While the NBL has staggered and all but fallen in recent years, it seems much of Australia’s young basketball talent are instead heading to the US college system to further their careers.
No less than five Australians were in the 12 man St Mary’s squad as the Gaels kicked off their NCAA campaign yesterday, beating Richmond 80-71.
Queenslander Matthew Dellavedova is the pick of the bunch, averaging 12 points a game in his debut season.
In fact, QLD is becoming a rich source for St Mary’s who also have Jorden Page (Maroochydore), Clint Steindl (Mackay) and Mitchell Young (Logan) on their roster in addition to Dellavedova (Maryborough). At nearly seven foot, Melbourne’s Ben Allen, previously at Indiana, rounds out the Aussie invasion at the California university.
Portland Trailblazer’s Patrick Mills, now considered the Boomers starting point guard, recently spent time at St Mary’s and with the assistance of David Patrick, a former Canberra Cannons player and now on the coaching roster at St Mary’s, the Australian influx show few signs of slowing.
The lure of free university tuition in addition to playing at the elite level is becoming a reality for more Aussies with every passing year.
More than 70 Aussies now play across the two NCAA divisions with almost as many again in lesser university programs.
Encouragingly, there are also almost 60 Australian women on university basketball rosters in the US.
With frequent talk of basketball’s demise in Australia, perhaps its saviour is not here at all but in the US collegiate system where the development of young talent can be fast-tracked with specialist coaching and the demands of playing against the best talent week in, week out.
But not everyone makes the big time so expect to see NBL and WNBL ranks swell with former college players in future years.
Kevin Lisch (not an Aussie) proved to be one of the stars of the most recent NBL season, guiding the Perth Wildcats to their record breaking fifth title. Playing for St Louis University just last year, this was his first season as a professional.
His talents, although not deemed sufficient to make inroads at NBA standard, are indicative of what is on offer from the college system.
Should more, particularly Australian players, eventually return to the domestic leagues here at home, basketball could stage a revival in media coverage, attendance and sponsorship.
If the product is good, sport lovers will follow.
Our ‘product’ must always be considered the playing talent we produce. The US college system is the best place for our youngsters to be to ensure the playing talent remains strong.
If the Boomers are competitive and Opals continue to be successful and should enough of that talent choose to ply their trade in Australia, basketball can survive and even thrive.
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