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Sports Then and Now



5 Tips for Selecting the Best Basketball Camps for Your Child 2

Posted on June 17, 2019 by Sherry Jane Smith

Basketball is on the rebound in Australia. Australia is no stranger to basketball, with the first game in the country recorded in 1897 –only six years after the invention of the sport by Canadian James Naismith. However, the sport would not go into the forefront of the national consciousness until Luc Longley made it into the National Basketball Association, playing for Minnesota Timberwolves in 1991 and later with the Chicago Bulls where he became the first Australian to win an NBA championship as part of the 1996 Chicago Bulls.

While the sport’s popularity in Australia did somewhat ebb in the 2000s, it’s experienced a resurge in popularity due to the current prevalence of playing styles and strategies more suited for Australian players as well as a larger worldwide trend where basketball has seen unprecedented popularity outside of North America.

Today, more Australians are in the NBA than ever before, further sparking the imagination of children all over the country and leading to the proliferation of basketball camps throughout Australia.  

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    • Dale Murphy: A Hallmark of Excellence
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      Dale Murphy

      The Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Month was a standout player of the 1980s, remembered not only for his exceptional skills on the field but also for his exemplary character and sportsmanship.

      Born on March 12, 1956, in Portland, Oregon, Dale Murphy’s journey to becoming one of the most respected players in baseball history is a testament to dedication, perseverance, and a genuine love for the game.

      Early Career and Rise to Prominence

      Murphy was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the 1974 MLB Draft. He made his Major League debut on September 13, 1976, at the age of 20. Initially a catcher, Murphy transitioned to the outfield early in his career, where he would solidify his place as one of the premier outfielders of his era.

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