BIO: Zoran Zunic was born in Sydney (NSW) Zunic received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 1984. He spent one year there and played for the program’s state league team.

FAMILY: Zoran is the father of both Kyle Zunic (40 NBL games) and Edin Zunic (6 NBL games).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Zoran Zunic made his NBL debut with the Sydney Supersonics on 12/6/1983. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

The Sydney Supersonics entered 1986 in rebuild mode following a frustrating 1985 campaign. The departure of imports Wayne Kreklow and Jerry Steurer, as well as locals like Brett Flanigan, Graham Davis, and Tony Wilkerson, created major holes in the roster. To replace them, Sydney brought in dominant American big man Derrick Polk, athletic forward Audie Matthews (from Brisbane), and promising youngster Andrew Svaldenis from Bankstown.

Key pieces from the prior year remained, including star import Kendal “Tiny” Pinder, who returned for a second NBL season after earning All-NBL First Team recognition and leading the league in scoring. Veterans Wayne Burden, Curt Forrester, Scott Fenton, Darren Shaw, Gavin Kelly, Nick Stenstrom, and defensive specialist Zoran Zunic also returned to solidify the core group.

Leadership on the sidelines changed, with former league MVP Owen Wells returning to coach the Supersonics, replacing Paul Coughter. Wells was tasked with revitalising a retooled squad and steering them back into the playoff mix.

The season opened with promise as Sydney claimed a 99–91 road win over Perth. Pinder (19 points, 18 rebounds) and Polk (25 points, 13 rebounds) dominated the frontcourt, and Zunic chipped in 12 points, hitting 5-of-9 from the field in a balanced offensive showing.

However, Sydney’s momentum faltered. They dropped eight of their next nine games, including narrow losses to Brisbane (84–85) and Geelong (99–100). Despite Pinder (21.4 points, 16.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists) and Polk (21.9 points, 13.7 rebounds, 2.7 blocks) posting elite production, the team struggled to close tight contests. Zunic, meanwhile, became a regular contributor, averaging 9.0 points and 2.2 rebounds across the year while adding consistent perimeter defense and energy.

With the Supersonics languishing at 2–8, Coach Wells made strategic changes—emphasising a frontcourt-centric offense through Pinder and Polk and increasing playmaking duties for Scott Fenton. The rotation tightened, and the team responded with a stunning turnaround. Sydney won 12 of its final 16 games to close out the regular season at 14–12, good for sixth place and a return to the playoffs for the first time since 1983.

Key moments included a 117–80 thrashing of Perth, and a dramatic 110–109 away win over rivals West Sydney Westars, sealed by a Pinder game-winner. Zunic was instrumental in both derby victories, scoring 18 points in the August clash and adding ten more in the return fixture later that month.

Throughout the season, Pinder and Polk proved to be one of the league’s most fearsome duos, combining for nearly 44 points and 30 rebounds per game. Wayne Burden (14.6 ppg), Audie Matthews (10.0 ppg), and Zunic (9.0 ppg, 1.6 assists, 1.6 steals) rounded out the core scoring options, with Zunic regularly guarding the opponent’s best backcourt threat.

In the postseason, Sydney travelled to Brisbane for an Elimination Final against the third-seeded Bullets. Pinder (20 points, 14 rebounds) and Polk (18 points, 12 boards) battled valiantly, and Zunic added 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting, including two triples. But the Supersonics were unable to slow down Leroy Loggins (28 points) and were eliminated 100–82.

Despite the early playoff exit, the season was widely seen as a resurgence for the club. From 2–8 to a playoff berth, Sydney’s resilience under Coach Wells was a key storyline. Zunic’s emergence as a trusted two-way contributor—providing reliable perimeter shooting, smart passing, and steady defense—was one of the more underrated aspects of the team’s turnaround.

SYDNEY SUPERSONICS
1987
In 1987, the Sydney Supersonics underwent a full transformation under new head coach Ken Cole, who arrived after controversially being sacked by Adelaide despite leading them to a historic 24–2 championship season the year before.

Zoran Zunic was retained from the 1986 roster, where he had contributed as a steady bench guard, but in Cole’s restructured system, his role was significantly reduced.

Zunic appeared in just 3 games during the season, averaging (0.7 points, 0.3 rebounds, and 0.3 assists). He featured briefly in Sydney’s dominant 129–76 Round 18 win over the Melbourne Tigers on August 22, recording 2 points and 1 rebound in under 18 minutes. Ridlen (36 points, 16 rebounds), Matthews (28 points), and Hope (17 points) were the stars in that game, with Zunic providing mop-up minutes off the bench.

His only other court time came in games late in the season, including a short appearance in the Supersonics’ final game—a 118–98 win over Westside Saints on September 18. Ridlen (40 points, 26 rebounds) and Polk (18 points, 21 rebounds) were dominant in that farewell performance, as Sydney closed their final season before merging to become the Sydney Kings.

Though Zunic’s on-court contributions were minimal in 1987, his experience and professionalism offered value within a team navigating dramatic structural and cultural changes under Cole’s leadership.

Zoran Zunic played five seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Sydney Supersonics and the Sydney Kings. He averaged 5 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1 assists in 67 NBL games.

Dan Boyce (836 Posts)

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.