NBL Veteran Seeking New Opportunity

It’s been two years since we’ve seen 35-year-old Jeremy Kendle grace the NBL, but if his performances in NBL1 and the NZNBL are anything to go by, the Brisbane-based Indiana-born guard could well be suiting up in the league once again.

After initially signing with Bendigo in 2016 in what was then known as the SEABL, Kendle has turned out for Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and New Zealand in his journeyman NBL career, and has also spent time playing for Southland and Auckland in the NZNBL. He was also a member of the NBL1 North's Logan Thunder in 2021-22.

He’s currently on a tear while representing the Southland Sharks in New Zealand, and dropped 25 points in the final quarter alone to lead his side to a win over the Hawke’s Bay Hawks.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Kendle_Bball7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Kendle_Bball7</a> has been voted your <a href="https://twitter.com/RLINENZ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RLINENZ</a> Performance of the Week for R4 ?<br><br>Kendle dropped 25 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Sharks to a huge comeback win! ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SalsNBL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SalsNBL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/skysportnz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@skysportnz</a> <a href="https://t.co/ID8BSjPRwL">pic.twitter.com/ID8BSjPRwL</a></p>&mdash; Sal’s NBL (@nznbl) <a href="https://twitter.com/nznbl/status/1653148739442458625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Kendle is currently leading the league in both scoring (25.4 points per game) and assists (8.2 per game).

“What I’m doing in the NZNBL, in NBL1, the desire and goal is to do that in the Australia NBL, excel at that level and lead a team to a championship,” Kendle told Stuff.co.nz.

“If this is my lot, I’m very at peace with getting into coaching … but I’m in a good place.

“I know there are good things on the horizon, and I just need a GM or coach to have a bit of courage and give me a shot.”

The fact that Kendle could play such a key role in his side’s remarkable comeback against the Hawks – he scored or assisted on 34 of his side’s final 38 points for the game – is a testament to his ability to maintain his standards at the top level.

The veteran of the Australian basketball scene believes that, even at 35, there is plenty of growth left in his game.

“With what we know about diet and nutrition, training, rest and recovery, athletes are playing longer into their prime,” he said.

“I eat a plant-based diet, and I’m really focused on strength and mobility.

“I want to be the best version of myself for as long as I want to play, and I take pride in doing things the right way, on and off the court.

“That allows me to continue to have a growth mindset and keep on evolving.”

Sharks coach Guy Molloy believes Kendle is more than deserving of another opportunity at NBL level.

“He does things a ton of guards in that league can’t do,” Molloy said.

“He’s impeccable with his preparation, recovery, and diet.

“I know Father Time is undefeated and all that, but he’s got longevity.

“Look first at the skill would be my message to people.”

Kendle has teamed up with NBL23 South East Melbourne forward Grant Anticevich at the Sharks this season, and the pair has so far led the side to a 3-2 record for the season.