GIDDEY STEALS THE THUNDER
AUSTRALIAN rookie Josh Giddey has been described as a “wizard with the basketball” after excelling in his NBA pre-season debut for Oklahoma City Thunder.
In his first home appearance for the Thunder after being drafted as the No.6 pick, Giddey went to work in an impressive performance that attracted a standing ovation from the OKC faithful. The rising Boomers star finished with a team-high 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists in 29 minutes on the floor despite Oklahoma suffering a 113-97 loss to Lamelo Ball’s Charlotte Hornets.
Giddey may be the NBA’S youngest player at just 18 but the Melbourne-born guard had the local commentators in raptures about his skills.
“He looks like a wizard with the basketball,” the commentary team declared.
“He looks good. He just looks like a veteran player – he has sensational ballhandling skills.”
It was a strong night of pre-season basketball for Australia’s NBA contingent, with fellow Boomer Jock Landale impressing on debut for San Antonio.