Code jumper Jordan leaps at chance to fly with Eagles
A LONG and winding road has brought multi-talented sportsman Jordan West to Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL – and to West Adelaide in the state basketball league.
JORDAN West grew up in Sydney playing Australian rules football and later had a four-year college basketball career in the US.
This season he will line up for Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL and play state league hoops for West Adelaide.
The 200cm ruckman joined the Eagles on the back of helping St George to last season’s AFL Sydney grand final.
After scoring more than 1000 points on the court for Southern Oregon University, he followed his family’s lead into SA football’s premier competition.
“I came back (from the US) and felt that I wanted to play football more than basketball,” West, 23, said.
“I also wanted to stay in Australia and with basketball I would probably have to go to Europe if I wanted to get to that next level.
“I heard a lot of good things about the Eagles and it’s a really good program to be part of.
“I’ve never really seen the SANFL, but I know it’s a good league and it’s a higher level than in Sydney.”
West featured in the Eagles’ trial game win over Adelaide last weekend and against South Adelaide in the club’s final pre-season hitout on Saturday.
He has also been training with Premier League basketball side West Adelaide.
The code-juggling echoes that of Codey Ellison who played football for South Adelaide and basketball for Southern Tigers last year.
But West said his focus was clear.
“Football comes first every weekend.
“If I can back up with basketball after footy then I’m going to try to do that.”
Despite hailing from NSW, West was born into football as the son of former South Adelaide and Glenelg player David West.
He is the nephew of 1997 Norwood premiership forward Jim West, who also played for Glenelg and had three seasons in the AFL with Sydney Swans.
West’s extended family still lives in Adelaide’s southern suburbs.
“I grew up watching the Swans and always grew up with footy,” said West, who had a two-year stint as a teenager in Sydney’s academy.
“I’ve always been connected with Adelaide and always been down here for holidays, so I’m really enjoying the move.”
West earnt a basketball scholarship at Southern Oregon in 2012.
The power forward helped the Raiders to three NAIA national tournaments while studying sports science and education.
He later lived off campus with teammate and current Adelaide 36ers development player Joel Spear.
“It was amazing playing basketball at a high level while studying as well,” said West, who returned home to play football each off-season.
“It really brings out your work ethic having to juggle both.”
Improving his endurance and adjusting to a quicker brand of football have been West’s priorities in pre-season.
He hoped to help last year’s minor premier to its first flag since 2011.
“I feel I move around the ground pretty well for a big guy,” the 105kg recruit said.
“I’ve always had good skills and clean hands from playing basketball, and I like to think I’m good in the air as well.”