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One of the most dominant players in NBL history, Chris Anstey, will announce his retirement tomorrow and leave the game with an impressive career, highlighted by three NBL championships, two NBL MVP awards and one Hummer.

Anstey, who recently turned 35, breathed life into the Melbourne Tigers after the retirement of Andrew Gaze, and the departures of legends Lanard Copeland and Mark Bradtke, as the Tigers went in a new direction when Al Westover took charge for the 2005/06 season.

Building a team around Anstey bred success, as the 7-footer catapulted the Tigers to four successive appearances in the Grand Final series, resulting in two championships in 2006 and 2008, for which Anstey was named MVP of both final series.

But after Anstey went through off-season hip surgery, in 2009/10 the Tigers got off to a slow start and when Anstey finally returned to the line-up in December, the hole was too big for Melbourne to escape from.

After debuting with Melbourne in 1994, Anstey played in a limited capacity backing up Bradtke, before opting to leave the Tigers lair and join the South East Melbourne Magic.

Within three years of playing with the Magic, Anstey had claimed the NBL’s Most Improved Player Award in 1996, and finished 1997 averaging a double-double, 14.3ppg, 10rpg, which peaked the interest of NBA teams.

In 1997, Anstey was drafted by the Portland Trail-Blazers, but soon ended up with the Dallas Mavericks in a trade for the draft rights to Kelvin Cato.

Anstey would spend two season with the Mavs, where he would pick up a career-high 26 points during his rookie season, which was a record for most points scored in an NBA game by an Australian until recently when Andrew Bogut eclipsed that mark, and in the off-season of 1999 Anstey was traded away to the Chicago Bulls.

Spending one season with the Bulls, Anstey was a wanted man in Chicago’s future plans, but choosing the 2000 Olympic Games over an off-season with Chicago, ended Anstey’s run in the NBA.

Returning to the NBL in 2001, Anstey played two seasons with the Victoria Titans before leaving the shores of Australia again, this time to ply his trade in Russia.

Through three years in Russia’s cold, Anstey would play for Ural Great in 2002/03, and UNICS Kazan from 2003-05.

Anstey returning to Melbourne for AG (Life After Gaze), where the big man proved to be such a force, he at times looked like he was just too good for the league.

With Sam Mackinnon also retiring tomorrow, and reports in the Herald-Sun that Mark Worthington will explore his European options, the Melbourne Tigers are set to go through a rebuilding phase built around Daryl Corletto, Tommy Greer, Daniel Johnson and the up and coming Bennie Lewis, while it is believed Nathan Crosswell is also seriously considering retirement.

With David Barlow still locked into a contract in Spain for another season, Melbourne are set to chase a few upcoming free-agents, with Nathan Herbert expected to be one player on the “must get” list.

It will also in all likelihood end the tenure of Julius Hodge, who became a crowd favourite at The Cage, with the Tigers set to chase a big man for an import position, with Mike Rose expected to stay with the team as the second import.

Chris, It was an honour to watch you play over your career, and with a touch of bias, even better during your 2005-10 years with the Melbourne Tigers. You will be greatly missed by all fans and we wish you all the best in your future endeavours. May one day the number 13 hang from the rafters of The Cage.

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New Beginning
written by kiki, February 12, 2010

Chris Anstey's number 13 should hang in the rafters. He is worthy of that honour in my opinion.
Wortho will be missed. Macca has had a career he can be proud of.

It doesn't mean the tigers are finished. Just means some rebuilding needs to be done.

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written by ygoslo, February 08, 2010

Sad to hear that Clint Dogg is set to end it all.

On this news, it is certainly not an insurmountable blow for the Tigers. We all knew that Anstey would only have one more year at best, so it is no shock. Losing Worthington is no big deal - everyone knew he'd be a one year Tiger. The Mackinnon experiment never really worked, so no great loss there either. It'll be great to see what guys like Lewis can do with some increased responsibility. There might be some short term pain, but I think going with a youth focus is going to set the club up for the future.

If the word about Rose is true I'm thrilled - he looks to be a great prospect and is a lot of fun to watch. At 22, he'd fit well with a young squad. Would be a real shame to lose the passion and exuberance of Julius Hodge, but if he has to go he has to go I guess.

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written by south001, February 08, 2010

Anstey legend of the game,this is not the end people,D.J will develop and the Tigers will get new blood.

IF Wortho goes overseas thats sad for Bball but it happens a lot in Australia,Macca was always going to retire,we just have to get the new breed of Aussie players coming through.
There are plenty out there and now they get there shot.

I just hope Westover can develop a side as he has never had to.

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written by filby, February 08, 2010

Life does go on - no players last forever. Anstey moving on was inevitable, particularly after his injuries. Worthington is a major loss. He is the type of player to build a club around, pity there is just not enough money in the local game at the minute.

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written by evan, February 07, 2010

how sure is it that Julius will likely be leaving?
a few weeks back the herald sun reported that the tigers were set to offer him a contract????

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This is the END of Basketball in Australia
written by Clint Dogg, February 07, 2010

Im sorry, we were only just surviving.

No BIG NAMES like Anstey etc r retiring, the show is over im affraid.

Ive been supporting the NBL Since 1987, I dont think i can go on anymore like this.

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written by Viv, February 07, 2010

Never say never. And certainly never say die.

We still have heart and soul in Daz and Tommy.

We should count our blessings that we have been fortunate to have so much continuity in our roster over so many years. Other teams have had to go through this kind of rebuilding many times. It's our turn now. Another new era. Another challenge. Tigers will rise to the occasion.

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:(
written by Jordan Blair-Bremner, February 07, 2010

Tigers are finished

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