Tony Ronaldson
Encyclopedia
Anthony Dean "Bear" Ronaldson (born 25 May 1972 in Adelaide
, South Australia
) is a former Australian basketball
player who last played for the NZL National Basketball League
team, Waikato Pistons.
in 1991. When the Spectres merged with the Southern Melbourne Saints
in 1992, Ronaldson was one of the players to be signed to the newly created South East Melbourne Magic
. During his time with the Magic, Ronaldson competed in another four Grand Finals including two NBL championships in 1992 and 1996. When the Magic also merged with another club in 1998/99, this time with cross-town rivals the North Melbourne Giants
, Ronaldson once again was signed to the resulting team: the Victoria Titans
. Ronaldson was eventually sacked by coach Brian Goorijan due to weight and fitness issues. Ronaldson signed with the Perth Wildcats for 2002/03 season. Following the retirement of Ricky Grace
, Ronaldson captain
ed the club in 2005/06, but was replaced by Paul Rogers
the following season.
Ronaldson's game would continue to operate on his basketball savvy inside, and outside shooting. His lazy and often haphazard approach to fitness and lack of interior presence would cause the Wildcats to make a low ball offer which Ronaldson refused. Fitness and weight was always an issue for Ronaldson as he was often encumbered by severe weight gain. Due to this and after a number of lacklustre performances, he left the Wildcats after the 2006/07 season and signed with the New Zealand Breakers
. Many basketball keen fans regard Ronaldson as a nonchalant player who struggles to keep up with the pace of the game and earning the nickname "The Duck" for his waddle in transition. However, his ability often surprises fans and players alike and he continues to inspire players of a "larger" body type to strive towards sporting careers.
Prior to the 2006/2007 finals series, Ronaldson has played 574 NBL games, overtaking Leroy Loggins
(567 games) during the regular season, and is now (2010) overtaken Andrew Gaze
(612 games) with (662) games. Furthermore, Ronaldson leads the league in career wins (402).
In addition to his NBL career, Ronaldson has represented his country at a national level on numerous occasions including the 1996 Olympic Games (in which he made a spectacular 4 point play in the dying seconds against Croatia
to give the Boomers a birth in the Bronze medal game), 2004 Olympic Games
and the 2006 Commonwealth Games
.
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
) is a former Australian basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player who last played for the NZL National Basketball League
National Basketball League (New Zealand)
The National Basketball League, often abbreviated to the NBL, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in New Zealand.There were 10 teams in the 2010 season with teams based in Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Invercargill, Nelson, New Plymouth, North Shore, Palmerston North,...
team, Waikato Pistons.
Playing career
Ronaldson made his NBL debut in 1990 with the now-defunct Eastside Spectres and was a member of the Spectres Grand Final team that lost to the Perth WildcatsPerth 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...
in 1991. When the Spectres merged with the Southern Melbourne Saints
Southern Melbourne Saints
The Southern Melbourne Saints, previously known as the St Kilda Saints and the Westside Melbourne Saints, were an Australian basketball team, that played in Melbourne, Victoria, in the National Basketball League....
in 1992, Ronaldson was one of the players to be signed to the newly created 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...
. During his time with the Magic, Ronaldson competed in another four Grand Finals including two NBL championships in 1992 and 1996. When the Magic also merged with another club in 1998/99, this time with cross-town 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...
, Ronaldson once again was signed to the resulting team: 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...
. Ronaldson was eventually sacked by coach Brian Goorijan due to weight and fitness issues. Ronaldson signed with the Perth Wildcats for 2002/03 season. Following the retirement of Ricky Grace
Ricky Grace
Ricky Ray Grace is an American/Australian professional basketball player who played in the Australian National Basketball League from 1990 until the 2004/2005 season.- Playing career :...
, Ronaldson captain
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
ed the club in 2005/06, but was replaced by Paul Rogers
Paul Rogers (basketball)
Paul Andrew Rogers is a retired Australian basketball player who played in the National Basketball League...
the following season.
Ronaldson's game would continue to operate on his basketball savvy inside, and outside shooting. His lazy and often haphazard approach to fitness and lack of interior presence would cause the Wildcats to make a low ball offer which Ronaldson refused. Fitness and weight was always an issue for Ronaldson as he was often encumbered by severe weight gain. Due to this and after a number of lacklustre performances, he left the Wildcats after the 2006/07 season and signed with the New Zealand Breakers
New Zealand Breakers
The New Zealand Breakers are a professional basketball team competing in the Australasian National Basketball League. The Breakers joined the NBL for the 2003/04 season as one of two expansion clubs. The club is based in the city of Auckland, New Zealand and play their home games at the North...
. Many basketball keen fans regard Ronaldson as a nonchalant player who struggles to keep up with the pace of the game and earning the nickname "The Duck" for his waddle in transition. However, his ability often surprises fans and players alike and he continues to inspire players of a "larger" body type to strive towards sporting careers.
Prior to the 2006/2007 finals series, Ronaldson has played 574 NBL games, overtaking Leroy Loggins
Leroy Loggins
Leroy Loggins is a former professional basketball player who played in the Australian National Basketball League from 1981 to the 2000-01 season...
(567 games) during the regular season, and is now (2010) overtaken Andrew Gaze
Andrew Gaze
Andrew Barry Casson Gaze is Australia's best known basketball player, and one of its most successful. He is considered as the greatest player in the history of the NBL....
(612 games) with (662) games. Furthermore, Ronaldson leads the league in career wins (402).
In addition to his NBL career, Ronaldson has represented his country at a national level on numerous occasions including the 1996 Olympic Games (in which he made a spectacular 4 point play in the dying seconds against Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
to give the Boomers a birth in the Bronze medal game), 2004 Olympic Games
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
and the 2006 Commonwealth Games
2006 Commonwealth Games
The 2006 Commonwealth Games were held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia between 15 March and 26 March 2006. It was the largest sporting event to be staged in Melbourne, eclipsing the 1956 Summer Olympics in terms of the number of teams competing, athletes competing, and events being held.The site...
.