Ronnie Joyner (born c. 1961)[1] is an American former professional basketball player who spent 17 seasons playing in New Zealand in the National Basketball League (NBL). He finished his career as the league's all-time leading scorer with 8,828 career points.[2]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1961 (age 60–61) |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Collierville (Collierville, Tennessee) |
| College |
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| NBA draft | 1982 / Undrafted |
| Playing career | 1984–2001 |
| Position | Forward |
| Career history | |
| 1984 | Wellington Saints |
| 1985–1988 | Ponsonby |
| 1989 | Waikato Warriors |
| 1990 | Auckland Cannons |
| 1991–1993 | Waikato Warriors |
| 1994–1996 | Hutt Valley Lakers |
| 1997–1998 | Northland Suns |
| 2000–2001 | North Harbour Kings |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Joyner attended Collierville High School in Collierville, Tennessee, where he averaged 18.1 and 21.5 points per game respectively during his final two prep seasons. As a freshman at Cloud County Community College in 1978–79, he averaged 23.8 points, including 37 points per game in his final eight games. He came back a year later and averaged 30.1 points per game,[3] third among the nation's junior college scorers, and earned first-team JC All-America honors. Following his sophomore season, Joyner transferred to Washington State, where he was a streak shooter in his first season with the Cougars. He worked on his defensive game during his senior year, earning praise from head coach George Raveling.[4] In 54 games for the Cougars over two seasons, he averaged 6.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 18.0 minutes per game.[5]
Joyner moved to New Zealand in 1984. He was recruited by his former Washington State teammate Kenny McFadden when the Wellington Saints needed a replacement import on the eve of the 1984 NBL finals.[6] He went on help the Saints win the championship.[6] Joyner had his first full season in the NBL in 1985, playing for the Auckland-based Ponsonby. He averaged 52.6 points per game for the season, which saw him being named the NBL Most Outstanding Forward while earning NBL All-Star Five honors. He continued on with Ponsonby in 1986 and earned All-Star Five honors for the second straight year.[6] After two more seasons with Ponsonby, he joined the Waikato Warriors for the 1989 season. After a season with the Auckland Cannons in 1990, he returned to Waikato for the next three seasons.[6] Between 1994 and 1996, he played for the Hutt Valley Lakers. In 1997 and 1998, he played for the Northland Suns. After a season away from the NBL in 1999, he played for the North Harbour Kings in 2000 and 2001.[6]
In his 17-year career, Joyner was a five-time league scoring champion.[6] He retired with 291 games and a league-record 8,828 career points.[7] He also ranked fifth all time in career rebounds (2,459).[2][8]
and American import-turned-resident Ronnie Joyner, 40, who has a hand injury and probably will not turn out this season.[dead link]
...still well short of the all-time scoring record - Ronnie Joyner's 8828 points.
Boucher also moved into 5th all-time in rebounds this week, passing Ronnie Joyner.
New Zealand NBL Most Outstanding Forward Award | |
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New Zealand NBL Scoring Champion | |
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