Bogut inducted into FIBA Hall of Fame

The name of Hoops Capital co-owner Andrew Bogut is now etched in the halls of FIBA’s Swiss headquarters alongside a talented 2025 Class.

Bogut was acknowledged in Bahrain over the weekend and formally inducted alongside Pau Gasol (Spain), Mike Krzyzewski (USA), Dawn Staley (USA), Leonor Borrell (Cuba), Ratko Radovanovic (Serbia), Ticha Penicheiro (Portugal), Fadi El Khatib (Lebanon), and Alphonse Bilé (Côte d’Ivoire).

The 207cm centre was the first ever Australian selected #1 in an NBA Draft. 

Bogut accumulated 682 games across 14 seasons in the NBA with the Bucks, Warriors, Mavericks, and Cavaliers.

His career culminated in 2015 with the ultimate success: an NBA Championship, as part of a reinvention alongside Steph Curry and Steve Kerr at the Golden State Warriors.

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At a national team level, Bogut was a rock for the Boomers’ progression from 2004–2019.

He featured at three Olympic Games, two World Cups, and an Oceania Cup. 

He is revered as a key contributor to the modern evolution of the Australian Boomers culture.

“When I first got involved with the national team, for us to just make it to the second round of a tournament was like a championship back then,” said Bogut, who will join the Kings’ coaching staff for the NBL26 season.

“The bar wasn’t set high and mediocrity was sort of accepted... It was just that the talent pool wasn't at the level that we have now.”

“Being a part of that changing mindset — ‘Hey, we have the guys that are capable of being half decent now and can compete’ — and being a part of lifting the national team to be consistently in the top four or a chance to medal at every tournament... it’s something that I really hold dear to my heart,” he said.

Born and raised in Melbourne’s outer south-east, Bogut made his FIBA debut at the 2003 Under-19 World Cup, where he was crowned tournament MVP in Australia’s gold-medal winning campaign in Greece.

He spent time with Utah playing NCAA college basketball from 2013–2015 before setting new heights for an Australian men’s player in the NBA Draft.

Watch Andrew Bogut's FIBA Hall of Fame induction speech via the Sydney Kings’ YouTube channel below. While you’re there, be sure to hit subscribe, to ensure you never miss out on any of our great videos.

“The environment for Australians being drafted to the NBA has completely changed now,” said Bogut.

“I never thought I was going to be an NBA player. I never thought I would be a #1 pick as a young kid.

“I was an emergency on the Victoria State team at 16 or 17, and then three years later, I was in the NBA. I’m really proud of that.

“You’d always hear from people in Australia: ‘The odds are so small. It’s pretty much impossible. Why bother?'

“So, having people grow that pathway is important. Breaking the glass ceiling for Australians and showing kids that it’s achievable.”

An Australian getting their name called at the NBA Draft is a common occurrence nowadays, however, the reality of Bogut’s entry into the league paints a realistic picture of the journey.

“If you were Australian or even international back then, you pretty much had to come through the college system. I think Luc Longley was the only one at that stage who had a long-tenured NBA career after being drafted,” said Bogut.

“Now we’ve got guys like Ben Simmons, Dante Exum, Aron Baynes, Patty Mills... and the next generation with Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels.

“It’s doable, and we’re probably batting above our average in how many Australians are consistently getting into the NBA.

 

 

 

 

 

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King #199 Bogut now joins fellow Australians Penny Taylor, Robyn Maher, Tom Maher, Michele Timms, Jan Stirling, Andrew Gaze, Lindsay Gaze, and Al Ramsay in FIBA’s prestigious Hall of Fame for their impact as players, coaches or contributors.

Asked to share a favourite career moment, Bogut said.

“Yeah, I think it was beating the USA in Melbourne,” he said.

“It was a big deal for us — even though it was a friendly game — from never beating the US, to doing it on home soil in my home city, in front of a record crowd. It was sensational.”

He also reflected on his time at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and the influence of coach Marty Clarke.

“There’s a contrast of people you come across in the journey — both positive and negative — that impact where you are today,” said Bogut.

“For me, Marty at the AIS (now Centre of Excellence) really helped prepare me for the pro level.

“It was the little things — simple stuff like being on time and showing respect. 

“A lot of the character traits I hold dear today came from my time at the AIS.”