Cam Gliddon 300: A Career Timeline

In his prime Cam Gliddon was one of the most effective two-way guards we’ve seen in the modern NBL.

An elite free-throw shooter with an electric three-point shot, it’s Gliddon’s defence that has helped make him such an indispensable part of all the sides he’s played on during his storied career.

A three-time MVP of the Cairns Taipans and a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, he’s often been understated and underrated by many neutral fans of the game – but there's no doubting his impact. As Gliddon prepares to play in his 300^th career NBL game, we take a look back a fantastic career so far.

Cam Gliddon and Damian Martin celebrate during the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Cairns Taipans 2012-2018

After a full four years playing college basketball for Concordia University in California, Gliddon returned to Australia as a largely unheralded signing for the Cairns Taipans in 2012.

As the season progressed, the then 23-year-old established himself as a key member of a Cairns side that was pushing for a playoff spot, however they finished the season in sixth, just one game behind the fourth-placed Sydney Kings.

Averaging over seven points, four rebounds and two assists from 30 minutes per game saw Gliddon named as the NBL’s Rookie of the Year. Arguably more impressively, his 1.4 steals per game was good enough for third in the competition.

Gliddon poses with the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year trophy.

While a persistent back injury would impact part of Gliddon’s sophomore season, he managed to build on the impressive rookie campaign he had put together in 2012-13.

Cairns once again finished sixth, just one game outside the top four, but Gliddon improved enough to take home the side’s MVP award aged just 24.

A true leader of the Taipans heading into the 2014-15 season, Gliddon was named captain and led them to a remarkable first-place finish on the ladder. After his side cruised through the semi-finals against Perth they fell to New Zealand in the Grand Final. It would be the fourth championship in five years for the Breakers.

After their run to the finals the year prior, Cairns once again finished sixth in Gliddon’s fourth season at the club. He did, however, register his highest points per game in a Taipans uniform off the back of signing a new three-year deal in pre-season. He claimed his second club MVP trophy at season’s end – becoming just the third Taipans player to be awarded the honour on more than one occasion.

The Taipans surged back into playoff contention in the 2016-17 season, and after winning the Ray Borner Medal as the pre-season MVP, Gliddon led the side to a second-placed finish. 

Gliddon (3) celebrates a win over New Zealand in 2017.

Gliddon won his third club MVP award in his final season at the club, this time alongside exciting young point guard Mitch McCarron. He also shot an incredible 98 per cent from the free throw line after missing just one of his 49 attempts all season.

Brisbane Bullets 2018-2020

A change of scenery beckoned Gliddon in 2018. While he stayed in Queensland, he moved further south to sign a three-year deal with Brisbane.

In his first season at the Bullets, Gliddon averaged a career-best 13.7 points per game, as the side made the playoffs for the only time since its reintroduction to the league in 2016.

Gliddon keeps the ball away from Perth champion Damian Martin.

Gliddon’s second season at the Bullets saw a drop in court time. In fact, it was the only season to date where he averaged less than 28 minutes per game. He mutually agreed to be released from the final year of his initial contract and signed with the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

South East Melbourne Phoenix 2020-2022

Since their addition to the NBL the Phoenix have prided themselves on the offensive side of the game, and the addition of a now veteran Gliddon not only provided them with powerful shooting, but also an added element of defensive bite.

He returned to his usual 30 minute per game average in his first season in Victoria, where he provided a handy wing option to support the likes of Mitch Creek and help lead the team to the playoffs. 

Thumbs up.

Gliddon played a key role off the bench in his final season at South East Melbourne. 

NZ Breakers 2022-present

One of a host of new signings at the Breakers this season, Gliddon is thriving as a veteran presence on a young and exciting side, and his stereotypical defensive stability perfectly fits in with the mindset of Mody Maor’s side.

Gliddon has established himself as a key veteran presence on the Breakers this season.

While he’s averaging the fewest minutes per game of his NBL career so far, Gliddon is playing a key role behind the guard rotation of Will McDowell-White, Izayah Le’Afa and Barry Brown Jr.