Playing twenty years of professional basketball is an amazing feat. Managing to make the playoffs EVERY year in those twenty is awe-inspiring. That is what Tony “The Bear” Ronaldson has managed to do in the National Basketball League.
The Bear has never had the most athletic physique, on the contrary, he has been called his fair share of names for his body shape over the years. A bottom-heavy, thickly built waddling man is not what people generally think of as the stereotypical high-flying basketball player. Somehow Ronaldson has pulled it off though.
He has pulled his 6’8″ frame through seven grand final appearances, including two NBL titles, playing with the Eastside Spectres, South East Melbourne Magic, Victoria Titans (all three now defunct), Perth Wildcats and now the New Zealand Breakers. He has never been a player that was liked by opposing fans, as he pulled up as the trailer on the break to pop a three at the top of the key and bullied his way to rebounds. Despite this, he will get the adulation he deserves across the Australian basketball community when he does hang them up, holding the record for most games played in NBL history, a record once held by legend Andrew Gaze.
The Bear broke Drewie’s record, with his 613th game on 2 November, 2008. Ronaldson has never really been the “main man” on any of the teams he has played for over the years and his reaction to breaking the games-played record reflected that attitude: “It is more about the people who I have surpassed, names like Andrew Gaze who’s been retired for four years now and is still the most recognisable name in the game,” Ronaldson said.
At the time of passing his record, Gaze had this to say about the Bear:
“He wasn’t the kind of guy you looked at as your stereotypical athlete but he got the very best out of his body,” said Gaze who played alongside Ronaldson during most of his international career.
“He always presented a big target and made the most of it.
“He would often play against guys who were far superior athletes but he always had the ability to find a way to get it done.
“He’s been great for the game but above and beyond that, Tony is a decent bloke with a love of the game and tremendous respect for the game.”
Outside of his domestic achievements, Ronaldson has represented Australia at two Olympic Games (1996 and 2004) and won a Gold medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. His biggest international moment came when he nailed a huge four-point play at the 1996 Olympics to give the Boomers a win over Croatia and put them into the medal round — a huge moment for Aussie basketball. That Atlanta Olympics team was perhaps our most promising ever, including Gaze, Shane Heal, Andrew Vlahov, Mark Bradtke and co, however a crushing from the USA in the first game of the medal round and a subsequent loss to Croatia in the Bronze Medal game left us empty-handed in fourth.
The official NBL/Breakers release on Ronaldson’s retirement has plenty of quotes including:
Ronaldson admits he had no idea his career would prove as lengthy as he recalls first starting out as a raw 17-year-old.
“My first contract was for 15 thousand dollars and no, I never knew where this thing was going, at that stage it was purely about playing as the money didn’t support you. My goals then were making the Aussie team and playing well each game, I certainly didn’t think of a 20 year career. I can be very satisfied at the time I have had in the game, few get to play as long as I have, I’m lucky.”
Ronaldson has thought about the future but as yet, is undecided about where it will take him.
“I have no specific trade; I have an interest in the construction industry and will put some feelers out. But I’ve had one job in my life, I am going into the unknown but as with basketball I back myself to pick something up and run with a new challenge, I am excited about that. It is frightening but exciting, whatever it may be.”
CJ Bruton spoke on behalf of the players of his club and former international team mate.
“Bear is a classy player, always committed to the team and always wants desperately to win. Every club would love to have Tony on the team; we have certainly enjoyed him here at the Breakers. He has always been a big game player and can be relied on down the stretch.
“He has always put his country first as well, when he could have been earning big money overseas he put his club and country first, that is the guy he is. I have seen the sacrifices and hard work he has put in over the years to reach goals with the ultimate one being the Olympic Games. We shared the captaincy too at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games when we beat NZ for the gold medal – that will always be a special memory for us both. I don’t think people and the game of basketball quite realize how much they will miss the Bear.”
Of course, Ronaldson still has some games left to play with the Breakers, who currently sit in fifth position. They need to win the rest of the way to have the best shot at breaking into the top four and thus not ending The Bear’s run of playoff appearances.
Ronaldson was interviewed about his retirement:
Some comedy from Ronaldson when he joined the Breakers:
And here is The Bear in action for the South East Melbourne Magic back in 1997 against the Adelaide 36ers:
