Hoop Dreams Down Under

Twenty-five home-grown Aussie superstars who have taken American basketball by storm.

Ever since Luc Longley lit up the court as the first Australian to play in the NBA in 1991, Australians have made an indelible impact on the world’s best basketball competition. Longley’s journey from Perth to the NBA, alongside Michael Jordan at the Chicago Bulls, paved the way for a generation of players to follow in his footsteps.Hoop Dreams Down Under documents the behind-the-scenes stories of twenty Australian men and five women who have played on basketball’s greatest stage. From surprise success stories like Matthew Dellavedova to No. 1 Draft picks like Ben Simmons and Andrew Bogut, and indisputable champions like Lauren Jackson, these are compelling success stories of Down Under talent that has made it to the top.

Hoop Dreams Down Under is a must-read for all passionate basketball fans, or anyone with an interest in the power of sport to thrill, inspire and reward.

PRAISE

‘Matt Logue’s Hoops Dreams Down Under is a fun read, packed with all kinds of things I didn’t know, including the scope of the Aussie presence in the NBA – way more than a footprint. It’s a movement, and he posts it up with an array of well-told stories’ Roland Lazenby, sports writer

‘Collating the achievements of 25 Aussie basketballers in one book makes this a treat’ – Townsville Bulletin

‘The book makes me proud’ – three-time NBA champion Luc Longley

‘If you haven’t bought one yet, go and get one. A great read about Aussie basketball player pathways’ – legendary WNBA player turned Phoenix and Australian Opals coach Sandy Brondello

‘Humbled to be included in a book with legends of our game’ – former NBA player Chris Anstey

‘It’s an honour to have my little place in Australian basketball history’ – Australian women’s basketball pioneer Michele Timms

Author Biography

Matt Logue is an award-winning sports journalist and author who brings more than 20 years’ experience to NCA NewsWire, CODE Sports and his books. Starting out in regional newspapers in Dubbo and Bathurst, he moved to Sydney in 2006 and spent eight years at Rugby League Week magazine. He has also worked at the Newcastle Knights as a senior reporter under seven-time premiership-winning coach Wayne Bennett, at Big League magazine and at the DailyTelegraph and Sunday Telegraph. Matt is passionate about all sports, but has particular love for rugby league and basketball.