Hoops

Andrew Bogut creating College Pathways for Aussies

So the big guy who has done little to nothing for Australian basketball is now helping to take young basketball talent from Australia and the NBL. Why is this a good thing for Australian basketball? If you are a good enough young player in Australia you can play colleage ball if thats the path you want to take.

HO - I hear what you are saying but as an ex-employee of the Australian Baseball Federation, I struggle to sympathise with the underfunded plight of BA.

These are not rocket science type issues. I suspect Australia will never have a model which will retain these kids in Australia - unless they are a 'can't miss' talent (and I dont really think there is such a thing), or they have no desire whatsoever for tertiray study, we simply cannot compete (hmmm - do I come back from the US with a usable degree (which may require a single-year conversion at most), no debt, having paid sweet FA to live and had a life experience, or do I pay for all of the above and pay for the privilege of playing, either directly or indirectly - again, not for everybody but if it works for you it doesn't seem a tough decision).

So rather than try and block the US colleges by putting their head in the sand and doing nothing, perhaps they could try actually talking to the kids, staying in touch, providing guidance and advice, staying in touch so whent hey return from college they can contnue to contributeto the game as a player, coach, administrator or volunteer - I storngly believe these sorts of players (the talented but not elite) should be the backbone of the grassroots gamein this country. Make no mistake, I am disillusioned with the process - but I dont think the situation is irretreivable.

I think our current system absolutely fails most of our talented kids (and please make the distinction here between talented and elite - our elites survive but I'm not sure its becasue of the system or in spite of the system). They are squeezed into a one-size-fits-all development program, torn between up to 13 different programs a year and the one key service they need (in my humble opinion), support, guidance and advocacy, is completely absent. I've worked in our deveopment programs across two states for many years and I have, unfortunately, come to the conclusion that their impact is minimal in terms of developing high quality players.

HO - sorry, I must have missed someting along the way. What exactly is BA doing about having our kids stay at home?

Developing a logical pathway from junior basketball to a possible professional career which allows the opportunity to also build a career? Hmmmmm

Broadening the base of elite players who are exposed to the National team environment to provide inspiration and aspiration? Hmmmmm

Providing opportunities to earn a reasonable living while developing your game to a point where you can pay your way by playing basketball? Hmmmm.

As the parent of a child who has been at National squad level and is now playing in the US, I'm afraid I havent seen any evidence of BA actually doing anything. Its not an exaggeration to say my child has received at least 100 times more interest and communication from US colleges than from BA.

If Bogut (or his staff) is laying out alternatives for young Australians, then kudos to him.

Great concept!

Twitter: @ab_basketball

Its Andrews money, his facility, his investment, Im sure that he has final say on big ideas, however, he doesnt actually run the place so im sure that the manager of the centre is actually doing all the work and creating the initiatives. I may be wrong though.

Got to admire the guy