Anonymous
Years ago
Pretty great to see all these High Major Aussies entering the college ranks. Entering a golden era of Australian ball.
Pretty interesting read from the LSU beat writer on talent in Australia & different paths... still catching up to the USA.
http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2015/11/kieran_hayward_was_off_the_rad.html
High Major programs don't give out 1 of their 13 scholarships unless a player is good enough to play.
Anonymous
Years ago
Kieran Hayward and Jordan Hunter both played for Norths at the U18 Classic at Frankston in 2014.
Their team had average results in that tournament - they didn't even make top 4.
If they are good enough to play in good Div 1 US College programs (LSU and St. Marys)- then there must be a heap of kids from that tournament who are also good enough to play.
The U18 Classic that year was not as solid as it should have been given that DJ, Tom Wilson, Jock Perry and Abi Akintola didnt play as they were at the COE in Canberra.
If that U18 group could get the exposure then I am sure there would be many more kids gaining scholarships at these good D US College programs.
It's really not absurd. Hayward wasn't even one of the top players in NSW Metro, let alone the country. If he can get to a school like LSU, then we're underestimating the talent we have down here
Anonymous
Years ago
Big Bird - the comment above was not a crack at Hayward and Hunter - they are obviously talented players - It was more about if they can get there - then there must be others - otherwise their team would have performed a lot better than they did.
Isaac Humphries played at Australian Nationals in a team that just didn't work for him, so that team under performed and didn't make finals with him in it. That doesn't mean anything because other kids in teams rely on coaches and team mates for success too, what is your point, they can obviously play?
There is so much talent in this country.
Just needs to be fostered the right way.
The CoE gives amazing opportunities to the top 13 players great exposure & platforms... what about everyone else?
Anonymous
Years ago
#741 - you don't get it - Nationals is the best players in each state - the Classic is at club level -there is a huge difference at nationals - Humphries NSW metro team played against the 10 best in each state - your comparison is invalid.
Anonymous
Years ago
Agree with the OP. Good exposure for Aussie basketballers.
I think people need to cool down a bit though with their opinions.
Good luck to Hayward. Great opportunity. Just hope he plays & gets good minutes, otherwise it will be a negative for him and a negative for Australian Basketball.
It's too early to call it now. If people have done their research on College and Aussie kids, the proof in the pudding so to speak, will be his results after four years of college & where he ends up after that.
Aussie 2016 college signings so far...
Girls
A.Sharp 6'1 f wake forest
J.Forcadilla 5'8 g st Mary's
M.Yaegar 5'9 g Oregon
E.Hellessey 6'2 f tcu
G.pinaeu 6'2 f Seattle
A.Atwell 6'0 f Hawaii
M.McPhee 6'3 f st Mary's
Boys
T.wilson 6'4 g smu
J.perry 7'1 f st Mary's
K.hayward 6'5 g lsu
D.reath 6'10 f lsu
G.gak 6'10 f osu
M.owies 6'0 g Hawaii
Many more to come...
Anonymous
Years ago
Why would he bother to play - they have overlooked him to this point.
He has nothing to gain.
Performances at these tournaments are so dependant on coaches and what they want to run and how hey want players to play.
Nothing to gain - a lot to lose???
Where's the kid who top scored at Nationals should he be on this list going somewhere
Lol. To all who make out that he has been the victim of some conspiracy to exclude him from State teams - nothing could be further from the truth. Truth is, as good a player as he is, he's not good enough to make a NSW state team. There are better players in NSW for his age group in his position. II wish him all the best but the narrative being spread around at the moment about his omissions from State teams is rubbish
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