Andrew Bogut says the NBL is the third-best basketball league in the world - even though it hasn't always been run in a manner befitting the high standard of the on-court action.
As a former NBA No.1 draft pick and championship winner with the Golden State Warriors in 2015, Bogut's decision to join the Sydney Kings on a two-year deal is a huge fillip for a competition which has endured some tough times in recent years.
But things are on the up for the sport, both at home and in the NBA where a record number of Australians are plying their trade.
Bogut, 33, lauded the NextGen camp being run in Melbourne this week as a prime example of how the NBL was now matching it with the likes of the AFL, the NRL and cricket in the battle to secure the most talented athletes in Australia.
"Hopefully there are more and more NBA players a decade down the track than there are now," he told reporters.
"We're in a golden era in basketball in as far as producing world-class talent.
"When you have that in a national team it creates a trickle-down effect."
Bogut cut his teeth at the Australian Institute of Sport which played in the second-tier SEABL competition, before heading to college in the United States.
Although he is yet to make his NBL debut, the 213cm centre has always held a high opinion of the standard of play, ranking it behind only the NBA and the Euro-League.
"I've always thought the NBL, competition-wise, has been a top-five league in the world," he said.
"I don't think it's been run that way in the past and that's what has hurt it.
"In a way it's been disrespectful to the players.
"... It's not an easy league for imports to come in and dominate and the proof is in the pudding, but unfortunately the business side of it hurt the players.
"That's been corrected in my opinion now."
After finishing his playing career with the Kings, Bogut will take on a part-ownership role with the franchise.
Australian Associated Press
