Sam Timmins

Timmins was born in Dunedin.{{cite web|url=https://olympic.org.nz/athletes/sam-timmins|title=Sam Timmins|work=olympic.org.nz|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430132027/https://www.olympic.org.nz/athletes/sam-timmins/|archive-date=30 April 2017}} His father, Brendon Timmins, played rugby in Otago during the 1990s and in Southland in the early 2000s.{{cite web | last=Wright | first=Don | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/sport/8950339/Timmins-still-force-for-southern-sport | title=Timmins still force for southern sport | work=Stuff.co.nz | date=23 July 2013 | accessdate=9 April 2015}} While living in Southland, Sam played rugby for Eastern Hawks and Star.

When he was 11 years old, his family moved to Japan after his father became a rugby coach for the Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars.{{cite web | url=https://tryhoop.com/2024/06/24/samtimmins/ | title=【B3リーグ】2024-25シーズン サム・ティミンズ 選手 契約締結のお知らせ | work=tryhoop.com | date=24 June 2024 | url-status=live | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625102429/https://tryhoop.com/2024/06/24/samtimmins/ | archivedate=25 June 2024 | language=Japanese}} Back in Dunedin, he was heavily involved in rugby until age 12, playing as a lock and Number 8 for the Kaikorai club. He grew up playing social basketball, but only began to take the game seriously after arriving at Otago Boys' High School.{{cite web | last=Egan | first=Brendon | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/68668780/Rapid-rise-for-Kiwi-schoolboy-basketball-star-Sam-Timmins | title=Rapid rise for Kiwi schoolboy basketball star Sam Timmins | work=Stuff.co.nz | date=20 May 2015 | accessdate=15 August 2015}}

In 2013, Timmins joined the Otago Nuggets and made his New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) debut. At age 15, he became the youngest debutant in Nuggets history.{{cite web | last=Seconi | first=Adrian | url=http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/256974/basketball-walk-run-win-nuggets-rebound | title=Basketball: Walk, run, win: Nuggets rebound | work=ODT.co.nz | date=15 May 2013 | accessdate=13 April 2015}} A stress fracture in his back sidelined him for the entire 2014 season.{{cite web | last=Cheshire | first=Jeff | url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2419734-sam-timmins-making-to-case-to-top-talented-new-zealand-recruiting-class | title=Sam Timmins Making Case to Top Talented New Zealand Recruiting Class | work=BleacherReport.com | date=3 April 2015 | accessdate=9 April 2015}} That year, he led Otago Boys' High School to the National Schools Championship and was named tournament MVP. He also helped the Junior Tall Blacks come within three points of winning the Under-18 Oceania Championship final.{{cite web | last=van Royen | first=Robert | url=http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/330052/basketball-timmins-heading-north-advance-sports-career | title=Basketball: Timmins heading north to advance sports career | work=ODT.co.nz | date=15 January 2015 | accessdate=9 April 2015}}

In January 2015, following the collapse of the Otago Nuggets, Timmins moved to Christchurch to play for the Canterbury Rams and attend Middleton Grange School. In his debut for the Rams, he had 20 points and nine rebounds.{{cite web | last=Egan | first=Brendon | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/67609075/canterbury-rams-too-strong-for-manawatu-jets-in-nbl-clash | title=Canterbury Rams too strong for Manawatu Jets in NBL clash | work=Stuff.co.nz | date=3 April 2015 | accessdate=9 April 2015}} In 16 games during the 2015 season, he averaged 5.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.{{cite web | url=http://www.foxsportspulse.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&client=11-8336-151868-356729-23059889&pID=196489150 | title=Player statistics for Sam Timmins | work=FoxSportsPulse.com | accessdate=15 August 2015}}

On 29 April 2015, Timmins signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball for the Washington Huskies in 2016–17.{{cite news | url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/68146500/canterbury-rams-rookie-sam-timmins-scores-us-scholarship | title=Canterbury Rams rookie Sam Timmins scores US scholarship | work=Stuff.co.nz | date=29 April 2015 | accessdate=29 April 2015}}{{cite web | last=Anderson | first=Niall | url=http://nzhoops.co.nz/timmins-commits-to-university-of-washington/ | title=Timmins Commits To University Of Washington | work=NZhoops.co.nz | date=29 April 2015 | accessdate=29 April 2015}} He joined the Huskies in December 2015 and practiced and travelled with the team for the remainder of the 2015–16 season.{{cite web | url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/washington.sidearmsports.com/documents/2017/4/10/Timmins_2016_17_Bio.pdf | title=#33 SAM TIMMINS | work=Washington Huskies | accessdate=17 May 2017}}

As a freshman in 2016–17, Timmins saw action in 31 games including 18 starts and averaged 3.2 points and 3.8 rebounds while adding 20 blocks and shooting 48.9 per cent from the field. He had a season-high 12 rebounds on two occasions, with his season high in points being 11.{{cite web | url=http://www.gohuskies.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3413 | title=Sam Timmins – 2016–17 Men's Basketball Roster | work=GoHuskies.com | accessdate=17 May 2017 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531054923/http://www.gohuskies.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3413 | archivedate=31 May 2017}}

As a sophomore in 2017–18, Timmins started in all 34 games and averaged 4.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He set a career high during the season with 13 points against Kennesaw State.{{cite web | url=https://gohuskies.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/sam-timmins/9792 | title=Sam Timmins – 2019–20 Men's Basketball Roster | work=GoHuskies.com | accessdate=18 March 2020}}

As a junior in 2018–19, Timmins competed in all 36 games while shooting 62 per cent from the field (31-of-50) and averaging 1.9 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. His minutes dropped from 18.0 per game as a sophomore to 10.4 per game as a junior.{{cite web | url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/sam-timmins-1.html | title=Sam Timmins | work=sports-reference.com | accessdate=18 March 2020}} He had a season-high nine points against UCLA, and had a season-best seven rebounds against Utah while also recording a career-high-tying four blocks.

As a senior in 2019–20, Timmins averaged a career-low 7.9 minutes per game to go with 2.0 points and 1.4 rebounds in 31 games.

On 18 March 2020, Timmins signed with the Franklin Bulls for the 2020 New Zealand NBL season.{{cite web | url=https://www.bullsbasketball.nz/news | title=PLAYER ANNOUNCEMENT | work=bullsbasketball.nz | date=18 March 2020 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318102455/https://www.bullsbasketball.nz/news | archivedate=18 March 2020}} On 2 July 2020, he recorded 24 points and 12 rebounds in an 85–79 win over the Otago Nuggets.{{cite web | url=https://www.nznbl.basketball/timmins-unstoppabull-as-franklin-down-the-nuggets/ | title=TIMMINS UNSTOPPA'BULL' AS FRANKLIN DOWN THE NUGGETS | work=nznbl.basketball | date=2 July 2020 | accessdate=2 July 2020}}{{cite web | url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/300048073/nbl-showdown-tall-blacks-big-man-sam-timmins-leads-franklin-bulls-to-crucial-win | title=NBL Showdown: Tall Blacks big man Sam Timmins leads Franklin Bulls to crucial win | work=Stuff.co.nz | date=2 July 2020 | accessdate=2 July 2020}} He led the league in blocked shots with 1.9 per game.{{cite web | url=https://www.nznbl.basketball/stats/competition-stats/?WHurl=%2Fleaders%3F | title=Stats Leaders | work=nznbl.basketball | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20200726043500/https://www.nznbl.basketball/stats/competition-stats/?WHurl=/leaders%3F | archivedate=26 July 2020 | access-date=26 July 2020 }}

On 18 December 2020, Timmins signed in Estonia with Tallinna Kalev/TLÜ of the Korvpalli Meistriliiga and Baltic Basketball League.{{cite web | last=Cheshire | first=Jeff | url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/timmins-lands-estonia-contract | title=Timmins lands Estonia contract | work=odt.co.nz | date=18 December 2020 | url-status=live | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223014647/https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/timmins-lands-estonia-contract | archivedate=23 December 2020}} In six games, he averaged 10.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.2 blocks per game.{{cite web | url=https://www.australiabasket.com/New-Zealand/news/680655/Nuggets-add-Timmins-to-their-roster | title=Nuggets add Timmins to their roster | work=australiabasket.com | date=23 April 2021 | url-status=live | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424023408/https://www.australiabasket.com/New-Zealand/news/680655/Nuggets-add-Timmins-to-their-roster | archivedate=24 April 2021}} After returning to New Zealand, he joined the Otago Nuggets for the 2021 New Zealand NBL season.{{cite web | last=Cheshire | first=Jeff | url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/timmins-signs-nuggets | title=Timmins signs on with Nuggets | work=odt.co.nz | date=28 November 2020 | url-status=live | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128024005/https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/timmins-signs-nuggets | archivedate=28 November 2020}} On 15 May, he recorded 29 points and 25 rebounds in a 92–85 overtime win over the Manawatu Jets.{{cite web | url=https://men.nznbl.basketball/nuggets-clinch-ot-win-with-slammin-sam-on-fire/ | title=NUGGETS CLINCH OT WIN WITH SLAMMIN' SAM ON FIRE | work=nznbl.basketball | date=15 May 2021 | url-status=live | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515141915/https://men.nznbl.basketball/nuggets-clinch-ot-win-with-slammin-sam-on-fire/ | archivedate=15 May 2021}} On 10 June, he recorded 18 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists in a 95–82 win over the Canterbury Rams.{{cite web | url=https://men.nznbl.basketball/triple-double-delight-for-sam-timmins-as-nuggets-beat-rams/ | title=TRIPLE DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR SAM TIMMINS AS NUGGETS BEAT RAMS | work=nznbl.basketball | date=10 June 2021 | url-status=live | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610140253/https://men.nznbl.basketball/triple-double-delight-for-sam-timmins-as-nuggets-beat-rams/ | archivedate=10 June 2021}}

On 30 June 2021, Timmins signed with the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) on a one-year development contract, with a club option for a second year.{{cite news |title=Son of Former Otago Highlander Signs with Sky Sport Breakers |url=https://www.nzbreakers.basketball/news/son-of-former-otago-highlander-signs-with-sky-sport-breakers |website=NZBreakers.basketball |access-date=30 June 2021 |date=30 June 2021}}{{cite web |title=Breakers Add Sam Timmins as Development Player |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/breakers-add-sam-timmins-as-development-player |website=NBL.com.au |access-date=30 June 2021 |date=30 June 2021}} On 15 April 2022, he was elevated to the full roster following the departure of Yanni Wetzell.{{cite news |title=Breakers and Wetzell Agree Release to EuroLeague Outfit |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/breakers-and-wetzell-agree-release-to-euroleague-outfit |access-date=15 April 2022 |work=NBL.com.au |date=15 April 2022}} In 15 games during the 2021–22 NBL season, he averaged 3.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.{{cite news |title=Timmins: I'm Coming Back to the Breakers |url=https://www.nzbreakers.basketball/news/timmins-im-coming-back-to-the-breakers |access-date=30 April 2022 |work=nzbreakers.basketball |date=28 April 2022}}

Timmins re-joined the Nuggets for the 2022 New Zealand NBL season{{cite web | last=Cheshire | first=Jeff | url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/nuggets-thrilled-secure-timmins%E2%80%99-services-season | title=Nuggets thrilled to secure Timmins' services for this season | work=odt.co.nz | date=10 February 2022 | url-status=live | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210023538/https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/nuggets-thrilled-secure-timmins%E2%80%99-services-season | archivedate=10 February 2022}} and helped the team win the championship.{{cite web|url=https://men.nznbl.basketball/nuggets-down-tuatara-to-claim-2022-sals-nbl-title/|title=NUGGETS DOWN TUATARA TO CLAIM 2022 SAL'S NBL TITLE|work=nznbl.basketball|date=13 August 2022|accessdate=13 August 2022}}

On 28 April 2022, Timmins re-signed with the Breakers for the 2022–23 NBL season.

Timmins re-joined the Nuggets for the 2023 New Zealand NBL season.{{cite web | last=Seconi | first=Adrian | url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/timmins%E2%80%99-return-%E2%80%98huge%E2%80%99-nuggets | title=Timmins' return 'huge' for Nuggets | work=odt.co.nz | date=16 February 2023 | url-status=live | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216095818/https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/timmins%E2%80%99-return-%E2%80%98huge%E2%80%99-nuggets | archivedate=16 February 2023}}

On 20 July 2023, Timmins signed with the Sydney Kings for the 2023–24 NBL season.{{cite web | url=https://www.sydneykings.com/news/kings-pen-tall-black-timmins-to-one-year-contract | title=Kings pen Tall Black Timmins to one-year contract | work=sydneykings.com | date=20 July 2023 | url-status=live | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720032453/https://www.sydneykings.com/news/kings-pen-tall-black-timmins-to-one-year-contract | archivedate=20 July 2023}} He missed the start of the season with a calf strain.{{cite web |title=Return of the King |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/return-of-the-king |website=NBL.com.au |access-date=27 October 2023 |date=27 October 2023}}

Timmins joined the Franklin Bulls for the 2024 New Zealand NBL season.{{cite web | url=https://www.bullsbasketball.nz/post/timmins-returns-to-bulls | title=Timmins Returns to Bulls | work=bullsbasketball.nz | date=24 December 2023 | url-status=live | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224041000/https://www.bullsbasketball.nz/post/timmins-returns-to-bulls | archivedate=24 December 2023}}

On 24 June 2024, Timmins signed with Tryhoop Okayama of the Japanese B.League.

Timmins joined the Southland Sharks for the 2025 New Zealand NBL season.{{cite news |title=Sharks add Sam Timmins to 2025 NBL Squad |url=https://www.sharksbasketball.co.nz/single-post/sharks-add-sam-timmins-to-2025-nbl-squad |access-date=22 January 2025 |work=Southland Sharks |date=21 January 2025 |language=en}}

In June 2015, Timmins helped New Zealand win the FIBA 3x3 Under-18 World Championship in Hungary.{{cite web | last=Egan | first=Brendon | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/68954478/canterbury-rams-aim-to-bounce-back-with-victory-in-national-basketball-league | title=Canterbury Rams aim to bounce back with victory in National Basketball League | work=Stuff.co.nz | date=29 May 2015 | accessdate=15 August 2015}} He was also a member of the Tall Blacks extended squad in the lead up to the 2015 FIBA Oceania Championship.{{cite web | url=http://www.basketball.org.nz/News/tall-blacks-name-long-list | title=TALL BLACKS NAME LONG LIST | work=Basketball.org.nz | date=21 June 2015 | accessdate=15 August 2015}}{{cite web | url=http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/346563/basketball-timmins-invited-tall-blacks-trial | title=Basketball: Timmins invited to Tall Blacks trial | work=ODT.co.nz | date=22 June 2015 | accessdate=15 August 2015}}{{cite web | url=http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-3621-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=35333543 | title=Henare announces touring Tall Blacks squad | work=FoxSportsPulse.com | date=15 July 2015 | accessdate=15 August 2015}}

On 12 July 2017, Timmins was invited to a six-day Tall Blacks camp in Auckland, ahead of a final 12-man roster being named to travel to the FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon, via preparation matches in China.{{cite web|url=http://www.basketball.org.nz/News/players-invited-to-tall-blacks-camp-ahead-of-asia-cup|title=PLAYERS INVITED TO TALL BLACKS CAMP AHEAD OF ASIA CUP|work=Basketball.org.nz|date=12 July 2017|accessdate=12 July 2017}}

In July 2023, Timmins was named in the Tall Blacks squad for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.{{cite web|url=https://nz.basketball/tall-blacks-squad-of-14-named-for-world-cup-prep-tour/|title=TALL BLACKS SQUAD OF 14 NAMED FOR WORLD CUP PREP TOUR|work=nz.basketball|date=31 July 2023|access-date=1 August 2023}} He re-joined the Tall Blacks for qualifiers in February 2024.{{cite web|url=https://nz.basketball/tall-blacks-name-squad-for-asia-cup-qualifiers-in-february/|title=TALL BLACKS NAME SQUAD FOR ASIA CUP QUALIFIERS IN FEBRUARY|work=nz.basketball|date=26 January 2024|access-date=26 January 2024}}

{{NBA player statistics legend}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17

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

| 31 || 18 || 14.5 || .489 || .286 || .375 || 3.8 || .3 || .4 || .6 || 3.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18

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

| 34 || 34 || 18.0 || .577 || – || .559 || 4.6 || .2 || .4 || 1.0 || 4.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19

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

| 36 || 7 || 10.4 || .620 || – || .364 || 2.2 || .3 || .3 || .7 || 1.9

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20

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

| 31 || 2 || 7.9 || .625 || .375 || .588 || 1.4 || .2 || .2 || .4 || 2.0

|- class="sortbottom"

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

| 132 || 61 || 12.7 || .563 || .333 || .500 || 3.0 || .2 || .3 || .7 || 2.8

{{S-end}}

Timmins is the son of Brendon and Karen Timmins, and has a sister named Ruby. His father played 74 games for the Otago rugby team and 42 games for the Highlanders, while his mother played netball for Southland. His grandmother, Sandra McGookin, was a six-time New Zealand javelin champion.{{cite web | last=Seconi | first=Adrian | url=http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/367937/basketball-timmins-life-about-change | title=Basketball: Timmins' life about to change | work=ODT.co.nz | date=24 December 2015 | accessdate=30 December 2015}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20151114182526/http://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/player/p/pid/109882/sid/7558/tid/337/_/2014_FIBA_Oceania_U18_Championship_for_Men/index.html FIBA.com profile]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045537/http://www.rams.org.nz/node/130 Canterbury Rams player profile]
• [https://gohuskies.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/sam-timmins/9792 Washington Huskies bio]
• [http://www.gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210610288 GoHuskies.com interview]
• [https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/300020310/slammin-sam-timmins-heads-first-wave-of-intake-for-groundbreaking-2020-nbl "Slammin' Sam Timmins heads first wave of intake for groundbreaking 2020 NBL"] at stuff.co.nz
• [https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/timmins-returning-3x3 "Timmins returning for 3x3"] at odt.co.nz
• [https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/timmins-playing-team-his-heart "Timmins playing for team his heart is in"] at odt.co.nz

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Category:1997 births

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