Australian Domination: Ranking the Top 5 Aussies in NBA

Slowly but surely over the last few years, more and more talent from our shores have seeped into the NBA. There are currently 8 active NBA players who represent Australia internationally and have been a total of 20 who have played in history. Here is a list of the Top 5 Aussie players in the NBA right now.

5. Thon Maker

F/C, Milwaukee Bucks

Thon Maker is one of the most interesting prospects in the league. Only debuting in 2016, he stands at a huge 7'1" (216 cm), he has been slowly building up game conditioning with the Bucks. In the 2017-2018 season he started 12 of his 74 games played, and averaged a (short) career high of 3.0 RPG. After being involved in the Boomers/Philippines debacle, he has shown he still has some mental toughness that needs developing, but at only 21 years-old, he looks like he will become a great big-man in the game for years to come.

4. Patty Mills

G, San Antonio Spurs

Patty Mills debuted in the NBA in 2009, drafted at no. 55 by the Portland Trail Blazers, but Mills really found his feet in the NBA in 2012 when he joined the Spurs. In his seven seasons at San Antonio, he has participated in the playoffs every season, culminating with an NBA Championship in the 2014-2014 season. Mills has since been a steady player for the Spurs, and currently sits 4th on the Spurs All-Time 3-Pointers list. The 2017-2018 season saw him average 10 PPG, start 36 of his 82 games played, and shoot at 37% from 3-point range.

Cleveland Cavaliers v Boston Celtics - Game Five

3. Aron Baynes

C/F, Boston Celtics

Aron Baynes debuted in the NBA in 2013 when he was signed by San Antonio, where he played for a few season, including the 2013-2014 Championship season. Baynes then played two season for Detroit, before signing with his current residence, Boston. in some ways, Baynes lucked out this year. With Gordon Hayward going down in the first game of the season, this opened up for minutes for a big-man and Baynes was there to answer the call. He started 67 of his 81 games played, and averaged a career-high 5.3 RPG.

2. Joe Ingles

F, Utah Jazz

The Adelaide native has played with Utah since he was sent there in 2014, and the 2017-2018 season has been his best yet. Starting 81 of his 82 games played, and finishing with a career-high averages of 11.5 PPG, 4.8 APG and a shot a huge 45.5% from 3-point range. Ingles has become a cult hero in Utah, and now being surrounded by a team including Rookie of the Year finalist Donovan Mitchell, Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, Ricky Rubio and being led by Coach of the Year Finalist Quinn Snyder, it looks like the Jazz is only getting better. I expect Ingles to continue to be a vital corner piece to the Jazz line-up as they make a run in the 2018-2019 season.

Philadelphia 76ers v Boston Celtics - Game Two

1. Ben Simmons

G, Philadelphia 76ers

The number one draft pick. The rookie of the year. Leading the 76ers to Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. Is there anything this guy can't do? After being drafted by Philly in 2016-2017 and missing the whole season with a foot injury, there were high expectations for Simmons coming into the 2017-2018 season. Simmons did not crumble under pressure. Starting all 81 of his regular season games, and finishing the season averaging 15.8 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 8.2 APG, he is only going to improve. The dynamic between Simmons and team-mate Joel Embiid is exciting to watch. In my opinion, Simmons was a borderline all-star, and once he has another season of match conditioning under his belt he will be a monster. It is exciting knowing that one of the best young players in the league today (in fact THE best - he won Rookie of the Year!) is an Australian, and I can't wait to see how much more he develops.