Former Diamond Valley Eagle and Kingsbury junior in our domestic competition, ‘Slammin’ Sam Mackinnon was inducted into the Basketball Victoria Hall of Fame last week at the Basketball Victoria Awards Night.

Plying his trade at Civic Drive for many years and routinely showcasing the blend of brute strength and incredible athleticism that was ahead of it’s time, Sam went on to have an outstanding career in his junior ranks, the NBL and internationally for the Australian Boomers.

As a junior, Sam was a member of the U18 Boys Victorian State Champion winning Diamond Valley Eagles team and represented Vic Metro in 5 Australian Junior Championships from top age U16s through till the end of U20s and won the gold medal in each of those 5 years.

Sam was Vice Captain of the U19 Australian Junior Men’s Team that were silver medalists at the FIBA World Championships in Greece in 1995. He progressed to become Captain of the U23 Australian Junior Men’s Team that won a historic Gold Medal at the FIBA World Championships in Melbourne in 1997.

Beginning his NBL career in 1994 with the South East Melbourne Magic, Sam fast became a highlight reel and promising star for the future – winning the Rookie of the Year award and being a relied upon performer in the 1996 NBL Championship winning team.

Sam’s National League career then included stops in Townsville, West Sydney, Brisbane and the Melbourne Tigers, including a 2006/2007 NBL Championship win during his time with the Bullets and several years of interest from NBA teams to bring him over to the States.

Sam’s value and versatility as a player was recognized by our National Teams also – as he was a regular selection as an Australian Boomer and took part in the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, as well as being a member of the gold medal winning Boomers at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006.

We congratulate Sam on his BV Hall of Fame induction – deserved recognition for an outstanding career in our sport locally, nationally and internationally.