A young, emerging Australian basketball star has been recognised in the NBL1 South, and he is taking his talents to the college basketball scene with the Sacramento State Hornets.
18-year-old Bailey Nunn from the Knox Raiders has recently committed to with Sacramento State, after he fell in love with the school during a recent visit.
Nunn has had a strong season with Knox, averaging just over 10 points per game, while also posting 26 points in a breakout performance against Ballarat in May.
Hornets sign a pair of Australians ?? today!
— Sacramento State Men's Basketball (@SacHornetsMBB) November 10, 2022
Bowyn Beatty • 7-foot C
• Plays for NBA Global Academy/CoE
• Australian Junior National Team
Bailey Nunn • 6-foot PG
• Plays pro ball for Knox Radiers of Australian NBL
• 25.2 ppg in high school
Story: https://t.co/rDflUDAj64 pic.twitter.com/8cQ1XHdL4F
He played for Victoria earlier this year in the Australian U20 Championships, where he averaged 12.1 points and four assists per game.
“I visited Sacramento and loved the coaching staff, team culture and the city itself, I’m really looking forward to playing division 1 basketball,” Nunn said.
“It's been a long road to get here; I've been working out at 6am since I was 12 years old. I try to make 3,000 shots every week.
“I had the disappointment of not making the U18 state team, but I had a strong U20 tournament for Victoria in February, and now I’m contributing to what I’m hoping will be a Knox NBL1 championship this year.”
Nunn will head over to the US to play under highly respected Australian college basketball coach, David Patrick.
“I’m excited to play for Dave Patrick who has a long history of developing Australian point guards with Patty Mills and Matt Dellavedova. I think his style of play suits my game given it is based around pick and roll, pushing the ball and shooting the three-ball,” he said.
Patrick, head coach of the Hornets men’s team since 2022, has also had a significant influence on the rise of young Australian talent.
The Hornets’ head coach said he is pleased to once again welcome a young aspiring Australian to pursue a bright future in the US.
“Bailey has always been a talented junior out of Australia. His decision making at the point guard position and ability to play in pick and roll at the junior level was what enticed us to offer him a scholarship,” Patrick said.
“His success in the NBL1 help solidify why we wanted him to be a part of our program. The league is similar to playing in college, so to me he is getting an apprenticeship on playing and training against professional players at 18 years of age.”
The 2023-24 conference schedule is set! The entire schedule will be out soon. #StingersUp pic.twitter.com/8hXoPSgX9v
— Sacramento State Men's Basketball (@SacHornetsMBB) June 22, 2023
Matt Nunn, Bailey’s father and head coach of the Raiders, is proud of his son’s growth and believes the talent level in NBL1 has prepared him for college basketball.
“I believe that the NBL1 has been an excellent competition to get Bailey ready for playing college basketball against men and superior athletes,” Matt said.
“Daily competitive practice against high level guards like star teammate [Ke’Jhan] KJ Feagin has produced further development and confidence.
“He and fellow teammate teen [Austin] Aussie Rapp have both made significant contributions to our team and both have helped us win several games off their own hand.”
Matt revealed a pathway for young Australian players to get to college basketball was through the NBL1.
“Prior to heading off to college, I think more young players should get opportunity in the NBL1,” Matt said.
“I think the NBL1 South competition is on par with mid major NCAA basketball, with so many NBL players and high-level USA imports, the level of competitiveness is the best I've seen.”
Feature image by: Connor McKenzie
