Basketball ‘Booming’ in SA after nation’s Olympic success

The state’s premier basketball clubs are expecting an increase in youth enthusiasm and participation after the Boomers brought home bronze.

The phone has been running hot at Forestville Eagles Basketball Club since the Boomers’ history-making victory at the Tokyo Olympics.

President Rod Cocks says the club has been inundated with players keen to sign up after being inspired by captain Patty Mills and his teammates, who won the Boomers’ first-ever medal at an Olympic Games – a bronze.

“We could very well have 150 to 200 more kids playing at Forestville,” he said.

“The phone has been running hot after the Olympics.”

It’s the same story at Norwood Flames, which has also had a rush of interest from new players during the Boomers’ campaign that ended with Saturday night’s win against Slovenia.

“They’ve seen Patty Mills, they’ve seen Joe Ingles, who is a South Australian boy, win on the biggest international stage,” said president Chris Webber.

“They understand now that getting to that level is something they can aspire to do from our state.”

Sturt Sabres under-12 players Logan Crowhurst and Ari Randi, both 10, yesterday. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Adelaide 36ers general manager Jeff Van Groningen said the Boomers’ unprecedented success, which saw them stand on the medal podium for the first time, had put SA basketball on the map.

He expected a big boost in interest in the sport in the wake of the Olympics.

“I think everyone here has felt a collective feeling of excitement,” Mr Van Groningen said.

“It’s such a magnificent achievement and there’s been a really sharp spike in interest in SA.

“The sport is already big here and the quality is always rising, as seen through the Olympics and the continual drafting of Australian players to the NBA or WNBA. But I think especially the youth has now been inspired by the Boomers and has realised there is a pathway into becoming a professional.”

Sturt Sabres NBL1 coach Paul Rigoni said an upsurge of participation was inevitable after such a successful Olympics campaign.

Patty Mills, second from right, and his Boomers teammates with their bronze medal. Picture: Getty

“We’ve already seen more enthusiasm around the club and we definitely expect to see more people, especially kids, looking into playing basketball here after the Olympics,” he said.

“The Boomers’ successes have been so big for us as fans and for the sport here.

“It’s very exciting to basically have our country’s strength in the sport confirmed over recent weeks. The spotlight the Olympics brings to the sport here will have a long-lasting impact, and we’re hearing it from kids at Sturt all the time now. They’re seeing Patty Mills, Joe Ingles and the Boomers – the culture they bring. They’re inspired to reach those levels.”

Basketball SA chief Phil Sinnott predicted clubs would experience up to 30 per cent membership growth thanks to the Boomers.

“The young generation of players now has such great role models to look up to and, in claiming the first-ever men’s Olympic medal for the sport, the Boomers have signalled to the world that Australian basketball has come of age,” he said.