Brett Wheeler
Encyclopedia
Brett Wheeler, is a former professional basketball player in the NBL
.
The 6'10" (208 cm) tall Centre
began his NBL career with the Adelaide 36ers
in 1991. He stayed with the 36ers until moving to the South East Melbourne Magic
in 1998. Unfortunately for Wheeler, who never won a championship in his time with Adelaide, the Magic were defeated by the 36ers for the NBL championship that same season.
Following the merger of the Magic and their cross-Melbourne
rivals the North Melbourne Giants
at the end of the 1998 season, the Victoria Titans
were born and Wheeler became the teams backup centre to 7'0" (213 cm) tall team mate Ben Pepper
, though he often started at power forward
giving the Titans probably the largest back court in the league at the time. He would stay with the Titans until the end of 2002, helping the club to the NBL grand final series in both the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons. The 1998-99 title loss was again to the 36ers while in the 1999-2000 season, the Titans lost to the Perth Wildcats
.
Following the 2001-02 NBL season
, Wheeler was on the move again, this time joining the Perth Wildcats for the 2002-03 season
where he would play in his 4th losing grand final series, this time going down to the Sydney Kings
. He would finally get to win the NBL championship after moving to the defending champion Kings the next season, winning both the 2004 and 2005
championships with the Kings.
After losing his 5th grand final series to the Melbourne Tigers
in 2006
, Wheeler moved back to Adelaide for the 2006-07 season
before retiring from the NBL having played 448 games over 17 seasons.
Wheeler's play in the NBL also saw him selected to play for the Australian Boomers
19 times. He also holds the record for most points in an NBL game without scoring a field goal. (He had 9-of-10 free throws for the Magic against Townsville
in a 1998 fixture.)
, a liver disease that will likely require a liver transplant.
National Basketball League (Australia)
The National Basketball League, also known as the iiNet NBL Championship for sponsorship reasons, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in Australasia....
.
The 6'10" (208 cm) tall Centre
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
began his NBL career with the Adelaide 36ers
Adelaide 36ers
The Adelaide 36ers are Adelaide's men's professional basketball team, established as the Adelaide City Eagles when they joined the National Basketball League in 1982. The Adelaide 36ers tally of four championships is equal with the Melbourne Tigers and second behind the Perth Wildcats as the most...
in 1991. He stayed with the 36ers until moving to the South East Melbourne Magic
South East Melbourne Magic
The South East Melbourne Magic were an Australian basketball team, that played in Melbourne, Victoria, in the National Basketball League. The team was the result of a merger of two Melbourne clubs for the 1992 season...
in 1998. Unfortunately for Wheeler, who never won a championship in his time with Adelaide, the Magic were defeated by the 36ers for the NBL championship that same season.
Following the merger of the Magic and their cross-Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
rivals the North Melbourne Giants
North Melbourne Giants
The North Melbourne Giants were an Australian basketball team, that played in Melbourne, Victoria, in the National Basketball League.-History :The team was formed in 1980 as the Coburg Giants and were renamed in 1987 as the North Melbourne Giants...
at the end of the 1998 season, the Victoria Titans
Victoria Titans
The Victoria Titans were an Australian basketball team, that played in Melbourne, Victoria, in the National Basketball League. The team was the result of a merger of two Melbourne clubs for the inaugural NBL summer season of 1998/99...
were born and Wheeler became the teams backup centre to 7'0" (213 cm) tall team mate Ben Pepper
Ben Pepper
Ben Pepper is an Australian basketball player, who played for the twelve seasons in the National Basketball League.-Professional career:...
, though he often started at power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
giving the Titans probably the largest back court in the league at the time. He would stay with the Titans until the end of 2002, helping the club to the NBL grand final series in both the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons. The 1998-99 title loss was again to the 36ers while in the 1999-2000 season, the Titans lost to the Perth Wildcats
Perth Wildcats
The Perth Wildcats are an Australian professional basketball team competing in the National Basketball League. The Wildcats are the only team in the league representing the state of Western Australia and are based in the state capital, Perth...
.
Following the 2001-02 NBL season
2001-02 NBL Season
Here are the results and statistics from the National Basketball League season of 2000-2001.-End of Season Ladder:This is the ladder at the end of season, before the finals. In all, 154 games were played, 28 for each team. The top 6 teams qualified for the finals series.-First Round:1st played...
, Wheeler was on the move again, this time joining the Perth Wildcats for the 2002-03 season
2002-03 NBL Season
The 2002-03 National Basketball League is the 25th season of professional basketball in Australia....
where he would play in his 4th losing grand final series, this time going down to the Sydney Kings
Sydney Kings
The Sydney Kings are a professional basketball team competing in the Australasian National Basketball League. They are the only team to date to win three consecutive championships in the NBL and currently sit third behind the Adelaide 36ers and Melbourne Tigers two away from the record five wins...
. He would finally get to win the NBL championship after moving to the defending champion Kings the next season, winning both the 2004 and 2005
2004-05 NBL Season
Here are the results and statistics from the National Basketball League season of 2004-2005.-End of Season Ladder:This is the ladder at the end of season, before the finals. In all, 176 games were played, 32 for each team...
championships with the Kings.
After losing his 5th grand final series to the Melbourne Tigers
Melbourne Tigers
The Melbourne Tigers are Australia's oldest and most respected basketball team, established circa 1931 in a local church hall League. Entering the National Basketball League in 1984, they are now the only Melbourne team, after the South Dragons withdrew from the league.The Melbourne Tigers are the...
in 2006
2005-06 NBL Season
Here are the results and statistics from the National Basketball League season of 2005-2006.-End of Season Ladder:This is the ladder at the end of season, before the finals. In all, 176 games were played, 32 for each team. The top 8 teams qualified for the finals series.KeyThe quarter finals were...
, Wheeler moved back to Adelaide for the 2006-07 season
2006-07 NBL Season
The 2006-07 National Basketball League is the 29th season of professional basketball in Australia. For the first time, a team was established from outside the Australasian area, with the Singapore Slingers taking over the licence of the Hunter Pirates...
before retiring from the NBL having played 448 games over 17 seasons.
Wheeler's play in the NBL also saw him selected to play for the Australian Boomers
Australia national basketball team
The Australian national basketball team is the men's basketball side that represents Australia in international competitions. The team is known in Australia as the Boomers, an Australian slang term for Kangaroo. Australia is ranked 9th in the world and finished 7th at the 2008 Beijing Olympic...
19 times. He also holds the record for most points in an NBL game without scoring a field goal. (He had 9-of-10 free throws for the Magic against Townsville
Townsville Crocodiles
The Townsville Crocodiles are a professional Australian basketball team based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in the National Basketball League...
in a 1998 fixture.)
Personal
In January 2009 it was revealed that Wheeler suffered from primary sclerosing cholangitisPrimary sclerosing cholangitis
Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a chronic liver disease caused by progressive inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts of the liver. The inflammation impedes the flow of bile to the gut, which can ultimately lead to liver cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer...
, a liver disease that will likely require a liver transplant.