Nathan Sobey

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Nathan Sobey

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| position = Point guard / shooting guard

| height_cm = 190

| weight_kg = 82

| league = Baloncesto Superior Nacional

| team = Santeros de Aguada

| number =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1990|7|14}}

| birth_place = Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia

| high_school =

Emmanuel College
(Warrnambool, Victoria)
St Patrick's
(Ballarat, Victoria)

| college =

Cochise (2010–2012)
Wyoming (2012–2014)

| draft_year = 2014

| career_start = 2014

| career_end =

| years1 = 2014

| team1 = Ballarat Miners

| years2 = 2014–2015

| team2 = Cairns Taipans

| years3 = 2015

| team3 = Cairns Marlins

| years4 = 2015–2019

| team4 = Adelaide 36ers

| years5 = 2017

| team5 = PAOK

| years6 = 2019

| team6 = SIG Strasbourg

| years7 = 2019–2024

| team7 = Brisbane Bullets

| years8 = 2020–2021;
2023–2024

| team8 = Ipswich Force

| years9 = 2024–present

| team9 = South East Melbourne Phoenix

| years10 = 2025–present

| team10 = Santeros de Aguada

| highlights =

All-NBL First Team (2021)
3× All-NBL Second Team (2017, 2019, 2024)
NBL Most Improved Player (2017)
NBL1 North champion (2023)
NBL1 North Finals MVP (2023)
All-NBL1 North Second Team (2023)

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCountry|{{bk|AUS}}}}

}}

Nathan Adam Sobey (born 14 July 1990) is an Australian professional basketball player for Santeros de Aguada of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional. He is also contracted with the South East Melbourne Phoenix of the National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for the Wyoming Cowboys before debuting in the NBL in 2014 for the Cairns Taipans. He was a member of the Australian Boomers team that won bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Early life

Sobey was born in Warrnambool, Victoria.{{cite web|url=https://gowyo.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nathan-sobey/2199|title=Nathan Sobey|work=gowyo.com|access-date=18 July 2021}} He attended Emmanuel College in Warrnambool{{cite web|url=https://www.emmanuel.vic.edu.au/news/May-28-2018-An-inspiring-visit-from-Emmanuel-Alumni-Nathan-Sobey|title=An inspiring visit from Emmanuel Alumni Nathan Sobey|work=emmanuel.vic.edu.au|date=28 May 2018|access-date=18 July 2021|quote=...with Commonwealth Games Basketball Gold Medallist and member of the Emmanuel College Class of 2008 - Nathan Sobey.|archive-date=18 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718123329/https://www.emmanuel.vic.edu.au/news/May-28-2018-An-inspiring-visit-from-Emmanuel-Alumni-Nathan-Sobey|url-status=dead}} and St Patrick's College in Ballarat.{{cite web|url=http://www.stpats.vic.edu.au/en/news/article/old-boys-in-the-news-march-2018/|title=Old Boys in the News - March 2018|work=stpats.vic.edu.au|access-date=10 September 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408151029/http://www.stpats.vic.edu.au/en/news/article/old-boys-in-the-news-march-2018/|archive-date=8 April 2018}} He is listed by Emmanuel College as being a member of their Class of 2008,{{cite web|last=Price|first=Kimberley|url=https://www.standard.net.au/story/6320843/emmanuel-college-celebrates-their-inspiration/|title=Warrnambool's Emmanuel College honours past alumni who inspire next generation|work=standard.net.au|date=9 August 2019|access-date=18 July 2021|quote=Two members of the class of 2008 Australian basketball player Nathan Sobey...}}{{cite web|url=https://emmanuelcollegewarrnambool.worldsecuresystems.com/nomination/young-alumni-achiever-nomination-process.html|title=Young Alumni Achievers Nomination|work=emmanuelcollegewarrnambool.worldsecuresystems.com|access-date=18 July 2021|archive-date=18 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718123058/https://emmanuelcollegewarrnambool.worldsecuresystems.com/nomination/young-alumni-achiever-nomination-process.html|url-status=dead}} but sources also indicate he attended and represented St Patrick's College in 2008.{{cite web|url=https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-16-0-0-0&sID=63942&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=8540430|title=Nathan Sobey|work=Warrnambool Basketball Incorporation|access-date=18 July 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/505854/st-pats-knocked-out-of-shield/|title=St Pat's knocked out of Shield|work=thecourier.com.au|date=4 June 2008|access-date=18 July 2021}} He grew up playing for the Warrnambool Seahawks.{{cite web|url=https://bigv.com.au/sobey-to-live-his-us-dream/|title=Sobey to live his US dream|work=bigv.com.au|access-date=18 July 2021}}

College career

Sobey moved to the United States in 2010 to play college basketball for Cochise College. During his freshman season, he averaged 7.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists. As a sophomore in 2011–12, he averaged 16.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game. He earned First-Team All-Conference and First-Team All-Region honors.

In April 2012, Sobey signed a National Letter of Intent to play for Wyoming in the NCAA Division I.{{cite web|url=https://gowyo.com/news/2016/6/29/57740d95e4b0bdd131ac8731_131478113361062528|title=NATHAN SOBEY SIGNS WITH COWBOY BASKETBALL|work=gowyo.com|date=11 April 2012|access-date=18 July 2021}}

As a junior in 2012–13, Sobey appeared in 32 games for the Cowboys and averaged 3.5 points and 1.0 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per game. On 26 February 2013 against Air Force, he scored a season-high 22 points in a career-high 31 minutes.

As a senior in 2013–14, Sobey was one of two Cowboys to start all 33 games. He averaged 9.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 30.2 minutes per game. He scored a career-high 33 points to go with four rebounds and three assists against Colorado State on 8 March 2014.

Professional career

After graduating from Wyoming, Sobey returned to Australia and joined the Ballarat Miners of the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL).{{cite web|url=https://www.ballaratbasketball.com/miners-strengthen-squad-with-late-signing/|title=Miners Strengthen Squad with Late Signing|work=ballaratbasketball.com|date=28 April 2014|access-date=29 March 2024}} In 10 games during the 2014 SEABL season, he averaged 15.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.{{cite web|url=https://basketball.australiabasket.com/player/Nathan-Sobey/227096|title=Nathan Sobey|work=australiabasket.com|access-date=29 March 2024|url-access=subscription}}

In August 2014, Sobey joined the Cairns Taipans of the National Basketball League (NBL) as a training player ahead of the 2014–15 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.taipans.com/article/id/1w4nbh8egyzlb1u4iaq53w4hd5|title=Nathan Sobey joins Snakes training squad|work=Taipans.com|date=13 August 2014|access-date=29 March 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316224223/http://www.taipans.com/article/id/1w4nbh8egyzlb1u4iaq53w4hd5|archive-date=16 March 2015}}[http://www.standard.net.au/story/2486596/cairns-taipans-give-warrnambool-export-nathan-sobey-opportunity-in-training-squad/ Cairns Taipans give Warrnambool export Nathan Sobey opportunity in training squad.] He joined the Taipans' full-time roster in September as the eleventh man,{{cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/1lthyqk2wbdco16sdhz5aiizeh|title=Taipans sign up Sobey|work=NBL.com.au|date=26 September 2014|access-date=29 March 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928035657/http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/1lthyqk2wbdco16sdhz5aiizeh|archive-date=28 September 2014}} and in January 2015 was elevated to the playing squad as an injury replacement for Corey Maynard.{{cite web|url=http://www.taipans.com/article/id/12i73gz4s66g1hujym5571o14|title=Maynard injured, Sobey elevated|work=Taipans.com|date=8 January 2015|access-date=29 March 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205074952/http://www.taipans.com/article/id/12i73gz4s66g1hujym5571o14|archive-date=5 February 2015}} Following the NBL season, he joined the Cairns Marlins for the 2015 Queensland Basketball League (QBL) season.{{cite web|url=http://www.taipans.com/article/id/1bqra92vp4nwg118goneua6sxp|title=Sobey key for Marlins' QBL campaign|work=Taipans.com|date=27 April 2015|access-date=29 March 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626165414/http://www.taipans.com/article/id/1bqra92vp4nwg118goneua6sxp|archive-date=26 June 2015}}

In July 2015, Sobey signed a three-year deal with the Adelaide 36ers.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nbl.com.au/nbl-team-news/sixers-add-sobey-and-hogdson/ |title=SIXERS ADD SOBEY AND HOGDSON. |access-date=4 March 2017 |archive-date=5 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305034434/http://www.nbl.com.au/nbl-team-news/sixers-add-sobey-and-hogdson/ |url-status=dead }} In the 2016–17 NBL season, he earned the NBL Most Improved Player Award{{Cite web |url=http://www.nbl.com.au/featured-news/34638/ |title=MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: NATHAN SOBEY. |access-date=4 March 2017 |archive-date=14 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214002437/http://www.nbl.com.au/featured-news/34638/ |url-status=dead }} and was named to the All-NBL Second Team.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nbl.com.au/featured-news/nbl-first-second-teams-201617/ |title=ALL NBL FIRST & SECOND TEAMS 2016/17. |access-date=24 May 2017 |archive-date=5 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905151540/https://nbl.com.au/featured-news/nbl-first-second-teams-201617/ |url-status=dead }} Following the NBL season, he had a stint with PAOK to finish the 2016–17 Greek League season.[http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/adelaide-36ers-star-guard-nathan-sobey-clinches-deal-to-play-for-paok-in-greece/news-story/708f1ad6de41e4dd296cc56224364d5b Adelaide 36ers' star guard Nathan Sobey clinches deal to play for PAOK in Greece.][http://www.sdna.gr/news-english/article/303487/nathan-sobey-officially-joins-paok-bc Νathan Sobey officially joins PAOK BC.]

In April 2017, Sobey extended his contract with the 36ers for another two years.[http://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/nbl/nathan-sobey-signs-twoyear-deal-with-the-adelaide-36ers/news-story/093a8119ad2f6b85b72485343b994d83 Nathan Sobey signs two-year deal with the Adelaide 36ers.] He later spent time with the Utah Jazz during the 2017 NBA Summer League.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/sobey-signs-with-utah-jazz-for-nba-summer-league|title=Sobey signs with Utah Jazz for NBA Summer League|work=NBL.com.au|date=22 June 2017|access-date=29 March 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105115037/https://nbl.com.au/news/sobey-signs-with-utah-jazz-for-nba-summer-league|archive-date=5 November 2022}} Following the 2018–19 NBL season, Sobey had a stint with SIG Strasbourg in France.

On 5 April 2019, Sobey signed with the Brisbane Bullets on a three-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.net.au/story/6004166/sobey-picks-new-basketball-home/|title=Warrnambool export Nathan Sobey joins NBL club Brisbane|work=standard.net.au|date=5 April 2019|access-date=27 April 2022}} He was named to the All-NBL First Team for the 2020–21 NBL season.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/bryce-cotton-claims-third-andrew-gaze-mvp-trophy|title=Bryce Cotton Claims Third Andrew Gaze MVP Trophy|work=NBL.com.au|date=16 June 2021|access-date=16 June 2021}} On 27 April 2022, he re-signed with the Bullets on a three-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/sobey-re-signs-with-brisbane|title=Sobey Re-Signs with Brisbane|work=NBL.com.au|date=27 April 2022|access-date=27 April 2022}}

On 9 February 2024, Sobey scored a career-high 37 points in the Bullets' 102–84 win over the Adelaide 36ers.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/bullets-close-on-finals-with-big-win|title=Bullets close on Finals with big win|work=NBL.com.au|date=9 February 2024|access-date=10 February 2024}}

On 28 March 2024, Sobey parted ways with the Bullets.{{cite web|url=https://www.brisbanebullets.com.au/news/the-brisbane-bullets-and-nathan-sobey-part-ways|title=The Brisbane Bullets and Nathan Sobey part ways|work=BrisbaneBullets.com.au|date=28 March 2024|access-date=29 March 2024}}

On 14 April 2024, Sobey signed with the South East Melbourne Phoenix for the 2024–25 NBL season.{{cite web|url=https://www.semphoenix.com.au/news/nbl-veteran-nathan-sobey-signs-with-phoenix-for-nbl25|title=NBL Veteran Nathan Sobey Signs with Phoenix for NBL25|work=semphoenix.com.au|date=14 April 2024|access-date=15 April 2024}} Following the NBL season, he joined Santeros de Aguada of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional for the 2025 season.{{cite news |last1=Modestti |first1=Luis |title=Nathan Sobey (ex SE Melbourne) joins Aguada |url=https://www.latinbasket.com/Puerto-Rico/news/921518/Nathan-Sobey-ex-SE-Melbourne-joins-Aguada |access-date=9 March 2025 |work=latinbasket.com |date=6 March 2025}}

On 31 March 2025, Sobey and the Phoenix mutually exercised the club option on his contract for the 2025–26 NBL season.{{cite news |title=Phoenix leader home in the Heartland |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/phoenix-leader-home-in-the-heartland |access-date=31 March 2025 |work=NBL Official Website |date=31 March 2025}}

=State League stints=

In 2016, Sobey played for the Warrnambool Seahawks and helped them win the Big V Division One championship. He was named league MVP and Finals MVP.{{cite web|url=https://bigv.com.au/warrnambools-nathan-sobey-scores-at-nbl-awards-night/|title=Warrnambool's Nathan Sobey scores at NBL Awards Night|work=bigv.com.au|access-date=18 July 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/article/young-movers-shakers-nbl|title=The young movers and shakers of the NBL|work=NBL.com.au|date=1 August 2016|access-date=18 July 2021|quote=The 26-year-old has spent the off-season with his home-town Warrnambool Seahawks in the Victorian state league, dominating to the tune of 31 points and 6 assists per game.|archive-date=18 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718130449/https://nbl.com.au/news/article/young-movers-shakers-nbl|url-status=dead}} He played for the Seahawks again in 2018.{{cite web|last=McCullagh-Beasy|first=Justine|url=https://www.standard.net.au/story/5360029/aussie-boomer-sobey-to-suit-up-for-seahawks-video/|title=Warrnambool Seahawks to boast Australian Boomer Nathan Sobey in Big V game|work=standard.net.au|date=24 April 2018|access-date=18 July 2021|quote=Sobey will remain in Warrnambool until May 22 before jetting to America for his June 4 wedding.}}

In 2020, Sobey played for the Ipswich Force in the Queensland State League (QSL). He returned to the Force in 2021 for the inaugural NBL1 North season.

In 2023, Sobey helped the Force reach the NBL1 North grand final series, where they defeated the Gold Coast Rollers 2–1 to win the championship. Sobey was named Finals MVP.{{cite web|last=Pike|first=Chris|url=https://nbl1.com.au/news/nbl1-north-recap-or-grand-final-game-3/north/|title=NBL1 North Recap | Grand Finals Game 3|work=NBL1.com.au|date=6 August 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230806100824/https://nbl1.com.au/news/nbl1-north-recap-or-grand-final-game-3/north/|archive-date=6 August 2023|access-date=6 August 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://nbl1.com.au/news/ipswich-force-crowned-nbl1-north-mens-champions/north/|title=Ipswich Force crowned NBL1 North men's champions|work=NBL1.com.au|date=6 August 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230806101041/https://nbl1.com.au/news/ipswich-force-crowned-nbl1-north-mens-champions/north/|archive-date=6 August 2023|access-date=6 August 2023}}

Sobey re-joined the Force for the 2024 NBL1 North season.{{cite web|url=https://nbl1.com.au/news/nbl-superstar-returns|title=NBL superstar returns|work=NBL1.com.au|date=17 April 2024|access-date=19 April 2024}}

National team career

In 2018, Sobey won gold with the Australian Boomers at the Commonwealth Games. The following year he played for the Boomers at the FIBA World Cup.{{Cite web|title=Nathan Sobey|url=https://www.olympics.com.au/olympians/nathan-sobey/|access-date=2021-10-12|website=Australian Olympic Committee|language=en-AU}}

At the 2019 Australian Basketball Hall of Fame awards night, Sobey was recognised alongside Nick Kay with the 2019 Gaze Family Medal for performances at the World Cup Qualifiers and the Commonwealth Games.{{cite web|url=http://oldsite.australia.basketball/blog/2019/05/10/2019-international-player-of-the-year-awards/|title=2019 INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS|work=Basketball Australia|date=10 May 2019|access-date=16 January 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116080346/http://oldsite.australia.basketball/blog/2019/05/10/2019-international-player-of-the-year-awards/|archive-date=16 January 2022}}

In February 2021, Sobey was named in the Boomers' Olympic squad.{{cite web | url=https://australia.basketball/blog/2021/02/03/australian-mens-basketball-olympic-squad-revealed/ | title=AUSTRALIAN MEN'S BASKETBALL OLYMPIC SQUAD REVEALED | work=australia.basketball | date=3 February 2021 | accessdate=3 February 2021 | archive-date=2 February 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202235815/https://australia.basketball/blog/2021/02/03/australian-mens-basketball-olympic-squad-revealed/ | url-status=dead }} He went on to help the Boomers win the bronze medal.{{Cite web|title=Basketball SOBEY Nathan - Tokyo 2020 Olympics|url=https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/basketball/../../../en/results/basketball/athlete-profile-n1729970-sobey-nathan.htm|access-date=2021-10-12|website=olympics.com|language=en-us|archive-date=30 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930102600/https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/basketball/athlete-profile-n1729970-sobey-nathan.htm|url-status=dead}}

In November 2024, Sobey joined the Boomers for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/nbl-stars-headline-boomers-team|title=NBL stars headline Boomers team|work=NBL.com.au|date=30 October 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241116124307/https://nbl.com.au/news/nbl-stars-headline-boomers-team|archive-date=16 November 2024}}

Personal life

Sobey has two brothers. Sobey got married in 2018.

References

External links

{{FIBA|new_id=224700}} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20170304115410/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/gamecent/p/pid/6100688/playerview.html archive])
[http://esake.gr/el/action/EsakeplayerView?idteam=0000000C&idplayer=7761D54F&mode=1 Greek Basket League profile] {{in lang|el}}
[http://widgets.baskethotel.com/site/esake/player/5386851/ Greek Basket League profile] {{in lang|en}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20170831053042/http://www.adelaide36ers.com/player_profile/nathan-sobey/ Adelaide 36ers profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20170304114630/http://www.gowyo.com/sport/m-baskbl/2016/roster/5773e8f3e4b0bdd131abc1a3 Wyoming Cowboys bio]
[https://nbl.com.au/news/consistently-improving-sobey-s-remarkable-rise-to-stardom "Consistently Improving: Sobey’s Remarkable Rise to Stardom"] at nbl.com.au
{{AOC profile}}
{{Olympics.com|nathan-sobey}}
{{Olympedia}}