Last Updated on July 21, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Andrew Gaze is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Australian basketball history, celebrated for his remarkable scoring ability, shooting touch, and extraordinary longevity. A legend of the international game, he enjoyed a decorated career spanning decades while becoming an enduring icon of the sport both in Australia and around the world.

Here’s the detailed information on Andrew Gaze:

Player Profile

  • Nationality: Australian
  • Shoe Size: Size 15 (US)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 7 inches
  • Weight: 200 lbs (91 kg) during his playing career
  • Height: 6’7″ (201 cm)
  • Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
  • Draft: Undrafted in the 1989 NBA Draft
  • Age: Born July 24, 1965
  • College: Seton Hall University
  • High School: Albert Park College (Melbourne, Australia)
  • Hometown: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  • Championship Rings:
    • 1 NBA Championship (San Antonio Spurs, 1999)
    • 7 NBL Championships (1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1997 with Melbourne Tigers)
  • Kids: Four children (Courtney, Phoebe, Andrew Jr., and Mason)
  • Siblings: Four siblings
  • Teams Played For:
    • Melbourne Tigers (NBL, Australia)
    • Washington Bullets (NBA, USA)
    • San Antonio Spurs (NBA, USA)
    • Virtus Bologna (Italy)

Player Archetype / Play Style

Andrew Gaze’s player archetype was that of an elite movement shooter and high-volume scoring wing, a cerebral offensive engine who could bend a defence with touch, timing, and relentless shot-making. Standing 2.01 metres, he had very good size for a guard, but his game was built less on overpowering athleticism and more on craft, conditioning, and polished perimeter skill, which made him a difficult cover in both half-court and transition settings. Defensively, his role was more positional than disruptive, using awareness, effort, and experience to hold his ground rather than relying on explosive lateral tools. Offensively, he functioned as a primary scorer who could stretch the floor, work off movement, punish gaps, and carry a heavy scoring load, which fits a career defined by prolific point production for Melbourne and the Boomers. His overall play style was smooth, disciplined, and deeply skilled, blending shot creation, off-ball intelligence, and veteran poise in a way that made him one of the defining offensive guards Australian basketball has produced. (About FIBA)

Scouting Report

Andrew Gaze never needed overwhelming athleticism because he understood how to manufacture scoring chances before the ball even arrived. The first thing you notice is how relentlessly he worked without it, changing speeds through pin-downs, slipping behind ball watchers, and relocating the instant a defender turned his head. He was always searching for that extra half-step of separation rather than trying to create three feet of space. Once he caught the ball, the decision came quickly. If the closeout was late, the shot was gone. If the defender flew past, he’d take one or two controlled dribbles into the lane, draw the next rotation, and move the ball before the defense could recover. That’s where his offensive feel often gets overlooked. He wasn’t simply a perimeter shooter; he understood how to keep an advantage alive instead of ending it with a forced attempt. Defensively, he relied more on anticipation than physical tools, positioning himself early, reading passing lanes, and competing within team concepts, although quicker guards could expose him in isolation or force difficult recoveries through multiple screening actions. The trade-off was that he wasn’t built to create efficient offense possession after possession against set defenses, particularly when facing long, physical defenders who denied catches, but surrounded by smart passers and an offense built around movement, he became far more dangerous because every cut and relocation demanded attention. I’ve always thought Gaze’s greatest strength was his understanding of offensive rhythm. He knew when to sprint into space, when to slow down, and when to let the defense create the opening for him rather than forcing it himself. To me, his style resembles a blend of Joe Harris and JJ Redick, not because he played exactly like either, but because his scoring was rooted in timing, constant movement, and an advanced feel for where the next opportunity would appear rather than superior athletic gifts.

Notes:

  • I’m one of the rare people who grew up watching Andrew Gaze in person. The Melbourne Tigers were my hometown team, and I would frequently watch them on TV and attend many games in person. Gaze was the epitome of a nice human being and was always happy. Gaze was great for team chemistry and in my opinion, was the X factor on a very good Melbourne Tigers team that was always competing for championships.
  • Nobody has contributed more to the Australian Boomers than Andrew Gaze. He was always there for his country.
  • Andrew Gaze was a very good shooter (the NBL’s best in the 90s along with Shane Heal) and was also a playmaker who often set up teammate Lanard Copeland for electrifying dunks and finishes.
  • Gaze dished so many assists that I always assumed he was the point guard. Whatever his position, I would list him as one-down toward PG from Lanard Copeland. Since Copeland was listed as a shooting guard and small forward, to me, that makes Gaze a point guard and shooting guard.
  • Andrew Gaze had a brief NBA career. In those days, it was extremely rare for an Australian to be invited into the NBA. Though he didn’t get much court time, it was an honor for every Australian to have him in the NBA. Nowadays, he would have gotten more court time in the NBA in my opinion because the US is far more familiar with Australians as decent basketball players.

Sources:

FIBA Hall of Fame — Andrew GAZE (AUS)
Olympics Australia — Andrew Gaze
FIBA — 2013 Class of FIBA Hall of Fame: profile of Andrew Gaze (AUS)
Basketball Australia — Andrew Gaze AM OLY