Hinder Re-Signs

Captain of the Townsville Crocodiles Russell Hinder has been the first player to re-sign with the club for the upcoming 2010/11 NBL season.

Here is footage from the press conference which was held this morning.

NBL News

Best photo I could find at time of publication, but I think this lovely female "digs" Kirk Penney.

With only two more sleeps before the Wollongong Hawks and the Perth Wildcats begin to battle for the tittle of 2009/10 NBL champ, lets see what is making news in the region.

- Hawks starting point guard Rhys Martin has dual Olympian CJ Bruton to thank for his move to the beachside town in New South Wales.

- There is a war of words brewing between the journos in the respective towns that are competing for the NBL title. Keep it going boys. Oh, it's starting to get better. Cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings.

- Gold Coast Blaze forward Anthony Petrie once honed his skills in a little country town on the New South Wales/Queensland border, Tenterfield.

I used to love heading to Tenterfield and playing in their annual carnival. I just wonder if a young Petrie was one of those kids hanging around?

- New Zealand Breaker Kirk Penney and Hawks Head Coach Gordie McLeod have taken out the NBL's player and coach of the month award respectively to end the season.

- Thanks to Twitter, we find out the Andrew Bogut believes the Perth Wildcats will win.

- Perth are ready to roll after the "bug' got them.

- Is Perth Wildcat Martin Cattalini retiring?

- Have Galen Young and Corey Williams made up?

- The Townsville Crocodiles indicate that they are ready to keep Corey Williams around.

MacGruber Basketball

Wollongong Hawk benchman Dave Gruber came out in Game 3 and provided the Hawks with the "X" factor that teams need at this time of the year.

The former Northern Iowa University product has had this type of impact on a game throughout the season. I remember him coming of the bench against my New Zealand Breakers and scorching us for 17 in an efficient manner. He was the difference maker.

Can "MacGruber" become the X Factor in the Finals series against the Perth Wildcats?

Six Degrees Of Seperation

Julian Khazzouh gave Adam Ballinger a little something in Sydney, read below to find out where in the world these two guys ran into each other.



Wow is all I can say to the Wollongong Hawks/Townsville Crocodiles series to date. The games have been so bad I do not wish to relive them or nor should you.

I will say one thing on the back of a lot of Crocs fans asking me as I left, "Who will win Game 3?"

Like most games in the NBL these days, limit your turnovers and shoot the three ball at a good clip and you win alot.

Game 3 will be no different. It will just be a matter of which team executes their offense without turning it over will win.

Now onto the point of this blog. I have just been sifting through boxes so I have cut and paste them of players that have had some affiliation with Aussie basketball.

- In case you missed it yesterday, Andrew Bogut of the Milwaukee Bucks had 24pts, 20rebs and 5 blocks to become only the second Buck ever to register a 20-20-5 game.

The other was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

- Former Adelaide 36ers import Mark Tyndale is playing in the D-League for the Iowa Energy.

- When not talking it up on Twitter, for New Zealand Breaker Carlos Powell can be found in the D-League playing for Albuquerque Thunderbirds.

- Also in D-League, Sioux Falls SkyForce can been seen with former Perth Wildcat David Bailey, one time Taipan Jared Newson and Nathan Jawai together.

- Aussie centre Luke Nevill plays in the D-league for the Utah Flash, along side former Breaker Orien Greene.

- Recent Breaker import Kevin Braswell has just inked a deal in France.

- Former South Dragons championship winning swingman Tremmell Darden will come across Braswell in his French travels.

- Scoring machine Ebi Ere is plying his trade in Italy.

- Former Sydney King point guard Dontaye Draper is in Italy.

- Former Slinger/Tiger/36er Rod Grizzard can be found in Israel these days.

- West Sydney product Julian Khazzouh is also in Israel. He played against current/former 36er Adam Ballinger (12 & 10 on debut).

- Don't forget the National U/20 Championships are on. Catch up on all the results here.

Crocs To Make Changes?

Tonight on the local news up here in Townsville, Crocs Head Coach Trevor Gleeson has hinted at the idea that the Crocs will make changes to the starting line up after their lack luster performance against the Wollongong Hawks in Game 1 of their Semi Final series.

The Crocs managed just one assist in the first half of last week's contest. Anyone that knows hoops knows that this stat indicates that not too much team basketball is happening.

I would hate to speculate at what changes will happen so I better just get to the game on Wednesday night.



- In other NBL news, Scott Ninnis has been relieved of his head coaching position with the Adelaide 36ers.

The 36ers finished last in this year's NBL competition. This was the first wooden spoon for the South Australian club.

- Tomorrow night the Gold Coast Blaze host the Perth Wildcats in Game 2 of their Semi Final series. With the Wildcats up 1-0, Blaze coach Joey Wright is looking for New Zealand born Craig Bradshaw to lift and help the blaze force a Game 3.

Blaze import Ayinde Ubaka has been ruled out of the game.

- Wollongong Hawks Larry Davidson is a stat stuffer (someone who has positive stats across the board) and had an impressive Game 1 against the Townsville Crocodiles. Is it time he was called into the Australian Boomers squad?

Who Will Get The Final Say

Two former teammates have been using the media to try and gain the upper hand as both their teams try end the season as minor premiers.

Corey "Homicide" Williams kick started the "trash talk" after Wednesday night's televised game against the Adelaide 36ers calling out Perth Wildcat Galen Young and his bullying tactics.

Young responded today by calling Williams a "misdemeanour" more than a "homicide".

Oh, and now "King Ranga" Rob Beveridge has added his twist to the story saying his young team are the "underdogs" in this contest.

I cannot wait for Sunday's "Valentine's Day Massacre" battle for the minor premiership. You can catch all the action live, here.

Sapwell & Acid Wash Jeans

I have just returned from tonight's Townsville Crocodiles and Adelaide 36ers clash.

With prime time seats on offer I was rather pumped to check out some NBL action from such a vantage point. Well, what a poor game this was from a spectators point of view. The Crocs were easy winners 102-87.

Instead of dwelling on it too much I have found something that completely trumps this game's look.

Former 36ers bank shot expert Rupert Sapwell in acid wash jeans has trumped all today's precedings by a country mile. The thing that scares me the most is Sapwell was wearing the same jeans when I saw him in Adelaide during a December game I played in.

Enjoy this blast from the past footage.

News, News & More News

The secret to this blog's success, International Roast!

I have Googled and looked high and low for all things basketball in the Oceania area or involving an Aussie hooper. Here is what I come up with and I was only aided by a few cups of the good stuff, International Roast.

- New Zealand Breaker Kirk Penney has picked up his second NBL Player of the Week award for season 2009/10.

- Defending NZNBL champions Waikato Pistons have signed former Syracuse star Eric Devendorf. The tattooed point guard comes well credentialed and will provide his team and competition with a little flare.

If Devendorf and the Pistons become three-peat champs, I'm guessing the American import can convince his coach (Dean Vickerman) to get some ink on his neck.

- Staying in New Zealand, Beakers Head Coach Andrej Lemanis is pleading to the locals and come out and support the Breakers as well as the retiring Tony Ronaldson.

If the Breakers fall short of the playoffs, this will be "Bear's" final appearance in front of his home crowd but more importantly, the first time in his 20 year pro career he misses post season action.

Struggling with injury, centre Rick Rickett should be fit enough to suit up after missing the Breakers last game.

- Yes, we all know that Chris Anstey and Sam MacKinnon are retiring from the NBL. I found this article where Anstey talks about never losing to Michael Jordan and making sure his kids know about it.

- Got a spare 400K? You need to contact the Cairns Taipans, quickly.

- The Gold Coast Blaze may have to move to the "spiritual home" of basketball during the playoffs.

- The AFL continues to recruit athletes from all walks of life. Legendary coach Kevin Sheedy now believes it is worth looking further afield, and the USA college system is on his list.

- Perth Wildcats feisty guard Brad Robbins may miss the remainder of the season if his rib is fractured.

- The Adelaide 36ers goal for this week is to avoid the "Wooden Spoon".

- Something for those NBA nuts that drop by, here is an article about who the potential lottery picks are in this year's upcoming NBA Draft.

- Aussies seeing NCAA action today

Ben Louis (JMU), Ryan Broekoff & Cameron Witt (Valpo)

- Aussies in Europe

Brad Newley (Turkey), Daniel Kickert (Spain), Joe Ingles and Matt Nielsen (Spain), Rhys

Carter & Neil Mottram (Sweden), Alex Loughton (Spain), David Barlow (Spain),

Tony Ronaldson Press Conference

Tony Ronaldson become the most capped NBL player in history by surpassing the great Andrew Gaze last season, but earlier this week he decided the 2009/10 season will be his last.

Throughout his 20 professional seasons Ronaldson has many accolades to his name including NBL Championships, 2 Olympic Games and a Commonwealth Games Gold Medal to his name.

The "Bear" held a press conference on Tuesday in New Zealand to announce his retirement from the NBL. You can hear what he had to say below.

Right now Ronaldson is on court warming up in preparation to play the Wollongong Hawks and trying to keep their playoff hopes alive. (You can catch this game on Fox Sports in 30 minutes.)

NBL Boring - Rob Rose

Not to often does former NBL MVP Rob Rose speak about the state of the game.

In yesterday's Townsville Bulletin, the former Crocodiles captain talked about a few of the alterations that have been made to the NBL rules this season.

He feels the game has become "boring" at stages and the need to go back to 48 minutes would be his ideal. Hopefully it would help with the low scoring games he has seen so far this season.

As I said, the "Magician" does not make public comment too often, but when he does, maybe everyone should listen.

Aussies Making News

Remember this name - Anatoly Bose (and I love the jersey number!)

In this edition of news I'm going to have to go against my usual grain and give top billing to a guy that performed unbelievably well although his team lost with a second to go.

Sydneysider Anatoly Bose (a name you may not of heard of but you will) of Nicholls St dropped a career high 46 points and collected 14 rebounds in a double overtime loss to Northwestern St.

Bose is one of these Aussie kids that goes over to the States and goes about his business very quietly but keeps on improving. Some of my sources are saying he will generate some NBA interest and may work himself into the second round of the NBA Draft. There is still plenty of time for the guard/forward to show his abilities as he is only a junior.

AJ Ogilvy helped his Vanderbilt Commodores claim a win over the Auburn Tigers in the tough S. Ogilvy contributed 17pts, 8rebs and 5blks in the 82-74 victory.

The Colorado Buffalo's have two Aussies on their roster, Nate Tomlinson and Shane Harris-Tunks. Tomlinson contributed 6 assists in an otherwise quiet night for the Aussies in a loss to Texas A&M.

Sudanese-Aussie Ater Majok played 31 minutes for UConn as they upset #1 Texas. Majok was solid without being great in helping his team get the win. His 5pts, 6rebs and 4blks helped his team secure the "W".

Victorian sharp shooter Ryan Broekhoff came off the bench to lead all scorers with 20 (6-8 3s) to help Valparaiso get the win.

NSW product Ben Dowdell playing at Santa Clara (and younger brother of Townsville Crocodile Jeff) helped his team avoid a history making 0-5 start in conference play. The hustling forward had 7pts and 6rebs in a one point win over San Francisco.

Pepperdine Wave freshman Tanner Kerry had a career high 11pts to go along with 7rebs his team suffered a loss to the Portland pilots. From Cranbrook to Malibu, quite the scenery change for the better I might add.

Two Queenslanders in Matt Massey and Matt Hodgson had solid games for Southern Utah but it was not enough to get them over the line against Western Illinois.

Now onto some NBL news.

If you were wondering why the Perth Wildcats wore black arm bands against the Melbourne Tigers, they did it in honour of Brad Robbins grandfather who passed away Saturday morning.

New Zealand Breaker CJ Bruton wants "consistency" and it's not from his teammates.

Perth Wildcat captain Shawn Redhage gives us his All Star 5 for the season, with Corey "Homicide" Williams being his MVP.

The Cairns Taipans keep their slim mathematical playoff chances alive with a win over the Townsville Crocodiles.

Former South Dragon Simon Conn has been thrown into a pressure cooker situation as an import in the Asean Basketball League. Former NBL club the Singapore Slingers play in this league.

365 Slurpees This Easy - Thanks 7-Eleven

Wollongong Hawks have been doing a lot of things right on and off the court this year. Without doubt they are leading the NBL in cyber appearances.

Here is their latest edition as this very happy fan has walked away with a year's worth of Slurpees, all thanks to 7-Eleven. All he did was drop a halfcourter.

Check the footage below to see how the punter won. Oh, his son looks pretty happy too!

Perth Wildcat News

I have just returned home for one of the ugliest contests of the year, Townsville Crocodiles over the Wollongong Hawks.

Instead of telling you about that eye sore, check out the latest edition from the Wildcat boys. Potential Rookie of the Year Jesse Wagstaff tells us a little about himself. A self confessed "nerd" who would otherwise be an engineer in Canberra if it was not for hoops.

Worth a look and I look forward to the Perth/Melbourne clash tomorrow night.

Round 17 - The Defining Round

I'm watching Fox Sports tomorrow night to see if Perth enforcer Galen Young (left) and Tigers Sam MacKinnon lock horns and flex.

By the end of this round (17) we may have a clearer picture of who the Top 4 are or it could once again become tighter than the Gold Coast rims.

Wednesday night really sets the mood for the week's games. First we have the resurging Melbourne Tigers taking on the top of the table Perth Wildcats on Fox Sports.

The Tigers are winners of 5 of their last 6 and have moved up to sixth on the ladder. Having added import Mike Rose, the Tigers have played their hand in saying the season ain't over yet. This weekend's home and away against the Wildcats will determine if the Tigers have any roar in them as we head towards the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats are playing for a Top 2 finish and home court advantage during the playoffs. As we know, the Wildcats are tough to beat at the "Jungle" so Rob Beveridge will have his boys amped for this mini series.

I'm saying each team will win on their home floor but look for Sam MacKinnon and Galen Young to conduct a no holds barred wrestle for halftime entertainment.

The Wollongong Hawks and the Townsville Crocodiles also enter a home and away series over the next three days. Wednesday starts down at the "Sandpit", while the return leg at the "Swamp" is Friday night.

The Hawks continue to go about their business despite MVP fav Ty McKee out for the season. The Hawks have dusted the Crocs 2-0 already this season so can their good play continue against the reptiles?

I'm sure now leading MVP candidate Corey "Homicide" Williams will be looking to have a night out on his feathered friends. Coach Gordie McLeod's scout on the playground legend has been spot on to date.

If the Crocs have aspirations of a Top 2 finish, they need to get over this hurdle the Hawks have presented to date. Meanwhile, if the Hawks can get two wins, they will put to rest all the doubters and should secure a playoff birth.

Thursday night's game across the ditch is being pumped up as a grand final for both teams.

Adelaide has had an injury scare this week, but it seems that captain Adam Ballinger boarded the flight and will suit up for the 36ers against my New Zealand Breakers.

As for the Breakers, they/we just need a win for the sake of confidence right now. If the game had been reduced to thirty minutes this year, the title favourites (at the start of the season) would be holding court and making bookies look like they knew what they are doing.

Unlucky for the Breakers the game is forty minutes and they/we have found just about every way possible to cough up a handy fourth quarter lead.

I'm tipping the Breakers, break out, and drop a lazy 100 on the 36ers.

Saturday night will see the Crocodiles play their third game in five days as they travel to Cairns. The folks of the far north will be promoting this one big time and plenty will make the trip north from Townsville.

No matter what is at stake, these two towns will always show up and support their team.

The Taipans have not been playing the best ball of late but they must be due and I'm sure they are holding onto the old mathematical equation scenario regarding making the playoffs.

On the other hand the Crocs mental makeup (from their two games against the Hawks) will determine how they go into this game.

Last but not least, the Gold Coast Blaze host the NZ Breakers.

The Breakers will come into this game with renewed energy and hope after beating the 36ers on Thursday. Having been narrowly defeated on New Year's Eve at the same venue, the Breakers will like their chances.

Joey Wright will have his Blaze team thinking Top 2 so they cannot afford to drop too many more in the fashion they did in Wollongong last round.

Injury is starting to creep into the Blaze camp (Adam Gibson and Ayinde Ubaka) but if they are serious about competing for a championship they need to win this one.

I'm tipping this is going to be the game of the round so people on the Coast need to get a piece of this action come Saturday night.

Highlights of Hawks vs Blaze Round 16

Hawks Hit Neighbours & Other News

As my wife prepares a little dinner (nuggets and salad) for the household I thought I would use my time wisely and update you with the latest news.

Hold on, was that a Wollongong Hawks jersey on Neighbours? First Zac Delaney gets his first NBL point, now he is on the Kylie Minogue-less TV show?

Well done Hawks, I'm impressed.

- Adelaide 36ers will travel to take on the New Zealand Breakers this Thursday with out the services of captain Adam Ballinger. Read this article to see how courageous Capt Ballinger was in the eyes of coach Scott Ninnis.

I'm my opinion, the loser of this game can start recruiting for next season. Without the "Ranga" making the trip across the Tasman, Ninnis can start plotting for next season, early.

- Despite the season ending absence of MVP frontrunner Ty McKee, the Wollongong Hawks keep finding ways to win. After a impressive 21 point victory over the Gold coast Blaze, the Hawks stay well entrenched in the top 4.

- With Pero Cameron out of action with his NBL squad (GC Blaze) he returned home to look at some of the potential that may line up for his Wellington Saints this coming NZNBL season.

I'm sure he may have snuck in a lamb shank or two while home.

- The Melbourne Tigers continue to make a late run for a NBL playoff position, but have they make their late season dash a little late?

- Perth Wildcat "mighty mouse" Brad Robbins will be back in uniform. The top of the table Wildcats are preparing for a couple of games against the inform Melbourne Tigers this week.

- The Townsville Crocodiles have moved up to second on the ladder without playing a game this weekend.

- Just as well Christmas has come and gone. "Bad Santa" is heading out west to deliver presents to the Eastern Suns in the WA State League. Read about the street ball "legend" heading out west.

PTT - Gangsta Episode ft Ty McKee

Zac Delaney Scores

Wollongong Hawk little big man Zac Delaney scores his first NBL point over the weekend against the Gold Coast Blaze.

Teammate Daniel Jackson catches up with the local legend to see what he has to say about a life long goal, scoring big.

Blaze Fan Ejected From Crocs Game

It seems in the recent Townsville Crocodiles and Gold Coast Blaze game, all the action was not reserved for the court.

You have to wait till the last segment of this news piece to see what actions led to a Blaze fan being ejected from the "Swamp" in Townsville.

I will make comment on the "other "matter in the near future.

Little Man Hits The Big Time

The littlest man in NBL history (Zac Delaney) proves that size doesn't matter.

He is yet to become a household name in basketball circles, but little Zac Delaney is showing kids in the Illawarra community, size does not always matter.

The 169cm (and very generous at that) local product of Wollongong basketball is currently a development player with the community based franchise but he's hit the big time.

He is the shortest person to participate in an NBL game over it's 30 year existence and now he has scored an article in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Currently the NBL struggles to get major media coverage in this newspaper but the "little man from the Gong" has caught jurno Michael Cowley's attention.

Check out the read on the little man that can.

NBL Dunk of the Year?

If you missed Fox Sports coverage of the Wollongong Hawks and New Zealand Breakers NBL game on Wednesday night, you missed a candidate for Dunk of the Year.

But thanks to Sydney photographer Catherine Cranston, Tom Abercrombie's alley-oop dunk has been captured on film (or pixels).

To give a quick recap, Abercrombie went back door and Hoovered (vacuumed) in a pass that looked like it would ricochet off the backboard and kick start a fast break for the Hawks. Abercrombie climbed the stairs and made the pass look like it was meant to be.

Not since James "the Alabama Slammer" Crawford have I witnessed an athlete in the NBL go and get it like that.

If you enjoyed these pictures, maybe you want to drop Catherine a line and see what else she has in her portfolio. (cat9_pics@hotmail.com)

Ty McKee Done

Former Coppin State star Tywain McKee is out for the season with a dodgy back.

Wollongong Hawks import Ty McKee is done for the season. The favourite to take out this year's NBL MVP award has been struck down by a back injury he sustained in a game against the Cairns Taipans weeks ago.

Here is the Hawks media release.

In Spain former Sydney King and Melbourne Tiger David Barlow continues to impress. Enjoy the highlights. (Thanks for the tip, Rodman)