Posted on 27 February, 2019

The Kilsyth Cobras have signed former University of Albany star and Melbourne United guard Peter Hooley for the 2019 NBL1 season.

Hooley joins the Cobras following a pair of standout SEABL campaigns in Ballarat, boasting averages of 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game over 46 career contests with the Miners.

Hooley exploded for a season-high 35 points against Sandringham on June 16 last year, then added seasons-best 14 assists against the Cobras just two weeks later, with his scintillating play helping the Miners secure a top-four regular season finish. The NBL champion’s blend of electric scoring and playmaking saw take home his second consecutive All-SEABL First Team honour in 2018, and now he joins forces with another All-SEABL member — Cobras import Isaac Turner.

While Hooley was a dominant force for Ballarat last season, he also played a key role off the bench for Melbourne United’s 2018 NBL championship-winning team. The 6’3 guard has continued his solid play this year with United, helping Melbourne clinch the league’s second best record ahead of the NBL playoffs.

Prior to his time in the NBL and SEABL, Hooley enjoyed a standout four-year career at the University of Albany, helping the Great Danes advance to the NCAA Tournament on three seperate occasions. Hooley is one of just two Albany players to play in three separate NCAA Tournaments and receive multiple Reggie Lewis Most Outstanding Player awards; an accolade given to the America East Conference Tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Hooley’s stellar collegiate career saw him finish with averages of 12.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, and he currently sits seventh on Albany’s all-time scoring list with 1519 career points.

Rounding out his remarkable career with the Great Danes, Hooley received All-America East honours on three separate occasions, and was named the conference’s Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2014 and 2016. Hooley’s lasting memory from his time in the US came down to one basket, though — a basket that would highlight both Hooley’s ability to thrive in crunch time and rise above personal tragedy.

Hooley missed a large chunk of the 2015 season after returning to Australia to be with his ailing mother, Sue, who passed away following a long battle with cancer on January 30, 2015. But despite navigating through a trying time for he and his family, Hooley was able to return to the floor and hit arguably the biggest shot in school history just six weeks later, with his last second three pointer in the 2015 America East Tournament championship game clinching an NCAA Tournament berth for Albany.

Hooley’s combination of high character – both on and off the court – and elite level playmaking is set to give Kilsyth a major boost as they get set to embark on their debut season in the NBL1. And joining forces alongside second year star Isaac Turner, the Cobras backcourt is shaping up to be arguably the NBL1’s most exciting – and explosive – backcourt for the season ahead.

Key partnership opportunities with Kilsyth Basketball and the NBL1 Cobras are now available, offering the chance to partner with one of Australia’s largest and most prestigious basketball associations while receiving exposure on a national level.

For more information about current partnership opportunities, please contact Amanda Dean on Amanda.Dean@kilsythbasketball.com.au or give us a call at (03) 9728 1033.