Aussie Hoopla NBL & NBA Podcast

Jeff Van Groningen, the current GM of Basketball for the Adelaide 36ers has been involved with the National Basketball League since 1994.

Having spent with the Geelong Supercats, Melbourne Tigers, Brisbane Bullets, Sydney Kings and Adelaide he joins host Dan Boyce to talk about the highs and lows faced by the Adelaide 36ers this season before diving into the NBA interest around potential top-10 pick Josh Giddey.

Van Groningen shares what questions NBA scouts are asking about Giddey as their scout potential draft picks for this years NBA draft and how he has seen Giddey develop as a player this season.

Jeff also tackles the abuse Ben Simmons has received in both traditional and social media, whether it's fair and the consequences it could have.

Topics include...

• Recruiting a roster amidst a pandemic. What were the obstacles and nuances to putting together the 36ers team in 2021 (2:00)
• What concerns and questions were players asking when they were deciding where to play in 2021 (8:00)
• The decision behind releasing Donald Sloan mid-season (12:00)
• While Josh Giddey had a break out season Adelaide stumbled in 2021. How do the 36ers measure whether running with an 18-year-old point guard was the right or wrong decision in hindsight (18:00)
• The exciting addition of Filipino junior star Kai Sotto and what he can bring to the 36ers next season (25:00)
• What will the 36ers be looking to add to their roster to improve for next season (31:00)
• How COVID has impacted the 36ers and the NBL financially (33:30)
• Josh Giddey's NBA interest and what questions are NBA teams asking to determine his draft potential (41:00)
• What parts of the season were the 36ers front office excited about the most in 2021 (49:00)
• The attacks on Ben Simmons after his NBA playoffs exit, whether it was fair and the impact it could have (53:30)

Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring;

Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin

Current NBL Stars - Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, AJ Ogilvy, Daniel Kickert, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Mitch McCarron, Cam Gliddon, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton, Donald Sloan

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Andre Moore, Steve Woodberry, Mike Mitchell, Ebi Ere, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chuck Harmison, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at [email protected]

Aaron Grabau played 405 games with the Cairns Taipans, was the only player to be a part of both the team's inaugural roster in 1999 and the teams first NBL Finals appearance (2011).

He became a Taipans legend and to date is the only player to have his jersey retired by the club (twice, which you'll hear about on the show) and he joins Dan Boyce on this episode to go discuss his career as well as the first 15 years of the Cairns Taipans in the NBL.

Grabau takes us those first few years of the franchise where winning was a surprise benefit, to the success achieved under coaches Alan Black and Aaron Fearne.

We revisit the Taipans visit to the 2011 NBL Finals where they finish one game short of becoming NBL champions and get his take on some of the greatest Taipans players of all time.

Grabau's resume also includes five state league championships, three ABA National Championships, two ABA National Championship MVP awards, all with the Cairns Marlins.

Grabau finished his career as the Taipans all-time leader in games played, rebounds and steals and second in all-time points scored.

He averaged 7 points and 3 rebounds over 418 NBL games and today works as a member of the Cairns Police Force.

Topics include...

• Retiring in 2013 and Joining the police force how being a part of the Taipans prepared him for his second career (2:00)
• A rookie season with the Geelong Supercats (6:00)
• The Cairns Taipans enter the NBL in 1999 (9:00)
• The Taipans debut season and its 0-7 start and the first win in Taipans history (11:30)
• The Taipan's roster for that inaugural season and how the losses impacted the team (15:00)
• The Taipans make the playoffs in 2004 and success begins in Cairns (16:30)
• Alan Black joins the team as coach and the team recruits Darnell Mee, Martin Cattalini, Nathan Jawai (19:00)
• Comparing the coaching styles of Rod Popp, Guy Molloy, Alan Black and Aaron Fearne (20:00)
• Nate Jawai as a young player (24:30)
• Aaron Grabau's prime years during 2004-07 (26:00)
• The Taipans disintegrate and fall into voluntary administration (27:30)
• The impact of Darnell Mee in Cairns (30:00)
• Players Aaron looked up to growing up (32:00)
• The Taipans reach the NBL Finals in 2011 (33:00)
• Losing good players to other NBL clubs, what toll does that take on players and the club (36:00)
• What led to his decision to retire (37:30)
• The story behind Grabau's jersey retirement and how he came to be retired by the club twice (39:00)
• The teams and players he loved playing against the most (40:30)
• The best Cairns Taipans players in team history (44:00)
• The highlights and lessons of Aaron's career (46:00)

Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring;

Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin

Current NBL Stars - Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, AJ Ogilvy, Daniel Kickert, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Mitch McCarron, Cam Gliddon, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton, Donald Sloan

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Andre Moore, Steve Woodberry, Mike Mitchell, Ebi Ere, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chuck Harmison, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at [email protected]

Head Coach of the New Zealand National Men's basketball team, the Tall Blacks, joins Dan Boyce on this episode to talk about his time in the NBL, Steven Adams chances of joining the squad in the future, how New Zealand basketballers aspire to play in the NBL and coaching plans for the Tall Blacks future.

Pero Cameron was a part of the inaugural New Zealand Breakers squad who entered the NBL in 2003 and went on to play five seasons in Australia. He was also a part of the inaugural Gold Coast Blaze team in 2007.

He played 130 NBL games and averaged 9 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists and was one of the greatest "screen setters" in NBL history and a consummate professional.

His greatest success came whilst playing in the NZNBL where he is a 9-time NZNBL champion (1995-1997, 1999-2002, 2008, 2009) and for his efforts playing for the New Zealand national team, known as the Tall Blacks.

Pero was the captain of the New Zealand Team that defeated Australia in the Oceania championships in 2001 and achieved history by reaching the semi-finals of the FIBA World Championship in 2002.

Pero's achievements were recognised worldwide when he was named part of the FIBA Hall Of Fame in 2017.

Topics include...

• The impact the Australian NBL had on aspiring basketballers in New Zealand basketball in the 1990s (2:00)
• The New Zealand Tall Blacks success defeat the Australian Boomers in 2001 (7:00)
• Finishing 4th at the 2002 FIBA World Championships (13:00)
• Facing Team USA at the 2002 FIBA World Championships (17:00)
• A chance to win a bronze medal in 2002 (22:00)
• The Tall Blacks FIBA drop off in 2004 and 2006 and what led to that (25:00)
• Pero's Tall Black career and what it means to him (28:00)
• The New Zealand Breakers enter the NBL in 2003 (30:00)
• The chances of New Zealand entering a second team in the NBL (34:00)
• Memories from the Breakers first season in the NBL (37:00)
• Playing for the New Zealand Breakers between 2003-06 (39:00)
• Playing for the Gold Coast Blaze and how he decided to retire (44:00)
• Coaching the New Zealand Tall Blacks (46:00)
• The chances we see NBA star Steven Adams suit up for the Tall Blacks next tournament (51:00)
• The biggest highlights and hurdles from Pero's career and what he learnt from them all (52:30)

Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring;

Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin

Current NBL Stars - Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, AJ Ogilvy, Daniel Kickert, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Mitch McCarron, Cam Gliddon, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton, Donald Sloan

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Andre Moore, Steve Woodberry, Mike Mitchell, Ebi Ere, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chuck Harmison, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at [email protected]

Melbourne United rookie Jack White had just begun a fantastic rookie season when he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury against the Cairns Taipans in April.

Jack now faces 12 months of rehabilitation to get back onto the court and in uniform for United.

We spoke to Jack about his take on his own rookie season prior to the injury, get an update on his injury and rehab as well as take look at why he chose to sign with United for his debut season as a professional, memories of playing at Duke University with NBA stars like Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum and Cam Reddish and what teams he think will find themselves in the NBL Finals this year and what Melbourne needs to do to get there.

Topics include...

• An update on Jack's Achilles injury post surgery? (2:00)
• What is causing the increase in injuries in the NBL this season? (5:00)
• Jack's take on his season before so far (9:00)
• Jack's role with Melbourne United and how it's different to his role at Duke University (12:00)
• Wrapping up college (18:00)
• Why he decided Melbourne United was the best team to play for in his first year as a pro (20:00)
• The Gippsland basketball connection at Melbourne United (23:00)
• The biggest learning curve from his rookie season so far (24:00)
• Highlights of his first year in the league (26:00)
• Duke coach Mike K opinion of Jack White as a basketball player (30:00)
• Thoughts of Melbourne United's chances of making the Finals and who they will face

Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring;

Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin

Current NBL Stars - Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, AJ Ogilvy, Daniel Kickert, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Mitch McCarron, Cam Gliddon, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton, Donald Sloan

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Andre Moore, Steve Woodberry, Mike Mitchell, Ebi Ere, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chuck Harmison, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at [email protected]

Mark Leader joined the Devonport Warriors NBL team in 1983 after graduating from Western Oregon University.

A 6 month holiday in Australia that turned into a 12-year NBL playing career that included championships in 1989 and 1994 with the North Melbourne Giants.

Leader, who is the only Giants player to be a part of the two title runs, he also captained the squad from 1993 to 1995.

After his career Leader turned his hand to coaching, first with the Giants NBL program as an assistant under Brett Brown and then as head coach of the Ballarat Miners and Geelong Supercats in the state league where he won national championships at both clubs.

Mark joins Dan Boyce on the podcast to discuss Tasmanian Hoops in the 1980s, Geelong Supercats returning to the NBL and his championship seasons in 1989 and 1994.

• Life after basketball... how Mark has spent his time since retiring in 1995 (2:00)
• How Mark was recruited to Australia from Oregon, USA (4:30)
• The Devonport Warriors NBL team which existed from 1983-1984 (8:30)
• Thoughts on basketball returning to Tasmania with the JackJumpers in 2021 (9:30)
• NBL player-coaches in the 1980s (11:00)
• His decision to move to the mainland and play for the Geelong Cats (12:00)
• Is it likely we see Geelong ever return to the National League (18:00)
• Becoming a naturalised Australian and joining the North Melbourne Giants in 1988 (19:00)
• Memories of playing alongside the "Twin Boulders" Scott Fisher and Tim Dillon (22:30)
• Bouncing back from the Grand Final loss in 1988 (25:00)
• Winning it all with the Giants in 1989 (27:00)
• Darryl McDonald joins the team in 1994 and the Giants win their second NBL championship (32:00)
• Learning from Brett Brown (39:00)
• Deciding to retire in 1995 (42:00)
• The best players Mark faced during his career (43:00)
• The highlights and challenges from his basketball journey (45:00)

Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring;

Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Brad Newley

Current NBL Stars -Donald Sloan, AJ Ogilvy, Damian Martin, Daniel Kickert, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Mitch McCarron, Cam Gliddon, Anthony Drmic

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Phil Smyth, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Andre Moore, Steve Woodberry, Mike Mitchell, Dusty Rychart, Ebi Ere, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chuck Harmison, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at [email protected]

Dejan Vasiljevic played his junior basketball with the Melbourne Tigers program before accepting a scholarship to attend Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence and shortly after the University of Miami.

Vasiljevic graduated in 2020 band declared for the NBA Draft but with COVID-19 cancelling any opportunity for NBA teams to see players work out prior to the draft his stock plummeted.

Dejan returned home to Australia and after considering a number of European offers decided to play his first professional season in the NBL with the Sydney Kings.

He is currently averaging 17 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists after 18 games and alongside former teammate at the Melbourne Tigers, Josh Giddey is a top candidate for the NBL's Rookie of the Year award.

Dejan joined Dan Boyce on the podcast to break down his journey so far and his transitioning his game to the NBL.

• Dejan's family heritage and how his family had to flee war-torn Serbia (2:00)
• Junior basketball memories playing for the Melbourne Tigers (6:00)
• A scholarship to the AIS (8:30)
• Playing for the University of Miami (10:00)
• How nominating for the 2020 NBA draft was different under COVID-19 protocols (19:00)
• NBA goals and why he signed a three-year deal with the Sydney Kings (20:00)
• The reasons why he chose the Kings over multiple other NBL squads for his rookie season (21:00)
• Playing for coach Adam Forde and what motivates him on the court (22:30)
• Thoughts on the NBL Rookie of the Year Award (24:00)
• Dejan's biggest games in the NBL so far (26:30)
• What his role is with the Sydney Kings and how it's changed throughout the year (28:00)
• Why his transition from college to the NBL was an easy one (30:00) Australia junior team success (31:30)
• Goals for playing for the Boomers (33:00)
• What teams does he love to play against the most (34:00)
• The biggest challenges and highlights in his career so far (35:00)

Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring;

Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Brad Newley

Current NBL Stars -Donald Sloan, AJ Ogilvy, Damian Martin, Daniel Kickert, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Mitch McCarron, Cam Gliddon, Anthony Drmic

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Phil Smyth, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Andre Moore, Steve Woodberry, Mike Mitchell, Dusty Rychart, Ebi Ere, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chuck Harmison, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at [email protected]

Earlier this month the Adelaide 36ers signed former San Antonio Spurs swingman Brandon Paul as a replacement for Donald Sloan.

He's set to debut with the 36ers after spending two weeks in quarantine and he joined us on the Aussie Hoopla podcast to share stories of playing overseas, his time with the Spurs and plans for his time in Australia and the Adelaide 36ers.

• Brandon's quarantine routine (2:00)
• Thoughts on the Adelaide 36ers (8:00)
• What he thinks he can bring to the 36ers line-up (9:00)
• Growing up in Illinois and attending the University of Illinois (11:00)
• Lessons learnt from his basketball mentor and 3-time NBA champion Dickey Simpkins (14:00)
• Memories from playing at the University of Illinois (16:00)
• The impact his family had on his basketball journey (18:00)
• Going undrafted in the 2013 NBA draft and his experiences playing in Europe (19:00)
• The role Brett Brown played in bringing Brandon to Australia (24:00)
• Tim Duncan, Gregg Popovich and Patty Mills stories from playing with the Spurs in 2013 (25:00)
• Finishing up with the Spurs and playing in China (35:00)
• What his role will look like with the 36ers (40:00)
• NBA plans for the future (42:00)
• The biggest mistakes he made during his career and what he learnt from them (45:00)
• Career highlights (46:00)

Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring;

Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Brad Newley

Current NBL Stars -Donald Sloan, AJ Ogilvy, Damian Martin, Daniel Kickert, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Mitch McCarron, Cam Gliddon, Anthony Drmic

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Phil Smyth, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Andre Moore, Steve Woodberry, Mike Mitchell, Dusty Rychart, Ebi Ere, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chuck Harmison, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at [email protected]

Luke Nevill grew up playing basketball for the Stirling Senators in Western Australia. After struggling to get noticed by elite coaches in Australia he moved to the United States to play high school basketball with Kell High School in Marietta, Georgia.

It didn't take long to be noticed by the University of Utah and accepted a scholarship in 2004. He decided to redshirt his first year as a Utah Ute and developed his skills during training sessions against fellow big man Andrew Bogut.

With NBA interest growing around Nevill he decided to return to college for his senior season, leading the Utes to the NCAA Tournament. At the conclusion of the season, he was named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 16.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.7 blocks per game.

Nevill went undrafted and after participating in a training camp invitation from the Cleveland Cavaliers he became one of the first Australian's to go on to play in the NBA D-League, signing with the Utah Flash in 2009.

He played 48 games, started 43 of them and averaged 11.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 blocks per game.

In 2010 Nevill returned to Australia, signing a deal with the Melbourne Tigers. It was a tumultuous season for the Tigers, after recruiting multiple big men (Cam Tragardh, Wade Helliwell and Matthew Burston had also signed deals that season) the team had an unbalanced roster and failed to make the playoffs.

Nevill averaged 12 points, 7 rebounds and 1 block in only 25 minutes per game.

The following year Nevill returned to Perth when the opportunity to play for his hometown Perth Wildcats came along. In the 2011–12 NBL season, Nevill averaged 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block per game and helped the team reach the NBL Grand Final where they narrowly lost to the New Zealand Breakers.

Nevill signed a pre-season deal with the Indiana Pacers in 2012. He narrowly missed out on making the team and then returned to the NBL, signing with the Townsville Crocodiles mid-season.

Nevill played in Taiwan during the 2013–14 season before returning for his last NBL season with the Wollongong Hawks in 2014.

It was a difficult season for Nevill who averaged the lowest numbers of his NBL career, 7 points, 6 rebounds per game in a team that finished dead last with a record of 6-22.

Nevill would play the remainder of his career in Taiwan and Qatar before retiring in 2018.

• Coaching in the US High School system during COVID-19 (2:00)
• Junior basketball playing for the Stirling Senators in WA (10:00)
• Playing high school basketball in the states (12:00)
• Attending Utah University (14:30)
• Entering the NBA Draft and reflections on if he stayed at college too long (20:00)
• Lebron James and Shaquille O'Neal stories from Cleveland Cavaliers training camp (28:30)
• Returning to Australia to play with the Melbourne Tigers (33:00)
• An opportunity to play in Russia (36:00)
• A last-minute signing with the Perth Wildcats and narrowly missing out on an NBL championship (44:00)
• An opportunity to play in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers (48:30)
• A year with the Townsville Crocodiles (51:00)
• Playing in the SBL with the Kalamunda Suns (53:00)
• Representing the Australian Boomers in 2013 (54:00)
• Why his final season in the NBL with Wollongong was the toughest year of his career (58:00)
• The decline of the big man and how it impacted Luke's career (102:00)
• The culture shock of playing in Taiwan (104:30)
• The biggest mistakes of his career and what Luke learnt from them (109:00)
• The highlight of his career (1:12:00)

Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring;

Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Brad Newley

Current NBL Stars -Donald Sloan, AJ Ogilvy, Damian Martin, Daniel Kickert, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Mitch McCarron, Cam Gliddon, Anthony Drmic

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Phil Smyth, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Andre Moore, Steve Woodberry, Mike Mitchell, Dusty Rychart, Ebi Ere, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chuck Harmison, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at [email protected]

Doc Adkins is largely unknown to most current NBL fans but is truly an unsung hero of the league and responsible for much of the NBL's success since it was started in 1979.

He helped recruit players such as Cal Bruton, Leroy Loggins, James Crawford, Steve Carfino, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Chuck Harmison and many other NBL Hall Of Famers who would go on to develop the league to the standard it is today.

He is a true pioneer of Australian basketball and worthy of being included in the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame.

On this podcast, he joins Dan Boyce to talk about his involvement in the early years of the NBL.

Topics include;

• How Dr Dave Adkins became involved in Australian Basketball (2:00)
• Bringing Cal Bruton to Australia (13:00)
• How did Dave "sell" the NBL to import players in the 70s and 80s (16:00)
• How was recruiting import players different in the 70s and 80s compared to the 90s when basketball was exploding in Australia (30:00)
• Dave's relationship with Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse (38:00)
• The methods he followed when identifying a quality import for Australian teams (45:00)
• Coaching the Hobart Devils from 1986-1989 (54:00)
• Why Dr Dave Adkins needs to be included in the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame (102:00)
• How the NBL was viewed across Australia when it launched in 1979 (1:07:00)
• What players he sent to Australia surprised him the most with their NBL careers (1:10:00)
• The biggest learnings Dave has taken away from his time in basketball (1:19:00)

Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring;

Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Brad Newley

Current NBL Stars -Donald Sloan, AJ Ogilvy, Damian Martin, Daniel Kickert, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Mitch McCarron, Cam Gliddon, Anthony Drmic

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Phil Smyth, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Andre Moore, Steve Woodberry, Mike Mitchell, Dusty Rychart, Ebi Ere, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chuck Harmison, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at [email protected]

Adam Caporn is the current head coach of Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence and an assistant coach with the Australian Boomers.

Caporn was Australia's first player recruited to Saint Mary's College of California which lead to an influx of Aussie talent through the doors of Saint Mary's that included NBL and NBA stars like Daniel Kickert, Patrick Mills, Matthew Dellavedova and Jock Landale all play for the Gaels.

Caporn returned to Australia after two seasons in California to play three seasons with the Wollongong Hawks (2003-06) and three seasons with the Perth Wildcats (2006-09).

After retiring at only 27 years of age he returned to Saint Mary's as an assistant to head coach Randy Bennett, who had recruited him to the Gaels a decade earlier.

The opportunity to become the head coach at Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence arose in 2014 and Caporn returned home.

He has since also become an assistant coach with the Australian Men's National team.

Topics include;

• The merry-go-round that has been the Australian Boomers coaching staff this year (2:00)
• Thoughts on Brian Goorjian returning to lead the Boomers (11:00)
• Jack White, Josh Green, Tamuri Wigness and Josh Giddeys chances of being a part of the Boomers squad for the 2021 Olympics (12:30)
• Thoughts on the NBL debuts of Josh Giddey and Tamuri Wigness (14:00)
• How does the NBL Next Stars program impact the NBA Academy or Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence (18:00)
• How changing from the AIS to Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence has impacted the development of young basketball talent (23:00)
• Who are some of the best young talent coming through these programs that could land in the NBL or the NBA sometime soon? (28:00)
• Adam Caporns own experiences from attending the AIS (32:00) Attending St Marys (California) University and opening up the Aussie pipeline for the Gaels which included Daniel Kickert, Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova and Jock Landale (35:00)
• Returning to play in the NBL with Wollongong (41:00)
• Signing with his hometown Perth Wildcats (45:00)
• Retiring from the NBL at 27 years of age (49:00)
• Coaching his first Boomers game as a head coach during the FIBA qualifiers (56:00)
• The biggest mistake he made during his playing career and what he learnt from it (58:00)
• Why he decided against becoming the Adelaide 36ers head coach this season (103:00)

Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring;

Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Brad Newley

Current NBL Stars -Donald Sloan, AJ Ogilvy, Damian Martin, Daniel Kickert, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Mitch McCarron, Cam Gliddon, Anthony Drmic

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Phil Smyth, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Andre Moore, Steve Woodberry, Mike Mitchell, Dusty Rychart, Ebi Ere, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chuck Harmison, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at [email protected]