Wade Helliwell

Last updated

Wade Helliwell
Personal information
Born (1978-05-10) 10 May 1978 (age 45)
Melbourne, Victoria
NationalityAustralian
Listed height211 cm (6 ft 11 in)
Listed weight118 kg (260 lb)
Career information
College Charlotte (1999–2000)
Playing career2000–2012
Position Centre
Career history
2000–2004 Brisbane Bullets
2003 Panionios B.C.
2004–2006 Pallacanestro Virtus Roma
2006 Montepaschi Siena
2006–2008 Solsonica Rieti
2008–2009 Fabi Shoes
2009–2010 PAOK
2010–2011 Melbourne Tigers
2011–2012 Adelaide 36ers
Career highlights and awards

Wade Helliwell (born 10 May 1978) is a former Australian professional basketball player.

Contents

Career

Melbourne born Helliwell completed a stint at the Australian Institute of Sport before going on to a season of US College basketball attending the University of North Carolina at Charlotte playing for the Charlotte 49ers in 2000. He played 31 games for the 49ers averaging 2.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.4 blocks per game.

After his season with in Charlotte, Helliwell played in Australia after signing with the Brisbane Bullets for the 2000–01 NBL season. He would play 104 games for the Bullets, winning the NBL's Most Improved Player award in 2002 when he posted career best stats of 13.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in 30 games.

After leaving the Bullets following the 2003–04 season Helliwell went on to spend the next six years playing in Greece and Italy at the top level before returning home to Australia in 2010 to link up with his hometown club, the Melbourne Tigers for the 2010–11 NBL season. He would play 28 games for the Tigers during the season, seeing limited court time.

On 17 August 2011 it was announced that the 6'11" (211 cm), 118 kg Helliwell, now in the veteran class at age 33, had signed to play for the Adelaide 36ers in the 2011–12 season as back up to emerging centre Daniel Johnson giving the 36ers two near 7 foot tall centres (Johnson is also 6'11" but stands at 212 cm.) [1] While no longer seen as an offensive threat Helliwell has gained a reputation among 36ers fans for being a good defender, often being called on by 36ers coach Marty Clarke to stop bigger opposition centres from scoring.

Helliwell retired from playing following the 2011–12 NBL season.

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