Aylen set to create NBL history

This Sunday will be a historic moment for the NBL, as Michael Aylen becomes the competition’s all-time leader in games officiated.

The 10-time NBL Referee of the Year will surpass Ray Hunt (949 games) during Perth’s Round 18 game against Melbourne at RAC Arena.

Aylen, who also recently passed childhood idol Bill Mildenhall (945), is extremely proud to break the long-standing record.

“People have said for a while that I was going to pass Ray and Bill, who were great mentors and beacons in my career, for some time, but a lot of hard work, effort, commitment and perseverance have gone into this,” Aylen said.

“I’ve been lucky enough to achieve many accolades during my career, which have all been humbling, and wouldn’t have been possible without my family.

“It’s great to know that after 31 years of doing this, the ‘fat kid from Nunawading’ did okay.”

Those accolades Aylen touched on include being a FIBA referee from 1997 to 2022, officiating at three Olympic Games (2004, 2008 and 2012) and three FIBA men’s World Cups (2006, 2010 and 2014).

Of note was the Olympic men’s gold medal game between the USA and Spain in 2012, as well as the U19 Men’s 2003 World Cup bronze medal game.

But this record, which includes 75 NBL Grand Final appearances, may never have happened if Aylen retired as he had planned after the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Instead, Aylen, 56, trained harder than ever and established himself as one of the top officials around the world.

“[To get to where I am today], I’ve worked very hard,” Aylen said.

“I go to bed at 8pm, wake up at 5am, doing an hour of cardio before watching games and doing weights. I leave no stone unturned.

“Everyone on the panel will talk about how detailed I am, but I guess that’s why I’ve been able to achieve what I have.

“I’ve also been lucky not to suffer any major injuries, apart from a broken bone in my foot in one Championship Series and hurting my meniscus another time, but I just worked through that.

“I was lucky that I was predisposed to these elite habits early in my career, while figuring out what works for me.”

Moments like this also allow Aylen to reflect on his journey and the impact he’s made on the game.

“You can’t sniff at 10 Referee of the Year Awards, especially ending Billy Mildenhall's reign of 16 in a row in 2004. That was a highlight, and helped me get to the Olympics later that year,” he said.

“Also, being a part of every Championship Series since 2001 is sort of unheard of and very special to me, especially considering about 8 per cent of my NBL games have been on the biggest stage.

“Finally, now being able to help guide the next generation of officials, through the ERP [Elite Referee Program] and then be out on the court with them, watching their growth and development, is something I hold in high regard.

“It makes me proud that I’ve crossed paths with so many people along the journey.”

One colleague who has witnessed the majority of Aylen’s career firsthand is Head of NBL Referees, Scott Butler.

“In some ways, it [950 games] is less about the amazing record, and it's more about his continuous service to the game, the expertise that he brings to the game, and also the influence he's had on so many people across that time,” Butler said.

“He's been part of the complete growth of the business, and his legacy on the sport, especially in this country, is massive."

Aylen will receive a special presentation prior to Sunday’s Wildcats and United game at RAC Arena.

The Round 18 fixture tips off at 4.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN and 10 Drama.