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Cairns Taipans
The Cairns Taipans are an Australian professional basketball team based in Cairns, Queensland. The Taipans compete in the National Basketball League (NBL) and play their home games at the Cairns Convention Centre, known colloquially as "The Snakepit". History Early years (1999–2008) The Taipans were founded in 1999, entering the National Basketball League (NBL) for the 1999–2000 NBL season. Led by head coach Rod Popp, the Taipans' debut season ended with a 2–26 record. The Taipans failed to qualify for the post-season in their first four seasons. In the 2003–04 NBL season, the Taipans defeated the Perth Wildcats 103–96 in an elimination final at the Cairns Convention Centre. In winning their first final, the Taipans moved on to the quarter-finals, where they were defeated 110–88 by the West Sydney Razorbacks. After missing the finals in 2004–05, the Taipans made three straight finals appearances between 2005–06 and 2007–08. Financial difficulties (20 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
National Basketball League (Australia)
The National Basketball League (NBL) is a men's Professional sports#Basketball, professional basketball list of basketball leagues, league in Australasia, currently composed of ten teams: nine in Australia and one in New Zealand. It is the premier professional men's basketball league in Australia and New Zealand. The NBL was established as the National Invitation Basketball League (NIBL) in 1978 and commenced its first season in 1979. It was renamed to the NBL in 1980. The league was played in the Australian winter until 1998 when it switched to summer seasons beginning with the 1998–99 season. The NBL's regular season runs from October to February, with each team playing 28 games. The league's finals extends into March, culminating with the Championship grand final series. History Before the establishment of the NBL, there were two national basketball competitions: the National Titles and the Australian Club Championships. The NBL was established as the National Invita ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Larry Abney
Lawrence Abney (born May 19, 1977) is an American former professional basketball player who was most recently the head coach of the Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). Born in Nyack, New York, he was nicknamed ''Birdman'' throughout his career for his athleticism. High school career Abney attended Nyack High School in Nyack, New York. As a junior in 1993–94, he averaged 16.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game as he earned fourth team all-state honors. As a senior in 1994–95, he averaged 18.5 points, 15.0 rebounds and 5.0 blocks per game as he earned honorable mention All-America honors from ''USA Today'' as well as first team all-state honors. In April 1995, he signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball for Fresno State University. College career After sitting out the 1995–96 season while meeting NCAA eligibility requirements, Abney spent his freshman season at Fresno City College in 1996–97 where he helped the Rams ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Point Guard
The point guard (PG), also called the one or the point, is one of the Basketball positions, five positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position and is usually the shortest player on the court. Point guards are expected to control the pace of the game. They effectively "run" the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that it gets to the right player at the right time. Generally, point guards are expected to be proficient in passing the ball and being able to get Assist (basketball), assists to teammates. In a pick and roll offense, the point guard typically moves off of screens to facilitate the ball to a Power forward, big. Likewise, point guards can also shoot off of screens if given separation. In transition, the point guard must be able to pass and handle the ball without committing excessive turnovers. Defensively, the point guard is generally responsible for guarding above the Key (basketball), ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Scottie Wilbekin
Scottie Jordan Wilbekin (born April 5, 1993) is an American-born naturalized Turkish professional basketball player for Fenerbahçe Beko of the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL) and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for the Florida Gators, where he was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year in 2014. Wilbekin played professional basketball in Australia, Greece, Turkey and Israel. He led Darüşşafaka to win the 2018 EuroCup title, while earning the EuroCup Finals and the Regular Season MVP awards. College career After skipping his senior year at The Rock, Wilbekin accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Billy Donovan's Gators teams from 2010 to 2014. During his 2013–14 senior season, he led the Florida Gators to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) regular season championship and the SEC Tournament title, and he was named the SEC Player of the Year by the conferen ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Geelong Supercats
Geelong United is a NBL1 South club based in Geelong, Geelong, Victoria. Previously known as the Geelong Supercats, the club fields teams in both the Men's and Women's NBL1 South. The club is affiliated with Geelong United Basketball and plays its home games at the Geelong Arena. Club history Early years The Geelong Basketball Club was established in 1977 with a men's team. The team entered the Victorian Championship and finished sixth in 1978 and fifth in 1979. In 1980, the team signed Cal Bruton, Steven Kelocinski and Ray Shirley. That year, the side won three major tournaments and finished runners-up in the VBA championships. In 1981, the Geelong Cats debuted in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) and won the inaugural List of SEABL champions, SEABL championship and inaugural List of ABA National Champions, ABA National championship. Geelong was subsequently invited to compete in the Converse Super Challenge in Adelaide against Launceston Casino City Tigers, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
2014–15 NBL Season
The 2014–15 NBL season was the 37th season of competition since its establishment in 1979. A total of eight teams contested the league. The regular season was played between 10 October 2014 and 22 February 2015, followed by a post-season featuring the top four in late February and March 2015. Australian broadcast rights to the season are held by free-to-air network Channel Ten and its digital sports sister station One, in the final year of a five-year deal. In New Zealand, Sky Sport are the official league broadcaster, in the final year of a three-year deal. During the off-season the Melbourne Tigers were rebranded as Melbourne United. Pre-season Sydney Kings pre-season Wollongong Hawks pre-season Cairns Taipans pre-season Melbourne United pre-season Adelaide 36ers pre-season Perth Wildcats pre-season Townsville Crocodiles pre-season New Zealand Breakers pre-season 2014 NBL Pre-Season Blitz A pre-season tournament featuring all eight ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Melbourne Tigers
Melbourne United is an Australian professional basketball team based in Melbourne, Victoria (Australia), Victoria. United compete in the National Basketball League (Australia), National Basketball League (NBL) and play their home games at John Cain Arena. The team made their debut in the NBL in 1984 as the Melbourne Tigers. The Tigers were led by coach Lindsay Gaze and his son Andrew Gaze, Andrew from 1984 until 2005, with the pair guiding the Tigers to two List of NBL champions, championships in the 1990s. The pair were supported by fellow club legends such as Dave Simmons (basketball, born 1963), Dave Simmons, Lanard Copeland and Mark Bradtke. Four consecutive NBL Grand Finals followed between 2006 and 2009, with championships coming in 2006 and 2008 behind the likes of Chris Anstey and Darryl McDonald. After 31 seasons known as the Melbourne Tigers, the franchise underwent a controversial rebrand in 2014, changing the name of the team to Melbourne United. United won NBL cha ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
New Zealand Breakers
The New Zealand Breakers (also known as the Bank of New Zealand, BNZ Breakers for sponsorship reasons) are a New Zealand professional basketball team based in Auckland. The Breakers are the only non-Australian side currently competing in Australia's National Basketball League (Australia), National Basketball League (NBL), and one of only two non-Australian sides to have done so (the other being the now-absent Singapore Slingers). They play their home games at multiple venues, mainly Spark Arena in Auckland. In 2011, the Breakers won their first NBL championship and successfully defended it in 2012 and 2013, claiming the second three-peat in NBL history. They won their fourth title in 2015. From 2005 to 2018, the Breakers were owned by Liz and Paul Blackwell. In 2018, a consortium led by former NBA player Matt Walsh (basketball), Matt Walsh acquired a majority stake through a newly established company, Breakers Basketball Ltd. In March 2025, Kiwi-American businessman and attorney ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Daniel Dillon (basketball)
Daniel James Dillon (born 19 March 1986) is an Australian former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats before playing professionally in Australia, Romania, Poland, Japan, and France. Early life Dillon was born in Melbourne, Victoria. He grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Hampton. In 2003, he moved to the United States to attend North Laurel High School in London, Kentucky. He averaged 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists per game for the school's basketball team. College career Dillon had a four-year college basketball career with the Arizona Wildcats under coach Lute Olson from 2004 to 2008. He played sparingly for the Wildcats, averaging 1.6 points and 10.5 minutes in 113 career games with six starts. As a senior in 2007–08, he averaged 2.0 points, 1.3 assists and 14.4 minutes in 30 games with five starts. Professional career After a brief stint with the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Summer League, Dillon returned to Aust ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ayinde Ubaka
Ayinde X. Ubaka (born February 9, 1985) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the California Golden Bears and spent seven seasons playing professionally overseas. High school career Ubaka attended Oakland High School in Oakland, California. As a junior, he averaged 23 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists per game. As a senior, he averaged 23.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game as he earned fourth-team ''Parade'' All-American honors, selected first team all-state by Cal-Hi Sports, first-team All-ANG Newspapers and league MVP, and chosen All-Metro by the San Francisco Chronicle. Ubaka also played both quarterback and cornerback on the Oakland High football team his sophomore and senior years. College career In his freshman season at California, Ubaka ranked third in the Pac-10 in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.96) and ninth in the league in assists to earn honorable mention Pac-10 All-Freshman honors. He also earned Cal's 200 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ron Dorsey (basketball, Born 1983)
Ronald Houdini Dorsey (born November 2, 1983) is an American former professional basketball player. The 6'6" swingman played two seasons of college basketball for McNeese State before venturing to Europe, where he played in Finland, Lithuania and France. He is most notable for his time spent in Australia and New Zealand, where he helped lead the Cairns Taipans to the 2011 Australian NBL Grand Final and the Auckland Pirates to the 2012 New Zealand NBL Championship. College career Dorsey, a Detroit, Michigan native, played two seasons of junior college for Schoolcraft College before signing with the McNeese State men's basketball program in April 2003. Over two seasons for the Cowboys, Dorsey averaged 6.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 53 games. Professional career Between 2005 and 2007, Dorsey had two successful seasons playing in Finland and Lithuania, averaging 23 points per game for Kauhajoen Karhu in 2005–06, and 15 points per game for Neptūnas in 2006–07. He helped Nept� ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
