27 May 2008

Australia’s hottest basketball prospect Patrick Mills was back in Canberra preparing for the Boomers camp at the Australian Institute of Sport from June 2-6.

Mills, who has spent the past 12 months playing college basketball for St Mary’s in the United States, is gearing up for his first ever Olympic Games in Beijing.  

The 19-year-old took time out to speak to David Packwood about his Olympic preparations and his dream of one day playing in the NBA competition.

Q. How are you feeling following your first full year playing US college basketball for St Mary’s?
Full of excitement and full of joy but also pretty tired because it’s an exhausting time with so many games and the travel that’s involved with playing college basketball in the United States.

It’s been an incredible experience for me and one that I know has seen my game continue to improve.

Q. How pleased were you with your form after guiding St Mary’s to a national top 25 ranking?
I was happy with the way I progressed over in the States but more importantly on how the team went throughout the season. St Mary’s are not renowned for finishing as high as the national top 25 so it was an incredible achievement. The challenge for us now is to go even further next season.

Q. What lessons have you learnt playing US college basketball?
Every day you learn a new lesson whether it be a training session or a game. Each team we played had new strategies so it was always a test to come up with new ways to win games. 

Q. Everyone wants to know when will you enter the NBA draft?
To be honest I’m more focused on the present and that means giving myself the best opportunity to make the Boomers team to compete at the Beijing Olympics. 

After Beijing I’ll head back to St Mary’s and we’ll see what happens after that but the NBA draft for me is more 2009, not this year.

I still have a lot of improvement before then and it’s more a question of knowing within my self that I am ready.  

Q. Does playing NBA basketball hold any fears for you?
No, it’s more excitement than anything else. The NBA is the pinnacle of any basketball competition in the world and every young kid aspires to reach those great heights.

I dream of getting to the NBA every day but it’s a case of developing your game to the high standard that will get you there.

Q. Your first Olympics are only 75 days away should you make the national team. Is the excitement starting to build?
Definitely. It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to go to the Olympics, which is why I have been training so hard. It’s a lifelong dream of mine to represent Australia at an Olympic Games so to make the national team would be a huge thrill and honour.

Q. Are the Boomers a realistic medal chance?
I think so although we all know how tough it’s going to be given the talent within the other nations.  The Boomers have been drawn alongside Russia, Lithuania, Argentina and Iran so that will be tough with European countries traditionally being strong. 

Q. Boomers coach Brian Goorjan says that for Australia to make the medal podium you will need to have a great tournament. Is that added pressure you don’t need?
I think you’ll find that Brian was making that comment about the whole team having to play to its full potential for us to be a chance of winning a medal. And he’s right because the opposition is that good that only you’re best will be good enough.

Q. You must be looking forward to catching up with the rest of the Boomers players in camp at the AIS?
Definitely. I kept in touch with a few of the boys while I was over in the States but to see the whole team in camp again will be great and something I’m looking forward too. We’re a very close knit group and this camp; along with the next 2-3 months leading up to Beijing will be very important for the Boomers.

Q. Its ironic that the camp is being held at the AIS, which is where your basketball dream began?     
What the AIS have done for me is absolutely amazing, it’s opened up every door for me and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for this basketball program. I’m indebted to the program and the great coaching staff of Marty Clarke and Paul Gorriss who have been instrumental in guiding me along the way.

Each year, over 8000 athletes from more than 300 teams visit the AIS in Canberra for a sports camp. These include national representative teams, professional sporting teams and visiting teams from high schools and other sporting groups and clubs.