Leroy Loggins facts for kids

Leroy Jay Loggins is a famous Australian-American former professional basketball player. He was born on December 20, 1957. Leroy played in Australia's National Basketball League (NBL) from 1981 until 2001. He is known as one of the greatest players in NBL history.

Becoming a Basketball Star

Leroy Loggins was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in the United States. He went to Fairmont State University in Fairmont, West Virginia. After college, the Detroit Pistons picked him in the 1980 NBA draft. This was a big step towards his professional career.

Playing in the NBL

Starting with the Bullets

In 1981, Leroy Loggins joined the Brisbane Bullets for his first NBL season. He helped the team reach the NBL Semi-finals. This was just the beginning of his long and successful career in Australia.

Winning with the Bearcats

For the 1982 NBL season, Leroy moved to the West Adelaide Bearcats. He joined other talented players like Ken Richardson and Al Green. The Bearcats had an amazing season and won their only NBL Championship. They beat the Geelong Supercats 80–74 in the Grand Final. Leroy was the top scorer in that game with 32 points. He was also chosen for his first All NBL First Team.

Returning to Brisbane

After the 1983 season, Leroy returned to the Brisbane Bullets. He stayed with them for the rest of his career. In 1984, Leroy was in great form and was named the NBL's Most Valuable Player (MVP). He averaged 29.3 points per game that season.

More Championships and MVPs

In 1985, Leroy helped the Bullets win their first NBL championship. They defeated the Adelaide 36ers 121–95 in the Grand Final. Leroy was again the top scorer with 41 points. He was also selected for his fourth straight All NBL First Team.

The Bullets moved to the larger Brisbane Entertainment Centre in 1986. Leroy won his second NBL MVP award that year. The Bullets faced the Adelaide 36ers again in the Grand Final. It was a tough three-game series, and the Bullets lost in the final game. Even so, Leroy's great performance earned him a spot on the All NBL First Team for the fifth time.

In 1987, Leroy Loggins made history by becoming the first player to win back-to-back NBL MVP awards. He shared the award with Mark Davis of the Adelaide 36ers. The Bullets reached their fourth Grand Final in a row. They played against the Perth Wildcats and won the series 2–0. Leroy was named the Grand Final MVP. He also won the NBL's Best Defensive Player award and was named to his sixth straight All NBL First Team.

Later Career and Retirement

Leroy continued to be a top player. In 1990, he became the captain of the Bullets. He won his second Best Defensive Player award that year. Brisbane made it to the NBL Grand Final series again but lost to the Perth Wildcats.

Leroy captained the Bullets until he retired after the 2000–01 NBL season. He was still a key player for the team even at 43 years old. The Brisbane Bullets retired his number 30 jersey to honor him.

Leroy Loggins played a record 567 games in the NBL during his career. He scored 13,106 points and grabbed 3,897 rebounds. He is also second all-time in steals with 1,221. In 2006, Leroy Loggins was inducted into the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame.

Playing for Australia

After becoming an Australian citizen, Leroy Loggins joined the Australian Boomers (the national basketball team). He played for Australia at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. He helped Australia finish in 6th place. Leroy's best game at the Olympics was against Puerto Rico, where he scored 19 points.

Awards and Achievements

Leroy Loggins received many awards during his amazing career:

• NBL Most Valuable Player – 3 times (1984, 1986, 1987)
• All NBL First Team – 10 times (1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1994)
• NBL Grand Final MVP – 1 time (1987)
• NBL All-Star Game MVP – 2 times (1982, 1988)
• NBL's Best Defensive Player – 2 times (1987, 1990)
• NBL's 20th Anniversary Team – (1998)
• NBL's 25th Anniversary Team – (2003)
• Note: No official Grand Final MVP was given in 1982 or 1985, but Loggins was named player of the match in both games.

Brisbane Bullets Records

Leroy Loggins holds many records for the Brisbane Bullets:

• First in games played (539)
• First in points (11,777)
• First in assists (1,463)
• First in steals (1,194)
• First in blocked shots (463)
• First in offensive rebounds (1,147)
• First in defensive rebounds (2,286)
• First in total rebounds (3,433)
• First in turnovers (1,344)
• Fifth in free-throw percentage (83.2%)
• Tenth in three-point percentage (39.4%)

NBL Records

• 23 games with 40 or more points