With just over two weeks to go before the Townsville McDonald’s Crocodiles announce the Suns & Crocs 20th Anniversary All Stars Team, we look at some players that will be in the running for spots...
The team will be announced at the 20th Anniversary Gala Luncheon on the 15th of January at Jupiters Hotel and Casino Ballroom.
Clarence Tyson
Clarence ‘The Elevator’ Tyson was one of the most exciting and talented players to ever run out for the Townsville Suns. His athletic ability earned him the ‘Elevator’ moniker and the crowd loved his high-flying antics and determination down the defensive end. A rebounding machine, Clarence amassed an incredible 1,064 rebounds for the club with an amazing average of 14.2 rebounds per game. Tyson’s partnership with import point guard Derek Rucker was one of the most lethal combinations in the NBL and both players earned swag of individual honours including club MVP’s and spots in the All NBL First Teams. Clarence enjoyed cult status during his time at the club and it’s hard to see him missing out on a spot. Tyson will fly over from the U.S. for the festivities and is one of the star attractions for the Suns/Crocs Legends team in their game vs. an NBL Legends team.
Ray Owes
Another outstanding American centre, Ray Owes had two stints at the club over the years, first in 1998 and again briefly in the 2001/02 season. Owes was one of the club’s highest profile signings in history, boasting NBA experience and seemingly the perfect fit for the departed Clarence Tyson. Owes averaged 19 points and 12 rebounds a game and joined Rucker in the all NBL first team on the back of a stellar debut season for the Suns. Owes was another player who spent a limited time at the club but was hugely popular amongst players and fans alike.
Andrew Goodwin
Andrew ‘Goodie’ Goodwin spent six seasons with the club and established himself as one of the greatest Crocs big men of all time. A ruthless competitor, Goodie was a threat inside and out and for the Crocs and provided a great option from beyond the perimeter. Revered for his toughness and intensity on the court, Andrew won many fans during his time at the club and was a large part of the success the Crocs enjoyed during his time with the club. Still living in Townsville, Goodwin was a large part of Townsville’s run all the way to the Grand Final series in 2000/01 also featured in the Crocs lineup that won an incredible 16 straight games in the 2002/03 season.
Luke Schenscher
In only his second year with the club, Luke Schenscher has already made a massive impact at the Townsville Crocodiles. Recruited from the Championship winning Perth Wildcats in 2010, Luke has an outstanding first year for the Crocs and picked up the Kevin Sugars Medal as the club’s MVP. The talented 7-footer started his NBL career in his hometown of Adelaide with the 36ers and has also spent time playing in the NBA. After a successful collegiate career with Georgia Tech, the South Australian product had brief stints with the Chicago Bulls and the Portland Trailblazers before eventually returning home to play in the NBL. Enjoying some career best form during the Crocs run to the semi-finals last year, Luke is returning to form this season after missing the Crocs first seven games with injury and is an important piece to the Crocs puzzle in the 2011/12 season.
Ricky Jones
‘The Rainman’ Ricky Jones played in the club’s first two season in 1993 and 1994 and was nothing short of incredible during his time with the Suns. Jones had 47 points in the franchise’s first ever game against the Newcastle Falcons. He hold the club record for most points in a single game with 53 points against the South East Melbourne Magic in the last game of the Suns inaugural season, and scored 40 plus points on five separate occasions. The Rainman was known for his monster dunks on opposing players and starred for the club in their early years. His career averages of 27.7 points and 8 rebounds is among the best in the club’s history and Jones continues to be one of the most fondly remembered players from the Suns era.
Pat Reidy
Pat Reidy joined the Crocs in 2000 and finished his illustrious 467-game NBL career at the club in 2005. Reidy picked up two club MVP awards during his time at the Crocs and was one of the greatest low post players in club history. Pat was never known for his athletic ability but his fierce determination and strong work ethic saw him play a major rule for the Crocs in their glory days of the early 00’s. The Crocs reached the semi finals or better in three of the five seasons Pat was here and he was a key cog in the team that made it to the 2001 Grand Final as well as being a part of the Crocs record 16-game winning streak the following season. A former Australian Boomer, Reidy averaged 15.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists during his time in a Crocodiles singlet. Still living in Townsville, Reidy is a regular at the Crocs Club in Wulguru and has done an outstanding job as the event co-coordinator of the Suns/Crocs vs. NBL Legends game.
Larry Abney
In only two seasons at the Crocs, Larry ‘The Birdman’ Abney quickly cemented his spot as one of the greatest import players the club has ever recruited. Larry played in Townsville from 2005 to 2007 and was nothing short of phenomenal across his 64 games as a Crocodile. He won the club MVP awards both years he was here and produced some of the greatest slam dunks Townsville basketball fans have ever seen. More than just a flashy import, Abney averaged a double-double for the Crocs with 20.7 points and 10.3 rebounds. His ‘Birdman’ hand symbol after a bug dunk made him a crowd favourite at ‘The Swamp’ and he earned All NBL First Team honours in the 2005/06 season.
Daniel Egan
Known as ‘The Fanman’ due to his sponsorship with ALB distributors, Daniel Egan played three seasons at the club between 2007 and 2009. Egan could be relied on to provide some offensive spark off the bench and was a solid rebounder and defender. Still living in Townsville and currently studying at JCU, Egan came to the club after stints with the Melbourne Tigers and the Brisbane Bullets and played the final three years of his career in Townsville. The club reached the playoffs every year Egan was at the club and the athletic ‘Fanman’ averaged 8.6 points and 4.2 rebounds in his 101 games for the club. Daniel will return to ‘the Swamp’ in the Suns/Crocs vs NBL Legends game.
Jason Cameron
Jason Cameron holds the unique record of being the only player to play in all 154 games of the Townsville Suns six season history. The Suns foundation member was a tireless worker on the court and in 1995 was selected in the Future Forces team on the NBL’s All Star Game, signaling him as one of the greatest up-and-coming talents in the league. Had his best year with the club in 1997 where he averaged a career high 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Always a solid contributor for the Suns, JC went on to play for the Brisbane Bullets after the Suns final season in 1998.
Mike Kelly
One of the most popular players in the club’s 20-year history, U.S. import Mike Kelly joined the club in the 1999/00 season and came to be one of the greatest defensive players Townsville has ever seen. Nicknamed ‘Buzz Lightyear’, Kelly was lethal from beyond the arc and the Californian native won many fans over with his outstanding efforts on the court and was a genuine nice guy off the court. Mike played five seasons with the Crocs, and was one of the key contributors in their run to the Grand Final series in the 2000/01 season. Kelly continued n the NBL with the Wollongong Hawks up until the 2006 season before returning home to the States with his wife and family. Currently the Assistant Coach at Utah Valley University, Kelly was sorely missed by the Crocs and remains one of the clubs favourite sons.
Sam Mackinnon
‘Slammin’ Sam Mackinnon was recruited to the club in their first season as the Crocodiles, with incoming Head Coach Ian Stacker able to lure the Australian Olympic player to Townsville. Sam was a crowd favourite at ‘The Swamp’ due to his explosive athleticism and played 73 games for the Crocs over three seasons. The club’s MVP in the 2000/01 season, Mackinnon and was also named in the All NBL First team after a standout season where he averaged 17.3 points and 8.6 rebounds. Sam played at several clubs before and after the Crocs and his stellar 459 game career marks him as one of the greatest NBL players in history. Mackinnon will return to ‘The Swamp’ when he runs out for the Suns/Crocs legends against the NBL Legends on January the 14th before the Crocs tackle the Sydney Kings.
Brad Newley
The only active player on this list, Brad Newley was brilliant during his three seasons at the Crocs and picked up a swag of individual accolades across his 102 games as a Crocodile. The South Australian product played his debut season in 2004/05 with the Crocs and picked up the league’s Rookie of the Year and Best Sixth Man award in what is considered one of the greatest debut season in history. Newley is an excellent jump shooter and defender and often brought ‘The Swamp’ to life with a massive dunk or long three. After leaving the Crocs to ply his trade overseas, ‘Noodles’ was drafted in the second round of the NBA draft by the Houston Rockets before finding his way to the Greek A1 League. Newley has played for several big European clubs and currently represents BC Lietuvos rytas in the lucrative Euroleague. One of the most exciting young players in the club’s history, Newley is sure to be a contender for a spot in the 20th Anniversary All Stars Team.
Rimas Kurtinaitis
One of the greatest players to ever represent the Townsville Suns, Lithuanian Rimas Kurtinaitis played in the club’s inaugural season in 1993 and quickly mad his mark on the Townsville basketball community. A World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist with Lithuania and the U.S.S.R, Rimas starred for the Suns on the 1993 season, averaging 25 points and 5 rebounds across his 21 games. Rimas was one the European import to ever play in the NBL. While only playing one season in Townsville, Rimas’ 19 year pro career was littered with highlights, including playing stints all across Europe, including two bronze and a Gold Medal at the Olympic level.
John Rillie
John Rillie is one of the club’s great servants, spending five seasons at the club between 2005 and 2009. Lethal from long-range, Rillie is one of the greatest shooters the club has ever and hit 464 threes during his 168 games he played for the club. JR was an inspirational captain for the Crocs and won three club MVP awards in 2005, 2007 and 2008. Rillie also represented the Boomers at the Athens Olympics in 2004 and hit a career-high ten threes in a memorable win against the Perth Wildcats in their 2009 elimination final.
Rob Rose
When discussing the greatest NBL players of all time, Robert Rose is a name that instantly springs to mind. ‘The ‘Magician’ played in the NBL from 1992 to 2007. Rose joined the Crocs in the 1998-99 season after spending time at several other NBL clubs, including the now defunct Canberra Cannons and South East Melbourne Magic. One of only three players in the Suns/Crocs Hall of Fame, Rose was nothing short of outstanding during his time in Townsville. The New York native won four club MVP’s as well as earning the NBL’s MVP award after his incredible 2001 season. Still living in Townsville, Rob runs the successful Vine21 wine bar and restaurant with his wife Patricia and will again light up ‘The Swamp’ when he runs out for the Suns/Crocs Legends on January 14th against the NBL Legends.
Peter Crawford
Hailing from Mt. Isa in western Queensland, Peter Crawford has been in stunning form this season and continues to rise up the ranks as one of Townsville’s greatest ever players. Crawford started his career with the Crocs way back in 2000 and spent four years with the club until being snared by the Perth Wildcats for the 2005 season. PC improved drastically at the Wildcats, winning the NBL’s Most Improved Player Award for his breakout 2005 season. After leaving the Wildcats to return to Townsville, PC has again impressed with his perimeter shooting, strong defence and ability to hit clutch shots in pressure situations. He has been the Crocs most consistent performer this year, averaging over 17 points a game and shooting a career-high 47.7% from beyond the arc. After suffering through the Crocs Grand Final heartbreak in 2001, PC is determined to help the team lift a maiden NBL championship this season.
Derek Rucker
In the Suns era from 1993 to 1998, the standout point guard is without a doubt Derek Rucker. The slick American import was an outstanding offensive talent and won four consecutive club MVP awards. His explosive pace and ability to penetrate at will saw him average an incredible 27.6 points. In addition to his scoring, Rucker was equally skilled at getting his teammates involved in the game and averaged 7.7 assists throughout his four years as a Townsville Sun. A regular in the all NBL First team, ‘the Pocket Rocket’ dominated the league during his time at Townsville and it’s hard to see the fan favourite missing out on a spot in the All Stars team.
David Blades
David ‘Razor’ Blades has to be mentioned when talking about point guards at the club with the local product playing from 1993-1996 at ‘the Furnace’ for the Townsville Suns. ‘Razor’ always set a blistering pace and the Hall-of-famer was a valuable asset to the club in its early years. Still living in Townsville, Blades was a fierce competitor and never gave an inch to opposition teams down the defensive end. Being a local, David was always a crowd favourite and he will relive his glory days when returning to ‘the Swamp’ for the Suns/Crocs Legends vs. NBL Legends game to be held the night before the All Star team announcement.
Brad Davidson
In a league where American point guards dominate the headlines, Brad ‘Sparkplug’ Davidson was a quiet achiever for the Crocs and could always be relied on to lift the team when they were down. Despite his diminutive stature, Davidson was a great performer for the Crocs during his five seasons with the club. One of only a handful of players to represent the Suns and the Crocs, Brad was a part of the 2000/01 squad that fell one short of Championship glory against the Wollongong Hawks in the club’s only ever grand final appearance.
Wayne Turner
A University of Kentucky Alumnus, Wayne ‘the Burner’ Turner made a huge impression on the Townsville Crocodiles, despite only spending one year with the club. Turner came to the club with outstanding credentials form his stellar college career and quickly endeared himself to Crocs fans with his athleticism and impressive passing ability. In the 2002/03 season ‘the Burner’ averaged 19.3 points, 7 rebounds, and over five assists per game. Currently coaching at his beloved University of Kentucky, Turner is sure to come into All Star contention and remains one of the more memorable point guards of the past 20 seasons.
Kelvin Robertson
One of Townsville’s greatest ever basketball products, Kelvin Robertson was always a crowd favourite during his time as a Crocodile. Kelvin played seven seasons for the club and his work ethic and determination was second to none during this time. Known for his three-point shooting, Kelvin could always be relied on to provide some energy and spark off the bench and his sportsmanship and general demeanour quickly made him a favourite amongst fans. Serious knee injuries in 2009 and 2010 cut Kelvin’s career short with the club and he retired one of the most popular players in club history. Kelvin is a fully-qualified pharmacist and still lives in Townsville with his young family. He is another player who will run out for the Suns/Crocs legends team, much to the delight of ‘The Swamp’ faithful.
The Suns & Crocs 20th Anniversary All Stars Team will be voted on by a panel of Basketball experts and broadcasters and will be announced on the 14th of January at the 20th Anniversary Gala Luncheon.
