Jason Spurgin’s journey from Toowoomba to an NBL debut with the Sydney Kings

From a tough, honest conversation with a high school coach, to a college basketball regular season title and now an NBL debut. Check out Jason Spurgin’s remarkable rise as he looks to build on a career he hopes will land him in the NBA.

Jason Spurgin attempts a shot for the Sydney Kings on his NBL debut. Picture: Kris Saad

From Toowoomba, to the US college system to the Sydney Kings, Jason Spurgin’s remarkable career reached its newest peak on the weekend when he made his NBL debut for the Kings in their win over the Cairns Taipans.

“It was pretty special, it was one of my biggest goals that I had for myself recently so it was a pretty nice feeling to do that,” he said.

Upon getting the call-up from the bench to take to the floor late in the game, the 23-year-old shared the feeling he had when he realised he was set to take to the court for the first time.

“I would say relief, just to know all the hard work that I’ve done paid off and the coach trusted me to get on the court and do my thing,” he said.

Growing up as a multi-sport athlete, basketball was never front of mind for Spurgin as a goal for him to pursue as a career.

“I know me and my brother grew up wanting to be professional sportsmen the whole time,” he said.

“I think originally we wanted to play for Australia in cricket but I think finding my passion in basketball late and going step by step really.

“My biggest goal before I went to America was trying to get to America to play college basketball and then I wanted to finish with a degree.

“I had a lucky opportunity to keep pursuing my love for basketball to play pro and get paid to do something that I love which is nice.

Jason Spurgin attempts a shot for the Sydney Kings on his NBL debut. Picture: Kris Saad

“It was never really ‘I want to be a professional basketball player’ I always wanted to be a pro athlete but fortunately I am here right now which is nice.”

Earning a division 1 scholarship in the United States was one of the big breakthrough moments in his career.

However, at one stage during his high school days at Toowoomba Grammar School, there was an almighty challenge for him to achieve that goal as he faced a blunt conversation with his coach Kabe Cicolini about his chances of making it into a Division 1 school.

“I remember that conversation well, it was one of the changing points of my trajectory of my career so far,” he said.

“I was told that right now I was probably not good enough to be a division 1 basketball player and I had to put the work in.

“Kabe was able to lay down some foundations and steps on what I needed to do and I changed my routine and everything like that to be focused on becoming a division 1 basketball player.

Jason Spurgin (left) and Samuel Harmsworth with Kabe Cicolini in 2018.

“From that point on, (I) took basketball much more seriously and ended up where I am now.”

His hard work to earn the eventual scholarship with Southern Utah University was made worthwhile and as he recalls, his four years in the college system with Southern Utah and Bowling Green State University were some of the best years of his life.

From travelling to juggernaut colleges in big cities, to winning the regular season title in his freshman year, there were countless unforgettable memories which will live with him for years to come.

“I made a lot of great friends, got to travel around America to play basketball, got a degree, so it was awesome,” he said.

“I appreciate all the coaches and the professors that mentored me while I was over there for four years – it was an amazing experience.”

Bowling Green Falcons centre Jason Spurgin is defended by Akron Zips guard Ali Ali. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Now in his first season as a development player with the Kings, Spurgin said fellow big man Cameron Oliver has had a major impact on his growth as a player in recent months.

“Cam Oliver has been a big impact on me these last couple of months,” he said.

“We obviously play the same position and he played at the highest level – the NBA and that’s where I want to go hopefully.

“Learning from him and asking him questions, he’s been nothing but great for me in supporting me and answering those questions so it has been awesome to learn from him.”

With his dream of making it into college and now making his NBL debut, Spurgin revealed what his current goals are moving forward.

“Obviously you have got the big goals, I want to play for Australia for the Boomers sometime and then obviously my ultimate goal is always try and get to the NBA,” Spurgin said.

“Right now I am just trying to be consistent with myself every day and working as hard as I can just to get there.

“I have my big goals and then I have just some smaller goals which I am working to every day to help me get there.”

With his sights set on one day donning the green and gold for Australia, Spurgin has loved the opportunity to play under current Sydney Kings coach and bronze medal winning Boomers coach Brian Goorjian.

“I think ultimately every sportsmen wants to represent their country in their given sport and I have seen the passion that Goorj (Goorjian) had coming back from these recent Olympics and telling stories about coaching all the different Boomers squads he had,” he said.

Jason Spurgin of the Kings looks on before warming up during the round two NBL match between Perth Wildcats and Sydney Kings at RAC Arena, on September 27, 2024, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

“It seems like it was a special time when he was around those teams so it would be amazing just to be a part of them.

“It has been amazing to be under him, when I first was looking to sign with the team, everyone had nothing but great things to say about Goorj as a coach.

“Being around him for these last couple of months, I have learnt countless things and he’s a basketball savant and (has) endless information in his head, it is always great to learn from the best and he is one of the best so it is awesome.”