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The NBL and NBA announced in June that five Australian teams will be heading to the USA to play in pre-season later this year. One of those games include the Melbourne United facing the Toronto Raptors which has Aussie Hoops fans giddy at the prospect of “our” NBL champions (who lost to the NBA’s Oklahoma…
Read MoreSydney Kings guard Jerome Randle was yesterday named to the TBT 2018 All-Tournament Team. Randle represented Eberlein Drive, which after a tremendous run to the final, lost to Overseas Elite 70-58. The Basketball Tournament, or more simply “TBT”, is basketball in its most democratic form. Teams are formed and gain entrance by garnering…
Read MoreThe Southland Sharks have beaten the Wellington Saints 98-96 in New Zealand’s National Basketball League final to claim their third title in club history. The game was full of NBL talent with Alex Pledger (Melbourne United), Reuben Te Rangi (Brisbane Bullets) and Jarrad Weeks (NZ Breakers) leading the Sharks to victory and Shea Illi,…
Read MoreThe SEABL Final Four has been decided after this weekend’s games with both the men and women moving into preliminary finals next week. Games will be played across two states in Nunawading (VIC), Kilsyth (VIC), Launceston (TAS) and Hobart (TAS). Men’s Semi Final 1: Ballarat Miners 65 – 90 Geelong Supercats …
Read MoreMelbourne United have tipped off their pre-season against Chinese Taipei behind closed doors once again this season. The final result was 136 – 85 to Melbourne United. Simon Mitchell took on head coaching responsibilities whilst Dean Vickerman watched from the sidelines. With the SEABL finals and NZNBL finals still ongoing the side was missing some…
Read MoreThe Brisbane Bullets have officially signed Makoto Hiejima making him the first ever Japanese international NBL player. During the 2019 World Cup Qualifiers, the 28-year-old shooting guard played an integral role in delivering the Boomers their first loss in over two years. Hiejima scored 6 points, shooting 37.5% as well as 8 rebounds and…
Read MoreBasketball in Australia is experiencing a significant resurgence in public interest. Everyday you can now run into a Simmon’s 76ers jersey. Cubicles now include just as much talk of NBA pre season outcomes and spirited debates about whether LeBron James had made the right choice in going to LA as they do about AFL results. Casual…
Read MoreTraining camp begins and the promise of a brave new world beacons for the Kings. But the elephant in the corner hasn’t been addressed and if this elephant topples off its precarious stool, the damage to basketball in Sydney could be extensive! The question still remains can Gaze coach? Now clearly the Gaze family…
Read MoreThe presence of Sydney’s new superstar signing Andrew Bogut is already starting to pay dividends on the first day of training camp yesterday at their Qudos Bank Arena home ground in Olympic Park. Bogut was vocal all morning and expects to lead a refurbished front line that also includes sweet-shooting forward Daniel Kickert, holdover…
Read More Head to iTunes to download this episode on your phone or iPod There’s been a lot of buzz since the consortium behind the Southern Huskies released marketing material for their proposed NBL team which featured team branding, uniforms and plans for the expansion and update of the Derwent Entertainment Center. The team…
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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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