Aussie born NBA star Josh Giddey backs Australia-first NBA game in Victoria

Melbourne born-and-bred NBA star Josh Giddey has called for an Australia-first NBA game to cement his home town’s status as Australia’s sporting capital.

Melbourne NBA star Josh Giddey is being called the next Ben Simmons. Picture: David Caird

Melbourne born-and-bred NBA star Josh Giddey has called for an Australia-first NBA game to be played in Victoria.

Back in his home town after a brilliant first season in the biggest basketball league in the world, Giddey said bringing an NBA match to Melbourne would cement its status as Australia’s sporting capital.

“I love the idea – I think it would be great,’’ he said.

“Australian fans are so passionate about the NBA and basketball.

“So I think if they had the opportunity to watch some of the greatest athletes in the world in Melbourne, it would sell out pretty quickly and it would be great for Australian basketball.’’

Josh Giddey plays for Oklahoma City Thunder. Picture: Getty Images

With English Premier League teams Manchester United and Crystal Palace and a Brazil-Argentina international recently announced for Melbourne, he said an NBA match would bring more global appeal.

The Oklahoma Thunder guard said the match could be played at Marvel Stadium, where a record Aussie basketball crowd of 52,079 saw Australia defeat Team USA in 2019.

“They could do something similar to what the Boomers-USA did,’’ he said.

“I don’t know if John Cain Arena would be big enough because they would get way more fans to what it can hold.

“It would be a big event and I think Australian fans would love it.’’

Giddy, 19, earned an estimated $8.2 million (Australian) in his first season and told the Herald Sun the first thing he bought was a luxury BMW 8 series.

But the teen who grew up in Yarraville and went to school at St Kevin’s College said he was determined to stay true to his roots despite being touted as the next big thing in Australian sport.

Josh Giddey as a junior. Picture: Supplied

Josh Giddey poses for a portrait after being drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2021 NBA Draft. Picture: Getty Images

“I never thought of myself as better than anybody else or anyone is less than me, regardless of my position,’’ he said.

“As an athlete in the world, I always look at people equally and treat everyone the same and I give a lot of credit to how my mum and dad raised me.

“I guess staying humble is a big thing for me … you don’t want people to see you as arrogant.’’

The Hawthorn fan said the first thing he ate after touching back down on Australian soil was a meat pie and was still pinching himself to be playing against the likes of LeBron James.

Eager to play for Australia at next year’s World Cup and the 2024 Olympics, Giddy had simple advice for kids wanting to follow in his size 14 footsteps.

“I’d say just dream big,’’ he said.

“When I was a kid I dreamt of playing in the NBA and never really thought it was possible until it did.

“Dream big because they really do come true.’’