AFL clubs get chance to secure next Mason Cox as international prospects arrive

AFL clubs will get their chance to secure the next Mason Cox next month when three international prospects arrive in Melbourne.

Collingwood has lead the US charge into AFL. Picture: Colleen Petch

AFL clubs will be presented with their chance to secure the next Mason Cox next month when three international football prospects arrive in Melbourne.

Among them will be French university student Stanislas Heili, who at 212.3cm would be the tallest player ever to play AFL.

The trio of players — Heili, Omari Gudul and Brandon Nazione — were the standouts at the recent American combine in Redondo Beach.

Gudul was born in war-torn Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) in 1994 before moving to Kenya with his 11 siblings then finally converting to basketball in America.

He had played soccer as a junior before moving to basketball, the same talent pathway as Collingwood’s Cox.

The 22-year-old was second in the AFL combine 3km time-trial and was known for his shot-blocking and athletic basketball skills.

Mason Cox has been a revelation at Collingwood this season.

Nazione played division one basketball at Eastern Michigan and starred as a power forward.

Heili is a business major who went to the US to play basketball but despite his height is seen to have the athletic gifts to play AFL footy.

North Melbourne and Richmond had the first chance to sign the players given they attended the combine, but they are now available to all 18 clubs.

FOOTY FANS SURVEY: HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE GAME’S BIG ISSUES

AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan said clubs were keen to find the next Cox, a revelation at Collingwood this year.

“We will bring them over and do some work with them to prepare them. He will work closely with (academy coach) Brenton Sanderson to refine their skills,’’ he said.

“They are terrific athletes, it’s just about refining their skills and ball handling and giving them the best chance to present themselves.”

Matthew Dellavedova in action for Cleveland Cavaliers.

NBA star Matt Dellavedova recently told the Herald Sun there were thousands of American college athletes desperate to try a new game.

There are few suburban or even semi-professional leagues below the elite NBA and NFL competitions, so those 23-25 athletes are looking elsewhere for a new challenge.

‘I think a lot more US people if they can get the game out here more, a lot more of them will come over and try to do what (Cox) has done,’’ he said.

‘There are just not enough places for them to play basketball after they have finished their four years of college.

‘This could be an exciting thing, to travel to Australia and do what most Americans would love — visit Australia and play a sport most of them have never heard of.”

Originally published as AFL clubs get chance to secure next Mason Cox as international prospects arrive