View source for Alex Pledger

{{short description|New Zealand basketball player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Alex Pledger
| image = 
| position = [[Center (basketball)|Centre]]
| height_cm = 215
| weight_kg = 113
| league = 
| team = 
| number = 
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|3|27|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Blenheim, New Zealand|Blenheim]], New Zealand
| high_school = [[Hamilton Boys' High School|Hamilton Boys']]<br>([[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton]], New Zealand)
| college = 
* {{nowrap|[[Kansas City Roos men's basketball|Kansas City]] (2005–2008)}}
* [[Belmont Abbey College|Belmont Abbey]] (2008–2009)
| draft_year = 2009
| career_start = 2009
| career_end = 2023
| years1 = 2009–2011
| team1 = [[Waikato Pistons]]
| years2 = 2009–2018
| team2 = [[New Zealand Breakers]]
| years3 = 2012
| team3 = [[Auckland Pirates]]
| years4 = 2016–2019
| team4 = [[Southland Sharks]]
| years5 = 2018–2020
| team5 = [[Melbourne United]]
| years6 = 2021; 2023
| team6 = Southland Sharks
| highlights =
* 4× [[List of NBL champions|NBL champion]] ([[2010–11 NBL season|2011]]–[[2012–13 NBL season|2013]], [[2014–15 NBL season|2015]])
* 2× [[List of New Zealand NBL champions|NZNBL champion]] ([[2012 New Zealand NBL season|2012]], [[2018 New Zealand NBL season|2018]])
* [[New Zealand NBL Finals Most Valuable Player Award|NZNBL Finals MVP]] ([[2012 New Zealand NBL season|2012]])
* [[New Zealand NBL Most Valuable Player Award|NZNBL MVP]] ([[2011 New Zealand NBL season|2011]])
* 2× [[New Zealand NBL All-Star Five|NZNBL All-Star Five]] ([[2011 New Zealand NBL season|2011]], [[2016 New Zealand NBL season|2016]])
* No. 35 retired by Southland Sharks
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalCountry | {{NZL}} }}
{{MedalSport | Men's [[Basketball]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Commonwealth Games]]}}
{{MedalBronze| [[2018 Commonwealth Games|2018 Gold Coast]] | [[Basketball at the 2018 Commonwealth Games – Men's tournament|Team competition]]}}
}}
'''Alex John Pledger''' (born 27 March 1987) is a New Zealand former professional [[basketball]] player. He played [[college basketball]] in the United States for [[Kansas City Roos men's basketball|Kansas City]] and [[Belmont Abbey College|Belmont Abbey]] before playing eleven seasons in the Australian [[National Basketball League (Australia)|National Basketball League]] (NBL) between 2009 and 2020. In nine seasons with the [[New Zealand Breakers]], he won four [[List of NBL champions|NBL championships]]. In the New Zealand [[National Basketball League (New Zealand)|National Basketball League]] (NZNBL), he won [[List of New Zealand NBL champions|championships]] with the [[Auckland Pirates]] (2012) and [[Southland Sharks]] (2018). He was also a regular member of the [[New Zealand men's national basketball team|New Zealand national team]].

==College career==
Between 2005 and 2008, Pledger was a member of the [[UMKC Kangaroos men's basketball|UMKC Kangaroos]] college basketball team in the United States.<ref name=college_profile>[http://www.umkckangaroos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18300&ATCLID=1263931 #14 Alex Pledger]</ref> His best season came in 2006–07 when he averaged 5.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 29 games.<ref name="college_profile" /> After a foot injury limited him to one game in the 2007–08 season, Pledger transferred to [[Belmont Abbey College]] for the 2008–09 season, where he averaged 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds in 12 games for the Crusaders in the [[NCAA Division II]].<ref>[http://www.abbeyathletics.com/stats/09mbb/BACmbbseason.htm Belmont Abbey Crusaders Basketball - Season Box Score]</ref>

==Professional career==
Pledger made his debut in the [[National Basketball League (New Zealand)|New Zealand NBL]] in [[2009 New Zealand NBL season|2009]] for the [[Waikato Pistons]]. He averaged 3.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in eight games and helped the Pistons win the championship. He was subsequently signed by the [[New Zealand Breakers]] as a development player for the [[2009–10 NBL season]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090702095607/http://www.basketball.org.nz/news/breakers-fill-roster Breakers Fill Roster]</ref> He averaged 1.7 points and 1.4 rebounds in nine games during his first season with the Breakers. He returned to the Pistons for the [[2010 New Zealand NBL season|2010 season]], where he averaged 11.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 21 games while helping the team return to the NBL Finals series.

Pledger was elevated to the Breakers' full-time playing squad for the [[2010–11 NBL season|2010–11 season]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100524041846/http://www.basketball.org.nz/news/vukona-back-with-breakers/ Vukona Back With Breakers]</ref> The Breakers went on to win their maiden championship that season. In 34 games, he averaged 6.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. With the Pistons in [[2011 New Zealand NBL season|2011]], he earned [[New Zealand NBL Most Valuable Player Award|league MVP]] honours and averaged 16.8 points, 11.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 2.4 blocks in 12 games.<ref>[https://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=206393530&client=11-8336-199734-159868-15173881 Player statistics for Alex Pledger – NZNBL 2011]</ref>

The [[2011–12 NBL season]] saw Pledger and the Breakers win back-to-back championships. Also in [[2012 New Zealand NBL season|2012]], Pledger helped the [[Auckland Pirates]]<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/6072823/Alex-Pledger-an-ace-card-for-the-Auckland-Pirates Alex Pledger an ace card for the Auckland Pirates]</ref> win the NZNBL championship behind a [[New Zealand NBL Finals Most Valuable Player Award|Finals MVP]] performance.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160307173554/http://www.newshub.co.nz/sport/video-auckland-pirates-win-kiwi-nbl-title-2012052808 VIDEO: Auckland Pirates win Kiwi NBL title]</ref>

Pledger became the Breakers' starting centre in the [[2012–13 NBL season|2012–13 season]].<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/6367587/NZ-Breakers-bank-on-big-man-Alex-Pledger NZ Breakers bank on big man Alex Pledger]</ref> During the season, he was twice named Player of the Week<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130413121755/http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/1i2rs7btps1d11wgkrk0lm1xkr Breakers' Alex Pledger wins NBL weekly award]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130412132656/http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/1hinp01a5za821g68g8u8eqmz1 Breakers' Pledger wins back-to-back NBL weekly award]</ref> and recorded career-best numbers with averages of 10.7 points and 7.3 rebounds. The Breakers claimed an NBL championship three-peat that season.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130413121846/http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/1cuc7h5iib16q15cf73ifumnou New Zealand win historic third consecutive NBL Championship]</ref>

Pledger missed the second half of the [[2013–14 NBL season|2013–14 season]] with a left ankle injury.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://nzhoops.co.nz/alex-pledgers-injury-blessing-disguise/ |title=Alex Pledger's Injury: A Blessing in Disguise? |date=27 December 2013 |access-date=15 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127202319/http://nzhoops.co.nz/alex-pledgers-injury-blessing-disguise/ |archive-date=27 January 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> He returned to action in [[2014–15 NBL season|2014–15]]<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/10515857/Big-hopes-for-rejuvenated-Breaker-Alex-Pledger Big hopes for rejuvenated Breaker Alex Pledger]</ref> and helped the Breakers win a fourth championship in five years.

In [[2015–16 NBL season|2015–16]],<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/67428776/coach-dean-vickerman-seeks-six-signings-to-strengthen-new-zealand-breakers Coach Dean Vickerman seeks six signings to strengthen New Zealand Breakers]</ref> the Breakers finished runners-up in the NBL after losing the grand final series to the Perth Wildcats.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/featured-news/gf3-report-wildcats-break-nz-hoodoo-for-another-title/|title=GF3 REPORT: WILDCATS BREAK NZ HOODOO FOR ANOTHER TITLE|work=NBL.com.au|date=6 March 2016|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=8 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308084946/http://www.nbl.com.au/featured-news/gf3-report-wildcats-break-nz-hoodoo-for-another-title/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He appeared in 31 of the team's 33 games in 2015–16, averaging 6.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.

In [[2016 New Zealand NBL season|2016]], Pledger returned to the New Zealand NBL for the first time since 2012, joining the [[Southland Sharks]].<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/72065468/Southland-Sharks-sign-Alex-Pledger Southland Sharks sign Alex Pledger]</ref> In 19 games for the Sharks, he averaged 16.5 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 blocks per game.

On 9 April 2016, Pledger re-signed with the Breakers on a three-year deal.<ref>[http://www.nzbreakers.co.nz/featured-news/breakers-make-their-biggest-signing/ SKYCITY BREAKERS MAKE THEIR ‘BIGGEST’ SIGNING]</ref><ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/78736914/nz-breakers-resign-big-man-alex-pledger-to-new-threeyear-deal NZ Breakers re-sign big man Alex Pledger to new three-year deal]</ref>

Following the [[2016–17 NBL season]], Pledger returned to the Southland Sharks for the [[2017 New Zealand NBL season]].<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/90436279/southland-sharks-big-man-alex-pledger-ready-for-nelson-giants-in-national-basketball-league-opener Southland Sharks big man Alex Pledger ready for Nelson Giants in National Basketball League opener]</ref> However, he spent a portion of the Sharks' season on the sidelines due to concussion-related problems.<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/93228958/new-zealand-basketball-star-alex-pledger-is-battling-is-own-concussion-nightmare New Zealand basketball star Alex Pledger is battling his own concussion nightmare]</ref> In 17 games, he averaged 13.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.8 blocks per game. He played a third season with the Sharks in [[2018 New Zealand NBL season|2018]].<ref>[https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/98393383/breakers-and-tall-blacks-star-alex-pledger-will-be-back-in-orange-with-southland-sharks Breakers and Tall Blacks star Alex Pledger will be back in orange with Southland Sharks]</ref>

On 18 May 2018, after mutually agreeing to part ways with the New Zealand Breakers, Pledger signed with [[Melbourne United]] for the [[2018–19 NBL season|2018–19 season]].<ref>[http://www.nbl.com.au/news/article/42044-melbourne-united-add-alex-pledger Melbourne United add Alex Pledger]</ref>

In April 2019, Pledger re-joined the Sharks for the [[2019 New Zealand NBL season|2019 season]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Egan|first=Brendon|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/111720626/wellington-saints-southland-sharks-hot-favourites-for-nbl-title|title=Wellington Saints, Southland Sharks hot favourites for NBL title|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=10 April 2019|access-date=14 April 2019}}</ref>

On 30 April 2019, Pledger re-signed with United for the [[2019–20 NBL season|2019–20 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/news/article/alex-pledger-re-signs-with-united|title=Alex Pledger Re-Signs with United|work=NBL.com.au|date=30 April 2019|access-date=30 April 2019}}</ref> On 18 November 2019, he was sidelined for six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a right ankle injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/alex-pledger-sidelined-for-melbourne|title=Alex Pledger Sidelined for Melbourne|work=NBL.com.au|date=18 November 2019|access-date=18 November 2019}}</ref>

On 23 December 2020, Pledger signed with the Southland Sharks for the [[2021 New Zealand NBL season|2021 season]], returning to the franchise for a fifth season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sharksbasketball.co.nz/single-post/pledger-the-perfect-early-present|title=Pledger the perfect early present|work=sharksbasketball.co.nz|date=23 December 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223043756/https://www.sharksbasketball.co.nz/single-post/pledger-the-perfect-early-present|archive-date=23 December 2020}}</ref> Due to a cancer diagnosis, he only managed to play in the Sharks' final home regular season game.<ref>{{cite web|last=Savory|first=Logan|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/125721137/nz-basketballer-alex-pledger-to-return-to-court-three-months-after-cancer-diagnosis|title=NZ basketballer Alex Pledger to return to court, three months after cancer diagnosis|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=13 July 2021|access-date=13 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Savory|first=Logan|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/125772936/veteran-coach-rob-beveridge-describes-alex-pledgers-cancer-comeback-as-highlight-of-career|title=Veteran coach Rob Beveridge describes Alex Pledger's cancer comeback as highlight of career|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=16 July 2021|access-date=16 July 2021}}</ref>

In May 2023, Pledger re-joined the Sharks for the rest of the [[2023 New Zealand NBL season|2023 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sharksbasketball.co.nz/single-post/pledger-completes-cancer-comeback-with-sharks|title=Pledger completes cancer comeback with Sharks|work=sharksbasketball.co.nz|date=9 May 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509003454/https://www.sharksbasketball.co.nz/single-post/pledger-completes-cancer-comeback-with-sharks|archive-date=9 May 2023}}</ref> He announced his retirement from basketball on 5 July 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/southlandsharks/posts/pfbid08qPHPBUTvBky5DDvWAk1Bfpk4vGBusn3KYsEmoyaTaiYwy5N9NvBoZM8fK16i9Gzl|title=THANK YOU ALEX|work=facebook.com/southlandsharks|date=5 July 2023|access-date=5 July 2023}}</ref> The Sharks subsequently retired his #35 jersey.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/nznbl/status/1676877882155753478|title=The @southlandsharks retire Alex Pledger's No. 35 jersey|work=twitter.com/nznbl|date=6 July 2023|access-date=6 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/300923230/extall-black-alex-pledgers-southland-sharks-singlet-lifted-to-the-rafters|title=Ex-Tall Black Alex Pledger's Southland Sharks singlet lifted to the rafters|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=7 July 2023|access-date=8 July 2023}}</ref>

==National team career==
Pledger made his senior debut with the [[New Zealand men's national basketball team|New Zealand national team]] at the [[2008 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men|2008 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120222054938/http://www.basketball.org.nz/national-teams/tall-blacks/tall-blacks-player-profiles/2011-tall-blacks/alex-pledger/ Alex Pledger – 2011 Tall Blacks Profile]</ref> His next appearance for the Tall Blacks came during the [[2009 FIBA Oceania Championship]].<ref>[http://www.basketball.net.au/tall-blacks-rattle-boomers-for-oceania-win-video/ TALL BLACKS RATTLE BOOMERS FOR OCEANIA WIN + VIDEO]</ref>

==Personal life==
In March 2021, Pledger was diagnosed with [[Colorectal cancer]]. He received the diagnosis after nearly five months of feeling unwell with tests coming back inconclusive.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/pledger-begins-fight-following-colorectal-cancer-diagnosis|title=Pledger Begins Fight Following Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis|work=NBL.com.au|date=29 March 2021|access-date=29 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hinton|first=Marc|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/300264905/southland-sharks-basketballer-alex-pledger-digs-in-for-fight-after-cancer-diagnosis|title=Southland Sharks basketballer Alex Pledger digs in for fight after cancer diagnosis|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=29 March 2021|access-date=29 March 2021}}</ref> He announced he was cancer free in September 2021, following an operation and further tests.<ref>{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=Ian|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/300408349/extall-black-alex-pledger-says-hes-cancerfree-six-months-after-diagnosis|title=Ex-Tall Black Alex Pledger says he's cancer-free six months after diagnosis|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=16 September 2021|access-date=16 September 2021}}</ref>

In 2021, Pledger married his long-time partner Bailee Wilson in [[Queenstown, New Zealand|Queenstown]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Simich|first=Ricardo|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/spy-a-wedding-and-return-to-the-court-for-basketball-star/PJ5ICERWKWKH77WVOFVBDUDIN4/|title=Spy: A wedding and return to the court for basketball star|work=nzherald.co.nz|date=20 June 2021|access-date=9 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hinton|first=Marc|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/300873264/bouncing-back-alex-pledger-set-for-storybook-postcancer-nbl-return-for-sharks|title=Bouncing back: Alex Pledger set for storybook post-cancer NBL return for Sharks|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=9 May 2023|access-date=9 May 2023}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150820045051/http://www.nzbreakers.co.nz/player_profile/alex-pledger/ New Zealand Breakers profile]
*[http://www.foxsportspulse.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=190404443&client=0-189-12317-327335-19755578 NBL stats]
*[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/88132252/alex-pledger-overcomes-injury-issues-to-join-breakers-200game-club "Alex Pledger overcomes injury issues to join Breakers' 200-game club"] at stuff.co.nz

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{{New Zealand NBL MVPs}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Pledger, Alex}}
[[Category:1987 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2010 FIBA World Championship players]]
[[Category:2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup players]]
[[Category:Auckland Pirates players]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 2018 Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Belmont Abbey Crusaders men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Centers (basketball)]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games bronze medallists for New Zealand]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games bronze medallists in basketball]]
[[Category:Kansas City Roos men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Medallists at the 2018 Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Melbourne United players]]
[[Category:New Zealand Breakers players]]
[[Category:New Zealand expatriate basketball people in the United States]]
[[Category:New Zealand men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Southland Sharks players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Blenheim, New Zealand]]
[[Category:Waikato Pistons players]]
[[Category:People educated at Hamilton Boys' High School]]
[[Category:21st-century New Zealand sportsmen]]