[valentine]

A golden era is approaching in Australian Hoops…and despite there being a record 7 Aussie NBA players currently, the future crop appears significantly more talented. I believe there is no less than 6 or 7 prospects with NBA potential.

1) Ben Simmons: Needs no further discusson

2) Thon Maker: #24 on 2017 mock draft is borderline insanity. No way theres 23 better prospects than him in that class. 

3) Deng Adel – 6’7" Wing with outstanding athleticism, shooting and lockdown defense. Think Michael Kidd-Gilchrist without the broken Jump Shot. Likely a mid to late lottery pick. Rick Pittino said he’s never been this excited about a Freshman.

4) Jonah Bolden – Flying under the radar so much they should call him the Stealth Bomber. 6’10 Shooting Guard at UCLA who can also play Stretch 4. Closest comparison is Nicholas Batum, similar size, handles, athletecism. Probably a mid-to-late first rounder. Highlights of in-game action are rare because didn’t do his homework re: eligibility issues, but those in the know expect big things. Steve Alford is in love with his versatility. 

5) Isaac Humphries – Huge intersest from Kansas, Kentucky etc. PF/C who has touch around the rim and outside to 22 feet, great defense, passing and bball IQ. Realistic ceiling is Marc Gasol. Floor is Chris Kaman. Was 1st team at the FIBA U17 World Championships. Likely to get drafted mid-to-late first round as a low-risk/high reward big-man. 

6) William McDowell White – Was very impressive at the U19 FIBA championships despite being one of the youngest players there. Super athletic combo guard who has legit scoring and playmaking ability. Reminds me of Reggie Jackson. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[herceg_bukuParticipant]

 They have come a long way in the past 5 years especially as a country in regards to basketball.

PS. one thing that really bothers  me as well is how people are overlooking thon maker, i mean he may not be ur next KG or KD, but he certinally is not 24th best pick in his class, i dont know where this bias comes from.

 

[herceg_bukuParticipant]

 They have come a long way in the past 5 years especially as a country in regards to basketball.

PS. one thing that really bothers  me as well is how people are overlooking thon maker, i mean he may not be ur next KG or KD, but he certinally is not 24th best pick in his class, i dont know where this bias comes from.

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 averaged a career high 18 and 9 in the 09-10 season. He was a double digit scorer for 9 straight years. Just because he is a back up big now doesn’t mean he has always been one. He was a great starting center for a good stretch of time.

I’m calling bull$#^& that he is some high schooler’s "floor."

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 averaged a career high 18 and 9 in the 09-10 season. He was a double digit scorer for 9 straight years. Just because he is a back up big now doesn’t mean he has always been one. He was a great starting center for a good stretch of time.

I’m calling bull$#^& that he is some high schooler’s "floor."

 

[Rip255]

I’m actually surprised more people didn’t say the same thing. Just remember the names. 

But its not a coincidence that guys like Exum, Simmons & Maker have started coming along…and there’s more players of that calibre. 

Deng (Lousville) & Bolden (UCLA) will both be starting Freshman at big schools. You’ll see plenty of them both on TV and draft boards as the season progresses. 

Humphries: Already has offers from Kansas & Illinois. I’m sticking by the comparisons. Remember, he was the best bigman in the world at the FIBA’s….despite being a year younger than most players. Kaman is a league average center at best….I’m sticking with that floor. 

 

 

[Rip255]

I’m actually surprised more people didn’t say the same thing. Just remember the names. 

But its not a coincidence that guys like Exum, Simmons & Maker have started coming along…and there’s more players of that calibre. 

Deng (Lousville) & Bolden (UCLA) will both be starting Freshman at big schools. You’ll see plenty of them both on TV and draft boards as the season progresses. 

Humphries: Already has offers from Kansas & Illinois. I’m sticking by the comparisons. Remember, he was the best bigman in the world at the FIBA’s….despite being a year younger than most players. Kaman is a league average center at best….I’m sticking with that floor. 

 

 

[FuzzyonoParticipant]

What is your prediction for the Austrailian National team for the 2016 games?  Simmons and Maker I’m sure will get a shot and going off the current NBA core I know…

C: Bogut, Maker

PF: Bairstow, Baynes

SF: Simmons, Ingles

SG: Exum, ?

PG: Delly, Mills

 

Not a bad team overall.

 

  

 

 

 

 

[FuzzyonoParticipant]

What is your prediction for the Austrailian National team for the 2016 games?  Simmons and Maker I’m sure will get a shot and going off the current NBA core I know…

C: Bogut, Maker

PF: Bairstow, Baynes

SF: Simmons, Ingles

SG: Exum, ?

PG: Delly, Mills

 

Not a bad team overall.

 

  

 

 

 

 

[European BasketballerParticipant]

 They can’t just use players playing in USA. Maker, Bairstow, Simmons, Exum, Dellavedova……this team will stand no chance against the better European teams or even teams like Brazil. Just because a player plays in USA does not mean he is the best. They have better players than that in some cases much better, playing in Europe.

[Rip255]

That would have been true in the past Euroballer…but not 2016. I only anticipate 2 or 3 Euro’s. NBA teams are starting to recognise and sign/draft Australian players and most Aussies would rather go there than a country that doesn’t speak English. 

I don’t think the Aussies will win a medal with that squad. I’m thinking a medals is more likely in 2020 when guys like Simmons, Exum, Maker, Adel, Bolden, Humphries etc are all on the squad. 

At Rio, it will look like this I’d suggest. The thing I like, is that starting position is up for grabs at almost every position. I included Maker & Adel because as the 11th & 12th man, they’ll probably be youth players aimed at getting experience. 

PG: Delly, Exum, 

SG: Mills, Broekhoff

SF: Simmons, Ingles, Adel

PF: Motum, Bairstow, Maker

C: Bogut, Baynes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[European BasketballerParticipant]

 That guard line would be destroyed by good European teams and teams like Brazil. Even a very mediocre team like Argentina if they qualified, which I do not know if they even could, would destroy such a guard line.

It does not make sense for Australia to be doing that.

 

[Rip255]

 Australia only ranked #11 in the world which seems about right…so thats the best we got for now…and probably not a olympic medal chance. 

However the team is on the rise with better players than Delly and Broekoff coming through in the 17-20 year age group. See players listed above. I think they are going to be strong in 2020.

 

[Rip255]

 Australia only ranked #11 in the world which seems about right…so thats the best we got for now…and probably not a olympic medal chance. 

However the team is on the rise with better players than Delly and Broekoff coming through in the 17-20 year age group. See players listed above. I think they are going to be strong in 2020.

 

[European BasketballerParticipant]

 That guard line would be destroyed by good European teams and teams like Brazil. Even a very mediocre team like Argentina if they qualified, which I do not know if they even could, would destroy such a guard line.

It does not make sense for Australia to be doing that.

 

[Rip255]

That would have been true in the past Euroballer…but not 2016. I only anticipate 2 or 3 Euro’s. NBA teams are starting to recognise and sign/draft Australian players and most Aussies would rather go there than a country that doesn’t speak English. 

I don’t think the Aussies will win a medal with that squad. I’m thinking a medals is more likely in 2020 when guys like Simmons, Exum, Maker, Adel, Bolden, Humphries etc are all on the squad. 

At Rio, it will look like this I’d suggest. The thing I like, is that starting position is up for grabs at almost every position. I included Maker & Adel because as the 11th & 12th man, they’ll probably be youth players aimed at getting experience. 

PG: Delly, Exum, 

SG: Mills, Broekhoff

SF: Simmons, Ingles, Adel

PF: Motum, Bairstow, Maker

C: Bogut, Baynes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[European BasketballerParticipant]

 They can’t just use players playing in USA. Maker, Bairstow, Simmons, Exum, Dellavedova……this team will stand no chance against the better European teams or even teams like Brazil. Just because a player plays in USA does not mean he is the best. They have better players than that in some cases much better, playing in Europe.

[Author]

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