Daryl Corletto (born 24 August 1981) is an Australian-British[1] professional basketball player.

Daryl Corletto
Mornington Breakers
PositionShooting guard
LeagueBig V Division Two
Personal information
Born (1981-08-24) 24 August 1981 (age 43)
Melbourne, Victoria
NationalityAustralian / British
Listed height193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Listed weight88 kg (194 lb)
Career information
High schoolLaverton Secondary College
(Melbourne, Victoria)
Playing career2001–present
Coaching career2015–2016
Career history
As player:
2001–2002Werribee Devils
2001–2011Melbourne Tigers
2003Ringwood Hawks
2004–2009Melbourne Tigers (Big V)
2010–2011Ringwood Hawks
2011–2014New Zealand Breakers
2014Super City Rangers
2014–2015Melbourne United
2015–2017Plymouth Raiders
2016–2017Melbourne Tigers (SEABL)
2019; 2021–2023Western Port Steelers
2024–presentMornington Breakers
As coach:
2015–2016Plymouth Raiders
Career highlights and awards

Early life and career

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Corletto grew up in Altona Meadows, Victoria, and played for the Werribee Devils. His father influenced him to pursue a basketball career.[2] He joined the Melbourne Tigers junior squad at age 16[2] and was a member of the Victorian Championship State Team in 1996 and 1998. He was also selected to join the all-Australian youth team in 1998 and 2000.[3]

Professional career

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Melbourne Tigers (2001–2011)

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After playing in the Big V Championship Division for the Werribee Devils in 2001,[3] Corletto joined the Melbourne Tigers of the National Basketball League (NBL) for the 2001/02 season. Over his first two NBL seasons, Corletto appeared in just 13 games.[4] During this time, he continued on in the Big V during the NBL off-season, playing for Werribee in 2002 and Ringwood in 2003—the 2003 Big V season saw Corletto average a career-best 33.5 points per game.[5]

Corletto's third season in the NBL, the 2003/04 campaign, saw him play in 27 games for the Tigers while averaging 2.1 points per game. He became an important cog for Melbourne from the 2004/05 season onwards, as he averaged 7.0 points in 34 games that year before going on to average 11.2 points per game in 2005/06 (an NBL career high for Corletto), 10.4 points per game in 2006/07, and 9.0 points per game in 2007/08.[4] During this three-year run, Corletto appeared in 37 games each season and helped lead the Tigers to three straight NBL Grand Final series, winning championships in 2006 and 2008. The Tigers went on to reach the 2009 Grand Final as well, where they were defeated 3–2 by the South Dragons.

Between 2004 and 2009, Corletto played for the Melbourne Tigers Big V team, where he won back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009. The 2008 season saw him earn Big V All-Star Five honours and the Golden Hands award, while also being named Grand Final MVP.[6] For his performance at the 2008 Australian Club Championships, he was named in the All-Star Five.

Following the 2008/09 season, the NBL reduced from 10 to eight teams and moved from the 48-minute game to the 40-minute game format. In the first two seasons of the new NBL era, the Tigers missed the playoffs both years. Corletto appeared in all 56 games for the Tigers during this two-year period and averaged 10 points per game.[4] He also returned to the Ringwood Hawks for the 2010 Big V season and continued on with them in 2011.[5]

New Zealand Breakers (2011–2014)

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In September 2011, Corletto signed a one-year deal with the New Zealand Breakers.[7] Corletto moved to the Breakers after the Tigers were forced to cut one player from their roster to make room for NBA guard Patty Mills—Mills signed with Melbourne until the end of the NBA lockout.[8] In his first season with the Breakers, Corletto helped the team win their second consecutive championship. In 33 games in 2011/12, Corletto averaged 9.8 points per game.[4]

On 9 March 2012, with the 2011/12 NBL Finals still in progress, the Breakers confirmed the re-signing of Corletto on a two-year contract.[9] The Breakers collected their third consecutive title in 2012/13, while Corletto remained consistent with 9.6 ppg in 32 games.[4] The following season however saw the Breakers miss the playoffs, while Corletto averaged 7.8 points per game—his lowest mark since he averaged 7.0 ppg in 2008/09.[4]

Following the conclusion of the 2013/14 season, Corletto joined the Super City Rangers for the 2014 New Zealand NBL season.[10][11] However, in June 2014, he left New Zealand and parted ways with both the Breakers and the Rangers.[12][13]

Melbourne United (2014–2015)

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On 13 June 2014, Corletto signed with Melbourne United for the 2014/15 NBL season, returning to the revamped club for a second stint.[14] In his lone season for United, Corletto appeared in all 28 games and averaged 6.4 points per game—his lowest mark since the 2003/04 season.[4]

In 397 NBL games over 14 seasons, Corletto averaged 8.3 points while shooting 43.4% from the field, 36.7% from three-point range, and 85.1% from the free throw line.[4]

Plymouth Raiders and Melbourne Tigers (2015–2017)

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On 8 May 2015, Corletto signed with the Plymouth Raiders for the 2015–16 British Basketball League season.[15][16] After the Raiders went 0–3 to begin the season, the club named Corletto player-coach, replacing the outgoing Jay Marriott.[17][18]

Following the conclusion of the BBL season, Corletto returned to Australia and joined the Melbourne Tigers for the 2016 SEABL season.

Corletto continued on with the Raiders for the 2016–17 season in a player role.[19][20]

On 2 March 2017, Corletto re-signed with the Melbourne Tigers for the 2017 SEABL season.[21]

Western Port Steelers (2019–2023)

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On 3 December 2018, Corletto signed with the Western Port Steelers of the Big V Division One for the 2019 season.[22]

In 2021, 2022 and 2023, Corletto played for the Steelers in the Big V Championship Division.[23]

Mornington Breakers (2024–present)

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In 2024, Corletto played for the Mornington Breakers of the Big V Division Two.[23][24]

Personal

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Corletto is no longer married to Australian netballer Julie Prendergast.[25] That same year, he was named in Great Britain's 24-man preliminary squad for EuroBasket 2009.[26]

References

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  1. ^ Is Australian Corletto the Newest Addition to GB?, Sam Neter, Hoopsfix, 12 January 2012
  2. ^ a b Walsh, Caitlin (29 November 2014). "IT'S BACK TO THE FUTURE FOR CORLETTO". MelbourneUtd.com.au. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Daryl Corletto – Werribee Basketball Association". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "Player statistics for Daryl Corletto – NBL". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Player statistics for Daryl Corletto – Big V". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  6. ^ "That's a wrap - Championship Men 2008". BigV.com.au. 11 September 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  7. ^ Deane, Steve (15 September 2011). "Basketball: Breakers sign Aussie vet as Webster awaits drug ruling". NZHerald.co.nz. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  8. ^ Windley, Matt (20 October 2011). "Daryl Corletto lets fly at Melbourne Tigers". HeraldSun.com.au. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  9. ^ "Basketball: Corletto signs two year deal". NZHerald.co.nz. 9 March 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  10. ^ Rangers Sign Corletto
  11. ^ Corletto signs for SuperCity Rangers
  12. ^ BREAKERS PART WITH SHOOTING GUARD CORLETTO
  13. ^ Rangers Release Corletto
  14. ^ Daryl Corletto lands with Melbourne United
  15. ^ SENSATIONAL DOUBLE SWOOP FOR PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY RAIDERS
  16. ^ Corletto embarks on new adventure
  17. ^ Daryl Corletto Appointed as Raiders' Player/Coach, Plymouth Raiders
  18. ^ Daryl Corletto determined to learn from rollercoaster season, Bradley Gains, Hoopsfix, 28 April 2016
  19. ^ "Plymouth Raiders name Jonathan White as head coach to work with Daryl Corletto". BBC Sport. 20 July 2016. Archived from the original on 12 July 2018.
  20. ^ Daryl Corletto discusses new role at Plymouth Raiders
  21. ^ Daryl Corletto Returns for SEABL 2017
  22. ^ "Steelers add NBL veteran". BigV.com.au. 3 December 2018. Archived from the original on 3 December 2018.
  23. ^ a b "Daryl Corletto". australiabasket.com. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  24. ^ "Daryl Corletto". basketballvictoria.com. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  25. ^ "Julie Corletto – Biography". JulieCorletto.com. Archived from the original on 14 January 2014.
  26. ^ "GBR – Brits name 24-strong preliminary squad for EuroBasket". FIBA.com. 26 April 2009. Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
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