Ronnie Joyner

Ronnie Joyner (born c. 1961)[1] is an American former professional basketball player who spent 17 seasons playing in New Zealand in the National Basketball League (NBL). He finished his career as the league's all-time leading scorer with 8,828 career points.[2]

Ronnie Joyner
Personal information
Born1961 (age 59–60)
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Career information
High schoolCollierville (Collierville, Tennessee)
College
NBA draft1982 / Undrafted
Playing career1984–2001
PositionForward
Career history
1984Wellington Saints
1985–1988Ponsonby
1989Waikato Warriors
1990Auckland Cannons
1991–1993Waikato Warriors
1994–1996Hutt Valley Lakers
1997–1998Northland Suns
2000–2001North Harbour Kings
Career highlights and awards

High school and college career

Joyner attended Collierville High School in Collierville, Tennessee, where he averaged 18.1 and 21.5 points per game respectively during his final two prep seasons. As a freshman at Cloud County Community College in 1978–79, he averaged 23.8 points, including 37 points per game in his final eight games. He came back a year later and averaged 30.1 points per game,[3] third among the nation's junior college scorers, and earned first-team JC All-America honors. Following his sophomore season, Joyner transferred to Washington State, where he was a streak shooter in his first season with the Cougars. He worked on his defensive game during his senior year, earning praise from head coach George Raveling.[4] In 54 games for the Cougars over two seasons, he averaged 6.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 18.0 minutes per game.[5]

NBL career

Joyner moved to New Zealand in 1984. He was recruited by his former Washington State teammate Kenny McFadden when the Wellington Saints needed a replacement import on the eve of the 1984 NBL finals.[6] He went on help the Saints win the championship.[6] Joyner had his first full season in the NBL in 1985, playing for the Auckland-based Ponsonby. He averaged 52.6 points per game for the season, which saw him being named the NBL Most Outstanding Forward while earning NBL All-Star Five honors. He continued on with Ponsonby in 1986 and earned All-Star Five honors for the second straight year.[6] After two more seasons with Ponsonby, he joined the Waikato Warriors for the 1989 season. After a season with the Auckland Cannons in 1990, he returned to Waikato for the next three seasons.[6] Between 1994 and 1996, he played for the Hutt Valley Lakers. In 1997 and 1998, he played for the Northland Suns. After a season away from the NBL in 1999, he played for the North Harbour Kings in 2000 and 2001.[6]

In his 17-year career, Joyner was a five-time league scoring champion.[6] He retired with 291 games and a league-record 8,828 career points.[7] He also ranked fifth all time in career rebounds (2,459).[2][8]

References
  1. Jessup, Peter (May 4, 2001). "Basketball: Coach has passion for the job". NZHerald.co.nz. Retrieved November 3, 2015. and American import-turned-resident Ronnie Joyner, 40, who has a hand injury and probably will not turn out this season.
  2. "National Basketball League (New Zealand) - Points". WorldHoopStats.com. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  3. "Basketball Records". Cloud.edu. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  4. van Sickel, Charlie (February 18, 1982). "Billed A Shooter, Joyner Leaving A Defender". Spokane Chronicle. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  5. "Washington State Basketball 2008–09" (PDF). wsucougars.com. p. 128. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  6. "Basketball New Zealand – Ronnie Joyner". Basketball.org.nz. Archived from the original on August 24, 2006. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  7. Jessup, Peter (March 30, 2005). "Basketball: Cameron open to offers in ANBL as likely free agent". NZHerald.co.nz. Retrieved November 3, 2015. ...still well short of the all-time scoring record - Ronnie Joyner's 8828 points.
  8. NZhoops (July 21, 2018). "With 8 assists in his side's win over..." Twitter. Retrieved July 29, 2018. Boucher also moved into 5th all-time in rebounds this week, passing Ronnie Joyner.
  • Clips of Joyner playing for Ponsonby:
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