Luke Schenscher Australian basketball player Date of Birth: 31.12.1982 Country: Australia

1. Early Life and Basketball Career
2. Early International and College Career
3. NBA Career
4. Return to NBL and Further NBA Opportunity
5. Back to the NBL
6. NBL Success and Free Agency
7. Return to Adelaide

Early Life and Basketball Career

Luke Schenscher is an Australian professional basketball player who has played in both the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball League (NBL). Born in Hope Forest, South Australia, Schenscher began his basketball career with the Noarlunga City Tigers and spent three years at the Australian Institute of Sport from 1998 to 2000.

Early International and College Career

In 2001, Schenscher became the first high school player to make the Australian national team, participating in the East Asian Games. He then attended the Georgia Institute of Technology from 2001 to 2005, where he played primarily as a center.

NBA Career

After college, Schenscher pursued a career in the NBA and received tryouts with the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings before signing a contract with the Fort Worth Flyers of the NBA D-League. After an impressive debut, he signed a 10-day contract with the Chicago Bulls, becoming the third Australian to play for the team. He played 12 minutes for the Bulls, scoring 4 points and grabbing 1 rebound, and was offered another 10-day contract before eventually signing a contract for the remainder of the season.

Return to NBL and Further NBA Opportunity

Schenscher was rumored to have been offered a guaranteed spot with the South Dragons of the NBL, but he ultimately decided to remain with Chicago. He seemed to have found a stable role, but on the eve of the new season, the Bulls waived him, forcing him to return to the Flyers. In March 2007, Schenscher signed a 10-day contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, who were dealing with injuries, which was followed by another 10-day contract and an extension to the end of the season.

Back to the NBL

On April 15, 2008, Schenscher signed a one-year contract with his hometown team, the Adelaide 36ers. He proved to be a valuable asset, earning Player of the Week honors twice and Player of the Month twice during his first season. He also tied Mark Bradtke's record of 30 points and 20 rebounds in a game, a feat that Bradtke also accomplished with the 36ers.

NBL Success and Free Agency

In September 2009, Schenscher signed with the Perth Wildcats. The significance of this signing became apparent when Paul Rogers suffered a season-ending elbow injury. Schenscher and the team went on to win the NBL Championship. Schenscher spent the 2010-2011 season with the Townsville Crocodiles, and after becoming a free agent, weighed options to re-sign with the Crocodiles or return to the 36ers. He ultimately chose the Crocodiles, who reached the semi-finals of the NBL Championship, losing to the New Zealand Breakers.

Return to Adelaide

The following season, Schenscher returned to the Adelaide 36ers, hoping to lift his hometown team back up the standings.