Kyle Zunic

Zunic was born in Sydney, New South Wales,{{cite web|url=https://winthropeagles.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kyle-zunic/5744|title=Kyle Zunic|work=winthropeagles.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209103230/https://winthropeagles.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kyle-zunic/5744|archive-date=9 December 2021}} in the southern suburb of Kogarah.{{cite web|url=https://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/player/p/pid/122430/pid2//sid/12180/tid/239/tid2//_/2016_FIBA_U17_World_Championship/index.html|title=Kyle Zunic|work=fiba.basketball|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209125334/http://www.fiba.basketball/pages/eng/fa/player/p/pid/122430/pid2//sid/12180/tid/239/tid2//_/2016_FIBA_U17_World_Championship/index.html|archive-date=9 December 2021}} His family later moved to Sanctuary Point, where he attended Sanctuary Point Public School.{{cite web|last=Ward|first=Courtney|url=https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/7418108/zunic-pens-wildcats-deal-to-follow-in-fathers-nbl-footsteps/|title=Kyle Zunic pens Perth Wildcats deal to follow in father Zoran's NBL footsteps|work=illawarramercury.com.au|date=6 September 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211209102909/https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/7418108/zunic-pens-wildcats-deal-to-follow-in-fathers-nbl-footsteps/|archive-date=9 December 2021}}{{cite web|last=Ward|first=Courtney|url=https://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/7420187/zunic-zeroes-in-on-making-defensive-name-for-himself-with-wildcats/|title=Kyle Zunic zeroes in on making defensive name for himself with Perth Wildcats|work=southcoastregister.com.au|date=8 September 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211208161145/https://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/7420187/zunic-zeroes-in-on-making-defensive-name-for-himself-with-wildcats/|archive-date=8 December 2021}} Around 10 and 11 years old, he played rugby league. He started playing basketball in Shellharbour before moving to Wollongong to play representative basketball for the Illawarra Hawks.{{cite web|last=Ward|first=Courtney|url=https://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/5427760/wide-ward-of-sports-kyle-zunic-basketball/|title=Wide Ward of Sports: Kyle Zunic (Basketball)|work=southcoastregister.com.au|date=24 May 2018|access-date=8 December 2021}} He played for NSW Country at national tournaments.{{cite web|url=https://australia.basketball/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/2016_U18-Men_Team-Lists-for-Release-002.pdf|title=2016 U18 Men Team Lists|work=australia.basketball|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924043733/http://australia.basketball/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/2016_U18-Men_Team-Lists-for-Release-002.pdf|archive-date=24 September 2018|access-date=9 December 2021}}

Zunic moved to Canberra to attend the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence and Lake Ginninderra College.{{cite web|last=Sicari|first=Luke|url=https://pickandroll.com.au/p/australian-u17-mens-fiba-world-championships-team-finalised|title=Australian U17 Men's FIBA World Championships team finalised|work=pickandroll.com.au|date=5 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209104026/https://pickandroll.com.au/p/australian-u17-mens-fiba-world-championships-team-finalised|archive-date=9 December 2021}} He played for the Centre of Excellence in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) in 2016 and 2017.{{cite web|url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=201538747&client=1-3363-150604-436967-20161522|title=Kyle Zunic|work=SEABL|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209104109/https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=201538747&client=1-3363-150604-436967-20161522|archive-date=9 December 2021}} He averaged 8.0 points in his first season and 16.3 points in the second season.

In April 2017, Zunic signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball for Winthrop University in the United States.{{cite web|last=Barrow|first=Tim|url=https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4606512/zunic-could-be-next-delly/|title=Wollongong's Kyle Zunic looks to launch US college career with Winthrop|work=illawarramercury.com.au|date=17 April 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211209114352/https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4606512/zunic-could-be-next-delly/|archive-date=9 December 2021|quote=Zunic last week signed a letter of intent with South Carolina's Winthrop University...}}

As a freshman for the Winthrop Eagles in 2017–18, Zunic played 26 games with nine starts and averaged 6.8 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 18.8 minutes per game.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/kyle-zunic-1.html|title=Kyle Zunic|work=sports-reference.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209104747/https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/kyle-zunic-1.html|archive-date=9 December 2021}} He missed games with injuries to his ankles and appendix issues.{{cite web|last=Ward|first=Courtney|url=https://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/5283404/zunic-reflects-on-first-season-soaring-with-eagles/|title=Kyle Zunic reflects on first season soaring with Winthrop Eagles|work=southcoastregister.com.au|date=14 March 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211209113734/https://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/5283404/zunic-reflects-on-first-season-soaring-with-eagles/|archive-date=9 December 2021|quote=I had those injuries during the year, with my ankles and my appendix but I think it has made me stronger for the years to come.}}

As a sophomore in 2018–19, Zunic averaged career highs in points (8.6), rebounds (4.3), assists (1.9) and minutes (21.8). He played 30 games and made 18 starts. On 20 December 2018, he had a career-high 21 points and 10 rebounds against UMES.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com.au/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401088527|title=Winthrop pours in 14 3-pointers in 88-74 win over UMES|work=ESPN.com.au|date=21 December 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221200022/http://www.espn.com.au/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401088527|archive-date=21 December 2018|access-date=9 December 2021}}

As a junior in 2019–20, Zunic was named to the Big South Conference All-Academic Team and helped the Eagles win the Big South Conference tournament. He played 32 games with seven starts and averaged 5.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 18.7 minutes per game. He became the 24th player in program history to hit 100 career 3-pointers.

As a senior in 2020–21, Zunic was again named to the Big South Conference All-Academic Team{{cite web|url=https://bigsouthsports.com/news/2021/2/26/big-south-announces-2020-21-mens-basketball-annual-award-winners.aspx|title=Big South Announces 2020-21 Men's Basketball Annual Award Winners|work=bigsouthsports.com|date=26 February 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226210654/https://bigsouthsports.com/news/2021/2/26/big-south-announces-2020-21-mens-basketball-annual-award-winners.aspx|archive-date=26 February 2021|access-date=9 December 2021}} and helped the Eagles win the Big South Conference tournament for the second year in a row.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com.au/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401300963|title=Winthrop cruises to Big South title, automatic NCAA bid|work=ESPN.com.au|date=8 March 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308052849/https://www.espn.com.au/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401300963|archive-date=8 March 2021|access-date=9 December 2021}} He played 25 games with a career-high 24 starts and averaged 5.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 19.6 minutes per game.

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18

| style="text-align:left;"| Winthrop

| 26 || 9 || 18.8 || .428 || .372 || .759 || 1.3 || 1.3 || .6 || .1 || 6.8

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19

| style="text-align:left;"| Winthrop

| 30 || 18 || 21.8 || .405 || .324 || .667 || 4.3 || 1.9 || .7 || .2 || 8.6

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20

| style="text-align:left;"| Winthrop

| 32 || 7 || 18.7 || .393 || .309 || .759 || 3.0 || 1.9 || .5 || .1 || 5.5

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21

| style="text-align:left;"| Winthrop

| 25 || 24 || 19.6 || .359 || .341 || .609 || 2.6 || 1.4 || .8 || .1 || 5.0

|-

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 113 || 58 || 19.7 || .399 || .335 || .705 || 2.9 || 1.6 || .6 || .1 || 6.5

|-

{{S-end}}

In June 2021, Zunic joined the USC Rip City of the NBL1 North.{{cite web|url=https://www.uscbasketball.com.au/post/from-the-big-dance-to-the-big-pineapple|title=From the Big Dance to the Big Pineapple|work=uscbasketball.com.au|date=9 June 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209115433/https://www.uscbasketball.com.au/post/from-the-big-dance-to-the-big-pineapple|archive-date=9 December 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/7291253/zunic-zeroes-in-on-nbl1-north-shot-with-usc-rip-city/|title=Kyle Zunic zeroes in on NBL1 North shot with USC Rip City|work=southcoastregister.com.au|date=10 June 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211209115121/https://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/7291253/zunic-zeroes-in-on-nbl1-north-shot-with-usc-rip-city/|archive-date=9 December 2021}} In 12 games, he averaged 12.91 points, 6.33 rebounds, 5.08 assists and 1.16 steals per game.{{cite web|url=https://nbl1.com.au/player/e3dfeeda-7b55-11eb-815c-de81c44d5767/f5dd5d4a-c4eb-11eb-a8e7-6e43d59ff688/kyle-zunic/north|title=Kyle Zunic|work=nbl1.com.au|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211209115634/https://nbl1.com.au/player/e3dfeeda-7b55-11eb-815c-de81c44d5767/f5dd5d4a-c4eb-11eb-a8e7-6e43d59ff688/kyle-zunic/north|archive-date=9 December 2021}}

On 6 September 2021, Zunic signed with the Perth Wildcats of the National Basketball League (NBL) as a development player for the 2021–22 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/perth-wildcats-sign-aussie-guard-kyle-zunic|title=Perth Wildcats sign Aussie guard Kyle Zunic|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=6 September 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209115949/https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/perth-wildcats-sign-aussie-guard-kyle-zunic|archive-date=9 December 2021}} He made his NBL debut on 3 December 2021, scoring two points in 17½ minutes as a starter in the Wildcats' 85–73 season-opening win over the Adelaide 36ers.{{cite web|url=https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/vic-law-makes-history-in-season-opener|title=Vic Law makes-history in season-opener|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=3 December 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209120734/https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/vic-law-makes-history-in-season-opener|archive-date=9 December 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/NBL/1976447/bs.html|title=Wildcats vs 36ers|work=fibalivestats.com|date=3 December 2021|access-date=9 December 2021}} He became the first development player in NBL history to earn a start in his debut.{{cite web|url=https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/zunic-impresses-in-history-making-first-nbl-games|title=Zunic impresses in history-making first NBL games|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=8 December 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208164925/https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/zunic-impresses-in-history-making-first-nbl-games|archive-date=8 December 2021}} In 16 games, he averaged 1.7 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/player/3692/1683954/kyle-zunic|title=Kyle Zunic|work=NBL.com.au|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429125851/https://nbl.com.au/player/3692/1683954/kyle-zunic|archive-date=29 April 2022}}

Zunic joined the Warwick Senators for the 2022 NBL1 West season.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/WarwickSenatorsCCSRA/posts/4821798221215801|title=NBL1 Player Announcement|work=facebook.com/WarwickSenatorsCCSRA|date=23 December 2021|access-date=5 January 2022}} In 18 games, he averaged 17.78 points, 4.78 rebounds, 4.28 assists and 1.56 steals per game.{{cite web|url=https://nbl1.com.au/player/8806f355-7426-11ec-8af0-e77784f2edff/f5dd5d4a-c4eb-11eb-a8e7-6e43d59ff688/kyle-zunic/west|title=Kyle Zunic|work=NBL1.com.au|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001012212/https://nbl1.com.au/player/8806f355-7426-11ec-8af0-e77784f2edff/f5dd5d4a-c4eb-11eb-a8e7-6e43d59ff688/kyle-zunic/west|archive-date=1 October 2022}}

On 24 May 2022, Zunic was elevated to the Wildcats' main roster on a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/wildcats-elevate-kyle-zunic-to-main-roster|title=Wildcats elevate Kyle Zunic to main roster|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=24 May 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524013038/https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/wildcats-elevate-kyle-zunic-to-main-roster|archive-date=24 May 2022}} He appeared in 14 games during the 2022–23 NBL season, averaging 1.6 points per game.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/player/3692/1683954/kyle-zunic|title=Kyle Zunic|work=NBL.com.au|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230306142328/https://nbl.com.au/player/3692/1683954/kyle-zunic|archive-date=6 March 2023}}

Zunic joined the Northside Wizards for the 2023 NBL1 North season.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/northsidewizards/posts/pfbid0RNcqm2MnDzPm2EHoF1gcBqZP9HK7ibpkHQKMnKJbyw4UrrQ2PGpQGnqa9V86zvx7l|title=NBL1 North Player Announcement 2023|work=facebook.com/northsidewizards|date=27 January 2023|access-date=6 March 2023}} In 14 games, he averaged 15.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.43 steals per game.{{cite web|url=https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/zunic-returning-to-perth-with-more-confidence|title=Zunic returning to Perth with more confidence|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=18 July 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719031650/https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/zunic-returning-to-perth-with-more-confidence|archive-date=19 July 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://nbl1.com.au/player/116a2f56-70a7-11ed-a54e-2d98d9fac4b4/f5dd5d4a-c4eb-11eb-a8e7-6e43d59ff688/kyle-zunic/north|title=Kyle Zunic|work=NBL1.com.au|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230719044133/https://nbl1.com.au/player/116a2f56-70a7-11ed-a54e-2d98d9fac4b4/f5dd5d4a-c4eb-11eb-a8e7-6e43d59ff688/kyle-zunic/north|archive-date=19 July 2023}}

Zunic missed the first three weeks of the 2023–24 NBL season due to a foot injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/zunic-ruled-out-of-wildcats-opening-weekend|title=Zunic ruled out of Wildcats' opening weekend|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=28 September 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230928213243/https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/zunic-ruled-out-of-wildcats-opening-weekend|archive-date=28 September 2023}}{{cite web|last=O'Donoghue|first=Craig|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-wildcats/perth-wildcats-import-kristian-doolittle-to-return-from-knee-injury-in-nbl-game-against-adelaide-36ers-c-12256781|title=Perth Wildcats import Kristian Doolittle to return from knee injury in NBL game against Adelaide 36ers|work=TheWest.com.au|date=19 October 2023|access-date=19 October 2023|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231019101515/https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-wildcats/perth-wildcats-import-kristian-doolittle-to-return-from-knee-injury-in-nbl-game-against-adelaide-36ers-c-12256781|archive-date=19 October 2023|quote=Wildcats guard Kyle Zunic will also return from a foot injury and play for the first time this season.}} He appeared in 10 games for the Wildcats in 2023–24, scoring eight total points.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/player/3692/1683954/kyle-zunic|title=Kyle Zunic|work=NBL.com.au|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321095009/https://nbl.com.au/player/3692/1683954/kyle-zunic|archive-date=21 March 2024}} He earned his second straight Perth Wildcats Coaches Award.{{cite web|url=https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/nbl24-season-review-kyle-zunic|title=NBL24 season review - Kyle Zunic|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=28 March 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328151812/https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/nbl24-season-review-kyle-zunic|archive-date=28 March 2024}}

On 21 March 2024, Zunic signed with the Keilor Thunder for the 2024 NBL1 South season.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/keilorbasketball/posts/pfbid02UnW5b1Vzoc46BjmiUXenJA8qNdHuLbK7m8vbgQMSDMtPKADV9oTqeYRvt2MAeoY4l|title=Thunder Nation, Get Ready to Roar!|work=facebook.com/northsidewizards|date=21 March 2024|access-date=21 March 2024}} In 18 games, he averaged 18.22 points, 6.11 rebounds, 6.11 assists and 1.5 steals per game.{{cite web |title=Kyle Zunic |url=https://nbl1.com.au/player-listing/kyle-zunic |website=nbl1.com.au |access-date=6 February 2025}}

In 2015, Zunic helped the Australian under-16 team win gold at the FIBA Oceania Under-16 Championship in New Zealand.

In 2016, Zunic represented Australia at the FIBA Under-17 World Championship in Spain. That same year, he won silver with the Australian under-19 team at the FIBA Oceania Under-18 Championship in Fiji.{{cite web|url=https://basketball.australiabasket.com/player/Kyle-Zunic/Australia/Perth-Wildcats/367290|title=Kyle Zunic|work=australiabasket.com|access-date=9 December 2021}} He also competed at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Germany.{{cite web|last=Arsenis|first=Damian|url=https://pickandroll.com.au/p/2016-albert-schweitzer-tournament|title=Young and exciting Emus named for 2016 Albert Schweitzer Tournament|work=pickandroll.com.au|date=21 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209123154/https://pickandroll.com.au/p/2016-albert-schweitzer-tournament|archive-date=9 December 2021}}

In 2019, Zunic helped the Australian University National Team win bronze at the World University Games in Italy. He recorded a team-high four assists in the bronze medal game against Israel.{{cite web|url=https://universiade2019napoli.microplustiming.com/assets/pdf/BKBMTEAM5-------------FNL-000200--_73%201.1.pdf|title=Israel vs Australia|work=2019 Summer Universiade|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616090647/https://universiade2019napoli.microplustiming.com/assets/pdf/BKBMTEAM5-------------FNL-000200--_73%201.1.pdf|archive-date=16 June 2020|access-date=9 December 2021}}

In February 2022, Zunic was named in the Australian Boomers squad for the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in Japan.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/emerging-nbl-players-named-in-boomers-squad|title=Emerging NBL Players Named in Boomers Squad|work=NBL.com.au|date=2 February 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202100527/https://nbl.com.au/news/emerging-nbl-players-named-in-boomers-squad|archive-date=2 February 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/zunic-to-don-green-and-gold-in-japan|title=Zunic to don green and gold in Japan|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=18 February 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218131314/https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/zunic-to-don-green-and-gold-in-japan|archive-date=18 February 2022}}

Zunic is the son of Zoran and Tania Zunic. His father played in the NBL for the Sydney Supersonics (1983) and Sydney Kings (1988).{{cite web|url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=190395910&client=0-189-88249-125709-369912|title=Zoran Zunic|work=NBL|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209121807/https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=190395910&client=0-189-88249-125709-369912|archive-date=9 December 2021}} His brother, Jordan, is a professional golfer.{{cite web|last=Cohen|first=Mitch|url=https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3680915/gongs-zunic-brothers-shooting-for-the-stars/|title=Gong's Zunic brothers shooting for the stars|work=illawarramercury.com.au|date=22 January 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211209122140/https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3680915/gongs-zunic-brothers-shooting-for-the-stars/|archive-date=9 December 2021}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://nbl.com.au/player/3692/1683954/kyle-zunic NBL profile]
• [https://nbl1.com.au/player/e3dfeeda-7b55-11eb-815c-de81c44d5767/f5dd5d4a-c4eb-11eb-a8e7-6e43d59ff688/kyle-zunic/north NBL1 profile]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160702060527/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/player/p/pid/122430/sid/8055/tid/239/_/2015_FIBA_Oceania_U16_Championship_for_Men/index.html FIBA profile]
• [https://winthropeagles.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kyle-zunic/5744 Winthrop Eagles bio]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zunic, Kyle}}

Category:1999 births

Category:Living people

Category:Australian men's basketball players

Category:Australian expatriate basketball people in the United States

Category:Medalists at the 2019 Summer Universiade

Category:Perth Wildcats players

Category:Point guards

Category:Shooting guards

Category:Sportsmen from New South Wales

Category:Winthrop Eagles men's basketball players

Category:FISU World University Games bronze medalists for Australia

Category:Summer World University Games medalists in basketball

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen