Has any player on the planet won more professional basketball titles than David Andersen? The Aussie legend has called time on a remarkable career.
After winning a remarkable 22 titles in 23 professional seasons all over the globe, Australian basketball legend David Andersen has called time on his decorated career.
Andersen made his professional debut for the Wollongong Hawks in 1998 and went on to have a long and distinguished career in Europe, the NBA and with the Australian Boomers.
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He became a staple of the Boomers’ program after his debut at the 2003 Olympic Qualifying FIBA Oceania Championship. He played for his country until 2017 and participated at four Olympic Games (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016).
Throughout his career, Andersen won 22 championships or cups and enjoyed a stint in the NBA with the Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Hornets from 2009-2011.
Fortunately, the two-time NBL champion won’t be lost to the sport, as he joins the league as its player liaison officer.
“It‘s been a hell of a journey and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it,” Andersen said.
“I’ve had a great time, many adventures in many parts of the world, enjoyed every step of the way and enjoyed all the relationships along the way.
“I can’t wait to get started at NBL HQ.
“The NBL is the second-best league in the world and is home of some of the globe’s best basketball players.
“Playing conditions in the NBL are already at a world-class level and I hope my voice and opinions can make the NBL an even better place for players to play.”
Andersen reserved special praise for his loved ones.
“I‘d love to thank my family, brothers, sisters, parents, wife and everyone that supported me along the years,” he said.
“To all my friends that travelled around the world to watch me play certain games, and then obviously to the fans, that‘s why we play the game.”
Is Patty the NBA’s best bench player?
Patty Mills has surged into the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year conversation following a record-breaking start to his Brooklyn Nets career.
Mills continued his hot form to open the season with another dominant performance in the Nets’ 104-90 win over Washington on Tuesday.
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The Boomers veteran finished with 21 points, including five of nine from range, while adding two rebounds, three assists and one steal.
He has now produced two 20-point games in his opening four games for the Nets.
Mills’ masterclass performance against the Wizards has prompted fans and analysts alike to suggest the Australian star is a legitimate Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
And based on his brilliant start to the season, it’s a fair statement to make.
Former Boomers assistant coach Brendan Joyce believes the best is yet to come from Mills in Brooklyn.
“I think we might even see Patty go for 40 points one night,” Joyce, who worked closely with a rookie Mills at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, said.
“Playing with guys like Kevin Durant and James Harden, we are going to see things from Patty that we haven’t seen before.
“He is going to go off because of the nature of how Brooklyn plays.
“With the structure and talent level that he is playing with, it could expose his abilities even more.”
Joyce couldn’t be prouder of Mills’ rise from a baby-faced Olympian at the 2008 Beijing Games to an NBA veteran with 12 seasons under his belt.
He’ll never forget the day Patty put on a scoring show against Team USA in Beijing, which attracted high praise from then USA assistant coach Mike D’Antoni.
“Patty came out against guys like Chris Paul and went for 20 plus points and we lost by 20 but I remember walking into the tunnel after the game and Mike tapped Patty on the shoulder and said: ‘hey, son that was a hell of a game’,” he recalled.
“You are going to be making a lot of money. We’ll see you in the NBA’.
“Patty ended up having a great Olympics and going to the NBA.”
For Mills, his role off the bench in a star-studded Brooklyn side is simple.
“I try and insert that energy that the game needs and create that juice, that atmosphere where you can spread and be infectious that way,” Mills said post-game.
“I guess just being annoying at the end of the day.”
Originally published as Hoops news: Aussie legend David Andersen retires from professional basketball
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