) and 3 steals in another strong performance.

The Suns’ signature win was a 105–103 upset in Adelaide on 25 June, fuelled by Kurtinaitis’ 41 points and Jones’ 26-point, 12-rebound double.

In August, star forward Kurtinaitis (24.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.8 steals) left the team to sign with Real Madrid. As a result, Jensen’s role grew, his minutes climbing from 24 per game in May to 29 per game in the closing month.

Their fourth—and final—victory came on 13 August at Geelong (125–124) after Kurtinaitis’ departure, snapping a long losing streak in front of a raucous “Furnace” crowd. Townsville closed the campaign 4–22, collecting the wooden spoon but also a record string of home sell-outs.

Ricky Jones (28.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.2 blocks) led the NBL in blocks and won the club’s MVP award. Other key contributors during the Suns’ first season were David Blades (11.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists), Brian Andrews (10.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists), and captain Graham Kubank (6.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists).

Jensen (9.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists) was able to showcase his versatility in his rookie season, scoring in double figures 13 times, handing out 5+ assists on seven occasions, and finishing third among NBL rookies in steals.

NEWCASTLE FALCONS
1994
Newcastle overhauled its list in 1994, parting with leading scorer Everette Stephens and installing former league MVP Derek Rucker at the point, while Paul Simpson and Tonny Jensen (both via Townsville) were added to deepen the rotation.

Rucker opened with 18 assists in the season opener and exploded for 40 points in Game 2, but after an 0–3 slide coach Tom Wisman pushed him to lift the group, and the response came in Round 4 at Geelong when he dished 24 assists alongside a major scoring outburst to secure the first win of the year.

Newcastle finished the regular season 13–13, placed ninth, and missed the playoffs on the tiebreaker to the Illawarra Hawks despite identical records, underlining how costly the 0–3 hole proved by season’s end.

Derek Rucker (25.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 10.6 assists, and 2.9 steals) authored an elite all-around campaign, led the league in assists, earned All-NBL Third Team honours, and powered a midseason climb that steadied the Falcons after the early setbacks.

Terry Dozier (20.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists), Michael Johnson (14.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists), and Tonny Jensen (13.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists) rounded out the chief contributors, giving Wisman multiple scoring options around Rucker’s orchestration.

1995
The 1995 season saw Jensen average 20.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists and play a key role in helping the Falcons to a eighth place finish in the regular season with a 17-9 record.

NORTH MELBOURNE GIANTS
1996
After falling one win short of back-to-back championships, North Melbourne returned most of its roster for Brett Brown’s fourth season. Darryl McDonald, Pat Reidy, Paul Rees, Paul Maley, Rod Johnson, Larry Sengstock, Matthew Shanahan and John Stelzer all remained in place, while Mark Leader and Darryl Pearce retired and Chris Jent (to New York Knicks) exited after his one-season stint with the Giants. Australian Boomers guard Tonny Jensen (via Newcastle) joined the roster, while Maley returned from the back injury that had ruled him out for the entire 1995 season.

North Melbourne opened the season in Sydney on April 12, where Jensen (25 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists) made five three-pointers in his Giants debut, but the Kings defeated North Melbourne 102-97 despite Maley (20 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals), McDonald (16 points, 4 rebounds, 12 assists, and 2 steals) and Reidy (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) keeping the Giants close.

Jensen (14.6 points) gave North Melbourne another perimeter scorer and four days later produced his best scoring game of the season, finishing with 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block as the Giants defeated Melbourne 105-85 at Melbourne Park. McDonald (20 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) recorded a triple-double, while Reidy (27 points and 10 rebounds) and Rees (17 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks) helped the Giants claim their first win of the season.

Jensen (19 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists) continued his strong start against Canberra on April 20 as North Melbourne defeated the Cannons, with McDonald (19 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 steals) and Reidy (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) leading the Giants.

Jensen (22 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) added another major scoring game against Sydney on April 25 as North Melbourne faced the Kings for the second time in the opening month, while Reidy (17 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists), McDonald (14 points, 9 assists, and 5 steals) and Maley (27 points) gave Brown more production around him.

Jensen (24 points, 3 assists, and 1 steal) helped North Melbourne defeat Brisbane 102-95 on May 3, with McDonald (25 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 6 steals, and 2 blocks) and Reidy (22 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists) driving one of the Giants’ best early-season wins.

Jensen (23 points) made six three-pointers against Wollongong on August 16, but North Melbourne fell to the Hawks despite Reidy (23 points and 6 rebounds), McDonald (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 13 assists) and Maley (14 points) helping keep the Giants close.

Jensen (20 points) produced his final 20-point game of the regular season against Newcastle on September 13, but the Falcons defeated North Melbourne 118-107 despite McDonald (25 points, 6 rebounds, 12 assists, and 5 steals), Maley (19 points and 11 rebounds) and Reidy (17 points) leading the Giants.

Reidy (20.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.5 steals) led North Melbourne in scoring, while McDonald (17.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3.9 steals) again led the NBL in assists, earned All-NBL First Team honours, won the Good Hands Award and was named NBL All-Star Game MVP. Maley (17.3 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.7 steals) returned strongly after missing the previous season, Rees (14 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks) remained the main interior presence, while Johnson (9.1 points and 1.3 steals), Shanahan (5 points), Sengstock (4.9 points and 4.8 rebounds) and Stelzer (2.1 points) completed Brown’s rotation as North Melbourne finished seventh with a 15-11 record in a tight ladder where only two games separated third place and eighth. Jensen also represented Australia at the Atlanta Olympics, where the Boomers finished fourth.

The quarterfinals opened at the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre, where South East Melbourne defeated North Melbourne 96-82 behind Andrew Parkinson (19 points). Jensen (7 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) played 37:50 minutes, while Rees (28 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks), Reidy (19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) and McDonald (11 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block) led the Giants as the Magic took control of the series.

Game two moved to Melbourne Park, where Tony Ronaldson (25 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Mike Kelly (17 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) led South East Melbourne to an 87-77 win and completed the sweep. Reidy (17 points and 14 rebounds) led North Melbourne, while Jensen (18 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) played 39:45 minutes in the 87-77 loss.

NEWCASTLE FALCONS
1997
After missing the playoffs with an 11-15 record the previous season, Newcastle entered 1997 amid serious financial problems. David Van Dyke (to Perth), Scott Ninnis (to Adelaide), Matthew Reece (to North Melbourne), Lachlan Armfield (to Illawarra) and Matthew Moore (to South East Melbourne) departed, while Butch Hays, Scott McGregor, Ben Melmeth, Ben Pepper, Martin McLean and Mathew Low returned. Coach Tom Wisman was released as part of cost-cutting measures before taking a coaching job in Japan, with assistant Shawn Dennis promoted to head coach at 30 years of age. “Like most young coaches you think you are ready until you get into that hot seat and you go, ‘oh my gosh, this is crazy’,” Dennis later said. Newcastle added Dave Simmons (via Melbourne), Greg Blake and Damien Robertson, while the former NBL Most Improved Player returned to the Falcons (via North Melbourne) after spending the previous season with the Giants and representing Australia at the Atlanta Olympics.

Newcastle opened the season at Beaton Park on April 12, where Jensen (20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block), Simmons (22 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), McGregor (17 points and 7 rebounds), Melmeth (16 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Hays (16 points and 6 assists) led the Falcons to a 112-96 win over Wollongong, while Clayton Ritter (25 points and 7 rebounds) and Terry Johnson (23 points and 2 steals) led the Hawks.

Jensen (22.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.6 steals across 30 games) appeared in every game and returned to the form he had shown during his previous stint with Newcastle, leading the Falcons in scoring while shooting 46 percent from the field, 43 percent from three-point range and 82 percent from the free-throw line.

His best game came against Adelaide at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on May 31, where Jensen (42 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) made 12-of-20 shots, four three-pointers and 14-of-16 free throws as the Falcons defeated the 36ers 108-100. Melmeth (15 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Hays (15 points, 5 assists, and 4 steals) provided support, while John Rillie (22 points) and Leon Trimmingham (18 points) led Adelaide.

Jensen produced another of his biggest games against Brisbane on June 15, making six three-pointers and finishing with 37 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block. Hays (21 points) and Melmeth (16 points and 7 rebounds) provided support, but Steve Woodberry (36 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals), Rodger Smith (23 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 steals) and Leroy Loggins (22 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks) led Brisbane to a 116-108 victory at the Brisbane Convention Centre.

The Falcons suffered their heaviest defeat of the season in Adelaide on June 22, where Jensen (16 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists), McGregor (20 points and 5 assists), Simmons (17 points) and Melmeth (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Newcastle, but Brett Wheeler (30 points and 8 rebounds) and Brett Maher (19 points and 8 assists) helped the 36ers win 141-99.

Jensen’s season also earned him selection for the 1997 NBL All-Star Game. He continued representing Australia during the year, playing against the Croatian national team, helping the Boomers win the Oceania qualification tournament for the 1998 World Championships and completing the year on Australia’s tour of the United States against Division I college teams.

Hays (17.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.4 steals across 30 games) remained Newcastle’s main playmaker, while McGregor (15.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists across 30 games) continued his development after winning Rookie of the Year the previous season. Melmeth (12.3 points and 8 rebounds across 27 games) and Simmons (12.2 points and 7.4 rebounds across 30 games) provided Newcastle’s interior production, while Pepper (10 points and 5.9 rebounds across 30 games) improved significantly from the previous season and won both the NBL Most Improved Player and Best Sixth Man awards.

Newcastle closed the season against minor premiers South East Melbourne at Dandenong Basketball Stadium on September 28, where Jensen (16 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal), Melmeth (16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks), Pepper (14 points) and Hays (11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led the Falcons, while Sam Mackinnon (25 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Tony Ronaldson (18 points) helped the Magic win 108-99, leaving Newcastle ninth with a 12-18 record and outside the playoffs.

1998
Newcastle entered 1998 needing to rebuild after a 12-18 season had left the Falcons outside the playoffs. Shawn Dennis remained as coach, but Scott McGregor (to Sydney), Ben Pepper (to North Melbourne), Dave Simmons and Butch Hays departed. Tonny Jensen returned after leading Newcastle in scoring the previous season, alongside Ben Melmeth, Greg Blake, Damien Robertson and Mathew Low. Dennis added Terry Johnson (via Illawarra), Marc Brandon (via Illawarra), former Sydney import Isaac Burton (via Sydney) and former NBA centre Todd Mundt. Johnson had spent much of his career at shooting guard but wanted the opportunity to play point guard, heading to Newcastle after being told at Illawarra he was not a “point guard’s bootlace” and receiving the chance to run the Falcons’ offence.

Newcastle began the season against South East Melbourne at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on January 30, where Jensen finished with 18 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals. Burton (21 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) and Johnson (18 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) also contributed, but Clinton McDaniel (19 points and 5 steals) led the Magic to a 93-73 victory.

Jensen (18.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.3 steals across 30 games) remained one of Newcastle’s main perimeter scorers and playmakers, although his scoring dropped from the 22.1 points he had averaged the previous season. He appeared in all 30 games as the Falcons began the campaign with four consecutive losses.

Newcastle finally broke through against Townsville on February 21, with Jensen contributing 4 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks as the Falcons won 110-96. Johnson (28 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) produced his highest-scoring game of the season and Melmeth (25 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) controlled the interior as Newcastle ended its 0-4 start.

Jensen produced his best and highest-scoring performance against NSW rival Sydney on March 3, finishing with a season-high 32 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals as Newcastle dominated 112-85 at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre. Burton (27 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 block) hurt his former club and Mundt (20 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) dominated the glass, while Shane Heal (21 points) was Sydney’s leading scorer.

Another major performance came in Adelaide on April 9, where Jensen finished with 27 points, 3 rebounds, and a season-high 11 assists while making 10-of-16 shots from the field. Melmeth (24 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Burton (20 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals) helped Newcastle shoot 59 percent from the field and overwhelm the eventual champions 111-85, while Darnell Mee (21 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) was Adelaide’s best.

Jensen scored 29 points with 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals against Perth on May 9, making six three-pointers in one of his strongest shooting performances of the season. Burton added 17 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block and Melmeth collected 16 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, but Ricky Grace (29 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led the Wildcats to a 97-90 victory in Newcastle.

Six days later, Jensen added 13 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals as the Falcons defeated Sydney 109-96 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Burton erupted for a season-high 38 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block against his former club and Melmeth added 24 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, while Heal (23 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led the Kings.

Melmeth (21.6 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 30 games) developed into Newcastle’s leading scorer and rebounder after averaging 12.3 points and 8 rebounds the previous year, earning the NBL Most Improved Player award and All-NBL First Team honours. Burton (19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.2 steals across 29 games) gave the Falcons another major offensive threat, while Mundt (13.6 points and 6 rebounds across 28 games) provided production inside. Johnson (10.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.8 steals across 29 games) adapted well to his move to point guard and earned an invitation to a Boomers selection camp. The drop-off beyond Newcastle’s starting group remained a major problem, with the bench combining for around 12 points per game and Brandon (3.1 points across 28 games) its highest-scoring reserve, leaving Dennis with limited offensive production whenever his starters rested.

Newcastle finished its season against Melbourne at Melbourne Park on June 7, where Jensen produced 23 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal. Melmeth recorded a season-high 36 points with 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks and Burton added 21 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, while Andrew Gaze (28 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal) led Melbourne to a 102-100 victory. Newcastle ended the year 9-21 and missed the playoffs, finishing 11th after North Melbourne claimed the head-to-head tiebreaker between the two teams.

1998/99
Entering the 1998/99 season, the Falcons were in dire financial trouble, but on the brink of the season starting, they secured funds from a group of investors from Albury. As a result, the Falcons were able to retain local talent Ben Melmeth, Terry Johnson and import Todd Mundt but were forced to build the rest of the team on a shoestring budget. Somewhat luckily, Newcastle benefitted from the merger of South East Melbourne and North Melbourne, which saw Pat Reidy and import Butch Hays both former Giants players, without a team. With few NBL team’s having any space on their rosters at this stage, the Falcons were able to sign both at budget prices. Dean Brogan (via Adelaide), Rod Johnson (via Canberra) and legendary shot blocker Willie Simmons was lured out of retirement to play another season.

While obvious favourites to finish on the bottom of the ladder, the Falcons surprised everyone by winning five of their first six games.

Shortly after, reports of players not being paid their salaries surfaced, and the focus, motivation and production among the players began to wane. Mundt exited the team as a result of not getting paid on time and was replaced with Simmons (14.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.2 steals) who after a season playing with Sydney was sitting at home after being unable to find another new deal.

The remainder of the season then saw Newcastle record three wins from their next nineteen games before finally beating Perth (113–111) in their final game of the year.

Pat Reidy (17.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals) led the team in scoring, Ben Melmeth (17.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals) led the team in rebounds while Terry Johnson (14.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.1 steals) delivered his best season at the point guard position and his brother Rod Johnson (11.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists) rounded out the team’s leading scorers. As a result of injuries Jensen saw his production take a major drop, falling from 18 points per game to 6.7 points.

After narrowly surviving the season before, this would prove to be the death knell for Newcastle, with the league stepping in to address their financial situation and its result being the removal of their NBL licence and the Falcons being forced out of the league.

CANBERRA CANNONS
2000/01
In 2000/01, Jensen returned for one final season. Although he wasn’t physically able to deliver the numbers he had previously, he added 8.8 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game as the Cannons finished with a dismal record of 3 wins and 25 losses.

Tonny Jensen played nine seasons across five NBL teams. This included the Sydney Kings, Townsville Suns, North Melbourne Giants, Newcastle Falcons and Canberra Cannons. He averaged 14.8 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in 209 NBL games.