Jarrad Prue (born 11 February 1982) is an Australian former basketball player. He played 15 seasons with the Lakeside Lightning of the NBL1 West between 2003 and 2021 and won three championships. He is the NBL1 West's all-time leading rebounder.
Prue had a three-game stint with the Perth Wildcats of the National Basketball League (NBL) in 2013, and in 2020 was appointed president of the Lakeside Lightning.
Early life
Prue grew up preferring cricket over basketball.
Playing career
SBL / NBL1 West
Prue debuted for the Lakeside Lightning in the State Basketball League (SBL) in 2003 and quickly became a significant contributor under coach Andy Stewart. He averaged 3.96 points and 6.4 rebounds in 24 games in his first season and 9.65 points and 18.5 rebounds in 26 games in 2004. In 2005, he had a nine-game stint with the Willetton Tigers, where he averaged a career-best 14.56 points to go with 14.2 rebounds.
Prue returned to the Lakeside Lightning in 2006 and helped them win the championship after defeating the Goldfields Giants 83–66 in the SBL Grand Final. He had 10 points and 13 rebounds in the grand final. In 30 games, he averaged 12.97 points and 19.1 rebounds per game.
In 2007, Prue helped the Lightning return to the SBL Grand Final, where they were defeated 96–94 by the Giants. He had 18 rebounds in the grand final. In 29 games, he averaged 9.7 points and 15.3 rebounds per game.
After appearing in just five games in 2008 due to semi-retirement, Prue was captain of the Lightning in 2009 as they returned to the SBL Grand Final, where they defeated the Perry Lakes Hawks 85–77. He had 14 points and 12 rebounds in the grand final. In 30 games, he averaged 11.6 points and 18.5 rebounds per game. He was named to the SBL All-Star Five.
In 2010, the Lightning were once again grand finalists but lost 107–96 to the Willetton Tigers despite Prue's 20 points and 21 rebounds. In 31 games, he averaged 10.6 points and 19.7 rebounds per game. He was again named to the SBL All-Star Five. Following the 2010 season, Prue captained the SBL All-Star Team on a two-game tour to Indonesia.
In 2011, Prue averaged 7.9 points and 21.4 rebounds in 30 games for the Lightning. In 2012, he averaged 10.4 points and 18.8 rebounds in 29 games.
In 2013, Prue played his 250th SBL game, led the league in rebounding for the eighth time, and became the all-time leading SBL rebounder. He was also named in the SBL 25th Year All Star Team. He helped the Lightning return to the SBL Grand Final, where they defeated the Wanneroo Wolves 77–74 behind Prue's 22 rebounds as he claimed his third championship. In 31 games, he averaged 7.9 points and 20.3 rebounds per game. Following the 2013 season, he played for the SBL All-Star Team in an exhibition game against the Perth Wildcats.
In 2014, Prue had 31 rebounds in the season opener against the East Perth Eagles. He went on to record a career-best 24.16 rebounds per game during the regular season. He played his 300th SBL game in game one of the quarter-final series against the Stirling Senators. In 30 games, he averaged 12.0 points and 24.0 rebounds per game. He was named to the SBL All-Star Five. Following the 2014 season, he captained the SBL All-Star Team in another exhibition game against the Perth Wildcats and played for the South All-Stars in the first North v South SBL All-Star game in over a decade.
In 2015, Prue competed in the SBL All-Star Game for the South All-Stars. In the season finale, he had a season-high 32 rebounds in a 99–92 loss to the Goldfields Giants. In 26 games, he averaged 8.0 points and 17.5 rebounds per game. He retired following the 2015 season.
Prue came out of retirement in 2018 to re-join the Lightning. In his first game back, he had 21 rebounds against the Perth Redbacks. On 26 May, he 29 rebounds against the Cockburn Cougars. He competed in the SBL All-Star Game for the South All-Stars. On 6 July, he played his 350th SBL game in a 110–99 win over the South West Slammers. In 28 games, he averaged 6.6 points and 19.3 rebounds per game. He subsequently earned All-Defensive Team honours.