Do you remember Matt Knight?

MELBOURNE (Paulo Kennedy's View from Downunder) - Australia’s men's national team has felt the loss of veteran players like Chris Anstey, CJ Bruton and Sam Mackinnon in recent years.

There is more pain to come. David Andersen may have just one tournament left in him, possibly two. While the 2.12m shooter has never been a major contributor for the Boomers, none of the young crop of bigs who have recently pulled on the green and gold have shown anything like his perimeter game.

The biggest loss that is coming is captain Matt Nielsen. At 33, Nielsen has taken the leadership burden solely on his shoulders since Bruton’s surprise retirement in 2010.

The Boomers have plenty of talent, but lack experience. The young crop also haven’t proven themselves as fighters and hustlers, though there were some promising signs this year.

Despite his age, Nielsen leads the Boomers in effort plays, and this is the contribution his country will miss most once he hangs up his international boots, quite possibly after next year’s Olympics.

So who can replace him? Do you remember Matt Knight?

You might not. When Australia won the 2003 FIBA U19 World Championship, with Andrew Bogut dominant and guards Damian Martin, Aaron Bruce and Steve Markovic a swarming blur of speed and intensity, Knight was the guy doing the dirty work. The Nielsen work.

He also put up some good numbers – including 17 points in the final against Lithuania – but not in a way that would stand out like his flashier teammates.

His club coach, Perth Wildcats head Rob Beveridge, was the coach of that U19 team, and he is grooming Knight to take over Nielsen’s role.

“That’s what I’ve spoken to Bevo about,” Knight said. “And that’s the role he said I should be looking to base my game on for when I get the chance at Boomers camps.”

One of the best hustlers in international basketball is New Zealand’s Mika Vukona, and his battle with Knight in last year’s NBL semi-final was memorable, as it is every time they meet.

His ability to hold his own against the fearsome Vukona gives Knight confidence he too can make it at FIBA level.

“I think I can do well if I got the chance,” Knight said.

“I enjoy the challenge going against Mika, because that guy just never gives up. He fights so hard on every possession.”

The other area where Knight could be very handy for the Boomers is his outside jumper. The 2.04m banger has worked tirelessly to make his mid-range game automatic, and has made life difficult for opposition bigs with his precision.

With Andersen’s jumpshot not too much longer in a Boomers singlet, this is another area Knight’s game could become attractive for coach Brett Brown.

“I’ve put a lot of work into it and it’s finally paying off – hopefully it continues,” he said, adding that his Wildcats teammates are driving him to keep improving.

“Most of us stay behind after practice and just shoot, and sometimes get in before practice too and shoot. On days off the guys will go off and get some shots up as well.”

While he probably won’t be in London next year, with his work rate on and off the court, this 26-year-old will give himself every chance to be there next time around.

Paulo Kennedy

FIBA

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