AUSSIE basketball star Patty Mills has vowed to represent Australia at the Rio Olympics regardless of fears of the zika virus.
The first Aboriginal player to win an NBA championship thrilled fans in Melbourne with a meet and greet in the CBD yesterday but will soon head to South America with the Australian Olympic team in pursuit of gold.
Several athletes have pulled out of the Olympics recently due to health fears but San Antonio Spurs star Mills said he was “on a mission’’ and excited to compete at this third Games.
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``We’ll talk with our doctors and all the important people, let them handle it and we’ll take care of the stuff on the court,’’ he said.
The Aussie Hoops ambassador said Australian basketball was on the cusp of a new golden era with Melbourne’s Ben Simmons the No. 1 NBA Draft pick and Maryborough’s Matthew Dellavedova an NBA champion.
``Having the buzz around basketball in Australia again is a great opportunity for us to make the most out of this noise that is going around,’’ he said.
``I think the next step is to try get that following back again ands that support that basketball had once upon a time in this country.’’
peter.rolfe@news.com.au
Twitter: @rolfep