Daniel Michael Kickert (born 29 May 1983) is an Australian professional basketball coach and former player who is an assistant coach for the Sydney Kings of the National Basketball League (NBL). He played professionally for 15 seasons throughout Europe and Australia, with his stints in the NBL including Melbourne United (2014–16), Brisbane Bullets (2016–18) and Sydney Kings (2018–21). In 2017, he became the first player in NBL history to join the exclusive 50–40–90 club, an achievement he replicated the following year.

Daniel Kickert
Sydney Kings
PositionAssistant coach
LeagueNBL
Personal information
Born (1983-05-29) 29 May 1983 (age 41)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Listed height208 cm (6 ft 10 in)
Listed weight109 kg (240 lb)
Career information
High schoolAquinas College
(Melbourne, Victoria)
CollegeSaint Mary's (2002–2006)
NBA draft2006: undrafted
Playing career2000–2021
PositionPower forward / center
Coaching career2021–present
Career history
As player:
2000Nunawading Spectres
2001–2002Australian Institute of Sport
2006–2007Livorno
2007–2008Breogán
2008–2010Gran Canaria
2011–2012Turów Zgorzelec
2012–2013Dnipro
2013Budivelnyk
2013–2014Azovmash
2014Iberostar Tenerife
2014–2016Melbourne United
2016–2018Brisbane Bullets
2017South West Metro Pirates
2018–2021Sydney Kings
2019Hawke's Bay Hawks
As coach:
2021–presentSydney Kings (assistant)
Career highlights and awards
As player:

As coach:

Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Australia
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 2018 Gold Coast Team competition
FIBA Asia Cup
Gold medal – first place 2017 Lebanon

Kickert played college basketball for Saint Mary's, leaving in 2006 as the program's all-time scoring leader. He spent the next eight years playing in Europe, winning a Ukrainian SuperLeague championship in 2013 with BC Budivelnyk. He also played for Australia at the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup and 2018 Commonwealth Games. He retired from basketball in June 2021.

Early life and career

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Kickert was born and raised in Melbourne.[1] He attended Aquinas College and played basketball for E Bees Junior Basketball Club and Waverley Basketball Club. He also represented Knox and Nunawading across U12s to U18s, including playing for Nunawading in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) in 2000.[2][3] In 2001, he moved to Canberra on a scholarship with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).[4] He played for the AIS SEABL team in 2001 and 2002,[5] where in his second year, he averaged 18 points and seven rebounds in 30 minutes per game while being named to the All-SEABL Eastern Conference team.[6]

College career

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In his freshman season at Saint Mary's in 2002–03, Kickert earned All-Freshman team honours by CollegeInsider.com. He finished the season as the only Gael to start all 30 games, tied for 11th in the conference in scoring and had the third-best field goal percentage (52.0%) in the conference. In those 30 games, he averaged 12.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.[6][7]

In his sophomore season, Kickert was named to the All-West Coast Conference first team and earned the Shamrock Office Solutions Classic Most Valuable Player award. He was also named to the Top of the World Classic All-Tournament team. In 31 games (all starts), he averaged 14.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.[6][7]

In his junior season, Kickert was named to the All-West Coast Conference first team for the second straight year. He was also named to the USBWA All-District 9 first team and the NABC District 14 second team, while earning WCC Player of the Year honours by CollegeInsider.com. In addition, he was named to the WCC All-Tournament team after averaging 22.0 points and 4.5 rebounds against Santa Clara and Gonzaga. In 34 games (all starts), he averaged 16.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.[6][7]

In his senior season, Kickert was named to the All-West Coast Conference first team for the third straight year and earned the Shamrock Office Solutions Classic Most Valuable Player award for the second time in his career. In 28 games (all starts), he averaged 16.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game. He finished his career ranked as the all-time scorer in SMC history with 1,874 points.[6][7][8]

College statistics

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2002–03 Saint Mary's 30 30 25.5 .520 .447 .782 3.7 .7 .3 .6 12.7
2003–04 Saint Mary's 31 31 28.1 .506 .390 .766 5.9 .7 .4 .5 14.9
2004–05 Saint Mary's 34 34 30.9 .538 .471 .846 6.6 1.0 .4 .7 16.6
2005–06 Saint Mary's 28 28 33.5 .454 .457 .880 5.6 1.0 .6 .7 16.7
Career 123 123 29.5 .504 .447 .816 5.5 .9 .4 .6 15.2

Professional career

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Europe (2006–2014)

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After going undrafted in the 2006 NBA draft, Kickert played in Italy for his first professional season,[9] averaging 10 points per game for Basket Livorno during the 2006–07 season. He spent the next three seasons in Spain, playing the 2007–08 season with CB Breogán[10] before joining Gran Canaria. He parted ways with Canaria in July 2010 after two seasons.[11]

On 2 February 2011, Kickert joined Polish team Turów Zgorzelec for a three-day trial.[12] Following the trial period, he signed with Turów for the rest of the 2010–11 season.[13] He averaged 9.3 points and 2.8 rebounds over 25 games. Though he came off the bench for most of the season, Kickert moved into the starting lineup for the Polish League finals and produced 13.6 points and 4.9 boards in the seven-game series as Turów nearly upset Asseco Prokom for the title.[14] On 25 July 2011, he re-signed with Turów for the 2011–12 season.[14][15]

In 2012, Kickert moved to Ukraine, where he spent the next two years. He began the 2012–13 season with BC Dnipro,[16] before finishing the season with BC Budivelnyk.[17] He played the majority of the 2013–14 season with BC Azovmash,[18] but left the country to return to Spain in March 2014 due to the Ukraine's military conflict with Russia.[19][20] He finished the 2013–14 season with Iberostar Tenerife.[21]

Australia and New Zealand (2014–2021)

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On 13 August 2014, Kickert signed with Melbourne United for the 2014–15 NBL season.[22] In 28 games for Melbourne, he averaged 13.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.[23]

On 10 June 2015, Kickert re-signed with United for the 2015–16 season.[24] He came very close to becoming the first NBL player ever to join the exclusive 50–40–90 club.[25] He did reach the required splits—finishing the season with figures of 52.5/47.2/90.5—but fell four made free throws short of the minimum requirements.[26] Kickert helped United win the minor premiership in 2015–16 with a first-place finish and an 18–10 record, while earning All-NBL First Team honours.[27] In 28 games, he averaged 14.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.

On 8 April 2016, Kickert signed with the Brisbane Bullets.[28] After coming close in 2015–16, Kickert became the first player in NBL history to join the 50–40–90 club in 2016–17. He averaged 12.8 points per game and shot 54.4 percent from the field, 45.9 percent from three and 95.0 percent from the line.[29]

In the 2017 off-season, Kickert had a stint with the South West Metro Pirates of the Queensland Basketball League,[30] and competed at the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup with the Australian Boomers.[31]

With the Bullets in 2017–18, Kickert recorded 50–40–90 numbers for the second consecutive year,[32] averaging 14 points per game while shooting 52.2 percent from the field, 41.8 percent from three and 92.2 percent from the line.[33]

On 27 April 2018, Kickert signed a two-year deal with the Sydney Kings, with a team option for the second year.[34] The Kings took up that option on 29 March 2019.[35]

In April 2019, Kickert joined the Hawke's Bay Hawks for the 2019 New Zealand NBL season,[36] but injured his back in the first game.[37] He returned to action in mid-May,[38] but only managed seven games for the season due to the back injury.[39]

On 3 September 2020, Kickert re-signed with the Kings on a one-year deal.[40] At age 37, he was the league's oldest player in the 2020–21 NBL season.[41]

On 11 June 2021, Kickert announced his retirement from professional basketball.[42]

National team career

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Kickert competed for the Australian Boomers at the 2006 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup, 2006 FIBA World Championship, 2011 London Invitational Tournament, 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, and 2018 Commonwealth Games.[43] In July 2018, Kickert was involved in the Philippines–Australia basketball brawl during the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian qualification. As a result, he was suspended for five games.[44]

Coaching career

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In September 2021, Kickert stepped into the role of Assistant Coach and Player Development Coordinator for the Sydney Kings.[45]

Personal

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Kickert's parents are Rudy and Jenny.[46] His wife's name is Erica.[46] He holds a Dutch passport.[47]

As of February 2020, Kickert was studying a Master of Business (Sport Management) at Deakin University.[48]

References

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  1. ^ "Player statistics for Daniel Kickert – Boomers". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  2. ^ "KICKERT NAMED TO ALL NBL FIRST TEAM". nunawadingbasketball.com.au. Archived from the original on 23 February 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  3. ^ "Player statistics for Daniel Kickert – SEABL". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  4. ^ Ryan, Conor (1 September 2014). "Basketball journeyman Daniel Kickert says it's time to unpack his bags after years on the road as he signs on with new NBL franchise, Melbourne United". HeraldSun.com.au. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  5. ^ "Past Athletes". ausport.gov.au. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d e "#14 Daniel Kickert". smcgaels.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014.
  7. ^ a b c d "Daniel Kickert Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  8. ^ Henderson, John (25 March 2010). "St. Mary's basketball team spiced with Australian flavor". denverpost.com. Retrieved 1 March 2019. Daniel Kickert, 2002-06: All-time leading scorer (1,874 points)
  9. ^ "Daniel Kickert Signs Professional Contract With Livorno of the Italian League". smcgaels.com. 30 August 2006. Archived from the original on 3 September 2006. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  10. ^ "El equipo del Breogán firma a Daniel Kickert para completar su juego interior". diariosur.es (in Spanish). 24 July 2007. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  11. ^ "Josh Fisher, Melvin Sanders and Daniel Kickert leave Gran Canaria". sportando.basketball. 6 July 2010. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  12. ^ "Daniel Kickert on trial with PGE Turow". sportando.basketball. 3 February 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  13. ^ "Daniel Kickert stays in PGE Turow Zgorzelec". sportando.basketball. 4 February 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  14. ^ a b "PGE Turow keeps big man Kickert". Eurocupbasketball.com. 25 July 2011. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  15. ^ "PGE Turow keeps Daniel Kickert". sportando.basketball. 25 July 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  16. ^ "Daniel Kickert close to Dnipro". sportando.basketball. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  17. ^ "Daniel Kickert close to Dnipro". court-side.com. 2 March 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  18. ^ "Azovmash Mariupol adds Daniel Kickert". sportando.basketball. 12 July 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  19. ^ "Terrell Stoglin, Daniel Kickert and Marcus Ginyard leave Azovmash". sportando.basketball. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  20. ^ Ward, Roy (11 October 2014). "Daniel Kickert puts bombs behind him for homecoming at Melbourne United". smh.com.au. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  21. ^ "Daniel Kickert refuerza la pintura del Iberostar Tenerife". ACB.com (in Spanish). 21 March 2014. Archived from the original on 14 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  22. ^ "United signs Kickert to marquee spot". MelbourneUtd.com.au. NBL.com.au. 13 August 2014. Archived from the original on 27 August 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  23. ^ "Player statistics for Daniel Kickert". FoxSportsPulse.com. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  24. ^ "Kickert re-signs with CTI Melbourne United". MelbourneUtd.com.au. NBL.com.au. 10 June 2015. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  25. ^ "Kickert on the Verge of History". NBL.com.au. 21 January 2016. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  26. ^ Jungfer, Nicolas (16 February 2016). "NBL Round 19 Winners & Losers: NZ Play On, Adelaide Bows Out & Kickert's Historical Shooting". downtownball.com. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  27. ^ "Randle, Lisch Headline All-NBL Teams". NBL.com.au. 17 February 2016. Archived from the original on 20 February 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  28. ^ "Brisbane Announce Gibson, Kickert as Initial Signings". NBL.com.au. 8 April 2016. Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  29. ^ "Kickert First Player Into 50–40–90 Club". NBL.com.au. 12 February 2017. Archived from the original on 13 February 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  30. ^ "Pirates mixed news, but Kick forward in 2017". PiratesBasketball.net.au. 2 June 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  31. ^ Davis, Greg (2 August 2017). "Bullets forward Daniel Kickert says NBL players must step up for Boomers in FIBA Asia Cup". CourierMail.com.au. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  32. ^ NBL (21 February 2018). "Huge congrats to @kicks14 on..." Twitter. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  33. ^ "Kickert Joins 50-40-90 Club… Again". NBL.com.au. 21 February 2018. Archived from the original on 21 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  34. ^ "Sydney Add More Firepower in Daniel Kickert". NBL.com.au. 27 April 2018. Archived from the original on 27 April 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  35. ^ "Kings Bring Back Lisch, Wilson and Kickert". NBL.com.au. 29 March 2019. Archived from the original on 6 May 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  36. ^ Egan, Brendon (10 April 2019). "Wellington Saints, Southland Sharks hot favourites for NBL title". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  37. ^ "Wellington Saints power to strong opening NBL win over Hawke's Bay Hawks". Stuff.co.nz. 12 April 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  38. ^ Singh, Anendra (11 May 2019). "Basketball: Hawks put the hapless Taranaki Mountainairs through wringer for mind fix". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  39. ^ Singh, Anendra (28 June 2019). "Basketball: With Daniel Kickert gone Morgan Maskell wants the Hawks to kick it up a notch". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  40. ^ "Daniel Kickert Re-Signs With Sydney". NBL.com.au. 3 September 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  41. ^ "Casper, DJ shoot Kings over 36ers in NBL Cup". NBL.com.au. 21 February 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2021. The league's oldest player Daniel Kickert returned for the first time this season and showed how valuable a big man who can shoot is by hitting 3/5 from deep for 11 points.
  42. ^ "Daniel Kickert Announces Retirement". NBL.com.au. 11 June 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  43. ^ "FIBA Archive – Daniel Kickert". FIBA.com. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  44. ^ "Three Boomers suspended for Philippines 'basket-brawl', Basketball Australia fined". abc.net.au. 19 July 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  45. ^ "Kickert joins the Kings coaching department". sydneykings.com. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  46. ^ a b Moorhead, Lachlan (6 March 2014). "Out of Ukraine". StarCommunity.com.au. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  47. ^ Boyce, Dan (13 July 2013). "Daniel Kickert signs with Ukrainian team Azovmash for 2013/14". AussieHoopla.com. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  48. ^ "Elite Athlete Program Profiles". Deakin University. 25 February 2020. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020.
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