Surf Coast goes Giddey for NBA star

A total of 315 campers enjoyed the once-in-a-lifetime experience learning from NBA star Josh Giddey. Photos: PETER MARSHALL

HUNDREDS of junior basketballers enjoyed the chance of a lifetime training alongside NBA star Josh Giddey in Torquay yesterday (June 26).

The Oklahoma City Thunder guard and Australian Boomer was met with chants of “Gid-dey, Gid-dey, Gid-dey” by more than 300 basketballers when he arrived at Torquay’s Wurdi Baierr Stadium yesterday morning.

Surfcoast Basketball Association (SBA) vice president Adam Forde said it the association’s largest ever basketball camp.

“It’s a great honour to have someone like Josh come down who is an NBA star and Australia’s really proud of him,” Mr Forde said.

“It’s just great for the kids in this region to meet such a big name is basketball.

“We’ve had a lot of enquiries, just over 300 kids, which is what we capped it at due to the size of the stadium.”

Josh Giddey surrounded by aspiring junior basketballers.

Giddey, who is back home in Australia during the NBA offseason, made Torquay one of his three Victorian camp stops.

He ran skill stations, signed autographs, took photos, and provided local basketballers with valuable knowledge about the sport.

Giddey’s father and two-time NBL champion Warrick Giddey ran the camp on the day.

Giddey spent time running drills with more than 300 children at Monday’s camp.

Mr Forde credited friend of the club, former NBL general manager and recruiter Jeff Van Groningen as being instrumental in getting Giddey to the Surf Coast.

“Jeff is involved with Josh and he played a key part in getting Josh here, and we hope to run a big event like this each year,” Mr Forde said.

“Basketball is a booming sport, and we want to keep the momentum going.”

Giddey will begin his third NBA campaign with the Thunder in October later this year.

Click here for the full camp photo gallery.