Records set, two NBA debutants and a EuroLeague Super Cup Champion, it’s been a big week for Aussie basketballers around the world.
Catch up on all the basketball action below as we cover the week that was.
NBA: In case you missed it, the NBA season tipped off last Tuesday and the Boomers were right in the thick of it.
Patty Mills came out firing in his first official appearance for the Brooklyn Nets, switching on- what they call- ‘FIBA Patty’ mode in the season opener as he impressed with 7/7 3-pointers. Game two saw Mills become the first-ever player to be 10/10 on 3-pointers in the first two games of an NBA season, a new record for the Boomers captain.
.@Patty_Mills is the first ever player to be 10/10 on 3-pointers in the first two games of the season 🔥🔥 https://t.co/mm9e9TjANy
— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) October 23, 2021
Matisse Thybulle achieved his 200th steal during the opening minutes of his third season with the Philadelphia 76ers. Thybulle needed just one to reach that impressive milestone.
Giddey Up: Josh Giddey broke Oklahoma’s records in his NBA debut, becoming the first to reach 10 rebounds in a Thunder debut. It was the first Boomer head-to-head of the season as Joe Ingles and the Utah Jazz proved too strong in the 107-86 win.
Josh Giddey had 🔟 rebounds in his NBA debut today 🔥🔥
That’s a new record for an @okcthunder NBA debut! https://t.co/5VBTgkB2LZ
— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) October 21, 2021
Jock Landale also made his debut for the San Antonio Spurs while Josh Green appeared for the Dallas Mavericks in their opening games.
It was a bittersweet eve of the NBA season as the Houston Rockets made the decision to waive Australian fan favourite Dante Exum after playing in three preseason games. Exum is yet to find a new home in the NBA but has a position on the South-East Melbourne Phoenix playing list waiting for him, should he decide to come back to the NBL this Summer.
EURO LEAGUE:
Australian Opal, Bec Allen and the Valencia Basketball Club claimed the European Women’s Super Cup on Saturday night. Playing in the WNBA with New York Liberty, Allen bypassed the FIBA Asia Cup to immediately join her Valencia teammates in Spain once the Liberty season closed.
Congratulations @becallen8 and @valenciabasket for claiming the #SuperCupWomen overnight!!
🎉🤩🎉 pic.twitter.com/JPMUFcBlFi
— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) October 23, 2021
In the French basketball league, Marianna Tolo and the Basket Landes claimed a thrilling three-point win over Dynamo Koursk last Thursday. Currently sitting fourth on the ladder, the Basket Landes have claimed three wins in their four games of the season.
WNBL:
As the WNBL season gets closer, all teams are in the final stages of announcing their playing lists. The Southside Flyers announced the signing of 25-year-old Opal, Kristy Wallace after her impressive Bronze medal FIBA Asia Cup campaign earlier this month while the Bendigo Spirit have topped up their squad with the addition of the highly experienced WNBL 2017 Champion, Carly Boag.
In the spirit of reconciliation Basketball Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.