This was published 7 years ago
Australian forward Venky Jois takes unconventional game to NBA Draft
By Roy Ward
Australian stars Ben Simmons and Thon Maker are earning major attention ahead of next month's NBA Draft but an unconventional Australian is also taking the eyes of NBA scouts.
Victorian forward Venky Jois has made some promising performances this year and could work his way onto a roster by the time next season starts.
Australian basketballer Venky Jois puts on his best form in a tryout with Sacramento Kings last week.Credit: Kings.com
Jois is no guarantee to get drafted, but his hard-working style has an air of fellow Australian Matthew Dellavedova and will bode well in NBA training camps.
Unlike most NBA rookies, Jois is also studying to become a doctor, although he will likely pause his medical ambitions while playing professional basketball.
The 22-year-old Eastern Washington University senior didn't have the NBA anywhere but his dreams when he left Dandenong Rangers to accept a scholarship to the Cheney, Washington-based school four years ago.
Multiple NBL clubs wanted his signature as he has more than proven himself as a teenage power forward for the Rangers in the South East Australian Basketball League.
But Jois wanted to do pre-medicine and play at a division one school so Eastern Washington fit.
In his four years at the school Jois put together a record-setting career and owns eight school records in points, field goal percentage, dunks and blocks among others while also helping the Eagles to the NCAA Tournament last year and a record 33 wins this past season.
Most colleges have finished their semester and started holidays, but Eastern Washington runs its school year in quarters so Jois won't be finish his classes until June 12 with the NBA draft set for June 24 (Melbourne time).
And after all his studying he isn't throwing away the last class of his pre-medicine degree, with a minor in chemistry, to chase NBA tryouts.
While other players are training full-time with agents and trainers, Jois has had one NBA tryout with Sacramento Kings and spent the rest of his time studying, sitting tests and training by himself.
"It's tough when you are stuck in Cheney, Washington, without NBA trainers but I'll make it work somehow," Jois told The Age.
"Even if it's just me tossing the ball to myself, doing old-style workouts, then that will be what it takes."
They say making the NBA is as much about timing as talent and perhaps this year Jois has both in his favour.
During his years in college the NBA has changed as multi-skilled forwards such as Draymond Green have become stars and dogged pros such as Dellavedova have performed heroically in the NBA Finals.
Suddenly a defensive-minded, 203-centimetre Australian with a pogo-stick leap, a knack for defence and a good head on his shoulders looks a legitimate NBA chance.
"No the NBA wasn't in my plans, it's always been about the team for me and I didn't think of a pro career," Jois said.
"People probably consider me as a 4-3 [power forward or small forward] and you can see guys who are undersized power forwards like Draymond Green having success or see how Delly did it by outworking or out-skilling his opponents."
The rise of Green and Dellavedova, who both finished college like Jois, has made it possible for him to get a look in and he's ready to go for it.
"If this was traditional basketball they might say you have to be 6'10 [208cm] or above to play power forward and I still feel I could do well in that style," Jois said.
"But the perception is that versatility is a desirable trait and that's encouraging because that's what my games is about.
"Seeing the success of versatile, unconventional players is encouraging."
Like Dellavedova, he may not even get drafted and have to fight his way in via training camps.
But Jois will almost surely end up in the NBA summer league, a scrappy competition of NBA free agents in which a defensive, athletic team man can stand out.
Jois' agent, Daniel Moldovan, said his player was attracting interest from a number of clubs.
"Venky is very much that new age prototypical four man [power forward] in the NBA, like Quincy Acy and Paul Millsap," Moldovan said.
"Undersized, extremely athletic and explosive. NBA teams are very intrigued by him. He has a very bright future ahead."
If Jois gets to an NBA training camp you wouldn't want to be the player who stands between him and a roster spot because he will move heaven and earth to get there.
Watching Dellavedova in last year's NBA Finals and see other Australians make careers in the NBA has lit a fire in him.
"We played against Delly in my freshman year of college so it was crazy that two years later we see him on the big screen at the finals," Jois said.
"Especially when you are a young kid the NBA seems like it's another world away.
"College was like that to until you get to the big stages, the big venues and realise that you can do this.
"In a small way I still have that perception of the NBA but then you see guys like Delly do it through hard work and hustle rather than natural athleticism.
"It's not an easy path but you can accomplish it."
His medical studies can wait, Jois wants to grab his moment and make it to the top league whether he gets there now or in the future.
"The end goal is to make it to the NBA if not this year then next year," Jois said.
"I've had some NBL interest but I wouldn't say Australia is my target destination, I'll go pretty much anywhere in the world to do what's best for my career.
"I don't think I should sell myself short, I'll pursue whatever avenues are available and if I don't make it this year then I'm going to keep on trying."