NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger says Andrew Bogut’s lasting impact on the NBL has been phenomenal.
Speaking on SEN Mornings, Loeliger said Bogut returning to Australia to finish his career in the NBL was significant for the league.
“The impact of him returning to Australia and coming to the NBL was phenomenal,” Loeliger said.
“If you put the Lamelo Ball thing aside, that was the biggest game-changer in the history of the NBL that I can recall.
“He’s one of the most prodigious basketball talents to ever wear the green and gold, but not just basketball, he’s one of the best athletes we’ve ever had represent Australia at the Olympics and of course on the world stage in the NBA.
Loeliger said Bogut, who retired from professional basketball earlier this month after 12 years in the NBA and three in NBL, perhaps didn’t get the appreciation he deserved playing in the pre-NBA League Pass era.
“Because of the fact he started his career when many of us didn’t really have readily available access to NBA games live, we didn’t really see a lot of the adversity he had to overcome as a youngster,” Loeliger said.
“He’s a number one draft pick. First ever Australian number one pick, but just plagued by injury and just had that never say die attitude that Australia is so synonymous for.”