Latest news with #LucLongley
ABC News
10-08-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Adelaide's Patrick D'Arcy shoots into lucrative world of US college basketball
Australian basketball players are on the rise on the world stage and Adelaide teenager Patrick D'Arcy wants to be part of it. He's just signed a four-year deal with East Carolina University, in Greenville North Carolina. "Everything just felt right from the first phone call with the coach and talking to players that have been there, it just felt like the right place for me," he said before flying to America. College basketball is a well-worn path for ambitious young Australians, stretching right back to Chicago Bulls' three-time NBA championship winner Luc Longley, who represented the University of New Mexico. In the 2024-2025 season, there were 232 young Australian men and women enrolled in divisions one to three of college programs. "I'm definitely excited, it's been a long time waiting for me, but you know I'm always nervous, there's always going to be nerves when it comes to it, but it's more excitement," D'Arcy said. East Carolina University, known as the Pirates, was buzzing to sign D'Arcy. "His positional size and perimeter shooting immediately strengthens our team," the university said in a media statement. The world of US college basketball is a fascinating and lucrative beast. "You've got some teams; their budgets are $10 to $12 million and it's only going to go up over the next decade," Adelaide 36ers general manager, Matt Weston said. "It'll be quite scary the amount of dollars they'll be paying college kids. "You're not only a star on campus, but you are on national TV, you're flying around the country, it is almost a pro league for kids aged between 18 and 24." Young Adelaide 36ers centre Ben Griscti spent two seasons in the US college system and said the game is so big that fans are often obsessive and pack out stadiums in their thousands. "They were screaming out my parents' names during the game, they were so into it, the crowd love it and I'd never played in a louder environment," he said. "The fans are so dedicated, they live and breathe the college and there's towns built just around the college." Recent number one pick in the annual NBA draft Cooper Flagg reportedly earned more than $US28 million in his one-year at the fabled Duke University. He was playing in the same team as Australian Tyrese Proctor, who was also drafted to the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Playing US college basketball has become especially lucrative since the Name, Image and Likeness provision was introduced to allow US college athletes to profit from the nationwide coverage the sport attracts. Weston said the burgeoning pay deals are having a profound impact across the basketball world, with 36ers assistant coach Marko Marinovic seeing his Serbian under 20 team decimated. "He's lost 12 players that won't play in the national team now, they'll go to college instead because of the dollars," Weston said. "For them to earn $300 to 400,000 is life changing for their family." D'Arcy isn't allowed to reveal what he's being paid, and while it's believed to be a tidy amount for an 18-year-old, it's nowhere near those figures. But, he does have a four-year deal with East Carolina, which also includes having university tuition paid, accommodation and day-to-day expenses. The wages come with immense pressures, with many players finding the cut-throat nature of the competition and living away from home too much. D'Arcy's older brother Noah returned to Adelaide after a year playing college ball in Iowa, while Ben Griscti had to grit his teeth at times to stick with his plan for two seasons. "Things are really hard, there's times when you know you want to pack it up and come home and get some home cooking, but you can't," he said. D'Arcy had an Adelaide 36ers contract in the NBL, before agreeing to a multi-year deal to play in the US. At 198-centimetres, the teen is confident he has what it takes to last the course with the Pirates. "I think I'll take it one year at a time in college, like, obviously I'm there for four years, but each year I'll look at my options, but yeah, I'd love to come back and play for the [Adelaide] 36ers." As a former NBA scout, Weston has seen hundreds of basketballers with professional potential, and is confident D'Arcy has what it takes to make it. "It is early days, but when I look at his body type, I look at his athleticism, he can handle the ball well and those are the things that he'll need to get better as he goes along, and consistency in his shot," he said. "I think shooting is one of my main strengths, use my athleticism to my advantage, my height and length as well for my position [on the court], I'm a lot bigger and longer than others," D'Arcy said. For a family obsessed with football and English Premier League side Liverpool, basketball has become life for the D'Arcys. As well as Patrick and his older brother Noah, there's also 15-year-old Xavier and 17-year-old Harry coming through the ranks at state side Sturt Sabres Basketball Club.
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"I don't think Luc had the mentality of what it took to win" - Michael Jordan on why he had to show Luc Longley "tough love"
"I don't think Luc had the mentality of what it took to win" - Michael Jordan on why he had to show Luc Longley "tough love" originally appeared on Basketball Network. If there is one thing we know about Michael Jordan by now, it is that he is competitive. Okay, to be frank, he is even more than that, probably the most competitive basketball player of all time. It wasn't just about winning games; it was about setting an uncompromising standard and making sure everyone around him rose to that level. Because, for Jordan, playing for anything less than a championship would be a waste, to say the least. So when new faces started arriving in the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 1990s, MJ made sure to give them a taste of what it was really going to be like. And one of those new faces quickly learned what the prime "Jordan experience" truly meant. Longley was pushed hard by Jordan The one who got this, as Jordan himself called it, "tough love," was Luc Longley. The Australian big man arrived in Chicago in 1994 via a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves, a 7'2" center who, on paper, brought size and passing that could complement the Bulls' system. However, it didn't mean much to Jordan if the man in question wasn't willing to show that he had the right attitude towards winning. So, he went to work and showed him what the Bulls basketball was all about. "I don't think Luc had the mentality of what it took to win. I felt the need to push him," Jordan recalled. "You had to show him a little tough love, you know. That's what I call it – tough love." "I knew he was capable. We all felt he was capable. But you have to be capable every single night for us to maintain success. So I pushed him for us to maintain success. And verbally, you know, I would challenge him in certain situations where I felt like, 'Luc, you're just not doing what we expect you to do,'" the arguably greatest player of all time added. That was MJ's version of leadership. Demanding. Direct. And, as Longley, among many others, would learn, completely unapologetic.A rocky relationship turned successful What started as a rocky relationship eventually turned into mutual respect. Jordan's tough love wasn't meant to break Longley; it was meant to make him better. And it did. The Aussie may have never been the guy who could single-handedly change the course of a game, but he became much more than just a complementary piece in that second Bulls three-peat. In 1997 and 1998, Longley started all 39 playoff games during the Bulls' final two title seasons. He wasn't there to dominate the game with his one-of-a-kind scoring; rather, he was there to anchor the defense and give them a reliable presence in the tense moments of playoff battles. Even though the Australian center and the man many consider the GOAT didn't click at first, they formed a partnership built on accountability and mutual respect. "I think Mike was doing what he did to rookies, what he was doing to me," Longley once said. "He was just testing me, seeing where my boundaries were, seeing which buttons he could push, how he could drive me and I probably saw through that and didn't want to take the bait, so we had a few clashes." Jordan's tough love may have been hard to take at times, but it helped mold Luc Longley into the piece Chicago needed to close out their dynasty. And in the end, that's all that story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"Not so much MJ, he's harder to track" - Luc Longley on why he keeps in touch with old Bulls teammates except for Jordan
"Not so much MJ, he's harder to track" - Luc Longley on why he keeps in touch with old Bulls teammates except for Jordan originally appeared on Basketball Network. Many decades have passed since the Chicago Bulls redefined what dominance looked like in basketball. Their dynasty, spanning six championships between 1991 and 1998, became a blueprint for greatness and a benchmark that remains nearly untouched. Advertisement For former towering Australian center Luc Longley, whose presence in the paint often went unnoticed beside the highlight-making stars, those years were more than just a run of titles. They were a brotherhood, a shared experience under relentless pressure and a bond formed in the heat of competition. Keeping in touch As the years stretch on, Longley, now long retired and based in Western Australia, has remained close with several of his old Bulls teammates, forming what he describes as a quiet but enduring circle. But not with all of them. 'I keep in touch with all of them, Phil Jackson, Steve Kerr, Scottie Pippen,' Longley said. 'Not so much [Michael Jordan], he's harder to track. I think he changes his phone once a week.' Advertisement It's the kind of remark that carries both a chuckle and a trace of honest distance. Michael Jordan, famously private and nearly mythic in stature since his playing days, has long kept the public and many of his peers at arm's length. While he's been seen courtside at games and delivering speeches during Hall of Fame ceremonies, Jordan remains a rare presence in group reunions or public meet-ups with former Bulls. Longley's words reflect a truth that even members of that sacred circle face, staying in touch with Jordan is as elusive as trying to defend him in his prime. During their years together, he developed a working relationship with Jordan rooted in mutual respect. While Jordan's intensity was legendary and often overwhelming, Longley held his own, never attempting to match his fire but never shrinking from it either. The five-time MVP would bark orders in practices, test teammates and set a tone of unwavering competitiveness. Longley, more laid-back by nature, absorbed it without drama. That quiet resilience made him a valued part of the system that Phil Jackson built. Advertisement Related: Michael Jordan shows off his $115 million luxurious superyacht in Croatia Playing with Jordan Longley's stats with the Bulls were never flashy — he averaged around nine points, five rebounds and two assists per game — but his role was never measured solely by box scores. He served as a connective piece, a reliable passer from the post and a smart defensive anchor. He blended with Jordan and Scottie Pippen's tempo without disrupting the offensive triangle, which made him a crucial cog in one of the most complex and effective systems in NBA history. The narrative surrounding Jordan's relationship with former teammates has always been layered. The 2020 documentary, 'The Last Dance,' while widely praised, reopened old wounds for some. Longley, notably, was one of the key players absent from the original cut, despite starting in all three championship seasons during the second three-peat. Advertisement The oversight became a larger conversation about how stories are told and who gets to tell them. In Australia, where basketball surged during Longley's years in the NBA, the omission was deeply felt. It was later addressed in a two-part ABC special titled 'Luc Longley: One Giant Leap,' where Jordan himself appeared in newly shot interviews, offering overdue praise that the Aussie giant was important to the Bulls. Even so, the gap between them today feels less personal and more practical. Longley, content in the quiet rhythm of life after basketball, doesn't seek the spotlight. Jordan, who is a global figure, is often surrounded by business commitments, appearances and the weight of legacy. Their paths don't cross often and maybe they were never meant to beyond the years they shared the hardwood. Advertisement Related: Kevin Garnett left Michael Jordan off his all-time starting five: "He is the god, and we copied him and s—t, but I got Kob' at my two" This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phil Jackson recalled when Michael Jordan said he regrets staying with Chicago Bulls: "It weighed pretty heavy on everyone"
Phil Jackson recalled when Michael Jordan said he regrets staying with Chicago Bulls: "It weighed pretty heavy on everyone" originally appeared on Basketball Network. Coaching the best team in the NBA may sound like an easy job, but Phil Jackson would undoubtedly beg to differ. Advertisement As the head coach of the 1990s Chicago Bulls, Jackson played a crucial role in guiding the team and fostering a strong sense of unity and confidence among the players. Still, the job came with its challenges. In one moment of deep frustration, Jackson found himself questioning why he agreed to continue coaching the Bulls. Though the situation was already overwhelming, he revealed that what truly shocked him was when Michael Jordan echoed those sentiments — but with an unmistakably serious tone. "Sometimes in a film session, I get upset and wonder what we're doing, why we can't put it together consistently," the legendary coach said via ESPN. "The other day, I stopped the film after watching Luc Longley screw up again, and I just said, 'Everybody makes mistakes. And I made one coming back here with this team this year.' I meant it in sort of a lighthearted way. But then Michael says, 'Me too.' So, it weighed pretty heavy on everyone." Phil knew MJ was tired of losing too Well aware of Jordan's competitive drive and winning mentality, Jackson understood how the Bulls superstar felt whenever the team wasn't winning. And for all his coaching brilliance, he sometimes couldn't figure out what to do about it. Advertisement Throughout their time together in Chicago, Jackson consistently stood by Jordan no matter the circumstances. When the Bulls faced adversity, particularly early in the 1997-98 season, he prioritized ensuring his best player felt supported, emphasizing that he and the team always got MJ's back. "The room was charged. It was somber. Michael was somber," Jackson continued, describing the atmosphere in the Bulls locker room. "He doesn't play cards with the guys like he used to. He is serious. He hasn't smiled a genuine smile in two weeks. He's letting everyone know it's time. He said, 'It's over. We're not gonna lose anymore.' I'm sick of losing, too. What are we, 15-9? We should be 21-3. We lost 10 games in 1996 — the entire season." "I don't talk a whole lot to Michael during games, and I don't look at him on the court much either. I just have a feel for him. He'll let me know by making a signal, a fist or tap his chest, when he wants to come out. But the other night, I went down and patted him on the knee while he was on the bench, just to let him know we're with him," Phil added. Related: "I can't get so close to it, too, because of my competitive nature" - Michael Jordan on why he can't get himself to be a fan of any one player in the NBA The Zen Master kept himself motivated Entering his final season with the Bulls, Jackson was determined to set aside the tumultuous front office drama that had been swirling around the organization. The team was coming off an impressive streak, having secured back-to-back NBA championships, but the reality was that they were not performing at their best that year. Advertisement Jackson realized that Jordan was probably the most disheartened by the unfolding issues among everyone on the team. It was a crucial moment for the two as they needed to be aligned and focused to navigate the challenges ahead. Despite the obstacles that the team faced, The Zen Master managed to find motivation within himself. His resilience became a vital asset as he worked to maintain the team's spirit and unity during a season filled with uncertainty. "We have been having a little family turmoil, and some of it saddens me. But I'm not depressed," he said. "I feel I have every right to be happy in this life. I look around my office and all of the things in here — the Native American artifacts, the signs, the photos of the Dalai Lama and the Southwest — inspire me. Like those bull horns up there on the wall. Johnny Bach gave me that. He even painted my name on it. With the bull's testicles in the pouch tied in between. That inspires me." Jordan and Jackson found their rhythm Eventually, the Bulls managed to regain their rhythm. Jackson and Jordan gained the mental fortitude not to dwell on the negatives, utilizing their energy to unite the team. Ultimately, the two were able to lead the Bulls to another NBA title, completing their second three-peat. However, neither Jordan nor Jackson extended their contract with the Bulls. It was indeed their "Last Dance" as the team that dominated almost an entire era was disassembled by the front office for good. Advertisement Related: "He said, 'I heard you, but I really felt good'" - Phil Jackson recalled the moment Michael Jordan waved him off in a playoff game This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
West Australian
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Luc Longley: Former NBA champion stars alongside sports heroes Ash Barty and Raphael Nadal in new Kia ad
When you're seven feet tall like former Chicago Bulls star Luc Longley, poking at those hard-to-reach places around the house doesn't often require a ladder. The three-time NBA champion — now based in Perth — has joined a host of recognisable Aussie sports personalities to star in the latest Kia Tasman ad premiering tonight during State of Origin in Perth. Lacking the nimbleness of co-stars Ash Barty or former AFL gun Dane Swan, Longley is tasked with getting 'in the paint' as the famous figures give a run-down property some love. Even Spanish tennis icon Rafael Nadal, who's no stranger to clay, offers to get his hands dirty. Unfortunately, Longley suggests, raking in rebounds and providing assists to former teammate Michael Jordan came a little more naturally than getting hands-on at home ever has. Actually, it depends who you ask. 'It's funny, because my wife would say I'm really handy — my friends would say that I'm not,' he told The West Australian. 'I believe in horses for courses. If you want a job done right, you get a professional but I can turn my hand to anything, just probably do it badly, except, obviously for painting, because Ash (Barty) got the best.' Relocating to Perth in the last couple of years with wife and celebrity chef Anna Gare, Longley spent decades escaping the bright lights of the court and stresses of life in WA's tranquil South West region. In 1991, the 56-year-old purchased a property 15 minutes outside of Denmark upon turning professional. 'It was the first thing I bought with my professional basketball money. And I always wanted to have a sanctuary,' he said. Claiming the town was 'much sleepier back then', the HoopsFest ambassador was attracted to the natural landscapes and close proximity to the ocean. He even hosted fellow Sydney Kings co-owner Andrew Bogut, a fellow NBA champion, at his property recently as the pair took a dip in the majestic waters. But Longley wouldn't divulge all of his favourite hideaways. 'Secret spots aren't for giving up, but Greens Pool, Elephant Rocks, Madfish Bay, that whole chain of coast along there is for exploring, for sure,' he said. Longley admitted the pair don't always see 'eye-to-eye', but respect what the other has achieved as two of the premier seven-foot exports to find success in the NBA. As to who would win a one-on-one if each were in their prime, Longley would love to know as much as Aussie basketball fans might. 'I'd love to get in that time machine. Have a go at it,' he teased. 'I mean, he was quicker than me, which he'll happily tell you, so I probably would have had trouble with him in the in the full court, but I'd handle him in the half court. No worries.'
