.JPG) Gaze at aMelbourne Tigers home game in 2011 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1965-07-24)24 July 1965 (age 60) |
| Listed height | 201 cm (6 ft 7 in) |
| Listed weight | 95 kg (209 lb) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Albert Park College (Melbourne, Victoria) |
| College | Seton Hall (1988–1989) |
| NBA draft | 1989:undrafted |
| Playing career | 1984–2005 |
| Position | Shooting guard |
| Number | 10, 4 |
| Coaching career | 2016–present |
| Career history | |
Playing | |
| 1984–2005 | Melbourne Tigers |
| 1991–1992 | Udine |
| 1994 | Washington Bullets |
| 1995 | Apollon Patras |
| 1999 | San Antonio Spurs |
Coaching | |
| 2016–2017 | Melbourne Tigers |
| 2016–2019 | Sydney Kings |
| 2022–present | Melbourne Tigers |
| Career highlights | |
| |
| Career NBL statistics | |
| Points | 18,908 (30.8 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 3,121 (5.1 rpg) |
| Assists | 3,531 (5.8 apg) |
Stats at NBA.com  | |
| Stats atBasketball Reference | |
| FIBA Hall of Fame | |
Andrew Barry Casson GazeAM (born 24 July 1965) is an Australianbasketball coach and former player. He played 22 seasons in theNational Basketball League (NBL) with theMelbourne Tigers from 1984 to 2005, winning the league'sMVP award seven times and winning thescoring title 14 times. He also guided the Tigers to two NBL championships, in 1993 and 1997, and was named anAll-NBL First Team member for a record 15 consecutive years. Gaze has been described as one of the greatest players Australia has ever produced.[1][2]
Gaze led the seniorAustralian national team, the Boomers, to fiveSummer Olympic Games – including as theflag bearer at theopening ceremony of the2000 Sydney Olympics, and he was also the AustralianTeam Captain. He was inducted into theAustralian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004, and theSport Australia Hall of Fame in 2005, after being appointed aMember of the Order of Australia in 2002. In 2013, he joined his father,Lindsay, in theFIBA Hall of Fame, after beingelected as a player, to become just the third Australian inductee.[3][4] Two Australian basketball awards have been named in Gaze's honour: the NBL MVP award is named the Andrew Gaze Trophy, and theAustralian International Player of the Year award is named the Gaze Medal.
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Gaze was born inMelbourne,Victoria, the son ofLindsay and Margaret Gaze. He has an older sister, Janet. Gaze is also the nephew of formerAustralian Opals coach Tony Gaze and the cousin of Mark Gaze, who played 182 games in the NBL from 1983 to 1991 and represented Australia at the1982 FIBA World Championship. He is also the second cousin ofCanberra Capitals guardKate Gaze, the daughter of Mark Gaze and former WNBL player Michelle O'Connor.
Gaze grew up atAlbert Park Basketball Stadium, the home of the Victorian Basketball Association (VBA), with his father the general manager of the VBA at the time. After graduating fromAlbert Park College, Gaze pursued a professional basketball career and attendedVictoria University in Melbourne.
In 1984, Gaze joined theMelbourne Tigers of theNational Basketball League as an 18-year-old. His first season with the Tigers saw him win theNBL Rookie of the Year Award after averaging an impressive 29.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.6 steals in 24 games.[5] By 1986, he made his firstAll-NBL First Team selection. He would go on to earn first-team honours in 15 straight seasons (1986–2000). In the1987 NBL season, Gaze set an NBL record for points per game in a season when he averaged 44.1 points. This was despite the Tigers finishing the season in last place with a 3–23 record. During the season, Gaze had a 60-point game (against theNewcastle Falcons) and another five 50-point games.
Following the1988 NBL season, Gaze, who was spotted by talent scouts while playing for Australia at the1988 Olympics, moved to the United States after being recruited to playcollege basketball forSeton Hall University. During the 1988–89 season, Gaze played in 38 games for the Seton Hall Pirates, averaging 13.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.[6] Gaze started every game in The Hall'sfirst-ever run to the NCAA Final Four, twice leading all Pirates scorers with 19 points in their Elite Eight win overUNLV and 20 points (highlighted by 4-from-9 shooting from 3) in the National Semifinal win againstDuke. He completed his season at Seton Hall with an 80–79 overtime loss to theMichigan Wolverines in the NCAA Championship Game which was played in front of 39,187 fans at theKingdome inSeattle, where he was heavily guarded and limited to only five field goal attempts, all from three-point range. After a year in New Jersey, Gaze returned to Australia and re-joined the Tigers for the1989 NBL season.[7] He missed the back-end of the1990 NBL season due to a blood clot in his right shoulder.[8]
Not known for being an outstanding athlete, Gaze's heavy scoring in the NBL was due to exceptional shooting, including from three-point range. A crowd favourite to the Tigers faithful, Gaze was a front runner in the league's resurgence during the 1990s, as he and American importLanard Copeland combined to form a formidable backcourt and guided the Tigers to two championships in 1993 and 1997.[9] Playing under his father with the Tigers, Gaze assured the team were perpetual finalists.
In his later years, Gaze still managed to score at a high clip for the Tigers, averaging over 19 points per game in each of his last four NBL seasons. Following the2004–05 NBL season, Gaze announced his retirement from the NBL. In 20 seasons with the Tigers, he played a total of 612 games and recorded 18,908 points at an average of 30.9 points per game.[5]
In addition to playing in the NBL, Gaze spent multiple seasons overseas during the 1990s. In 1991, Gaze became the first Australian male to play professionally in Europe, withItalian 2nd League clubUdine. In a six-month stint in Italy, he averaged over 30 points per game.[10] Despite his best efforts, the team finished the league last and was relegated to the3rd division. In March 1994, Gaze returned to the United States and signed with theNBA'sWashington Bullets. In seven games for the Bullets during the1993–94 NBA season, he averaged 3.1 points per game. In early 1995, he moved to Greece and played half a season forGreek League clubApollon Patras.[11] He had another short stint in the NBA during the lockout-shortened1998–99 season, this time with theSan Antonio Spurs. He received very little court time for a stackedSpurs team that included guardsMario Elie,Avery Johnson,Antonio Daniels andSteve Kerr. He appeared in just 19 games for the Spurs during the regular season and was inactive for the entireplayoff run, which saw the Spurs win their firstNBA championship.[12]
On the international stage, Gaze forged his reputation as one of Australia's finest products, appearing at the1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, as a 19-year-old. He led all scorers at the1994 FIBA World Championship with 23.9 points per game, leading the Aussies to a fifth-place finish. In2000, he became (jointly with AmericanTeresa Edwards) the third basketball player to compete atfive Olympics,[13] after Puerto RicanTeófilo Cruz and BrazilianOscar Schmidt. That year, Gaze was theflag bearer at theopening ceremony of theSydney Olympics, and he was also the AustralianTeam Captain. At the1996 Atlanta Olympics, he led theBoomers to their then best Olympic performance, a fourth-placed finish, with a 5–3 record.[14]
Gaze also competed in fourFIBA World Cups with the Boomers, as he played in more than 280matches for Australia. Gaze is the second all-time career points scorer, behind onlyBrazil'sOscar Schmidt, inSummer Olympic Games history, and he is third all-time in career points scored inFIBA World Cup history, after Schmidt andArgentina'sLuis Scola.
Gaze played 297 games for the Boomers.[15]
In April 2016, Gaze was appointed head coach of theSydney Kings in the NBL.[16] He served as coach for three seasons before stepping down in 2019.[17][18]
In 2016 and 2017, Gaze served as head coach of theMelbourne Tigers men's team in theSEABL.[19][20][21]
On 4 February 2022, Gaze was announced as head coach of the Melbourne Tigers men's team, now in theNBL1 South, for the2022 NBL1 season.[22] He returned as head coach for the2023 season[23] and the2024 season.[24] In2025, he guided the Tigers to the NBL1 South Grand Final,[25] where they lost 99–80 to theSandringham Sabres.[26] He re-signed as Tigers coach for the 2026 season.[27]
In 2017, Gaze joined the coaching staff of theIndiana Pacers for theOrlando Summer League.[28]
After retiring from playing professionally, Gaze became a media personality and an NBL commentator forNetwork Ten andFox Sports.[citation needed] A fan of theHawthorn Football Club in theAFL, he has appeared frequently inAustralian rules football media, including as a panelist on theFox Footy showBounce.[29][30] In 2006, he appeared in season five ofDancing with the Stars.[31]
Gaze and his wife Melinda[32] have four children; Courtney, Phoebe, Annie and Mason. In 2014, he was named Australian Father of the Year by children's charityThe Shepherd Centre.[33][34]
| NBL career: | 1984–2005 |
| NBL Championships: | 2× (1993, 1997) |
| NBL Grand Final appearances: | 4× (1992, 1993, 1996, 1997) |
| NBL Most Valuable Player: | 7× (1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998) |
| All-NBL First Team: | 15× (1986–2000) |
| NBL Rookie of the Year: | 1984 |
| Gaze Medal: | 6× (1990, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000) |
| Australian Basketball Hall of Fame: | 2004 |
| Sport Australia Hall of Fame: | 2005 |
| FIBA Hall of Fame: | 2013 |
| † | NBL Championship |
| Year | Team | G | GS | MIN | PTS | AVG. | FG | FGA | PCT. | 3–FG | 3–FGA | PCT. | FT | FTA | PCT. | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF |
| 1984 | Melbourne Tigers | 24 | 24 | 0.00 | 699 | 29.1 | 11.7 | 18.6 | .576 | 0.5 | 1.6 | .325 | 5.1 | 7.2 | .724 | 6.7 | 4.1 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 3.8 |
| 1985 | Melbourne Tigers | 18 | 18 | 0.00 | 547 | 30.4 | 11.8 | 23.2 | .51 | 2.0 | 6.1 | .336 | 4.6 | 6.4 | .709 | 6.7 | 4.4 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 4.9 | 3.9 |
| 1986 | Melbourne Tigers | 25 | 25 | 0.00 | 922 | 36.9 | 13.8 | 26.1 | .529 | 2.1 | 5.5 | .381 | 7.08 | 8.8 | .805 | 7.3 | 4.4 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 4.0 | 3.4 |
| 1987 | Melbourne Tigers | 20 | 20 | 47.7 | 882 | 44.1 | 15.9 | 30.2 | .526 | 3.4 | 8.6 | .393 | 8.9 | 11 | .809 | 8.2 | 5.8 | 2.5 | 0.1 | 4.8 | 3.3 |
| 1988 | Melbourne Tigers | 24 | 24 | 46.8 | 886 | 36.9 | 13.5 | 26.3 | .523 | 4.1 | 9.5 | .432 | 5.7 | 7.2 | .792 | 6.3 | 4.7 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 3.7 | 3.0 |
| 1989 | Melbourne Tigers | 27 | 27 | 45.7 | 931 | 34.5 | 12.4 | 23 | .539 | 3.8 | 9.7 | .401 | 5.7 | 6.9 | .834 | 5.3 | 7.2 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 4.2 | 3.9 |
| 1990 | Melbourne Tigers | 22 | 22 | 0.00 | 828 | 37.6 | 13.6 | 23.7 | .575 | 3.5 | 9.0 | .385 | 6.8 | 7.8 | .873 | 4.8 | 6.9 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 4.0 | 3.2 |
| 1991 | Melbourne Tigers | 28 | 28 | 46.4 | 1086 | 38.8 | 13.5 | 24.3 | .554 | 3.1 | 9.3 | .333 | 8.6 | 9.9 | .871 | 4.4 | 6.0 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 4.5 | 3.8 |
| 1992 | Melbourne Tigers | 32 | 32 | 46.1 | 1082 | 33.8 | 11.2 | 22.1 | .508 | 2.9 | 8.8 | .331 | 8.3 | 9.6 | .865 | 4.6 | 6.3 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 5.0 | 3.4 |
| 1993 † | Melbourne Tigers | 33 | 33 | 45.8 | 1056 | 32.0 | 10.6 | 20.8 | .511 | 3.1 | 8.0 | .391 | 7.5 | 8.7 | .858 | 4.6 | 6.3 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 5.0 | 3.4 |
| 1994 | Melbourne Tigers | 30 | 30 | 47 | 1001 | 33.4 | 10.9 | 21.2 | .515 | 2.5 | 7.1 | .321 | 9.2 | 10.1 | .905 | 4.8 | 7.2 | 2.4 | 0.2 | 5.7 | 3.3 |
| 1995 | Melbourne Tigers | 29 | 29 | 46.8 | 983 | 33.9 | 11.3 | 22 | .513 | 3.1 | 8.5 | .361 | 8.1 | 9.1 | .898 | 4.2 | 8.0 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 4.5 | 3.3 |
| 1996 | Melbourne Tigers | 35 | 35 | 46.6 | 1089 | 31.1 | 10 | 19.8 | .506 | 3.1 | 8.7 | .358 | 7.9 | 8.7 | .905 | 5.3 | 8.1 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 4.7 | 3.1 |
| 1997 † | Melbourne Tigers | 35 | 35 | 47.9 | 1080 | 30.9 | 10.4 | 20.1 | .520 | 4.0 | 10.4 | .390 | 5.8 | 6.7 | .857 | 4.6 | 6.7 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| 1998 | Melbourne Tigers | 32 | 32 | 47.5 | 1007 | 31.5 | 10.6 | 21.3 | .497 | 3.9 | 10.5 | .375 | 6.2 | 7.0 | .893 | 4.6 | 6.5 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 3.7 | 3.0 |
| 1998–99 | Melbourne Tigers | 17 | 17 | 47.6 | 569 | 30.9 | 11.4 | 21.3 | .534 | 4.4 | 11.1 | .421 | 5.9 | 6.6 | .893 | 4.6 | 5.5 | 2.2 | 0.1 | 3.6 | 2.4 |
| 1999–2000 | Melbourne Tigers | 31 | 31 | 47.2 | 904 | 30.9 | 9.5 | 19.6 | .488 | 3.0 | 9.0 | .344 | 6.9 | 7.8 | .881 | 5.7 | 6.5 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 3.7 | 3.0 |
| 2000–01 | Melbourne Tigers | 28 | 28 | 46.4 | 816 | 29.1 | 9.4 | 18.5 | .508 | 3.0 | 8.6 | .357 | 7.2 | 7.8 | .914 | 6.3 | 5.8 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 4.8 | 3.9 |
| 2001–02 | Melbourne Tigers | 24 | 24 | 36.6 | 458 | 19.1 | 6 | 13.1 | .457 | 1.6 | 6.2 | .265 | 5.4 | 6.1 | .884 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 3.3 | 2.9 |
| 2002–03 | Melbourne Tigers | 29 | 29 | 42.1 | 640 | 22.1 | 6.6 | 14.2 | .469 | 2.5 | 7.9 | .346 | 6.0 | 6.7 | .893 | 4.0 | 4.7 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 4.2 | 3.6 |
| 2003–04 | Melbourne Tigers | 35 | 35 | 38.8 | 746 | 21.3 | 7 | 13.6 | .514 | 2.5 | 6.9 | .364 | 4.7 | 5.2 | .902 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 2.8 | 2.8 |
| 2004–05 | Melbourne Tigers | 34 | 34 | 35.1 | 696 | 22.1 | 6.6 | 13.6 | .484 | 2.3 | 6.8 | .348 | 4.8 | 5.8 | .829 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 2.4 | 2.4 |
| Career | 612 | 612 | 38.7 | 18.908 | 30.9 | 10.5 | 20.4 | .518 | 3.0 | 8.1 | .365 | 6.7 | 7.8 | .860 | 5.1 | 5.8 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 4.1 | 3.3 | |
| † | NBA Championship |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–94 | Washington | 7 | 0 | 10.0 | .471 | .500 | 1.000 | 1.0 | .7 | .3 | .1 | 3.1 |
| 1998–99 | San Antonio | 19 | 0 | 3.1 | .320 | .313 | .000 | .3 | '.3 | .1 | .1 | 1.1 |
| Career | 26 | 0 | 4.9 | .381 | .375 | 1.000 | .5 | .4 | .2 | .1 | 1.7 | |
| Year | Team | G | GS | MIN | PTS | AVG. | FG | FGA | PCT. | 3–FG | 3–FGA | PCT. | FT | FTA | PCT. | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF |
| 1988–89 | Seton Hall | 38 | 37 | 32.6 | 516 | 13.6 | 5.5 | 8.8 | .509 | 2.5 | 5.8 | .425 | 2.2 | 3.0 | .726 | 4.5 | 2.8 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 1.3 |
