Logue Down column: Deng Acuoth cops ban for betting on NBL games
A betting drama has rocked the NBL with a player banned on the eve of the season opener.
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A betting suspension to centre Deng Acuoth has rocked the Adelaide 36ers preparations for the NBL season.
A Basketball Australia tribunal have issued Acuoth with a 10-match ban and a $2300 fine for engaging in prohibited conduct of placing bets on NBL games.
Nine of the matches will be suspended subject to no additional breaches.
Acuoth will miss the 36ers’ opening game of the 2022/23 NBL season against Tasmania on October 13 after he was found guilty of betting on NBL games while playing in the NBL1 prior to him signing with the 36ers.
He was not under contract to any NBL team when the betting activities occurred.
Acuoth will play in Adelaide’s NBL versus NBA matches against the Phoenix Suns on Monday from 1pm (AEST) and Oklahoma City Thunder next Friday from 11am (AEST).
KYRGIOS IN TALKS OVER NBL TEAM OWNERSHIP
On the eve of the new NBL season, the Sydney Kings have lost their unofficial No. 1 ticket holder after Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios defected to South East Melbourne Phoenix.
The tennis ace was a courtside regular at Kings games, he played pick-up basketball with players like rising guard Biwali Bayles and was even the face of the franchise’s celebrity game last season.
Now Kyrgios has jumped ship from Sydney to the South East Melbourne Phoenix in the biggest defection since the Kings swooped in to steal Andrew Bogut from United at the last minute in 2018.
Adding insult to injury Kyrgios is now considering a potential ownership stake in the Phoenix.
The polarising tennis star is close friends with Phoenix owner Romie Chaudhari, who was in his team’s box during the recent US Open campaign in New York.
Chaudhari has already had ownership discussions with Kyrgois.
The Los Angeles-based entrepreneur, has also called on his high-profile mates to publicly support South East Melbourne, including Chicago Sky WNBA forward Candice Parker and championship-winning Boston Celtics big man Kendrick Perkins.
Kyrgios took to his Facebook page to announce his new relationship with the Phoenix.
“Shout out to my South East Melbourne Phoenix, who are about to tip off their season,” Kyrgios said. “I’ll be tuning in and supporting from a far for this one but will be getting to some games soon.
“If you’re in Melbourne be sure to get along to our first home game on October 1st.”
UNITED’S CRACK AT BIG ZHOU
Melbourne United attempted to sign Chinese big man Zhou Qi, forcing cross-town rivals South East Melbourne to fend off United to secure Asia’s best player.
United’s move to steal Qi from under the Phoenix’s nose will add significant spice to arguably the NBL’s fiercest rivalry.
The former Houston Rocket’s main focus after he left Australia at the end of last season was to spend time with his wife and children back home in China.
But an ongoing dispute with his Chinese club over his playing rights, coupled with the reception he received from fans on his return to Melbourne earlier this year for World Cup qualifiers had a profound effect.
Qi will return to the Phoenix on a one-year deal after averaging 11.7 points and 6.8 rebounds in his rookie NBL season. The star Chinese big man won’t make his Phoenix return until the round four clash with New Zealand on October 20.
FRANKS’ RUSSIAN DEAL WAS DONE
Russia has called war on Ukraine, prompting multiple nations to ban the Russians from competing in international sport, but Adelaide 36ers star recruit Robert Franks would have happily signed in the country if a club didn’t knock back his deal due to his dodgy ankle.
Franks was poised to sign with Russian club, PBC Lokomotiv Kuban, in August before the deal fell through at the last minute.
“It was so close,” Franks said. “I was actually in Russia for a week and doing physicals. They had their doctors look at me and they decided that over there it is cutthroat and they wanted someone who was ready to go right away.
“I still needed some time to rehab my ankle, so Adelaide welcomed me back with open arms.”
Franks has signed a one-year deal with Adelaide, but the club allowed him to explore the market over the off-season.
“I signed with Adelaide so early, we all had an understanding that this wasn’t the end goal for me,” he said. “I want to get back to the NBA or play somewhere in Europe at a high level.
“It wasn’t that I’m not content in Adelaide – it was more that if something bigger comes up then I’m going to take that opportunity.”
MEN’S WORLD CUP BID
Basketball officials want to capitalise on the success of this year’s Women’s World Cup in Sydney by bringing the men’s tournament Down Under.
News Corp can reveal Basketball Australia is planning to enter an official bid to host the 2031 men’s World Cup.
The plan is to coincide the men’s Cup with the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, which will give Australia a festival of international hoops for 18 months.
Basketball Australia CEO Matt Scriven confirmed a bid for the 2031 men’s World Cup has to be entered in the next six to nine months.
Happy Rose Gold Day 🥉
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) August 7, 2022
On this day on 2021, the Australian Boomers won their first-ever major international medal in men's basketball at the Tokyo Olympics 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/nIvqQ6yle4
“We’re looking at it and we’ve already had conversations,” Scriven said. “We’ve seen the impact of the women’s World Cup. Not only do we get to showcase the best talent to the world, but it’s the impact that the tournament has on the broader basketball community.
“A home World Cup gives you the ability to connect the past with the present, like we’ve done with the women’s event this year.
“2031 for a men’s World Cup also works well because it gives us a year before the Brisbane Olympics. In terms of lifting the profile of basketball in Australia, a home World Cup followed by a home Olympics would help us put basketball at the top of the tree where it belongs.”
BULLETS BACK BAYNES’ BRUTAL HONESTY
Marquee Brisbane Bullets big man Aron Baynes has raised eyebrows with his brutal honesty towards teammates, but the Bullets wouldn’t have it any other way.
Baynes was seen riding his teammates hard during the recent pre-season Blitz in Darwin.
The former NBA champion even blasted teammate Nathan Sobey for being on his phone as he attempts to create high standards for the underachieving club.
Awesome to see @aronbaynes back on the floor!! ðŸ‘ðŸ‘👠https://t.co/4gPvESPxxM
— Matthew Dellavedova (@matthewdelly) September 19, 2022
Baynes told NBL Media that he is only being critical in an attempt to bring out the best in his new teammates and himself.
“I think you can hear me being pretty negative on the bench, but I keep telling everyone that I’m loving everything else we’re doing,” Baynes said.
“I’ve got to be nit-picky and I’m pushing them because I want them to push me.
“If we keep doing that every single time, then we are going to hold each other accountable and that is when we are going to buy in.”
LIKE
Lauren Jackson’s comeback to the Australian Opals for a home World Cup in Sydney at age 41 is this year’s best sports story.
Jackson freely admits she has lost pace as Father Time catches up, but she hasn’t lost touch with what it means to be an Opal.
This has been on display at the World Cup, with Australia’s hoops GOAT making a profound impact on and off the floor.
🇦🇺 HISTORY 🇦🇺
— FIBA (@FIBA) September 22, 2022
Legend Lauren Jackson scores her first points for Australia after 12 years and becomes the third player in #FIBAWWC history to net 600 points! ðŸ‘@FIBAWWCpic.twitter.com/mOOlh6e9vj
Jackson has played a key role in restoring the respected and successful Opals culture following the Liz Cambage scandal and the team’s substandard Tokyo Olympic campaign.
She is the ultimate teammate off the floor as a mentor while she is a difference-maker on the floor, even in limited minutes.
Jackson’s impact was best summed when you countless youngsters wearing LJ singlets at the World Cup in Sydney.
DISLIKE
Perth Wildcats owner Craig Hutchison made his first appearance at a Wildcats event on Wednesday night since the club’s record-breaking finals streak ended last season.
Hutchison, CEO of the Sports Entertainment Group, hadn’t formally addressed the Wildcats fraternity since the club’s 35-year playoff streak ended in April.
Let’s just say that his tardiness hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Perth faithful.
SHOOSH
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