Scott Ninnis named Adelaide Lightning coach

Scott Ninnis' Christmas Day birthday present has come early in 2024.

Ninnis, 58, who turns 59 on December 25, has been appointed head coach of the WNBL's Adelaide Lightning for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.

"Basketball has always been a central part of my life, and I’m honoured to join the Lightning," Ninnis said.

"This is a proud club with a rich legacy, and I’m excited to guide the team as we strive for success together.

"It’s a fresh start and an opportunity to achieve something truly special.

“I’m eager to collaborate with this exceptional group of athletes and coaching staff."

The Adelaide Lightning and former head coach — Australian Opal, seven-time WNBL champion — Nat Hurst "mutually" parted ways on December 10, 2024 with the Lightning languishing at 2-6.

Ninnis has plenty to work with on the Adelaide roster.

WNBA star Steph Talbot is averaging 9.3 points per game, 8.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.4 steals while Australian Opal Isobel Borlase has been on a tear. She's averaging 15.1 points, and 4.7 rebounds.

It means there is only one female head coach in the WNBL, Southside Flyers Kristi Harrower.

• Adelaide Lightning: Scott Ninnis
• Bendigo Spirit: Kennedy Kereama
• Canberra Capitals: Paul Goriss
• Geelong United: Chris Lucas
• Perth Lynx: Ryan Petrik
• Southside Flyers: Kristi Harrower
• Sydney Flames: Guy Molloy
• Townsville Fire: Shannon Seebohm

Ninnis is highly-respected figure in Adelaide’s basketball community. As a player, he is a 3-time NBL champion (1986, 1992, 1998), All-NBL Third Team Member (1993), SEABL champion (1987), four-time SA State League champion (1987, 1989, 1995, 1997), NBL Most Improved Player (1993), and Woollacott Medalist (1995). He retired in 1998 and moved into coaching soon after but without the same level of success.

Scott Ninnis' coaching jobs

• 1998–2003: Adelaide 36ers (assistant)
• 2001–2002: and 2004: Sturt Sabres
• 2004–2005: Townsville Crocodiles (assistant)
• 2006–2007: South Dragons (assistant)
• 2008–2010: Adelaide 36ers
• 2022–2023: South Adelaide Panthers
• 2023: Adelaide 36ers (assistant)
• 2023–2024: Adelaide 36ers (interim)
• 2024: Adelaide Lightning

Ninnis was sacked by the Adelaide 36ers on August 11, 2024 — for the second time — replaced by American Mike Wells.

"We just felt like the standards that we had set as an organisation to reset the basketball culture, to get back to winning ways, just weren't quite there," 36ers chief executive Nic Barbato said.

"As an organisation, we wanted to give every bit of oxygen, every bit of ability for Scott [Ninnis] to improve, to learn, to adapt and that didn't happen.

"We didn't want to go into another season where we had some doubts."

The 36ers finished NBL24 with a 12-16 record and missed the playoffs again. The last time they made the post season was 2018.

Ninnis was the 36ers coach from 2008 to 2010, but was removed after leading Adelaide (10-18) to its worst-ever season.

But that was then.

Ninnis takes over a 3-6 Lightning that won its first game after the departure of Hurst. Adelaide beat UC Capitals 68-67 on the road in Round Seven on Sunday, December 15, 2024.

Adelaide Lightning General Manager Steve Wren said Ninnis' appointment came at an important time.

"Scott’s leadership comes at a critical time in our season as we refocus and align with our long-term vision for the team," he said.

"We extend our gratitude to assistant coaches Matt Clarke and Georgia Crouch for their professionalism and dedication in navigating the team through recent challenges.

"Their continued support remains invaluable as we prioritise the wellbeing of our players and maintain our push towards finals contention."

Ninnis has just two days to prepare for his first game in charge. The Lightning tackle 3-6 Southside Flyers (Game Centre) on Friday, December 20, 2024.

Scott Ninnis Playing Career

In early 1985, after a standout 40-point performance in the local Adelaide competition against the West Adelaide Bearcats, Scott Ninnis was invited to train with the Adelaide 36ers by head coach Ken Cole. Training alongside NBL stars such as Al Green, Darryl Pearce, Mike McKay, Ray Wood, Bill Jones, Peter Ali, and Mark Davis, Ninnis earned an opportunity to break into the National Basketball League.

Ninnis made his NBL debut on July 12, 1986, during Round 10 of the season against the Perth Wildcats at Apollo Stadium. He featured in 13 regular season games that year for the 36ers, who dominated with a 24-2 record, earning the nickname “The Invincibles.” The team went on to claim their first NBL title by defeating the Brisbane Bullets 2-1 in the Grand Final series. Though Ninnis played only the final 30 seconds of Game 3, the 36ers’ 113-91 victory cemented their place in history.

Following the season, head coach Ken Cole was dismissed after a controversy over pot and replaced by Gary Fox.

Under Fox, Ninnis saw limited opportunities in 1987, appearing in just two NBL games for a total of five minutes. But, he excelled with the Adelaide Buffaloes in the SEABL, helping them win the championship that year against the Ballarat Miners.

Ninnis rejoined the 36ers full-time in 1988, remaining with the team until the end of the 1990 season. Seeking to further his game, he moved to the Eastside Melbourne Spectres for the 1991 season under coach Brian Goorjian. That year, he reached his second NBL Grand Final, though the Spectres fell to the Perth Wildcats.

While playing for the 36ers, Ninnis continued competing in the South Australian State League with the South Adelaide Panthers, winning championships in 1987 and 1989.

The Spectres merged with the Southern Melbourne Saints ahead of the 1992 season, forming the South East Melbourne Magic. Ninnis joined the new squad, reuniting with Goorjian. Alongside key teammates like Tony Ronaldson, Bruce Bolden, Robert Rose, John Dorge, and future Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis, Ninnis captured his second NBL title after the Magic defeated the Melbourne Tigers 2-1 in the Grand Final. When Magic point guard Darren Perry was injured in Game 1, Ninnis stepped in as point guard for the remainder of the series.

In 1993, Ninnis returned to Adelaide and the 36ers, delivering a career-best season. Averaging 19.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, he earned the NBL Most Improved Player award. That same year, he rejoined South Adelaide and won his third State League championship.

Under coach Mike Dunlap, the 36ers reached the 1994 NBL Grand Final but were swept 2-0 by the North Melbourne Giants. Ninnis remained with the team through the 1995 season, when the 36ers fell to the Perth Wildcats in the semi-finals. Following that season, Dunlap cut Ninnis, signalling a shift toward younger players. Despite this, Ninnis’ tenure with South Adelaide continued to thrive; he won his fourth State League title and the Woollacott Medal in 1995.

In 1996, Ninnis signed with the Newcastle Falcons for a single season before returning to the 36ers in 1997 under new coach Dave Claxton.

The following year, Phil Smyth took over as head coach and led the 36ers to their second NBL championship. Teaming up with captain Brett Maher, Mark Davis, Martin Cattalini, Paul Rees, and imports Darnell Mee and Kevin Brooks, Ninnis earned his third NBL title as the 36ers swept the Magic 2-0 in the Grand Final.

Ninnis also claimed his fourth State League championship with South Adelaide in 1997. After the 1998 NBL season, Ninnis retired from professional basketball, closing his career with 318 NBL games played and averages of 9.2 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.