WHILE the Australian basketball system is extremely popular for our nation’s finest players, there are still a large number of talents who make their way overseas for greater opportunities. With competitions around the world growing on a yearly basis, the incentive to pursue greener pastures internationally is becoming a much more frequent choice for Aussie basketball players young and old.

With the National Basketball League (NBL) gaining increased popularity over recent years, players have often chosen to begin their career in Australia’s premier league, if they opt out of heading to the United States collegiate system. Once their career then progresses, many players look overseas for a different environment to move their careers forward.

Thankfully for many, there is no age restriction for moving overseas, with many international sides happy to take the most talented player, not just the youngest. This has benefited the career of Australian big man Nick Kay, who has taken the most of his opportunities in recent years, making the move overseas in the last 18 months, taking what he learnt in the land down under to face off against some different opponents.

A New South Wales native, Kay’s professional basketball career began when he was selected for the Australian Under 19 side, following a successful junior career in Sydney. He was identified as one of Australia’s premier young basketball talents, with his ability to stretch the floor combining impressively with his size.

Heading overseas, Kay played college for the Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he enjoyed a career-best season in the 2013-14 season. During this time, he averaged 15.5 points and four rebounds, and was named in the first-team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. To top off a stellar year, he was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.

Kay then returned to his home country, joining the Townsville Crocodiles in the NBL, as a highly anticipated recruit for the league. He impressed from his very first year, averaging 10.7 points and 6.6 rebounds by the end of the regular season. Despite being in his first year, Kay led the league in offensive rebounding with three per game, and was subsequently named the NBL Rookie of the Year.

Following stints with the Illawarra Hawks and in New Zealand, Kay signed a three-year deal with league powerhouse Perth Wildcats. Kay had firmly established himself as one of the league’s strongest players, dominating the boards on a yearly basis while increasing his ability to not only score inside the paint, but stretch the floor with his shooting from distance, making him a tough matchup for opponents.

Kay was named on the All-NBL First Team in his first full season for the side, as he was able to take his game to the next level. Topping off a fantastic season with the Wildcats, he was a part of the side that won the NBL championship. The Wildcats won a second consecutive title the following year, and in the third game of the grand final series, Kay delivered a career-best performance with 30 points and 12 rebounds in a match-winning performance.

Kay’s strong outing in the grand final saw plenty of international attention come his way, with plenty of offers to take his talents overseas. Kay took full advantage of this and headed over to Spain to play for Real Betis of the Liga ACB. During his time on the team, Kay averaged 7.9 points and 5.5 rebounds in just 26 minutes of action per game.

In July, he signed in Japan with the Shimane Susanoo Magic for their approaching season, and during the last few months, Kay has averaged 9.7 points and six rebounds per game, with his strongest performances coming in his most recent two matches, where he scored 15 and 17 points respectably.

Kay is the epitome of the modern big man, with an ability to knock down the three a key pairing with his powerful rebounding presence. With plenty of experience both domestically and internationally, Kay should continue to shine at any level he wishes to play at.

Photo: Twitter/@RealBetisBasket