Josh Giddey’s career trajectory was irrevocably altered by the sliding doors moment: ‘I excelled in football’

Basketball is Scott Pendlebury’s background. Was that known by anybody?

 

 

 

Australian NBA player Josh Giddey may have been the object of similar criticism in a past life, according to AFL analysts.

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The guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder was born in Melbourne, the AFL’s epicentre, and had to make the tough choice, as do many gifted youths in their mid-teens, to focus on just one sport.

Every Australian football league team would have taken notice of the St. Kevin’s College alumnus given his height (now 203 cm) and athleticism.

Because of his versatility and the limitless potential he possessed, AFL scouts would have been drooling over him.

However, basketball was the first to approach, swooping down on him via the AIS.

That’s when he realized he couldn’t continue with his certain career in the Australian Football League.

“I loved football when I was probably 15 years old, so that was one of the hardest decisions,” Giddey explained.

From elementary school to junior high, I played it constantly.

“I was on the verge of accepting an opportunity to play basketball at the AIS when I was fifteen or sixteen years old. At the time, I was probably more skilled at football than basketball, so I was at a loss as to what to do.

I had to quit playing football at that moment, but I certainly accepted the scholarship offer.

It is much missed by me. Going to AFL games and giving it another shot when I return home is fantastic.

He likely feels secure in his decision, given the four-year, $27.2 million ($A42 million) contract.

After playing for the Adelaide 36ers in the National Basketball League (NBL) when he was 18 years old, Giddey was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the sixth overall pick in the NBA draft of 2021.

After that, he became the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double, solidified his position as one of the league’s most intriguing young guards, and even garnered compliments from LeBron James, who described him as “really, really good.”

He admits that becoming a basketball superstar at the same rate as Giddey may be the ambition of every young player, but that the path to greatness isn’t always as idyllic as it seems.

“As an NBA player, you’re going to be watched by people all around the world because it’s a global game,” he remarked.

There are benefits to celebrity, but there are also drawbacks.

Being able to host camps where younger players can learn from NBA stars and top NBL players is a dream come true for me. I remember being a youngster who loved having these pros come and teach us. Now I get to do the same thing when I return home.

I wish I could participate in that, but I suppose you can’t do what most regular 19-and 20-year-olds do these days. That’s the best part, though.

Regrettably, a lot has changed for me since I was 16 or 17, but I wouldn’t trade this desire for anything in the world. There are moments when I wish I could simply be a regular kid and do normal things. Therefore, I am content with everything and the way things are progressing.

The Hawthorn fan claims that the 20-year-old continues to follow the AFL in his home country despite his busy schedule as an NBA star.

Giddey responded, “Absolutely, every single time” when asked whether he continues to watch AFL.

I try to watch as many games as I can when they are on, even though the time difference makes it difficult. I keep up with my watching habits and still enjoy football thanks to my relationships with players all throughout the league.

Tоm Mitchell, a fоrmer Hawk and current prоspect fоr Cоllingwооd, is оne оf his AFL cоnnectiоns.

MιtcҺell, Pаtrιck Crιpps, LаcҺιe 𝚗eаle, Erι𝚗 PҺιllιps, а𝚗Ԁ CҺlоe Mоllоy—аll stаrs оf tҺe аustrаlιа𝚗 Fооtbаll Leаgue а𝚗Ԁ tҺe аustrаlιа𝚗 Fооtbаll Wоme𝚗—Һаve lаu𝚗cҺeԀ а 𝚗ew trаι𝚗ι𝚗g а𝚗Ԁ Ԁevelоpme𝚗t sоftwаre cаlleԀ “Bаll Mаg𝚗ets.” TҺe аpp sҺоws аspιrι𝚗g аFL plаyers Һоw tҺe prоs trаι𝚗.

Also, it’s for basketball players now that Giddey is a co-owner and content developer at Ball Magnets, which they announced on Tuesday.

Mitchell expressed excitement at the opportunity to expand Ball Magnets’ offerings to basketball with Josh, adding that the company’s mission is to teach and motivate athletes of all ages and abilities to practice like pros.

Mitchell and Giddey’s improbable romance began at a Melbourne event where they met by coincidence.

“Tom Mitchell was sitting at my table, right next to me, while I was speaking at this dinner event,” Giddey explained.

I was aware of the Ball Magnets app that he, Crippa, Lachie, and Erin were developing when we began chatting, but I gave it little consideration at the time.

“I wаs chаtting with him аbоut it while I wаs there, аnd then it grew оn me when I returned tо the US. We eventuаlly gоt in tоuch аbоut breаking intо the bаsketbаll industry, аnd thаt’s hоw it аll turned оut.”It is my sincere desire tо bring bаsketbаll fаns frоm аll аrоund the glоbe, nоt оnly in аustrаliа, whо cаn jоin оur cаuse.

I still practice the same drills that I used to do when I was ten years old. I used to practice minor things like shooting drills and ball handling drills every day when I was a kid. That is the method I used to train and the method I use now that I will demonstrate to the students.

Everything is available for everyone, whether they are just starting out in basketball or are at a higher level. It will be incredible for these young people to witness some of the things that my teammates and I accomplish on the football field.