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Weekly Wrap: College gets underway and Patty is a ‘Blue Collar Boy’

November 14, 2021

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Move over NBA, college ball has tipped off and our Australian representatives are making waves of their own.

College: Australian Opal, Jaz Shelley joined fellow Aussies Ruby Porter and Issie Bourne to make her debut for the Nebraska Huskers. Impressive in the 58-point season-opening victory over Maine, it was the Huskers’ second outing against Prairie View that saw Shelley make a significant impact. An impressive game-high contribution of 22 points (including 6-9 3PT), 11 rebounds and three assists saw Shelley switch on both offensive and defensive modes.

Returning for the Huskers, Bourne has also tipped off the college season with a strong start, hitting 30 points and nine rebounds across the opening two games. Nebraska currently sits 2-0 and will take on Alabama on Monday (AEST).

NBA G League: Up and comer, Dyson Daniels has caught the attention of fans early after the 50 game Showcase Cup got underway in the lead-up to the regular G-League season. Recording a breakout 22 points, six rebounds and three assists in his debut, the 18-year-old guard returned for more in his second appearance, playing a seven-point, seven-rebound and three-assist game to back up that impressive opening performance.

NBA: Another week, another Patty Mills headline. After 13 points and smart defensive play helped the Brooklyn Nets break their Canadian curse against the Toronto Raptors, six-time All-Star and Nets teammate Blake Griffin titled Mills a “Blue Collar Boy.” Taking it upon himself to celebrate the league’s toughest, Griffin joked that Kevin Durant “has to jump through a few hoops” to claim the title.

Basketball aside, Mills was named the 2022 ACT Australian of the Year, rewarding his social justice work.

Josh Giddey and the Oklahoma City Thunder extended their winning streak to four and move to 5-6 after a two-point victory over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday.

During the week, Giddey fell just short of becoming the youngest player in NBA history to register a triple-double, but Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was adamant there are much better times ahead for the exciting playmaker.

“I say this as a compliment to Josh, but I think tonight was closer to his floor than his ceiling,” Daigneault said. “I didn’t think he played great for what he’s capable of, and yet he was very impactful.”

The No. 6 pick in this year’s NBA Draft leads all rookies in assists with 6.2 a game and is third among first-year players in steals.

B League: Nick Kay and the Shimane Susanoo Magic moved to a 10-3 record and sit atop the B-League Western Conference after defeating Alvark Tokyo by 13-points on Saturday, 79-66. Nick Kay has been influential towards the Magic’s good form, averaging 17.5 points, 10.7 rebounds and five assists over the past four matches.

 

WNBL: Basketball is officially back in Victoria as the first preseason game between the Southside Flyers and Melbourne Boomers took place on Saturday night.

The Boomers came out on top in the 90-65 win, as the two Melbourne teams gave eager fans a taste of what’s to come when the WNBL season tips off in December.

The Boomers also welcomed WNBA imports Tiffany Mitchell and Lindsay Allen to the court during the week while the Sydney Uni Flames bolstered their lineup with the addition of Chelsea Dungee. Perth Lynx are waiting on their dual imports to arrive in Marina Mabrey and Jackie Young, and the UC Capitals have introduced Brittney Sykes to Canberra.

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