Former Australian basketball star David Andersen to play with Frankston Blues

An Australian basketball champion is coming out of retirement to play with his junior club — 26 years between dunks.

David Andersen will suit up for the Frankston Blues. His last game for the club was in 1995. Picture: Graham Denholm

The rumours had been swirling.

And now they’re confirmed: Australian basketball great David Andersen is making a comeback with his local side, Frankston Blues, at the age of 40.

“It’s not a might-be,” Blues communications and marketing manager Daniel Spangler said on Thursday.

“He definitely is.

“We’ve gone through the registration and clearance process, they’ve all been put through, and he will be suiting up this Saturday night for Frankston, 26 years later.”

Andersen grew up playing juniors for the Frankston Blues, and was a school kid at John Paul College when then-Blues coach Bill Runchey picked him in the senior men’s team at 14 in 1995.

Later that season he was part of the Blues’ CBA championship victory. It was his last game for the club, as he began his journey to the big time, taking in the heights of international success.

Taipans Nathan Jawai tries to block Hawks David Andersen during the Round 6 NBL match in 2019.

Andersen was a star in Europe, was drafted to the NBA and represented Australia at four Olympics.

Spangler said Andersen, who lives locally, was having a run around with the Blues recently when the seed of a comeback was planted.

“And then it became a bit more serious when he played a practice match two weeks ago against Ringwood,” Spangler said.

“And one of our bigs is currently injured...and we’ve got Daniel Trist who is currently with the New Zealand Breakers.

“So Dave suited up in a practice game, had a blast, the boys got around him during the game and he’s said ‘yep, if you need me I’ll play’.”

Andersen will play alongside his nephew Tom Garrett in the Blues side.

Blues coach Andrew Harms said his young players will learn so much from Andersen.

“His professionalism, approach to his craft and mentoring of our next generation of senior Blues players has and will continue to be invaluable,’’ Harms said.

Frankston Basketball chief executive officer Wayne Holdsworth said Andersen “has always been a great ambassador for Frankston, the basketball community and his country, both on and off the court’’.

Frankston Blues host defending champions Nunawading at Frankston Stadium on Saturday night.

It promises to be a huge start to the 2021 NBL1 season.