Andrew Bogut says some former NBA teammates have shown interest in following him to the NBL with Australian basketball making a name for itself in the US.
His return to the NBL, the rise of rookie NBA superstar Ben Simmons and the seven-game pre-season series between the two leagues announced on Wednesday are all helping put Australian basketball on the map, according to Bogut.
The Boomers big man signed on with the Sydney Kings after 13 years in the NBA including a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2015 and said other NBA players could be set to follow.
"I had a few ex-teammates reach out and ask about the league and they were genuinely intrigued," Bogut said on Wednesday.
"I told them how many games, it's summer, it's english speaking and you get paid on time, which is always a bonus compared to Europe and some of the other leagues around the world.
"A couple of guys have reached out for the season after this one, so hopefully that happens."
Bogut said the early success of Melbourne-born Philadelphia 76ers sensation Simmons, who this week became the first Australian to win the NBA's Rookie of the Year award, was also helping the country's profile.
"It's history - he's the best player of his class and for me it was a no-brainer.
"Ben had one of the greatest regular seasons I've seen from a rookie in a long, long time and I'm happy to see him being Australian and donning a green and gold jersey one day."
That's likely to be as soon as next year when Australia will play two games at Etihad Stadium against the USA followed by the World Cup in China.
Speaking at the announcement that five NBL teams would square off in seven games against NBA franchises later this year, Bogut said the series would further increase the exposure for the Australian league.
"The NBA don't like to give away games, even pre-season games, to wherever just because,"the 33-year-old said.
"They want to make sure there's a business plan around it and both teams will get something out of it so it's a good sign and shows how far the NBL has come in a short time."
Australian Associated Press
