From the Baseline to the Rafters: Robert Sibley to Have His Jersey Retired

Interviews conducted for nbl.com.au by Tom Hersz

Sometimes it takes a milestone moment to truly appreciate something or someone.

If you followed the NBL in the 1980s and 1990s, then you’d remember Robert Sibley as a fun-natured, free-spirited workhorse who had an influence on every team he played for.

Sibley, a three-time NBL Champion with the Brisbane Bullets and Melbourne Tigers, was known as ‘the Baseline Bandit’ because that’s where he did his best work. He could score on the interior or in the midrange, was a willing and solid passer, relentless on the offensive boards and a very smart defender. 

Sibley’s peak was in the late 80s and early 90s. His career year was in the 1990 NBL season, where he averaged 16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and shot 63 per cent from the field. 

He also represented Australia at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.

Last year, Sibley was diagnosed with cancer of the bladder and kidney. That news was immediately met with a huge amount of generous support as the Brisbane basketball community and NBL community rallied around him. 

A veteran of 371 NBL games (305 for Brisbane), Sibley will be honoured tomorrow night in Brisbane as he’ll witness his No. 52 jersey being retired and hung in the rafters of Nissan Arena. He will become just the fourth player in Bullets history to receive such an honour, joining Larry Sengstock, Ron Radliff and Leroy Loggins.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Make room for no.52 on Saturday night when the ?<a href="https://twitter.com/BrisbaneBullets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrisbaneBullets</a>? honour club legend Robert Sibley by rightfully retiring his singlet. Well-deserved and long overdue. Get around <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bandit52?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bandit52</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL21?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL21</a> ?<a href="https://twitter.com/NBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL</a>? <a href="https://t.co/LjzECgDzxh">pic.twitter.com/LjzECgDzxh</a></p>&mdash; Greg Davis (@GregDavis006) <a href="https://twitter.com/GregDavis006/status/1392760640528281602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Two former teammates of his, Andre Moore and Derek Rucker, will be at Nissan Arena tomorrow night to help celebrate this occasion. They both joined the Bullets as imports in 1990 and Sibley had a profound impact on each of them.

They were kind enough to chat with NBL Media earlier this week about their time playing with Sibley, what kind of teammate he was, how he helped them and what kind legacy he left behind when he retired from the game.

What was your first impression of Robert when you joined the team?

Andre Moore: I was like, ‘Wow, this guy looks like Don Johnson from Miami Vice’. A tall version of him. He has the same chiselled look as Don Johnson. That was my first impression and then when we start playing I was ‘damn, he has some game.’ 

When Ruck and I first arrived in Australia, I remember sitting down with Derek and watching some footage of some of the previous teams in the NBL during its infancy years and I was like ‘Wow, I think we might do alright in this league.’ Not knocking the competition, but we were young and full of confidence and very much anticipating what the future had in store. 

But once I saw guys like Rob and Greg Fox and those guys, I felt like ‘man, these guys have got some game.’ Rob had some hops, he goes to the hole strong, was a pretty good ball-handler for his size. And then I learned more about his history and growing up in Brisbane, he was a young prodigy coming up and he really matured into a really good player. Good leadership skills, just a great guy. 

My thing was rebounding and going down low and he was a guy that I could really team up with, rely on to hit the boards. So I was pretty impressed with him.

Derek Rucker: I think I actually met him on the second day I was ever in Australia; we had an informal shoot around. I think the media was there and everything and Robert, he was a bit aloof at first and didn’t really interact too much.

But within a short period of time, he and I became very close and he was just great to anyone who came in new to the program. I think he had a profound influence on those Bullets teams of the late 80s and early 90s.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/BrisbaneBullets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrisbaneBullets</a> will bestow the ultimate honour on one of their favourite sons this Saturday night. Dual championship winner Robert Sibley, who&#39;s battling cancer, will become only the fourth Brisbane player to have his jersey retired. <a href="https://t.co/OyAjjYbB1y">https://t.co/OyAjjYbB1y</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL21?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL21</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/7NEWS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#7NEWS</a> <a href="https://t.co/DbFocSJ52p">pic.twitter.com/DbFocSJ52p</a></p>&mdash; 7NEWS Brisbane (@7NewsBrisbane) <a href="https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1392770327176892416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

How did he go about helping you settle in to the team, adjust to the league and a new country / environment?

Moore: He was very helpful in that regard. He was always giving me a heads up on how things worked, like the refereeing – you know new imports have to adjust to that for one thing, cos of the different style. 

Off the court he was giving me advice about – he obviously knew Brisbane very well, so he told which places to go to and which places to stay away from. He was very helpful, very accommodating. Everyone welcomed me with open arms and he was one of the main catalysts behind that.

Rucker: Probably, the biggest part was away from the court. I used to go over to his place almost every evening and have dinner. I was 23 at the time and it gave me a bit of structure off the court where I had a group to hang out with. 

And socially, he was kind of the ringleader in that regard also, so we had a pretty good time as well and he was just a real good figure to have in a team. 

On the court, he was kind of an enforcer, but not a real hard guy like a Grant Kreuger or something, but he played a pretty rugged style and wasn’t afraid – he definitely did all the tough stuff.

What did you enjoy most about playing with Robert?

Moore: Just somebody that was in the trenches with me as a big guy down in the paint. The NBL had some really good big guys. Every team had legitimate threats in the low post, so I always felt confident going into games with Rob because he was tough and we had each other’s backs. If I didn’t get the rebound, he was going to get it, or leaping Leroy [Loggins] as well. 

He was the original ‘Baseline Bandit’ in my opinion. I know Herb McEachin in Canberra has that title too, but was the only real baseline bandit to me because he worked really well in that baseline region.

Rucker: He was really selfless and made all the plays that were necessary. He had a real desire to win and at the same time he was able to keep it loose. He was one of my favourite teammates without a doubt.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tonight the <a href="https://twitter.com/BrisbaneBullets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrisbaneBullets</a> break out their 1995 jersey as part of Champion Heritage Round.<br><br>The jersey was rocked by the likes of Leroy Loggins, Shane Heal, Robert Sibley, John Rillie, Mike Mitchell and Rodger Smith ?<br><br>Get yours at <a href="https://t.co/xuC4TcWQyS">https://t.co/xuC4TcWQyS</a> ? <a href="https://t.co/RK4gLwLHfK">pic.twitter.com/RK4gLwLHfK</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1387630111776645121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Is there something he helped with or taught you that stayed with you throughout your time playing in the NBL?

Moore: He led by example. He didn’t necessarily have to vocally express himself, but I would follow his lead. And just the fact that he would follow my lead [at times], was great as well. He led by example and that’s what true leaders too.

There was a period where he left and played in Melbourne and I really missed him up here in Queensland. He enjoyed some great success down there, so we couldn’t begrudge him that.

Rucker: I think it was the value of the interpersonal relationships. Obviously not everyone is going to get along, but even with the guys that he wasn’t particularly close with on the team, he definitely would draw them into the group; he was very inclusive. 

And I think that’s why if you go through Bullets guys and Tigers guys, everyone holds him in such high regard and I’m sure a lot of guys are probably saying the same type of thing about him. 

You know, Leroy was great in terms of frame of mind and getting ready for the next big game, but I thought Sib was good at understanding [how] to get your mind away from the pressure sometimes and just live and then revisit basketball when the time is right.

You still call Brisbane home today. Do you see much of him these days?

Moore: Because he’s been in and out of the hospital, I haven’t had a chance to see a lot of him, but we have spoken quite a few times on the phone over the years. We did catch up a few months ago at the Norman Hotel – shout out to the Norman Hotel. We had a few guys out for drinks, so that was good to catch up with him. 

Despite the medical situation he’s been dealing with, he’s always maintained a really good spirit, which is really cool. He’s still got his dry, witty sense of humour that most Aussies have. He still maintains that and he has a lot of love and support from his family, his kids, which is really great.

Rucker: I haven’t seen him in a long, long time. He doesn’t get out much and I’ve kind of respected that. I get my info through his daughter, Alana, and that’s how I hear how he’s going. Especially when he went through the tough times several months ago, I was in touch with her and she was giving me the updates.

His health issues that surfaced last year must have been a shock to everyone who has known him over the years. How did you react?

Moore: Just a lot of concern and just praying for him that he recovers the best he can, and that he can get through it; mentally and physically as best he can. Just try to support him in that way. He’s been in my prayers and I’ve called him to try and uplift his spirits as best I can.

Rucker: Initially I reached out to his daughter and I was just seeing if there was anything that could be done and how he was doing, and she kept me updated. I said look ‘I understand how he is’ and she said ‘yeah, he doesn’t really want to be bothered too much’ and I respect that. So, hopefully I’ll be able to catch up with him Saturday night at the game.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TBT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TBT</a> The Baseline Bandit, Robert Sibley, played 305 games in Bullets colours, 2nd all time. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThrowBackThursday?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThrowBackThursday</a> <a href="https://t.co/QZTXeWVc2V">pic.twitter.com/QZTXeWVc2V</a></p>&mdash; Brisbane Bullets (@BrisbaneBullets) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrisbaneBullets/status/677395800641540096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

When you think of Robert Sibley, the player and the teammate, what do you think personifies him?

Moore: True grit, pride in his country. You know he represented his country, he’s very proud of his country as well. So pride, grit, panache, just great talent. Overall, just a very good teammate. Those are the things that I think of.

Rucker: For me it’s just good times and just living, enjoying the game and working hard on it. You know, he had such an influence at an early stage on my career, so those things were really impactful. The two seasons I played with him were really good and the friendship that we had was great.

Finally, what’s your message to him on this milestone occasion of having his No. 52 jersey retired?

Moore: Without a doubt, congratulations! I’m really proud of him. It’s very well deserved, he’ll go down in history and it’s something that no one can ever take away from him. Just cherish it and appreciate it. 

I’m very happy for him. Congratulations to him. All the people that have been around him, his family, his parents, have all made him the person that he is today, so I’m sure that will be his message as well.

Rucker: Such a deserving honour. I can’t believe it took this long and congratulations Sibs. I don’t know a man who speaks poorly of Robert and that’s an amazing and rare thing.