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With the rise of Australian talent in the college basketball system we’ve seen a significant rise in touring colleges over the past few years. In recent months St Mary’s (California), Loyola Marymount and Drexler universities have all faced off against aussie talent. The University of Hawaii team is another touring Australia, a team which…
Read MoreNBL basketball returned to Brisbane in 2015 with much fanfare as the league finally had a team in every capital city. But after two seasons at the bottom of the NBL ladder, Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis struggling to find success at national level, and former Chicago Bulls Forward Cam Bairstow still a long way from…
Read MoreIt’s that wondrous time of year again, where the NBL releases the schedule for the upcoming season and people all over the country and making (and breaking) plans to see the best basketball in the land. But why make one plan when you can make the ultimate plan! Your mission, if you choose to…
Read More“With the first pick in the 2005 NBA draft the Milwaukee’s Bucks select Andrew Bogut from the University of Utah.” After completing a stellar College career (Naismith Player of the Year) was selected ahead of Chris Paul at number four and immediately hailed as the “Wonder from Down Under” for the ailing Bucks franchise. …
Read MoreMelbourne United’s training sessions continue to attract top talent. The gym is gaining a reputation as the place to train for the NBA players when they return to Australia. It’s fun and the competition (at the Melbourne United training) is definitely up there” – Jonah Bolden, Philadelphia 76ers Australia’s top talent have been…
Read MoreThere have been historic changes made to the NCAA rule book overnight, triggered by the FBI probe into college basketball last year. A commission, fronted by Condoleezza Rice (former US Secretary of State) has forced the organisation to amend the following; College players that receive invites to the NBA combine but go undrafted will…
Read MoreThe National Basketball League is the latest national sport to be lured to Bendigo. The league announced yesterday that reigning champions Melbourne United will face the revitalised Sydney Kings in a preseason matchup at the recently $23 million redeveloped Bendigo Stadium. It will be the first preseason hit-out for both sides, with the…
Read MoreEarlier this year the NBL announced the Next Star program on the heels of the success of Terrence Ferguson coming to Australia to play with the 36ers before commencing his NBA career. After playing a full professional season with the Adelaide 36ers, Terrence Ferguson was picked up in the first round at #21 in the…
Read MoreBehind the trophy and popped champagne bottles, there’s been a sense of the unknown with Melbourne United heading into the 2018/19 season. This time last year they assembled what many considered to be the most talented roster in the NBL’s 40-year history, combined with a known commodity and championship-winning coach Dean Vickerman, they finally lived…
Read MoreThe last time basketball was talked about this much in Tasmania was back when the Devils were still in the competition. In 1996, the last time a Tasmanian NBL side hit the hardwood, John Howard was sworn in as prime minister, France agreed to finally end nuclear testing, and Michael Jordan led the Chicago…
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Mario Donaldson on THAT 1994 NBL Dunk Contest and his time playing with Sydney & Canberra
Former Sydney Kings and Canberra Cannons import Mario Donaldson joins the podcast to revisit his time in the NBL, including competing in the famous 1994 NBL Dunk Contest, the highs and lows of his seasons in Sydney and Canberra, and the success he found playing around the world. Host Dan Boyce chats with Donaldson about arriving in Sydney in 1994 and playing alongside Leon Trimmingham, helping the Kings return to the playoffs and establishing himself as one of the league’s best outside shooters. Visit dunk.com.au…
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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