Josh Giddey received NBA advice from Matisse Thybulle, Josh Green
Australian Josh Giddey enters the NBA draft boasting one season of professional experience playing in the National Basketball League. However, Giddey understands the transition to the NBA still could have some bumps along the way.
Giddey averaged 10.9 points, 7.6 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 28 games last season with the Adelaide 36ers. He led all players in the NBL in assists, while he finished sixth in rebounding. He registered three triple-doubles, and was the youngest Australian to accomplish the feat.
The 6-foot-8 guard recently finished up a stay with the Australian men’s basketball team ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. He recorded 14 points, four rebounds, three assists and one blocked shot versus Nigeria in his lone appearance.
The time with Australia allowed Giddey to be around veteran NBA players like Joe Ingles, Patty Mills and others. On Friday, Giddey also credited fellow countrymen Matisse Thybulle and Josh Green for offering advice on potentially dealing with adversity next season.
I’ve been in that position, not in the NBA, but in the NBL, I had a slow start to the year. It took me a little while to find my feet but it’s about staying with it. You learn from vets on the team that they’ll help you and guide you through those tough times. A lot of rookies go through it. I had Josh Green and Matisse Thybulle on the team, two of the younger guys and new to the NBA, so to be able to hear from their experiences and what they went through as a rookie, it is good for me to take that and keep it in the back of my mind going into my rookie year.
Giddey, who was one of the last cuts by Australia prior to the Olympics, has drawn comparisons to fellow Australian Ben Simmons with his ability to lead his teams and get others involved. He is touted as a better shooter than Simmons, but the two have a lot of similar qualities.
The 18-year-old will certainly have his fair share of learning moments during the transition to the NBA but, given his ability and prior professional experience, Giddey projects to be able to overcome any potential obstacles with ease.
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