FIBA Oceania head ecstatic about Bogut selection

The Milwaukee Bucks’ selection of Boomer Andrew Bogut as the No. 1 pick in last month’s NBA Draft has FIBA Oceania secretary general Steve Smith all excited.

“This is simply superb news for everyone. The NBA must be very pleased because the speculation around his selection has created a media frenzy—which is good for their business,” he said. “I am sure it will create a huge boost in interest in basketball in Australia. It is a great reward for Andrew’s hard work and dedication to improving his game. I hope it is an inspirational story for all young basketballers from around the world.”

The recent CNMI visitor said his fellow Aussie’s experience kind of reminds him of a certain former University of North Carolina Tar Heel, who eventually went on to “star” in the professional league.

“Just as a generation ago, Michael Jordan’s failure to make a high school team was the birth of perhaps one of the greatest players of the game, Andrew Bogut suffered a similar setback at a similar age,” said Smith.

He said in Bogut’s case he could not crack the Under-16-years team for Victoria, his home state in Australia, but rather than give the game away, the Australian of Croatian-descent went home and worked on his game.

“In 2005 he became the College Player of the year and No. 1 in the NBA Draft. Who knows what we might be saying about him in 10 years time. There’s a lesson there for all young basketballers—how much do you want it?” said Smith.

The 7-foot Bogut made history in New York last June 29 when he became the first Australian player to be picked first in the NBA Draft. The former Utes center was the third center picked No. 1 by Milwaukee following the footsteps of the immortal Lew Alcindor, who later changed his name to Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and the less heralded Kent Benson.

Bogut beat out another Tar Heel Marvin Williams for the No. 1 spot. Williams played one season for North Carolina and teamed with fellow first rounders Raymond Felton, Sean May, and Rashad McCants to give the school its first NCAA championships in years.

Smith visited Saipan last June 21 and 22 and touched bases with the islands’ basketball officials. He met with executives from the Basketball Association of the Northern Marianas Islands, officials of the Division of Sports and Recreation and even managed to secure a promise from Gov. Juan N. Babauta for the improvement of basketball facilities on the islands.