Giddey paves the way for South Australia’s best basketballers to make the NBA

Teen Aussie basketball sensation Josh Giddey shocked the world recently when he was selected in the 2021 NBA Draft. Check out our other young talent.

Eighteen-year-old Australian basketball sensation Josh Giddey shocked the world recently when he was selected number six in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The 206cm point guard played with the Adelaide 36ers last season, averaging 11 points, 7.5 assists, 7 rebounds and a steal, impressing scouts across the globe.

Adelaide 36ers GM, Jeff Van Groningen believes making a case for an NBA or WNBA contract through performing in Australia’s premier competitions like Giddey will be a long-lasting trend.

Josh Giddey was selected sixth overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in last week’s NBA draft, paving the way for more SA athletes to grab the attention of scouts in America. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

“We’re delighted for Josh and to see the excitement on him and his family’s faces was great,” he said.

“It’s obviously a testament to him but it’s also a testament to both the NBL and the 36ers as a tough environment for players like Josh to play.

“I think the NBL and WNBL are showing themselves more and more to be a place to go through if you want to get to the NBA or WNBA because players come in and play against grown athletes, it’s a professional environment and there’s a lot of pressure in those games in a professional setting.”

An Australian getting scooped up by the NBA is nothing new.

Talent like Luc Longley, Andrew Bogut, Dante Exum and Ben Simmons some of the big names who have already proven their worth in America.

Van Groningen says the consistent success of Australian basketballers, and the more direct NBL to NBA transition by Giddey, is a reflection of the improving quality of the sport here.

“There’s a continued rise of basketball in Australia,” he said.

“The nation’s power is immense in the sport now and you can just see that in the Olympics where seven or eight of those guys have NBA experience.

“Having a young man in Josh come straight through the NBL and into the NBA draft is very promising and it’s a sign that we’re doing it right over here. There’ll definitely be more USA opportunities for players from Australia.”

With the eyes of American scouts now firmly set on Australia’s leagues, here are the South Australian basketballers who could follow Josh Giddey and hear their name called in a future NBA or WNBA draft.

ISOBEL BORLASE

Borlase was a standout player at the recent U18 nationals, co-captaining the SA Metro side. Picture: Supplied, Sports In Focus

Borlase has been playing under the Australian Institute of Sport and Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence scholarship this year.

She was also recently selected in the national team for the 2021 FIBA Under 19 Women’s World Cup in Hungary, which will tip off on Saturday.

The skilful forward was dominant for Forestville last season and at just 16 she will undoubtedly be a player on the minds of WNBA scouts in a few years.

YAAK YAAK

Yaak Yaak Supplied by BSA

The 16-year-old is a member of the AIS and Basketball Australia’s NBA Global Academy, and had an impressive season for the North Adelaide Rockets’ U18 Division 1 team last year.

Already standing at 210cm, Yaak is an elite athlete and possesses eye-catching ability on the offensive and defensive end, often making huge dunks and blocks.

He has all the tools to make it in the NBA in coming years.

SAMANTHA SIMONS

Sam Simons from Forestville Eagles in Fulham Gardens. Picture: Matt Loxton

The 20-year-old guard is incredibly skilful, averaging 21.6 points, 5 assists and 8 rebounds for Forestville in the current NBL1 Central season, and continues to dominate at a national level.

LACHLAN OLBRICH

Lachlan Olbrich has been a fast-developing star in South Australian basketball. Picture: Supplied, Basketball South Australia

Olbrich, 17, is currently playing for the Southern Tigers in the NBL1 Central men’s league and is holding his own.

He’s averaging 12 points, three rebounds and an assist and shooting 59 per cent from the field.

Boasting the ability to play multiple positions, he recently gained a Centre of Excellence scholarship and has become accustomed to representing SA at a national level.

TAYLA BRAZEL

SA Metro U18 co-captain Tayla Brazel in action during the national championships gold medal match. Picture: Supplied, Sports In Focus

Brazel is another new Adelaide Lightning recruit and, at just 17 years of age, has also been impressive for the Sturt Sabres in the NBL1 Central women’s league.

The young guard blew opposition away in her recent U18 National Championship performances for SA Metro, averaging 23 points, six rebounds, three steals and three assists, and will be looking to replicate that production at the WNBL level.

MICHAEL HARRIS

Michael Harris has been a star in the NBL1 and, at just 19, should again put his hand up for Adelaide 36ers selection. (Pic: AAP/Brenton Edwards)

Harris made a name for himself in 2018 when he scored 52 points for Forestville against Central District Lions.

Since then he has represented SA, played for the 36ers and remained dominant for the NBL1 Eagles side.

He’s averaging 23 points, five assists and seven rebounds in the NBL1 this season and as a 19-year-old, 193cm point guard, he’s the perfect NBA archetype.

If he can crack the 36ers side again in the near future he’ll be set to gain international recognition.