Nick Kay

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Nick Kay

| image = Nick Kay 2019 08 (cropped 2).jpg

| caption = Kay with the Perth Wildcats in 2019

| position = Power forward / center

| height_cm = 206

| weight_kg = 106

| number = 4

| team = Shimane Susanoo Magic

| league = B.League

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1992|8|3}}

| birth_place = Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia

| high_school =

McCarthy Catholic College
(Tamworth, New South Wales)
Newington College
(Sydney, New South Wales)

| college = Metro State (2011–2015)

| draft_year = 2015

| career_start = 2014

| career_end =

| years1 = 2014–2015

| team1 = Northside Wizards

| years2 = 2015–2016

| team2 = Townsville Crocodiles

| years3 = 2016–2017

| team3 = Southland Sharks

| years4 = 2016–2018

| team4 = Illawarra Hawks

| years5 = 2018–2020

| team5 = Perth Wildcats

| years6 = 2019

| team6 = Wellington Saints

| years7 = 2020–2021

| team7 = Real Betis

| years8 = 2021–present

| team8 = Shimane Susanoo Magic

| highlights =

2× NBL champion (2019, 2020)
2× All-NBL First Team (2019, 2020)
NZNBL champion (2019)
NZNBL MVP (2019)
NZNBL All-Star Five (2019)
NZNBL Most Outstanding Forward (2019)
NBL Rookie of the Year (2016)
2× First-team All-RMAC (2014, 2015)
Third-team All-RMAC (2013)
RMAC Tournament MVP (2014)

| medaltemplates =

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

}}

Nicholas Colin Kay (born 3 August 1992) is an Australian professional basketball player for Shimane Susanoo Magic of the Japanese B.League. He played college basketball for the Metro State Roadrunners before beginning his professional career in the National Basketball League (NBL). He won two NBL championships with the Perth Wildcats in 2019 and 2020. He also won a New Zealand NBL championship and league MVP honours with the Wellington Saints in 2019. In 2021, he won a bronze medal with the Australian national team at the Tokyo Olympics.

Early life

Kay was born and raised in Tamworth, New South Wales,{{cite web|url=https://www.acb.com/jugador/todos-sus-partidos/id/30000277|title=Nick Kay|work=acb.com|access-date=17 September 2021|language=Spanish}}{{cite web|url=https://commonwealthgames.com.au/athletes/nicholas-kay/|title=Nicholas Kay|work=commonwealthgames.com.au|date=2 April 2018 |access-date=17 September 2021}}{{cite web|last=Bode|first=Mark|url=https://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/7384192/covid-keeps-nick-kay-separated-from-his-fiancee/|title=Nick Kay: Boomers star stuck in Japan while fiancee Emily is in Perth|work=northerndailyleader.com.au|date=13 August 2021|access-date=17 September 2021|url-access=subscription|quote=Tamworth-raised Kay, who turned 29 during Tokyo 2020...}} where he attended McCarthy Catholic College and played for the Tamworth Thunderbolts.{{cite web|url=https://www.olympics.com.au/olympians/nick-kay/|title=Nick Kay|work=olympics.com.au|access-date=16 July 2024}} At age 17, he moved to Sydney to attend Newington College.{{cite web|last=Newsam|first=Samantha|url=https://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/5316531/faces-of-tamworth-tamworth-basketball-star-nick-kay/|title=Faces of Tamworth: Commonwealth Games representative Nick Kay|work=northerndailyleader.com.au|date=5 April 2018|access-date=12 April 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422200051/https://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/5316531/faces-of-tamworth-tamworth-basketball-star-nick-kay/|archive-date=22 April 2018}} He averaged 13 points and 14 rebounds for Newington, leading the school to finish second in Australia's all-schools tournament and won the New South Wales all-school tournament.{{cite web|url=https://roadrunnersathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nicholas-kay/1857|title=Nicholas Kay|work=roadrunnersathletics.com|access-date=5 May 2023}} He also represented the New South Wales state team.

College career

In 2011, Kay moved to the United States to play college basketball for the Metropolitan State University of Denver in the NCAA Division II.

As a freshman in 2011–12, Kay played in all 32 games for the Roadrunners, making 15 starts and averaging 6.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He became the first Metro State freshman since 1995 to record a double-double on debut, recording 14 points and 13 rebounds in a start against Bemidji State on 11 November 2011. He had a season-high 24 points against Colorado Christian on 7 January 2012.

As a sophomore in 2012–13, Kay was named third-team all-RMAC after leading Metro State to the national title game and the RMAC regular season and tournament championships. He started 33 of 34 games and averaged 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. He had a season-high 19 points three times. He had 10 points and seven rebounds in the national championship game loss to Drury.{{cite news|title=Catching up Down Under|url=http://roadrunnersathletics.com/news/2017/7/20/mens-basketball-catching-up-down-under.aspx |access-date=11 August 2017|work=Metro State Roadrunners|date=20 July 2017}}

As a junior in 2013–14, Kay started all 34 games and helped the Roadrunners to the RMAC regular season and tournament championships and the semi-finals at the NCAA tournament. He averaged 15.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, and was named NABC first team all-district and first-team all-RMAC. He had a season-high 24 points against UC-Colorado Springs on 1 March 2014, helping Metro State finish the regular season as the third team in RMAC history to go undefeated. He was named the most valuable player of the RMAC Tournament.

As a senior in 2014–15, Kay started all 32 games and averaged 20.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He was named NABC first team all-district and first-team all-RMAC for the second straight year. He led the Roadrunners to their third consecutive RMAC regular season championship and a fourth-straight appearance in the NCAA tournament. He scored a career-high 33 points against Arkansas-Fort Smith on 15 November 2014. He had a career-high 17 rebounds along with 21 points against CSU-Pueblo on 27 February 2015.

Professional career

=Northside Wizards (2014–2015)=

In 2014, in between his junior and senior college seasons, Kay played for the Northside Wizards of the Queensland Basketball League (QBL).{{cite web|last=Athanasopoulos|first=Chris|url=https://pickandroll.com.au/qbl-men-round-1-preview/|title=QBL Men Round 1 Preview|work=pickandroll.com.au|date=2 May 2014|access-date=9 April 2019}} In nine games, he averaged 15.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.{{cite web|url=https://basketball.asia-basket.com/player/Nick-Kay/242998|title=Nick Kay|work=asia-basket.com|access-date=5 May 2023|url-access=subscription}}

Kay returned to the Wizards for the 2015 QBL season and averaged 22.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 13 games.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/7itcck2vbjut18znz9v8ikcta|title=Crocodiles sign young gun Nick Kay|work=NBL.com.au|date=14 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721151903/http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/7itcck2vbjut18znz9v8ikcta|archive-date=21 July 2015}}

=Townsville Crocodiles (2015–2016)=

In July 2015, Kay signed with the Townsville Crocodiles of the National Basketball League (NBL). He appeared in all 28 games for the Crocodiles in 2015–16 and ranked top-20 in the NBL for minutes played (28.11 per game). He averaged 10.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, while scoring in double figures on 16 occasions, recording three double-doubles and finishing as the league leader in offensive rebounding (3.0).{{cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/news/article/crocs-young-gun-nick-kay-wins-rookie-of-the-year|title=Crocs young gun Nick Kay wins Rookie of the Year|work=NBL.com.au|date=17 February 2016|access-date=9 April 2019}} He was subsequently named NBL Rookie of the Year.

=Southland Sharks and Illawarra Hawks (2016–2018)=

Following the NBL season, Kay joined the Southland Sharks for the 2016 New Zealand NBL season.{{cite news|title=Southland Sharks sign Australian Nick Kay for National Basketball League season|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/77214612/southland-sharks-sign-australian-nick-kay-for-national-basketball-league-season |access-date=11 August 2017|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=24 February 2016}} In 19 games, he averaged 17.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

In May 2016, Kay signed with the Illawarra Hawks.{{cite news|last1=Slatter|first1=Trent|title=Former Townsville Crocs forward Nick Kay signs with Illawarra Hawks|url=http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/former-townsville-crocs-forward-nick-kay-signs-with-illawarra-hawks/news-story/42a3ee6d2ce1b4e4b03d7ab2b2135bbb |access-date=11 August 2017|work=Townsville Bulletin|date=22 May 2016}} He helped the Hawks reach the grand final in the 2016–17 NBL season.{{cite web|last=Huntsdale|first=Justin|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-24/illawarra-hawks-defy-odds-to-make-nbl-grand-final/8299948|title=Resilient Illawarra Hawks prove pundits wrong to make NBL grand final|work=abc.net.au|date=24 February 2017|access-date=9 April 2019}} In 34 games, he averaged 9.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

Following the NBL season, Kay re-joined the Sharks for the 2017 New Zealand NBL season.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/89399932/southland-sharks-resign-australian-duo-for-2017-national-basketball-league-season|title=Southland Sharks re-sign Australian duo for 2017 National Basketball League season|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=14 February 2017|access-date=9 April 2019}} In 20 games, he averaged 14.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

With the Hawks in the 2017–18 NBL season, Kay averaged 11.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals in 28 games.

=Perth Wildcats and Wellington Saints (2018–2020)=

On 20 April 2018, Kay signed a three-year deal with the Perth Wildcats.{{cite web|url=http://www.wildcats.com.au/news/article/36803-perth-wildcats-sign-aussie-boomer-nick-kay|title=Perth Wildcats sign Aussie Boomer Nick Kay|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=20 April 2018|access-date=20 April 2018}} In the 2018–19 NBL season, he was named in the All-NBL First Team{{cite web|url=http://www.wildcats.com.au/news/article/all-star-nick-kay-turns-focus-to-finals|title=All-Star Nick Kay turns focus to Finals|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=20 February 2019|access-date=21 February 2019}} and helped the Wildcats win the championship.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/wildcats-clinch-ninth-championship-on-the-road|title=Wildcats Clinch Ninth Championship on the Road|work=NBL.com.au|date=17 March 2019|access-date=11 March 2023|archive-date=11 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311135335/https://nbl.com.au/news/wildcats-clinch-ninth-championship-on-the-road|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wildcats.com.au/news/article/wildcats-claim-ninth-championship|title=Wildcats claim Ninth Championship!|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=17 March 2019|access-date=17 March 2019}} In 34 games, he averaged 14.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

Following the NBL season, Kay joined the Wellington Saints for the 2019 New Zealand NBL season.{{cite web|last=Hylsop|first=Liam|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/111895694/wellington-saints-sign-inform-australian-boomer-nick-kay-for-nz-nbl-season|title=Wellington Saints sign in-form Australian Boomer Nick Kay for NZ NBL season|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=9 April 2019|access-date=9 April 2019}} He helped the Saints win the championship and earned league MVP honours.{{cite web|url=https://www.nznbl.basketball/nick-kay-takes-home-the-tab-mvp/|title=NICK KAY TAKES HOME THE TAB MVP|work=nznbl.basketball|date=20 July 2019|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-date=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723073532/https://www.nznbl.basketball/nick-kay-takes-home-the-tab-mvp/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Smith |first=Tony |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/114400236/wellington-saints-claim-record-11th-nbl-title-with-stunning-comeback-win-over-hawks |title=Wellington Saints claim 11th NBL title with stunning comeback win over Hawks |work=Stuff.co.nz |date=21 July 2019 |accessdate=21 July 2019}}{{cite web|last=Singh |first=Anendra |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12251489 |title=Basketball: Wellington Saints claw back to end Hawks' fairy-tale Final 4 run for 11th NBL title |work=nzherald.co.nz |date=21 July 2019 |accessdate=22 July 2019}} In 20 games, he averaged 15.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals per game.

With the Wildcats in the 2019–20 NBL season, Kay was named to the All-NBL First Team for the second straight year{{cite news |last1=Gilhooly |first1=Daniel |title=NBL award winners announced |url=https://www.espn.com/nbl/story/_/id/28714451/nbl-award-winners-announced |access-date=February 21, 2020 |work=ESPN |date=February 16, 2020}} and helped the team win back-to-back championships.{{cite web|url=http://www.wildcats.com.au/news/article/perth-wildcats-back-to-back-nbl-champions|title=Perth Wildcats Back-to-Back NBL Champions|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=19 March 2020|access-date=19 March 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/perth-wildcats-crowned-nbl20-champions|title=Perth Wildcats Crowned NBL20 Champions|work=NBL.com.au|date=19 March 2020|access-date=19 March 2020}} In game three of the grand final series against the Sydney Kings, Kay had a career-best game with 30 points and seven 3-pointers to go with 12 rebounds and four assists in a 111–96 win.{{cite web|url=http://www.wildcats.com.au/news/article/perth-wildcats-one-win-away-from-championship|title=Perth Wildcats one win away from championship|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=15 March 2020|access-date=15 March 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/career-best-kay-puts-wildcats-up-2-1-over-kings|title=Career-best Kay Puts Wildcats up 2–1 Over Kings|work=NBL.com.au|date=15 March 2020|access-date=15 March 2020}} In 34 games, he averaged 15.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

On 4 May 2020, Kay opted out of the final year of his contract with the Wildcats to pursue international opportunities after the NBL implemented salary cuts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news |last1=Garlepp |first1=Josh |title=Perth forward Nick Kay follows Bryce Cotton and opts-out of final year at Wildcats |url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/nbl/perth-forward-nick-kay-follows-bryce-cotton-and-opts-out-of-final-year-at-wildcats-ng-b881538008z |access-date=5 May 2020 |work=Perth Now |date=4 May 2020}}

=Spain and Japan (2020–present)=

On 5 July 2020, Kay signed with Real Betis of the Liga ACB.{{cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/real-betis-to-sign-nick-kay/|title=Real Betis to sign Nick Kay|date=5 July 2020|website=Sportando|language=En|access-date=5 July 2020 |last1=Borghesan |first1=Ennio Terrasi }} In 36 games in the 2020–21 ACB season, he averaged 7.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

On 1 July 2021, Kay signed with Shimane Susanoo Magic of the Japanese B.League.{{cite web|url=https://www.susanoo-m.com/news/detail/id=14491|title=ニック・ケイ選手契約(新規)のお知らせ|date=1 July 2021|website=susanoo-m.com|language=Japanese|access-date=1 July 2021}} In 56 games in the 2021–22 B.League season, he averaged 13.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

On 22 June 2022, Kay re-signed with Shimane.{{cite web|url=https://www.susanoo-m.com/news/detail/id=15183|title=【ご報告】ニック・ケイ選手 2022–23 SEASON 契約継続について|date=22 June 2022|website=susanoo-m.com|language=Japanese|access-date=13 October 2022}} In 63 games in the 2022–23 B.League season, he averaged 15.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.

Kay returned to Shimane for the 2023–24 B.League season and averaged 16.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals in 60 games.

On 20 May 2024, Kay re-signed with Shimane.{{cite web|url=https://www.susanoo-m.com/news/detail/id=16785|title=2024-25 SEASON 島根スサノオマジック新体制特設サイト|date=20 May 2024|website=susanoo-m.com|language=Japanese|access-date=3 July 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sanin-chuo.co.jp/articles/-/577834|title=【島根スサノオマジック】2024-25 SEASON ニック・ケイ選手との選手契約(継続)の締結について|date=20 May 2024|website=sanin-chuo.co.jp|language=Japanese|access-date=3 July 2024}}

National team career

Kay debuted for the Australian under 19 national team in 2010.

Kay was named to the Australian national team for the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup.{{cite news|last1=Cohen|first1=Mitch|title=Tamworth product Nick Kay in line to make national squad for FIBA Asia Cup|url=http://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/4799637/kay-eyeing-boomers-spot/ |access-date=11 August 2017|work=Northern Daily Leader|date=19 July 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Uluc|first1=Olgun|title=Australian Boomers team announced for 2017 FIBA Asia Cup|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/australian-boomers-team-announced-for-2017-fiba-asia-cup/news-story/f52586cb180306e5f60562c07e7e30f9 |access-date=11 August 2017|work=Fox Sports (Australia)|date=24 July 2017}} In 2018, he won a gold medal with Australia at the Commonwealth Games. In 2019, he was awarded the Gaze Family Medal alongside Nathan Sobey 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, Kay 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}} He went on to help the Boomers win the bronze medal.{{Cite web|title=Basketball KAY Nic – Tokyo 2020 Olympics|url=https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/basketball/../../../en/results/basketball/athlete-profile-n1326485-kay-nic.htm|access-date=2021-10-11|website=olympics.com|language=en-us|archive-date=22 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822141454/https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/basketball/athlete-profile-n1326485-kay-nic.htm|url-status=dead}} He averaged 11.0 points and 6.3 rebounds in six games.{{cite web | url=https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Nicholas-Kay/Summary/62189 | title=Nicholas Kay | work=realgm.com | accessdate=13 October 2021}}

In February 2022, Kay was named in a 17-man Australian Boomers squad ahead of 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}} He re-joined the team for proceeding qualifying windows in August 2022{{cite web|url=https://australia.basketball/boomers-team-announced-for-fourth-window-of-fiba-world-cup-qualifiers/|title=Boomers Team Announced for Fourth Window of FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.|work=australia.basketball|date=11 August 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826054731/https://australia.basketball/boomers-team-announced-for-fourth-window-of-fiba-world-cup-qualifiers/|archive-date=26 August 2022}} and February 2023.{{cite web|url=https://australia.basketball/boomers-ready-to-hit-the-burbs/|title=Boomers ready to hit the burbs|work=australia.basketball|date=22 February 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414074712/https://australia.basketball/boomers-ready-to-hit-the-burbs/|archive-date=14 April 2023}}

In July 2024, Kay was named in the Boomers' final squad for the Paris Olympics.{{cite web|url=https://www.australia.basketball/news/4052425/australian-teams-for-paris-2024-olympics-announced|title=Australian teams for Paris 2024 Olympics announced|work=Basketball Australia|date=6 July 2024|access-date=7 July 2024}}

In November 2024, Kay 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}} He re-joined the squad in February 2025 for two more qualifiers.{{cite news |title=Boomers announce team for Traralgon games |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/boomers-announce-team-for-traralgon-games |access-date=18 February 2025 |work=NBL Official Website |date=18 February 2025}}

References

External links

[https://www.susanoo-m.com/team/players/detail/id=14669?PlayerID=5100000088 Shimane Susanoo Magic profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20161122142643/http://www.hawks.com.au/player_profile/nick-kay/ Illawarra Hawks profile]
[http://roadrunnersathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1857 Metro State Roadrunners bio]
[https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-wildcats/workmanlike-perth-wildcats-forward-nick-kay-belongs-in-mvp-conversation-ng-b881034761z "Workmanlike Perth Wildcats forward Nick Kay belongs in MVP conversation"] at thewest.com.au
[https://nbl.com.au/news/kay-ready-for-nbl20-fireworks "Kay Ready for #NBL20 Fireworks"] at nbl.com.au

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Category:1992 births

Category:Living people

Category:2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup players

Category:Australian expatriate basketball people in Japan

Category:Australian expatriate basketball people in New Zealand

Category:Australian expatriate basketball people in Spain

Category:Australian expatriate basketball people in the United States

Category:Australian men's basketball players

Category:Basketball players at the 2018 Commonwealth Games

Category:Basketball players at the 2020 Summer Olympics