Originally an early entry candidate for the 2006 NBA Draft before withdrawing his name from consideration.
Career Highlights: Played the past three seasons with the Townsville Crocodiles in the NBL, Australia’s premier professional basketball league. Earned Second Team All-NBL honors in 2007. Named 2005 NBL Rookie of the Year and also earned Best Sixth Man honors, becoming the first player in league history to win both awards. Selected for the 2005 and 2006 NBL All-Star games and won MVP honors at the 2005 game after recording 35 points, four rebounds and seven assists. Played with the Australian National Team at the 2006 World Championships held in Japan, averaged 8.2 points in six games. Also played with Team Australia at the 2005 FIBA U21 World Championships held in Argentina, leading the team in scoring (17.6 ppg). Earned the Bob Staunton Medal as the MVP of the 2004 U20 Junior National Championship. Was a member of the Australian National Team that won the gold medal at the 2003 World Championships for Junior Men held in Greece.
2006-07: Averaged 22.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. Led team and ranked fifth in the NBL in scoring. Averaged 17.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in two playoff games.
2005-06: Averaged 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
2004-05: Averaged 15.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. Averaged 17.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in three playoff games.
2004: Played with the Australian Institute of Sport in the SEABL, one of Australia’s developmental leagues. Averaged 24.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists. Scored 30 or more points ten times and posted a season-high of 42 points. Earned First Team All-Eastern Conference honors and was won the East Men Australian U/23 Youth Player of the Year award.
2003: With the Australian Institute of Sport in the SEABL, averaged 17.1 points and 3.9 rebounds. Teammates included Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut and current collegians Aaron Bruce (Baylor) and Aleks Maric (Nebraska).
Strengths: A pure scorer who is equally good at shooting from long range, pulling up off the dribble and getting to the rim. Is adept at pulling down the defensive rebound and taking the ball coast to coast.
Personal: Nicknames are "Newls" and "Noodles". Favorite sports idol is Roger Federer.
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