Pretty racist post.

Majok to me is a fake atheletic player in that he is getting blocks and dunks not because he necessarily has a huge jump but because he is extremely long. Same as manute bol, I wouldn't say he was atheletic but rather a freak of nature. Atheletic to me is a Creek, Walker, Abercrombie etc

Australia does have lots of players with speed, athleticism and height.

Where Sudanese as well as other people of african decent can help is with their height and length. However, they still need to develop basketball skills otherwise that will not be of much use.

If they want to play Basketball they have the same options as any other Kid or are you trying to say that they should get "special" treatment because they may grow taller than another Kid of different heritage?

KingJames - just mentioning race in a post doesn't make it 'racist'. Seems a legit discussion point to me?

I would have thought that describing Bol as a 'freak of nature' was more offensive than anything anon said, although I get where you are coming from.

I support any thread that involves discussion of Manute Bol and his awesomeness.

RIP Manute!

The only thing with African players is that for every Olajuwon/Mutombo, there are 30 Yinka Dares (RIP).

They do have the attributes to have a huge impact on sports in general in australia in the future though.

As a high school teacher, I can confidenlty say that the concept of treating every student in your classroom the same as being best practise has been debunked for decades. The teacher must be mindful of the individual's strengths, weaknesses, backgrounds, gender, maturity, disabilities etc. and cater to each in order to provide the optimal environment for the individual to be successful. I would imagine that for the basketballer to develop their potential, coaching should be approached in a similar way, and doing so should not be regarded as giving "special" treatment.

you would be quite happy to subsidize them playing Basketball because they may make the Boomers better or should they jump through the same hoops as every other kid?

Thanks dud - its bloody lonely down here but watching UNC v Nicholls State so it aint all bad...

They have the same opportunities as any others hoping for a professional pathway. Junior clubs may create outreach programs to get them involved directly though - up to them.

Will we see more of them - sure.

I would hope that any prospect, be them of European, Asian or Martian descent be given the assistance that is deemed appropriate if there is a genuine need.

But I'm not just talking about money being thrown around. Take Steve Adams as an example. A kid from a difficult background who has secured a scholarship to an excellent school, been given opportunity to develop through the NZNBL and Tall Blacks programme, as well as the Nike camp in the States. Has also been given extra tuition in order to raise his schoolwork to the level where he can qualify for a NCAA college basketball scholarship.

Am I saying that he has not worked his butt off to earn the opportunities he has been presented? Not for a second. I do however believe that he would never have gotten this far if it were not for the community mobilising around him.

If any Australian child shows even half of the upside that Adams has shown, including those of Sudanese descent, it would be a loss for Australian basketball if similar efforts are not made to coax their talents.

Steven Adams half brother Warren Adams who played NZNBL and for the Tall Blacks was the one who pulled him out of Rotorua and got him away from the gangs etc, took him down to Wellington to a lady (Blossom Cameron) who had mentored him and a few other troubled kids successfully over the years. Kenny McFadden was asked by Warren Adams to get him in his basketball program as they had played together at the Saints and the rest is history and hard work.
That was a kids extended family stepping up to the plate not Basketball NZ.

The key here is identifying the kids that truly have talent and long-term prospects, whether they be Australian born or immigrants.

Also, basketball in Australia is not cheap, with all the travel, rego, insurance, and games fees that parents are expected to pay.

It's simply not possible for many families.

I know that there are some parents from lower income backgrounds who work their butts off so their kids can play ball at whichever level their talents dictate, but lots of parents simply aren't prepared to do that.

I said community.

But the problem is just getting to the point where you can vie for a scholarship is more than many families can afford.

AussieBoomers4Eva: I agree you did say community, my bad

No wukkaz, Mystro

I have worked with some local Sudanese kids in a program called Midnight Basketball, along with other kids from lower socio-economic areas and it was great to see them having fun, mixing it up on and off the court with no racial issues at all, just kids having fun!

Soccer is something these kids love just as much, if not more than basketball, but for those who are taller and leaner, yes hoops is something they are adapt at and with some training and patience they will be very good at (like any kids with the necessary attributes who want to put in the hard work I guess)...

Thon Maker is very tall and has huge potential at 14-15 years old and nearly 7 feet tall already... I wonder if the age is bona fide? I am sure it has been verified so he plays in the right age group...

Kids will all catch up as they get closer to maturing, I look forward to seeing him play at Nationals for NSW next year...

It should never be about race, poor is poor no matter what colour your skin is.
Subsidized leagues and or teams, coaching clinics etc should be available to lower income families so those kids get the same shot as anyone else.

Spain Croatia the USSR etc didn't need Sudanese migration to be good teams so I'd say it wouldn't have a major impact on Australia as a basketball nation. Getting bogut, mills, Irving all playing well would be a more feasible thing to work towards.

They may not nedd Sudanese migration, but Spain and Russia, along with many other European teams for that matter, have very highly questionable "nationals" in their squads.

At least if we get Irving he is legit in the sense that he was born an Australian.

now, having worked with many Sudanese players I think people who think they have same opportunity as white Australians don't quite understand their situation.

I've seen time after time in the past how clubs simply can't be bothered dealing with the Sudanese kids because I don't think it's the skin color, but language barrier and cultural differences. However, I would argue that they simply didn't put in the time to help and understand where they come from etc. In saying that I firmly believe the situation is changing, the emergence of Ater Majok has really helped their community get noticed.

In fact, AIS is about to take a Sudanese athlete Jo Lual in the upcoming year. The kid is 6'10 and a beast!

To say that an average player can do what some of them can do is ludicrous http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEm18Bc8YpQ&context=C3c40537ADOEgsToPDskJYo05q1a9qifO9fDJwWvs4 check this out if you wanna see what some of them can do only if they have been TAUGHT how to play!!!

Now only a handful of NBLers can pull out something like that!!!

Lastly, overhearing Ian Stacker over the weekend, he said in 7~8years time 1/2 the Boomers will be Sudanese origin!!!

think even if the guys have supposedly no hops/athleticism, that's pretty good for me regardless, at least better than most of the guys currently playing...haha

I agree with that but let me tell you this, probably 95% of Sudanese will not turn up on time and fail to do alot of what you mentioned.

but, does that mean you just give up on them? no you teach them what's right. some of you simply don't understand their cultural background given most didn't come from war-torn country.

from personal experience with some patience and teach them about discipline and work ethic, it can work out for the good. but the coach themself need to put in the effort to teach them.

Why not develop some of the players in our own back yard?? eg: work with aboriginal kids and give them a go??? Alot of these kids are amazing footballers but I bet if given the chance to play basketball they would shine. Along with talent you've also got to have heart to play basketball and get anywhere...height will only get you so far.

re anonymous post: "Well it has given us one of the best 14 year old basketballers in the world- Thon Maker".
Please explain to us all who this kid is as most of us have never heard of him?? Not another youtube sensation is he? Oh and no naming of U18 players on here.

Thon Maker is a 14 yo 7fter originally from Sydney. somehow gone unnoticed until an American coach scouted him and took him over to US where is is now widely known as #1 player for his age group, with numerous scouts comparing him to Durant and Webber.

Potential loss of talent? I think so!

my bad, noticed too late. is that better for you now?