ken cole, the Hall of Famer who represented Australia at the 1964 Olympic Games and later led the Adelaide 36ers to their first NBL championship, has died at age 82. His family announced he passed on the morning of March 15 after a long battle with cancer.
Ken Cole’s Career and Achievements
Cole was a member of both the Adelaide 36ers and Australian Basketball Halls of Fame and had a playing career that included representing Australia at the 1964 Olympic Games and at the 1962 and 1970 World Championships. He also holds the unique distinction of being the only man to represent four different states at the former Australian States Championships, having played for South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.
After moving into coaching, Cole led the West Adelaide Bearcats in 1983-84 before taking charge of the Adelaide 36ers. He coached a team widely remembered as ‘The Invincibles’ through a dominant regular season and then to the club’s first NBL championship in 1986, following a 24-2 record that season. He earned Coach of the Year honours for that run and later coached the Sydney Supersonics and the Newcastle Falcons.
Following time overseas, Cole returned to help guide the 36ers off the court, serving as an advisor and then becoming President of Adelaide Basketball in 2018. Even while battling illness, ken cole remained connected to the club as its number one ticket holder, attending almost every home game from 2021 onwards.
‘An Icon in Life’: Mitch Creek Remembers Mentor Ken Cole
Current and former players paid tribute to Cole’s influence on and off the court. Mitch Creek described Cole as more than an icon in basketball, saying that those who only knew him through sport had missed the full measure of the man. Creek credited Cole, along with coaches of past teams, for playing a role in his development as a player.
36ers Executive Chairman Grant Kelley said Cole would be dearly missed and that his energy, positivity and passion for the game never wavered despite ongoing health issues. Kelley recalled Cole’s ability to bridge the club’s past and present and praised his knowledge of the game and unique way of conveying messages to players and fans. Kelley extended deepest condolences to Cole’s wife, Pauline, his children Kimberley, Kelly and Julian, and his many friends around the world.
Cole’s death closes a chapter on a career that touched Australian basketball across generations: as a player who represented his country at major international events, as a coach who delivered a historic championship, and as a mentor and club leader who remained visibly engaged even while ill. The Adelaide 36ers and the wider Australian basketball community have begun public tributes in the wake of his passing.
Further memorial arrangements and tributes are expected as the club, former teammates and players reflect on Cole’s legacy and the role he played in Australian basketball for decades.
