Shawn Redhage

Shawn Michael Redhage (born January 21, 1981) is an American-Australian professional basketball player who currently plays for the Perth Wildcats of the NBL.

Playing career

In the United States, Redhage was awarded Nebraska Player of the Year award in 1998/99 after a stunning senior year with Lincoln East High School. After high school, Redhage began studying and playing for Arizona State University. During his time with the Arizona State Sun Devils, Redhage was the recipient of numerous honors for both academic and athletic achievements.

Once in Australia, Redhage played in the SEABL for the NW Tasmania Thunder in 2004. Redhage was instrumental in the Thunder's SEABL championship (although they lost the ABA championship), and was awarded the SEABL MVP.

Redhage began his NBL career in September 2004 with the New Zealand Breakers. However, he was released in December after playing only 13 games, when the Breakers decided to sign veteran import Marcus Timmons. Redhage returned to the SEABL to play for the Bendigo Braves in 2005 after his departure from the Breakers. In his time with the Braves, he was award a spot in the All-SEABL team and recorded a league best average of 35 points per game and 15 rebounds per game while claiming his second SEABL MVP award.

Redhage joined the Wildcats for the 2005–06 season, where he instantly made an impact finishing second for the NBL league MVP award. He eventually won the Gordon Ellis Medal (Wildcats Club MVP) for that season. In 2007, Redhage won his second consecutive Gordon Ellis Medal for Wildcats Club MVP.

In the 2007–08 NBL season, Redhage was in the top 10 rebounds, top 20 blocks, top 5 points per game averaging 22.4, and top 20 foul shot %. Redhage once again finished in the top 5 for NBL League MVP award voting.

At the conclusion of 2007–08 NBL season, Redhage competed in the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) for the Criollos de Caguas. Redhage made an immediate impact in the BSN for Caguas helping them reach 1st place in the league after the club started 0-5 in the league that season without his services. Unfortunately for Caguas, Redhage was called to try out for the Australian Olympic basketball team and was unable to compete for team in the Playoffs. Without Redhage, Caguas was not able to maintain their level of play and was eliminated from the playoffs in the first round.

Redhage returned to play in the BSN at the end of the 2008–09 NBL season, suiting up for the Quebradillas Pirates.^[1]

In 2009, Redhage was appointed captain of the Perth Wildcats and in his first year as captain, went on to win the NBL championship.

On 23 January 2011, Redhage suffered a dislocated hip during the Wildcats 77-76 loss against the Adelaide 36ers and was ruled out for the remainder of the 2010–11 NBL season.^[2]

On 22 December 2012, Redhage represented the South All-Stars in the 2012 NBL All-Star Game held in Adelaide.^[3][4]

On 4 February 2013, Redhage was named in the Perth Wildcats 30th Anniversary All-Star team.^[5][6]

On 7 May 2013, Redhage re-signed with the Wildcats on a three-year deal.^[7]

Personal life

On 28 December 2007, Redhage and his wife Gretchen gave birth to their first child, a girl named Hayley. Three years later, they gave birth to a boy named Dylan.^[8]

Redhage's first application to become a naturalized Australian citizen was rejected by the Australian government. In early March 2007, Shawn's second application was accepted. He was naturalized on January 12, 2008 in a ceremony before the Wildcats game against the Gold Coast Blaze.

Redhage, while tertiary qualified in construction engineering, is currently working part-time for a financial planning firm.^[8]

References

External links

• Profile at Eurobasket.com
• Arizona State profile