Kickert late to the party in milestone
WITH a little help from antiageing guru ‘‘Dr Rhonda’’, Brisbane sharpshooter Daniel Kickert has more than tomorrow night’s 100-game milestone in his sights.
Kickert, 34, will be one of the oldest and most-credentialed Australians to bring up the 100-game mark in the NBL when the Bullets host the Sydney Kings at the Brisbane Convention Centre.
The Australian Boomers forward only started playing in the NBL in 2014 after a successful US college stint at St Mary’s was followed by eight globetrotting years playing in Italy, Spain, Poland and Ukraine.
Since returning to Australia, Kickert made the All-NBL First Team in 2015-16 playing for Melbourne United and was in the All-NBL Second Team last year as a Bullet.
Kickert was an integral part of the Boomers set-up in this year’s Asia Cup win and FIBA World Cup qualifiers after first representing Australia at the 2006 World Championships.
He has been central to Brisbane’s surge to fifth on the ladder with four wins from their past five games, including the upset victory over the Wildcats in Perth last Saturday when Kickert had 16 points in the first quarter.
Described by Boomers and Bullets coach Andrej Lemanis as “the ultimate professional’’, Kickert works hard to stay in the best shape and best form possible.
Part of Kickert’s health regimen is to listen to podcasts that include experts such as US academic Dr Rhonda Patrick who has researched ageing, physical performance, wellbeing and nutrition.
“I’ve got no plans to stop soon. I’ll play until 40 can,’’ he said.
“It’s something I came across later in my career.
“I got into researching as much as I can about getting that little bit more longevity in my career.
“It’s more around diet but also recovery. Little exercises here and there and making sure I’m in touch with the physios and strength and conditioning people.
“I’m constantly listening to podcasts and things like that to try and get an edge in the battle against ageing.” if I