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Nick Kay

Nicholas Colin Kay (born 3 August 1992) is an Australian professional basketball player for Shimane Susanoo Magic of the Japanese B.League. He played college basketball for the Metro State Roadrunners before beginning his professional career in the National Basketball League (NBL). He won two NBL championships with the Perth Wildcats in 2019 and 2020. He also won a New Zealand NBL championship and league MVP honours with the Wellington Saints in 2019. In 2021, he won a bronze medal with the Australian national team at the Tokyo Olympics.

Nick Kay
Kay with the Perth Wildcats in 2019
No. 4 – Shimane Susanoo Magic
PositionPower forward / center
LeagueB.League
Personal information
Born (1992-08-03) 3 August 1992 (age 32)
Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia
Listed height206 cm (6 ft 9 in)
Listed weight106 kg (234 lb)
Career information
High school
CollegeMetro State (2011–2015)
NBA draft2015: undrafted
Playing career2014–present
Career history
2014–2015Northside Wizards
2015–2016Townsville Crocodiles
2016–2017Southland Sharks
2016–2018Illawarra Hawks
2018–2020Perth Wildcats
2019Wellington Saints
2020–2021Real Betis
2021–presentShimane Susanoo Magic
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Australia
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2020 Tokyo Team
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 2018 Gold Coast Team
FIBA Asia Cup
Gold medal – first place 2017 Lebanon

Early life

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Kay was born and raised in Tamworth, New South Wales,[1][2][3] where he attended McCarthy Catholic College and played for the Tamworth Thunderbolts.[4] At age 17, he moved to Sydney to attend Newington College.[5] He averaged 13 points and 14 rebounds for Newington, leading the school to finish second in Australia's all-schools tournament and won the New South Wales all-school tournament.[6] He also represented the New South Wales state team.[6]

College career

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In 2011, Kay moved to the United States to play college basketball for the Metropolitan State University of Denver in the NCAA Division II.[6]

As a freshman in 2011–12, Kay played in all 32 games for the Roadrunners, making 15 starts and averaging 6.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He became the first Metro State freshman since 1995 to record a double-double on debut, recording 14 points and 13 rebounds in a start against Bemidji State on 11 November 2011. He had a season-high 24 points against Colorado Christian on 7 January 2012.[6]

As a sophomore in 2012–13, Kay was named third-team all-RMAC after leading Metro State to the national title game and the RMAC regular season and tournament championships. He started 33 of 34 games and averaged 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. He had a season-high 19 points three times. He had 10 points and seven rebounds in the national championship game loss to Drury.[6][7]

As a junior in 2013–14, Kay started all 34 games and helped the Roadrunners to the RMAC regular season and tournament championships and the semi-finals at the NCAA tournament. He averaged 15.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, and was named NABC first team all-district and first-team all-RMAC. He had a season-high 24 points against UC-Colorado Springs on 1 March 2014, helping Metro State finish the regular season as the third team in RMAC history to go undefeated. He was named the most valuable player of the RMAC Tournament.[6]

As a senior in 2014–15, Kay started all 32 games and averaged 20.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He was named NABC first team all-district and first-team all-RMAC for the second straight year. He led the Roadrunners to their third consecutive RMAC regular season championship and a fourth-straight appearance in the NCAA tournament. He scored a career-high 33 points against Arkansas-Fort Smith on 15 November 2014. He had a career-high 17 rebounds along with 21 points against CSU-Pueblo on 27 February 2015.[6]

Professional career

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Northside Wizards (2014–2015)

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In 2014, in between his junior and senior college seasons, Kay played for the Northside Wizards of the Queensland Basketball League (QBL).[8] In nine games, he averaged 15.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.[9]

Kay returned to the Wizards for the 2015 QBL season and averaged 22.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 13 games.[9][10]

Townsville Crocodiles (2015–2016)

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In July 2015, Kay signed with the Townsville Crocodiles of the National Basketball League (NBL).[10] He appeared in all 28 games for the Crocodiles in 2015–16 and ranked top-20 in the NBL for minutes played (28.11 per game). He averaged 10.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, while scoring in double figures on 16 occasions, recording three double-doubles and finishing as the league leader in offensive rebounding (3.0).[11] He was subsequently named NBL Rookie of the Year.[11]

Southland Sharks and Illawarra Hawks (2016–2018)

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Following the NBL season, Kay joined the Southland Sharks for the 2016 New Zealand NBL season.[12] In 19 games, he averaged 17.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game.[9]

In May 2016, Kay signed with the Illawarra Hawks.[13] He helped the Hawks reach the grand final in the 2016–17 NBL season.[14] In 34 games, he averaged 9.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game.[9]

Following the NBL season, Kay re-joined the Sharks for the 2017 New Zealand NBL season.[15] In 20 games, he averaged 14.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game.[9]

With the Hawks in the 2017–18 NBL season, Kay averaged 11.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals in 28 games.[9]

Perth Wildcats and Wellington Saints (2018–2020)

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On 20 April 2018, Kay signed a three-year deal with the Perth Wildcats.[16] In the 2018–19 NBL season, he was named in the All-NBL First Team[17] and helped the Wildcats win the championship.[18][19] In 34 games, he averaged 14.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game.[9]

Following the NBL season, Kay joined the Wellington Saints for the 2019 New Zealand NBL season.[20] He helped the Saints win the championship and earned league MVP honours.[21][22][23] In 20 games, he averaged 15.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals per game.[9]

With the Wildcats in the 2019–20 NBL season, Kay was named to the All-NBL First Team for the second straight year[24] and helped the team win back-to-back championships.[25][26] In game three of the grand final series against the Sydney Kings, Kay had a career-best game with 30 points and seven 3-pointers to go with 12 rebounds and four assists in a 111–96 win.[27][28] In 34 games, he averaged 15.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game.[9]

On 4 May 2020, Kay opted out of the final year of his contract with the Wildcats to pursue international opportunities after the NBL implemented salary cuts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[29]

Spain and Japan (2020–present)

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On 5 July 2020, Kay signed with Real Betis of the Liga ACB.[30] In 36 games in the 2020–21 ACB season, he averaged 7.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game.[9]

On 1 July 2021, Kay signed with Shimane Susanoo Magic of the Japanese B.League.[31] In 56 games in the 2021–22 B.League season, he averaged 13.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game.[9]

On 22 June 2022, Kay re-signed with Shimane.[32] In 63 games in the 2022–23 B.League season, he averaged 15.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.[9]

Kay returned to Shimane for the 2023–24 B.League season and averaged 16.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals in 60 games.[9]

On 20 May 2024, Kay re-signed with Shimane.[33][34]

National team career

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Kay debuted for the Australian under 19 national team in 2010.[5][9]

Kay was named to the Australian national team for the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup.[35][36] In 2018, he won a gold medal with Australia at the Commonwealth Games. In 2019, he was awarded the Gaze Family Medal alongside Nathan Sobey for performances at the World Cup Qualifiers and the Commonwealth Games.[37]

In February 2021, Kay was named in the Boomers' Olympic squad.[38] He went on to help the Boomers win the bronze medal.[39] He averaged 11.0 points and 6.3 rebounds in six games.[40]

In February 2022, Kay was named in a 17-man Australian Boomers squad ahead of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in Japan.[41] He re-joined the team for proceeding qualifying windows in August 2022[42] and February 2023.[43]

In July 2024, Kay was named in the Boomers' final squad for the Paris Olympics.[44]

References

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  1. ^ "Nick Kay". acb.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Nicholas Kay". commonwealthgames.com.au. 2 April 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  3. ^ Bode, Mark (13 August 2021). "Nick Kay: Boomers star stuck in Japan while fiancee Emily is in Perth". northerndailyleader.com.au. Retrieved 17 September 2021. Tamworth-raised Kay, who turned 29 during Tokyo 2020...
  4. ^ "Nick Kay". olympics.com.au. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  5. ^ a b Newsam, Samantha (5 April 2018). "Faces of Tamworth: Commonwealth Games representative Nick Kay". northerndailyleader.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Nicholas Kay". roadrunnersathletics.com. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Catching up Down Under". Metro State Roadrunners. 20 July 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  8. ^ Athanasopoulos, Chris (2 May 2014). "QBL Men Round 1 Preview". pickandroll.com.au. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Nick Kay". asia-basket.com. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Crocodiles sign young gun Nick Kay". NBL.com.au. 14 July 2015. Archived from the original on 21 July 2015.
  11. ^ a b "Crocs young gun Nick Kay wins Rookie of the Year". NBL.com.au. 17 February 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  12. ^ "Southland Sharks sign Australian Nick Kay for National Basketball League season". Stuff.co.nz. 24 February 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  13. ^ Slatter, Trent (22 May 2016). "Former Townsville Crocs forward Nick Kay signs with Illawarra Hawks". Townsville Bulletin. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  14. ^ Huntsdale, Justin (24 February 2017). "Resilient Illawarra Hawks prove pundits wrong to make NBL grand final". abc.net.au. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  15. ^ "Southland Sharks re-sign Australian duo for 2017 National Basketball League season". Stuff.co.nz. 14 February 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  16. ^ "Perth Wildcats sign Aussie Boomer Nick Kay". Wildcats.com.au. 20 April 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  17. ^ "All-Star Nick Kay turns focus to Finals". Wildcats.com.au. 20 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  18. ^ "Wildcats Clinch Ninth Championship on the Road". NBL.com.au. 17 March 2019. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  19. ^ "Wildcats claim Ninth Championship!". Wildcats.com.au. 17 March 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  20. ^ Hylsop, Liam (9 April 2019). "Wellington Saints sign in-form Australian Boomer Nick Kay for NZ NBL season". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  21. ^ "NICK KAY TAKES HOME THE TAB MVP". nznbl.basketball. 20 July 2019. Archived from the original on 23 July 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  22. ^ Smith, Tony (21 July 2019). "Wellington Saints claim 11th NBL title with stunning comeback win over Hawks". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  23. ^ Singh, Anendra (21 July 2019). "Basketball: Wellington Saints claw back to end Hawks' fairy-tale Final 4 run for 11th NBL title". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  24. ^ Gilhooly, Daniel (16 February 2020). "NBL award winners announced". ESPN. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  25. ^ "Perth Wildcats Back-to-Back NBL Champions". Wildcats.com.au. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  26. ^ "Perth Wildcats Crowned NBL20 Champions". NBL.com.au. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  27. ^ "Perth Wildcats one win away from championship". Wildcats.com.au. 15 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  28. ^ "Career-best Kay Puts Wildcats up 2–1 Over Kings". NBL.com.au. 15 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  29. ^ Garlepp, Josh (4 May 2020). "Perth forward Nick Kay follows Bryce Cotton and opts-out of final year at Wildcats". Perth Now. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  30. ^ Borghesan, Ennio Terrasi (5 July 2020). "Real Betis to sign Nick Kay". Sportando. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  31. ^ "ニック・ケイ選手 契約(新規)のお知らせ". susanoo-m.com (in Japanese). 1 July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  32. ^ "【ご報告】ニック・ケイ選手 2022–23 SEASON 契約継続について". susanoo-m.com (in Japanese). 22 June 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  33. ^ "2024-25 SEASON 島根スサノオマジック新体制 特設サイト". susanoo-m.com (in Japanese). 20 May 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  34. ^ "【島根スサノオマジック】2024-25 SEASON ニック・ケイ 選手との選手契約(継続)の締結について". sanin-chuo.co.jp (in Japanese). 20 May 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  35. ^ Cohen, Mitch (19 July 2016). "Tamworth product Nick Kay in line to make national squad for FIBA Asia Cup". Northern Daily Leader. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  36. ^ Uluc, Olgun (24 July 2017). "Australian Boomers team announced for 2017 FIBA Asia Cup". Fox Sports (Australia). Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  37. ^ "2019 INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS". Basketball Australia. 10 May 2019. Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  38. ^ "AUSTRALIAN MEN'S BASKETBALL OLYMPIC SQUAD REVEALED". australia.basketball. 3 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  39. ^ "Basketball KAY Nic – Tokyo 2020 Olympics". olympics.com. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  40. ^ "Nicholas Kay". realgm.com. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  41. ^ "Emerging NBL Players Named in Boomers Squad". NBL.com.au. 2 February 2022. Archived from the original on 2 February 2022.
  42. ^ "Boomers Team Announced for Fourth Window of FIBA World Cup Qualifiers". australia.basketball. 11 August 2022. Archived from the original on 26 August 2022.
  43. ^ "Boomers ready to hit the burbs". australia.basketball. 22 February 2023. Archived from the original on 14 April 2023.
  44. ^ "Australian teams for Paris 2024 Olympics announced". Basketball Australia. 6 July 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
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