Jock Landale knows what it takes to reach the top as a professional athlete. Having gone undrafted in the 2018 National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft, Landale paved an alternative path for himself and made his name by grafting his way through Europe and his home nation of Australia before joining the San Antonio Spurs in the 2021-22 NBA Season.
Currently, Landale and his Phoenix Suns side are facing off against the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Playoffs. With the series locked at 2-all, we wanted to dive into the career of an Australian Boomers star destined to make his mark on the sport of basketball.
In This Jock Landale Story…
Jock Landale Quick Facts
| Name: | Jock Landale |
| Age: | 27 |
| Date of Birth: | 25 October 1995 |
| Nationality: | Australian |
| Height: | 6ft 11in / 2.11m |
| Weight: | 116kg |
| Net Worth: | $5,000,000 (Estimated) |
| Instagram: | @jocklandale – 56.7k followers |
| Current Team: | Phoenix Suns |
Who is Jock Landale?
Jock Landale is an Australian professional basketball player who currently plays as a centre for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association (NBA), the global leader in men’s professional basketball, and the Australian national team, also known as the ‘Boomers’. He represented Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where he helped his home country to securing a Bronze Medal in basketball.
Landale was born in Melbourne, Victoria, and from an early age was revered as an exciting basketball prospect. Although he initially gave the game up, he returned to it whilst attending Geelong Grammar School in Corio, Victoria, which is where a full foot growth spurt between year 9 and year 12 elevated his profile as a prospect and ensured that he could secure a scholarship to Saint Mary’s College, an American NCAA Division I school.
Jock Landale’s Basketball Career
College Career
Representing Saint Mary’s Gaels, Landale began life as a bench player in his freshman year. His star rose in his sophomore year before a breakout season as a junior that was aided by improved physical conditioning.
Landale’s 2016-2017 season, where he averaged 16.9 points and 9.5 rebounds, often saw him dominate games as he led his side to the 2017 NCAA tournament. His performances subsequently earned him a first-team place in the All-West Coast Conference (WCC) side.
2017-18 saw Landale build on his impressive showings in the previous year, namely in an overtime loss against Georgia where he contributed 33 points and 12 rebounds.
Adding to that, Landale was named NBC Sports player of the week after grabbing 24 points and 12 rebounds in a victory over Gonzaga and 32 points and seven rebounds in a win over Pacific. His average improved to 21.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game as a senior, leading to him being named the West Coast Conference Player of the Year for 2017-18.
Partizan
Despite impressing in his college years, Landale went undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft. He briefly signed with the Atlanta Hawks for the NBA Summer League before seeking pastures anew and travelling to Belgrade, Serbia, to join up with Partizan in the ABA League.
Prior to joining Partizan, Landale declined the offers of a trio of NBA teams who offered him a non-guaranteed deal, instead opting for the security of both a guaranteed contract and playing time with Partizan. In 24 games, Landale shot for a 56.6% success rate from the field and averaged 12 points and 5.6 rebounds, and impressed enough to be named to the 2018-19 ABA League Ideal Starting Five.
Žalgiris Kaunas
After playing for NBA side the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2019 Las Vegas Summer League and parting ways with Partizan, Landale headed north to join Lithuanian champions Žalgiris Kaunas in May 2019. Landale’s picked up an average of 11.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game as he helped Žalgiris to a King Mindaugas Cup win and a 10th consecutive Lietuvos krepšinio lyga (LKL) championship, which was handed to the side as clear leaders in a COVID-19 affected season.
Melbourne United
Having parted ways with Žalgiris in August, 2020, Landale returned to his home city of Melbourne following a stint in Europe that was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Landale proved to be a standout in the National Basketball League (NBL) for Melbourne United, offering up an average of 16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 blocks per game, earning himself plenty of plaudits and recognition along the way.
Landale led Melbourne United to an NBL Championship win in an undefeated Grand Final series victory over the Perth Wildcats. As a result, Landale was named the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the 2020-21 season and attracted plenty of overseas interest.
San Antonio Spurs
Upon shining in his outstanding return to Australia with Melbourne United, Landale signed with the San Antonio Spurs in August, 2021, joining the side where his Boomers teammate, Patty Mills, made his name. Initially, Landale struggled to break into the Spurs’ NBA lineup and spent time at their NBA G-League affiliate Austin Spurs, although he debuted in October of 2021 off the bench for San Antonio.
Landale would secure his first NBA career start in a 101-94 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in January 2022. Landale recorded 10 points and 11 rebounds in the process and therefore earned his first NBA double-double (ten or more points, rebounds, assists, steals or blocked shots). Landale was unable to help the historically successful franchise reach the 2021-22 NBA playoffs.
Speaking towards the end of his season with the San Antonio Spurs, Landale reflected on his journey to the top of professional basketball with news.com, stating: “Starting at 15, I didn’t know if I would ever make it to the NBA; if I would ever win a medal in an Olympics. I never set out with those goals, but they formulated themselves as time went on.”
Phoenix Suns
On June 30, 2022, Landale was traded, alongside teammate Dejounte Murray, to fellow NBA side the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Italian star Danilo Gallinari and multiple future first-round picks. Barely a week later though, on July 6, Landale found himself traded to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for cash considerations.
Landale joined up with a highly competitive Phoenix roster and approached his second season in the NBA with a desire to focus on diet, sleep, and general wellbeing in order to be better-prepared for the intense season to come.
Landale has gone on to play 69 games in his first season at the Suns, averaging 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 14.2 minutes per game, ultimately bettering his output in his second NBA season across the board.
Jock Landale In The 2023 NBA Playoffs
As a result of finishing 4th in the Western Conference for the 2022-23 NBA season, Jock Landale’s Phoenix Suns made the 2023 NBA Playoffs series. Landale and the Suns faced the Los Angeles Clippers in the First Round of the Playoffs and dominated the series 4-1.
Currently, Landale and his Suns side are pitted against the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Playoffs. With the series tied at 2-2, Landale and his team will be hoping to push one of the NBA’s stronger sides to the end. So far, Landale has contributed solidly off the bench in two appearances against the Nuggets, averaging 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in his two games.
Jock Landale’s Australian Boomers Career
Jock Landale has experienced a successful career with the Boomers since joining up with the side for the 2019 FIBA World Cup conquest following his impressive first professional season with Partizan. Landale was an essential player and the starting power forward for the Boomers during the tournament, and was unfortunate to miss out on a medal after a double-overtime semi-final loss to Spain, and defeat to France in the third-place playoff.
Landale and the Boomers would earn a historic Bronze Medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Japan with victory over Slovenia in the third-place playoff. It was the first medal the side have earned since Australia’s men’s basketball team debuted at the 1956 Olympics. Landale played every match for the Boomers and averaged 12.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.8 steals per game in 21.8 minutes.
With the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup on the horizon, Landale was named in Boomers coach Brian Goorjian’s extended squad that is set to undergo a training camp in the lead-in to the tournament in Japan. Landale is undoubtedly a key cog in a renewed era for the Boomers where plenty of young and veteran Australian talents are making their name known in the NBA, including Josh Giddey, Matisse Thybulle, Joe Ingles, and Patty Mills.
What Type Of Player Is Jock Landale?
Jock Landale is an Australian basketball player for the Phoenix Suns who plays as a centre. Although he has the versatility to be able to play as a power forward, a role he has previously played for the Australian Boomers team, because of his massive presence and size (6ft11), he has played at centre for much of his career. Centres are valued for their ability to defend their own basket from close attempts at the goal and their scoring and rebounding on offence.
In defence, Landale is considered an above-average rim protector with a decent lateral quickness that allows him to keep track of smaller, quick-moving players (such as guards) with confidence. Landale’s rebounding is a major asset of his game as he often dominates in the category when he is on the court. He outlined how he viewed his own style of play to The Arizona Republic in September last year, stating:
“I run the floor extremely hard. I rebound offensively every single time and defensively as well and I’m a shooter. I think that role just kind of speaks for itself at this point. My mindset every game is to just keep it simple and that’s rebound, run and find open shots. That’s kind of the three things that I grade myself on from game to game.”
Jock Landale
Landale has undoubtedly proven himself in his two seasons in the NBA, going toe-to-toe with international superstars week-to-week with total assurance and discipline in his role. A confident player and person in his own right, Landale is well-liked by his teammates due to his charismatic, loud and infectious personality off the court, and his willingness to put his body on the line for the sake of his team’s success on the court.
Jock Landale Stats
Jock Landale’s star has steadily risen during his time in the NBA, with his stats gradually improving over his two years in the competition as he’s worked to establish himself as a starting five player.
Games Played: 123
Points Per Game (Average): 5.9
Rebounds Per Game (Average): 3.4
Assists Per Game (Average): 0.9
Field Goal %: 51.6
3-Point Field Goal %: 28.9
Free Throw %: 77.4
Effective Field Goal %: 56.2
How Tall Is Jock Landale?
Phoenix Suns and Australian Boomers centre Jock Landale stands at 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 metres). Interestingly enough, he nearly gave up the sport of basketball completely in his junior years before a major growth spurt between grade 9 and 12 rekindled his love for the game.
Jock Landale Personal Life
Described as loud and infectious in the locker room, Jock Landale is a typically loveable Australian in many ways. Known for his sense of humour, honesty and affability, Landale is well-liked by his teammates and the Phoenix Suns fans. In interviews, Jock Landale is unafraid to speak his mind and express how he feels, and has often been brutally honest about his career and shown a desire to prove doubters wrong.
During the 2023 NBA Playoffs, in a show of his loyalty, Landale came to the defence of teammate and former #1 NBA Draft pick Deandre Ayton as he was benched during the final moments of the Suns’ crucial victory over the Nuggets and received criticism from fans. Landale, Ayton’s replacement at centre, was quoted as saying to that press that he was…
“…sick of hearing people s***ting on him [Ayton]”. He went on to say that “DA has held down some big-time areas of games for us this year… I know it comes with the business and that is your guy’s job, but it’s other people’s right to say what they want to say. D.A. has been f***ing great for us. He is allowed to have a bad night, we are basketball players and playing against a two-time MVP right now, it’s tough.”
Jock Landale
In addition, Landale is also a proud Australian, and often speaks of his love for representing his country internationally. While playing for Žalgiris Kaunas against Real Madrid in January 2020, Landale supported his home country by donating $100 for every three-pointer and dunk during the game to help fight the Australian bushfires.
Landale is currently embroiled in a legal case involving the son of Australian Football League (AFL) television personality Sam Newman. Max Jones, 25, is taking legal action against his and Landale’s old school. Geelong Grammar, for negligence and “failing to institute a culture at the school that prevented the abuse of students by fellow students”.
Mr Jones alleged that Landale forced him to the ground and attacked him on February 7, 2013, with the Herald Sun reporting that Landale repeatedly jumped on Mr Jones’ lower stomach to the beat of a song played through a portable speaker in a school common room. Mr Jones was in year 10 at the time of the alleged assault, while Landale was in year 12, and alleges that he was forced to undergo a discectomy to remove damaged discs in his spine a week later.
Jock Landale’s Fiancée
Jock Landale is in a long-time relationship with fellow Australian India Maddern. The two went to high school together but supposedly they “never spoke”.
Landale has said, “She’s my best mate I’m extremely lucky to have fund her and it’s probably a good thing we didn’t speak back in high school,”
Jock Landale proposed to Maddern in January 2022, in New York’s Central Park.
Jock Landale Salary & Net Worth
Jock Landale’s net worth is estimated to be between $3 million and $5 million dollars.
He initially signed a two-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs worth $4,544,095 (AU $6,995,179) over two years, before being traded to the Phoenix Suns for the 2022-23 NBA season where he will earn $1,563,518 (AU $2,406,879).
Jock Landale’s Iconic ‘Aussie’ Haircut
Whilst known for his exploits as a basketballer for the Phoenix Suns and the Australian Boomers, Jock Landale also sports an iconic haircut that serves as an ode to the country of his birth, Australia.
The mullet, as it is known, entered the mainstream in the 1980s and 1990s before fading out and being resurrected in the late 2010s and early 2020s. The mullet is distinguishable by short hair on the front and sides, and long hair at the back, and is a style that Landale proudly maintains.
Jock Landale Jersey: Where To Buy A Jock Landale Jersey
Having made a name for himself in the National Basketball Association (NBA) across his two seasons with the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns respectively, Landale’s jersey has been sought after by fans, particularly those from his home nation of Australia. Landale wears #11 jersey for the Suns and #13 for the Australian national side, the Boomers.
Fans of Landale can show their support and purchase his jersey via the official NBA Store, however Suns fans may be disappointed to see that his jersey for the Arizona-based side is unavailable. However, Landale’s San Antonio Spurs jersey is currently available for purchase here.
With Landale’s stature in Australian and international basketball growing by the day, the demand will only grow for fans to want to acknowledge their support for the Boomers and Suns star.