Australia has produced some exceptionally talented basketball players over the years who have made a significant impact in the NBA. Players like Luc Longley, Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills, and Ben Simmons have shown the world what Australian basketball is all about – toughness, passion, and skill.
In this article, we will count down the top 5 Australian NBA players of all time based on their career achievements, stats, awards, championship wins, and overall influence on the game of Australian basketball.
#5 Joe Ingles
Crafty sharpshooter Joe Ingles has been a key contributor for the Utah Jazz for over 7 seasons. The 6’8″ (2.03m) small forward is a dangerous threat from the three-point line and has established himself as one of the best shooters in the league. Ingles shoots an impressive 40.8% from downtown in his career.
While his stats don’t jump off the page at 8.5 points per game, Ingles brings invaluable floor spacing, playmaking, and veteran leadership to his team. His basketball IQ is extremely high which enables him to be a secondary ball-handler and make plays for his teammates.
#4 Patty Mills
Patty Mills has been beating the odds his entire career. The 6’0″ (1.82m) point guard clawed his way back into the NBA after starting his career with little playing time on the Portland Trail Blazers as a rookie.
Mills found a home with Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs in 2012.
As a key bench contributor, Mills provided energetic defense and elite three-point shooting to complement the Spurs stars. He shot 38.9% from three for his career and helped the Spurs reach two straight NBA Finals, including winning the championship with them in 2014.
#3 Andrew Bogut
Andrew Bogut was the first Australian to be picked number one overall in the NBA draft when the Milwaukee Bucks selected him in 2005. The 7’0″ (2.13m) center became an anchor on defense and rebounding for every team he played on.
In his prime, Bogut averaged a double-double for the Bucks and was picked to the All-NBA Third Team in 2010.
His career highlight came when he won a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2015. As their defensive anchor, Bogut dominated the paint and protected the rim at an elite level.
#2 Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons burst onto the scene in his rookie year for the Philadelphia 76ers, putting up 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists per game on his way to winning Rookie of the Year in 2018. His lightning-quick speed, court vision, and size made him an incredibly rare talent.
Over his first 4 seasons, Simmons was selected to 3 All-Star games and 2 All-Defensive First teams while turning into one of the best defensive weapons in the league. His versatility allowed him to effectively guard 1 through 5.
#1 Luc Longley
They may have come after him with more raw talent, but no Australian has had more NBA success than Luc Longley.
The 7’2″ (2.18m) center was an integral starting player for the Chicago Bulls‘ second three-peat run in the late 1990’s.
Longley played the perfect role as the team’s center – rebounding, defending, setting screens, and finishing inside when the defense collapsed on Jordan and Pippen. This selfless and tough style became Longley’s calling card in the NBA.
By winning 3 straight championships alongside Michael Jordan, Longley demonstrated that Australians belong at basketball’s highest level. His success blazed the trail for the aforementioned players to make their history after him.
Honorable Mentions
There have been plenty of other Australian NBA players worth acknowledging for their accomplishments:
- Matthew Dellavedova – Key role player on Cleveland’s 2016 championship team
- Aron Baynes – Solid starting center for multiple playoff teams
- Dante Exum – Promising young guard hindered by injuries
- Kyrie Irving – Born in Australia but grew up in the USA
