Patty Mills becomes Australia’s most capped NBA player

Patty Mills has achieved so much in his stellar basketball career – now he is the most capped Australian in the NBA.

Patty Mills has become Australia’s most capped NBA player to cement his position as one of the country’s best ever basketballers.

Mills achieved the remarkable milestone on Sunday after checking into his 784th game in San Antonio’s win over Houston.

The Canberra-born guard has surpassed former Boomers teammate Andrew Bogut (783 games) as Australia’s most experienced NBA player.

Luc Longley, who won three-time NBA championships with Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, remains third on the list of capped players.

For Mills, though, the most capped Australian NBA record gives further credence to his remarkable career in the world’s best basketball league.

After starting out as the 55th pick in the 2009 NBA draft with Portland, the affable guard has gone on to spend 12 years in America and claimed a championship with the Spurs in 2014.

Patty Mills – what a player. Picture: Harrison Barden/Getty Images/AFP

On a day when Mills broke the most capped Australian player record, he also launched his Indigenous Basketball Australia program for rising Aboriginal and Torres Strait athletes.

The league, which last week received the NBA’s backing as a partner, will showcase more than 1000 kids in eight locations across Australia.

Mills wants to empower the next generation to ensure they have the pathways and opportunities he was blessed to receive as a youngster coming through the ranks.

“This league is close to my heart and I’m excited to see it come to life,” Mills said.

“It is an honour and a privilege for me to be in a position where I can give back, and know how much impact it can have on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities.

“I would like to thank everyone that is partaking in year one of the IBA program because it means that you have the courage to dream.

“That is a very important step in our journey, so continue to dream big.”

Mills has been in career-best form this season, averaging 13.6 points, 2.7 assists and 1.9 rebounds.

He will look to continue in his fine form when the Spurs host Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors from 12.30pm (AEST) on Tuesday.

Originally published as Patty Mills becomes Australia’s most capped NBA player