Darryl Pearce

HTML <h2><strong>No</strong><strong> 71 DARRYL PEARCE</strong></h2>

HTML <h2><strong>6 feet 2 inch (</strong><strong>189</strong><strong>cm) Guard</strong></h2>

HTML <h2><strong>1988 Oly</strong><strong>mpic G</strong><strong>ames</strong></h2>

HTML <p>“I can recall waiting to enter the Olympic Stadium at the Opening Ceremony at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. We were all congregating in groups out on practice fields outside the Stadium. We were dressed in our canary yellow dryza-bones in very humid conditions and entering the stadium in alphabetical order. The Aussies were in the arena pretty early.....we received an amazing ovation and I can distinctly remember the plan explained to us that when we saw the officials of our team doff their Akubra hats to the Olympic officials, the whole Australian Olympic team would do the same...the timing was perfect and the feeling of completing that act and the unity within the group I will never forget.....the crowd erupted ....I was so proud to be part of the Australian Olympic Team,” says Darryl Pearce.</p>

HTML <p>Darryl Pearce was born October 15th, 1960 in Adelaide, South Australia.He started playing basketball at the age of seven in the Church of Christ competition where he was fortunate to have 1964 Olympian Scott Davie as his coach. His junior career was with South Adelaide District Club and there he was coached by 1964 and 1968 Olympian Michael Ah Matt who Darryl describes as “a major influence on my career.”</p>

HTML <p>Such was Darryl’s basketball development that he represented South Australia (SA) at Australian Championships at Under 14’s, Under 16’s, Under 18’s and Under 20’s. He also made the move to the South Adelaide Club senior team when he was fifteen. There he was coached by the legendary Ken Cole. “A major mentor,” comments Darryl. He also got to play alongside stars such as Ah Matt, Cole, Brian Lester and Alan Wheeler.</p>

HTML <p>His performances at the AustralianChampionships and in SA District Competition resulted in Darryl being selected to the Australian Junior Team for the 1979 World Championships held in Brazil. The Aussies finished in 9th position. This was the first Australian Junior Team to play in a World Championship. The Junior Team also included future Olympian Larry Sengstock.</p>

HTML <p>Darryl played his first National Basketball League (NBL) games with Adelaide in 1982. He had an outstanding fourteen year career in the NBL. Ten of those years were with Adelaide and the final four years with North Melbourne. He won NBL Championships with Adelaide (1986) and North Melbourne (1994), played in two other NBL Grand Finals, and played on teams that qualified for the finals eleven times in fourteen seasons. He was to play 374 games in the NBL averaging 15.6 points per game. In some seasons he was a leader in three point shooting percentage and free-throw percentage and is tied fifth for the all-time NBL single season three point shooting average (4.2 baskets per game).</p>

HTML <p>Over his NBL career Darryl was one of the most feared three-point shooters in the League. His ability to score big three point baskets with a relaxed manner at critical times in games earned him the nickname “The Ice-Man”, or simply “Ice”. That nickname was to follow him all his career and in his life after basketball. His shooting technique was relaxed, pure and smooth. He developed a great reputation as a “zone-breaker”. When the opposition went to a zone defence the fans expected to see “Ice” enter the game.</p>

HTML <p>In 1985 Darryl was selected to the Australian Men’s Team (Boomers) for the first time when he played for the Australia at the inaugural Australia Games. The Boomers won the Gold Medal. He followed the Australia Games by playing for the Boomers against the Pac 10 All Stars, and one game against the NBL All Stars. Darryl then toured to the USA for a ten match tour against the US College PAC 10.</p>

HTML <p>In 1986 the Boomers had limited preparation before Darryl and the team went to the World Championships in Spain. The Boomers failed to qualify for the finals in the 24 team tournament and gained equal 13th place.</p>

HTML <p>In 1987 Darryl played for the Boomers against the touring Big East (US College) All Stars and against the touring USSR. The series against the USSR ignited Australian basketball and was excellent preparation for the Boomers who went on to win the Oceania 1988 Olympic Games Qualification Tournament. At the end of the year Darryl toured to Europe with the Boomers on a nine game tour.</p>

HTML <p>Darryl’s major personal emphasis in 1988 was to be selected on the team to play at the Seoul Olympic Games. He was selected to play against the touring Czechoslovakian National Team and the University of Nebraska. After these games Darryl was selected to the 1988 Australian Men’s Team for the Seoul Olympics. The Boomers then played a six match series in Australia against the USSR one of the favourites for a Gold Medal in Seoul. As in 1987, the USSR-Australia Series was a sell-out and. The series was excellent preparation for the Olympics.</p>

HTML <p>“My selection to the Australian Men’s Team for the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games was the highlight of my life....something I’d dreamed about since I was ten years of age. I was very proud to be part of a great team of players and coaches...it still feels like it was yesterday,” recalls Darryl.</p>

HTML <p>Darryl sums up his role on the team. “My role on the 1988 Olympic Team was really as a shooting guard...I played back-up to a wonderfully talented group of guards.... such as Phil Smyth and Andrew Gaze. I suppose my real role was as a zone-breaker if required. To be at the Olympics with legends such as Mark Bradtke, Larry Sengstock, Ray Borner, Andrew Gaze and Phil Smyth.....and with future legends such as Longley, Bradtke and Vlahov was a blessing.......and a lot of them had been at L.A. in 1984 so I watched and listened and learned a lot.”</p>

HTML <p>“Although Darryl underplays his role on the 1988 Olympic team he was nevertheless an important part of that team with his attitude, support, role acceptance and his ability to come on the court at any time and contribute straight away. He was great to coach,” says 1988 Olympic Games Coach Dr Adrian Hurley.</p>

HTML <p>The Boomers played exceptional basketball and made the semi-finals of the Olympic Games for the first time in their history. They went on to finish 4th, the best ever result to that time at an Olympic Games by an Australian Men’s Basketball Team.</p>

HTML <p>Darryl played for the Boomers for the last time in the 1989 series against the Kareem Abdul Jabbar All Stars (two games) and retired from playing basketball in the NBL in 1995.</p>

HTML <p>Darryl Pearce was an exceptional player for his NBL Clubs and for Australia. He was always a crowd favourite with his spectacular shooting. He was also a very popular team-mate with the Boomers and his NBL Clubs as he has a tremendous sense of humour, a quick wit and is very entertaining. </p>

HTML <p>“Daryl always had a great work ethic and was incredibly competitive.&#160; &quot;Ice&quot; was mentally tough and that gave him the edge to dominate defences.&#160; Add to all this.... a very intelligent young man.... and you have a player that is one of my favourites,” says Ken Cole one of Darryl’s Club coaches.</p>

HTML <p>After his retirement Darryl did some television “colour” commentary and amused audiences as he had his team-mates while at the same time demonstrating his exceptional knowledge, high basketball IQ, and appreciation of the game.</p>

HTML <p>Darryl Pearce lives in Melbourneand continues to be involved with basketball.</p>

HTML <p>Darryl Pearce in the NBL (D. Pearce)</p>

HTML <p>Darryl Pearce (5) playing for Australia attempts to block a shot against an All Star Team (Basketball Australia)</p>

HTML <p>Darryl Pearce makes a pass against the USSR (The Australian Basketballer Magazine)</p>

HTML <p>Darry Pearce (4) playing for Australia against the Kareem Abdul Jabaar All Stars (Basketball Australia)</p>