- Mills is left without a club ahead of the Paris Games
- He will face Durant in the Olympic Games
- He received high praise from his former teammate
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Australian basketball great Patty Mills may have been cruelly kicked out of the NBA just months before the Olympics, but she has received top-level praise from one of the game’s greatest players.
The Atlanta Hawks waived Mills a day before the NBA’s March 1 buyout deadline, freeing him to play for another NBA club, but he was left without a club at a crucial time before the Games. from Paris.
However, he received a glowing endorsement from Team USA superstar Kevin Durant, his former teammate in Brooklyn, whom he will face in Paris.
When asked earlier this week what impact Mills had on both the NBA and international play, Durant responded: “Just an absolute legend for the Boomers.”
‘He’s been a constant in that program since I’ve been in the league.
“They play very hard and you know that comes from their best player, which is Patty.”
Mills and Durant have played together and against each other on several occasions and the champion Team USA has great respect for the Australian.
Mills in action for the Boomers and sharing a moment with Durant during the medal ceremony at the Tokyo Olympics
“Then having the opportunity to play with Patty for two years in Brooklyn, I understand why she has become a legend there,” Durant continued.
‘He is so passionate about where he comes from, he is passionate about the culture itself and about basketball.
‘And he is an extremely hard worker whose journey should be discussed with some of the best.
“He continues to push the game forward and inspire a lot of people.” And that’s what I love about this game.”
Joe Ingles and Patty Mills share an emotional moment after winning Australia’s first Olympic medal at the Tokyo games.
Mills led the Australian Boomers to their only victory over the all-conquering US team at Marvel Stadium in 2019 with a 30-point explosion.
The Boomers would be famous for winning their first Olympic bronze medal at the Tokyo Games following the 98-94 victory.
Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze said the win would “shock the world”.
“This is really amazing,” Gaze said in SBS coverage.
‘What a statement from the Boomers’
Mill’s next move remains unknown.
An NBA championship contender will likely draft him late as a 3-point specialist heading into the playoffs.
Meanwhile, former Boomers champion Chris Anstey has called on Mills to play in Europe.
“This could be a really interesting few months for Patty Mills,” Anstey said on social media platform X.
“Accepting a high-level European contract and great opportunities to finish the European season could be the best preparation for his last Olympic Games.”
Mills has previously expressed his desire to finish his career in the Australian NBL. However, the NBL is currently in its final series and will not start again until the end of 2024.