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Luc Longley has made a concerted effort to evade the media in recent years but in an Aussie Hoopla exclusive, Dan Boyce was able to sit down with the big man and talk about his career, particularly the Boomers side of things, with the great man.
Luc Longley was born in Melbourne but grew up in Perth and developed his skills playing alongside fellow Boomers legend Andrew Vlahov.
Although many believe he played NBL for the Perth Wildcats (some sites list Luc as having played two games which are false, he did, however, play some of the team’s practice games) Luc was recruited to the University of New Mexico’s after being seen playing basketball when then-coach Gary Colson ventured to Perth to scout Vlahov but ended up becoming enamoured with the talent of the 218cm redhead with incredible hands.
At nineteen Australian Boomers coach, Adrian Hurley took a huge gamble by naming three junior players in the 1988 Olympic team, Longley, Vlahov and Mark Bradtke. It was a move that certainly paid off with Australia finishing fourth in Seoul, which is still a record best result for the Men’s national team.
Longley would attend the University of New Mexico, from 1987 to 1991. During his final year, he averaged 19.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists before being drafted 7th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1991.
Luc’s rookie season in 1991-92 was modest at best, he averaged 4 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist in 66 games. Despite being drafted with the 7th pick he started only 3 games as a rookie.
Longley didn’t exactly explode onto the basketball scene, even in 1992 when had played a full NBA season and had represented Australia in his second Olympics he was still coming to grips with his basketball ability. During the Barcelona Olympics Andrew Gaze was still the team’s number one option, Leroy Loggins not far behind him and out of the three debutantes from 1988, Longley’s skills were still behind those of Vlahov and Bradtke.
Longley’s fortunes changed when his incredible passing skills caught the eye of legendary coach Phil Jackson who traded for the then 25-year-old pivot and thrust him shortly after into the team’s starting lineup.
Longley teamed with basketball Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman and won three straight championships with the Bulls from 1996 to 1998, becoming the first Australian player to win an NBA title in the process.
Longley produced his best season to date in 1995-96, starting in every game for the Bulls and averaging 9 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
Longley suffered a huge blow in the aftermath of his first title, having to miss the Boomers 1996 Olympic campaign due to post-season surgery on his left ankle and the subsequent recovery time required. Longley’s decision to withdraw from the Boomers Olympic team was one that gained huge negativity from fans, media and even his Boomers teammates.
Longley averaged 9 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in 1996-97 when the Bulls won their “repeat” championship and in 1997-98 he delivered his finest season ever, averaging 11 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in what would be his last for the Bulls where they a third championship.
After the 1997-98 season, Chicago did a sign-and-trade deal with Longley, sending him to the Phoenix Suns for Mark Bryant, Martin Müürsepp, Bubba Wells, and a conditional first-round draft pick. Longley’s play started to decline in Phoenix as injuries began taking their toll.
Longley would get his chance to redeem himself at the 2000 Olympics where he was truly the team’s biggest weapon. He averaged 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists for the Boomers and led them to a fourth-place finish again, equalling the Australian Men’s best performance ever at the Olympic games.
In 2000–01 he was traded to the New York Knicks in what was only the second four-team trade in NBA history. The Suns acquired Chris Dudley and a first-round draft pick from New York, while New York received Longley, Glen Rice, Travis Knight, Vladimir Stepania, Lazaro Borrell, Vernon Maxwell and two first-round draft picks (from the Los Angeles Lakers and the Seattle SuperSonics). As part of the trade Seattle received Patrick Ewing and the Lakers acquired Horace Grant, Greg Foster, Chuck Person and Emanual Davis.
Longley was able to play only one season with the Knicks before succumbing to a degenerative condition in his left ankle.
In 2006 Longley was inducted into Basketball Australia’s Hall of Fame in Melbourne and since 2013, Longley he been an assistant coach with the Australian men’s national basketball team.
Topics on the show include;
- 2:00 Luc points out how proud he is of his Boomers achievements, something which many often overlook.
- 6:30 Luc responds to the “flack” he received from deciding to not play for Australia in 1996
- 8:00 Memories on making the Boomers 1988 Olympic team
- 10:00 When did Luc realise he was good enough to make the NBA?
- 13:30 Michael Jordan, his attitude on winning and if Luc recommends instilling a similar mindset in young basketballers.
- 24:30 What happened to the basketball big man?
- 29:00 Why doesn’t the triangle offence work in today’s NBA?
- 34:00 What questions does Luc hate being asked by the media?
- 35:00 What does Luc wish he did more of during his NBA career.
- 43:00 How does Luc view his Boomers legacy.
- 45:00 Why Luc never played in the NBL.
All of this and a whole lot more…
Listen to the full interview below or download on iTunes.
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 | Episode 186: Will Weaver on the Sydney Kings 2019-20 season, COVID-19 and mental health |
 | Episode 185: Doug Overton (Illawarra Hawks) the first player to go from the NBL to the NBA |
 | Episode 184: Simon Mitchell on the South East Melbourne Phoenix debut season |
 | Episode 183: Perth Wildcats Trevor Gleeson reflects on Perth's 10th championship and roster plans for next season |
 | Episode 182: Dean Vickerman on United's semi-final loss, what he learned and what needs to change |
 | Episode 181: Adelaide 36ers GM Jeff Van Groningen talks Joey Wright, Twitter comments and the search for a new head coach |
 | Episode 180: Mike Kelly reviews the Cairns Taipans 2019-20 season |
 | Episode 179: Aussies in the NBA: Simmons stars in NBA All-Star game, Bolden heads to Phoenix and Broekhoff waived |
 | Episode 178: Dan Boyce on Kobe Bryant's death and his impact on Australia and Asia (via Al Jazeera TV) |
 | Episode 177: Ebi Ere talks 2004 Kings and 2007 Bullets NBL championships |
 | Episode 176: Shawn Dennis on the Townsville Crocodiles demise and basketball's growth in Japan |
 | Episode 175: Angus Brandt on leaving the Wildcats, Perth's 2019 title and playing in Italy |
 | Episode 174: Aussies in the NBA: Dante Exum traded to Cleveland, Ben Simmons DPOTY and Aron Baynes domination |
 | Episode 173: Brett Brown to replace Andrej Lemanis as Boomers coach but why all the hate? Also NZ Breakers issues and LaMelo Ball (again) |
 | Episode 172: Darryl McDonald (3x NBL Champion) talks Melbourne cross-town rivalries then and now |
 | Episode 171: Tasmania's NBL future determined in 60 days, difficulties replacing imports and Next Stars success |
 | Episode 170: LaMelo's free reign in Illawarra vs RJ Hampton helping New Zealand win, Bogut sledges Gaze and Ben Simmons racially vilified |
 | Episode 170: LaMelo Ball is hurting the Hawks & reviewing the SEM Phoenix marketing plan |
 | Episode 169: 2019-20 NBL Season and NBLxNBA games preview |
 | Episode 168: Canberra Cannons memories with former Coach Brett Flanigan |
 | Episode 167: Boomers Legend Tony Ronaldson on Australia's Semi-Final loss to Spain and bouncing back for a bronze medal game |
 | Episode 166: Australia beats USA: The week in review |
 | Episode 165: Boomers lose to Canada but that's no reason to panic |
 | Episode 164: Australia's FIBA World Cup Roster, Mitch Creek's Omission and Brisbane Bullets bias? |
 | Episode 163: Rob Beveridge on NBL's new TV deal, Ben Simmons Boomers omission and the Illawarra Hawks |
 | Episode 162: Chris Jent (North Melbourne Giants) on his NBL career and the Houston Rockets 1994 championship |
 | Episode 161: Basketball Australia's Paul Maley talks USA Vs Boomers, NZNBL and dissolving SEABL |
 | Episode 160: Darnell Mee on Adelaide's back to back titles (1998-99) and his NBA career |
 | Episode 159: Benny Lewis talks 1980's Melbourne Basketball and his 10 year NBL career |
Episode 158: Next Stars Program, Aussies in the NBA Draft and NBL Select Vs Team China |
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 | Episode 157: Dusty Rychart on the 2007 Brisbane Bullets championship and his NBL career |
Episode 156: Aussies In The NBA: 2018-19 Season Review |
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 | Episode 155: Explaining the NBL Next Stars Program and looking at Brian Bowen's NBA draft chances |
 | Episode 153: Former NBL import Mike Helms remembering the Hunter Pirates and Singapore Slingers |
 | Episode 152: Australia Basketball Hall Of Famer Ray Borner on the success of the Boomers from 1982-1996 and his NBL career |
Episode 151: AUSSIES IN THE NBA PODCAST: Simmons All-Star Weekend, Ingles shares autism story and Creek reaches the NBA dream |
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 | Episode 150: NBL Hall Of Famer Bob Turner discussing the current state the NBL |
 | Episode 149: Larry Abney on his time with Townsville, Cairns and now the LA Clippers coaching staff |
 | Episode 147: 1999 NBL MVP Steve Woodberry (Gold Coast Rollers, Brisbane Bullets, Sydney Kings) |
 | Episode 146: AUSSIES IN THE NBA PODCAST: Will Simmons and Butler work? Baynes 3-Point shooting and Ingles hot steak |
 | Episode 145: Former Sydney coach Bill Tomlinson on coaching in China and remembering the Kings Threepeat |
 | Episode 144: Cairns Coach Mike Kelly on rebuilding the Taipans roster and his two year plan for the team |
 | Episode 143: Leroy Loggins (NBL Hall Of Famer) on the Brisbane Bullets 1985 & 1987 championships and the 1992 Olympics |
 | Episode 142: 2018-19 Season Preview Podcast with NBL Legend Bruce Bolden |
 | Episode 141: NBL Blitz Recap feat. Cal Bruton, Leroy Loggins, Andrew Bogut, David Andersen and many more |
 | Episode 140: Bruce Bolden on South East Melbourne returning, 1992 NBL Finals & being a parent/coach to your child |
 | Episode 139: New Adelaide 36ers President Ken Cole on this year's roster and the Mitch Creek situation |
 | Episode 138: Daren Rowe (Geelong Supercats) the only man to record an NBL quadruple-double |
 | Episode 137: Sydney Kings GM Jeff Van Groningen talks Next Stars Program, Brian Bowen II and recruiting for 2018-19 |
 | Episode 136: The Southern Huskies plan to bring NBL basketball back to Tasmania |
 | Episode 135: NBL Expansion: A 9th team confirmed and a 10th soon to be announced. Aust. Basketball Hall Of Famer Bob Turner joins us to discuss. |
 | Episode 134: FIBA Basketbrawl: Andrew Gaze & Rhys Carter join the show to talk Australia Vs Phillipines |
 | Episode 133: Jerome Randle (Sydney Kings) on his NBL career so far... |
 | Episode 132: Darren Lucas (South East Melbourne Magic) talks about the Magic Vs Tigers rivalry of the 90s |
 | Episode 131: How the NBL is using Analytics with NZ Breakers Analytics Manager Andrew Price |
Episode 130: Aussies In The NBA 2017/18 Season Review |
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 | Episode 128: Adelaide 36ers rookies Jack McVeigh and Harry Froling |
 | Episode 127: Adelaide coach Joey Wright shares his plans to improve the 36ers roster |
 | Episode 126: Andrew Bogut signs with Sydney: Kings Legend Bob Turner looks at what this means for the NBL |
 | Episode 125: Cairns Taipans Kuany Kuany talks about Sudanese Australian Basketball |
Episode 124: Aussies In The NBA - Ben Simmons & Joe Ingles breaking NBA records |
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 | Episode 123: Will Weaver (Boomers Coach) on Boomers Vs USA at Etihad & NBL Finals |
 | Episode 122: Luc Longley on his Boomers Career, Michael Jordan's attitude and the Triangle Offence |
 | Episode 121: Hall of Famer Bob Turner on NBL expansion issues & the 90's era Sydney Kings |
Episode 120: Aussies In The NBA - Simmons Vs Mitchell ROY Race, Dante Exum's return and more |
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 | Episode 119: Lindsay Gaze on the NBL's origins and it's current need to expand |
 | Episode 118: FIBA Qualifiers Recap with Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis, and players Mitch Creek and Angus Brandt |
 | Episode 117: Lindsay Gaze A look at the history of the Australian Boomers |
 | Episode 116: Mitch McCarron Cairns Taipans & Australian Boomers guard |
 | Episode 115: Aussies In The NBA Simmons All-Star snub, Ingles Career Scoring Night & more |
 | Episode 114: Cam Gliddon Cairns Taipans & Australian Boomers |
 | Episode 113: Shawn Dennis (2016 NBL Coach of the Year) on developing culture in basketball teams |
| Episode 112: Aussies In The NBA Lakers release Bogut, Simmons set to be an All-Star |
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 | Episode 110: Rotnei Clark Illawarra Hawks |
 | Episode 109: Chris Anstey Playing in the NBA & his European experiances |
| Episode 108: Aussies In The NBA Recap (November) |
 | Episode 107: Would having AFL clubs enter the NBL really work? |
 | Episode 106: Ron Radliff Brisbane Bullets Legend Also features Aussies in the NBA (Sep) |
 | Episode 105: Bryce Cotton Perth Wildcats |
 | Episode 104: Kings GM Jeff Van Groningen The CEO responds to angry Kings fans |
 | Episode 103: How to become an NBA scout with Former Minnesota and Dallas scout Pete Philo |
 | Episode 102: NBL Season Kick-Off Show with Former Cairns Taipan Matt Smith |
 | Episode 101: NBL CEO Jeremy Loeliger Talking new NBL teams and expanding into Asia |
 | Episode 100: NBL Blitz Recap 2 feat. CJ Bruton, Mitch Creek, Darryl McDonald, Trevor Gleeson & more |
| Episode 99: NBL Blitz Recap 1 feat. Andrew Gaze, Kevin Lisch, Stephen Holt, Daniel Kickert & more |
 | Episode 98: Andre Moore Former Brisbane Bullets Import |
 | Episode 97: Melbourne United CEO Vince Crivelli & The Age's Roy Ward Melbourne's off-season recruiting success |
 | Episode 96: Jeff Van Groningen Sydney Kings Managing Director |
 | Episode 95: Andrew Gaze Coaching with the Indiana Pacers |
 | Episode 94: NBL Off-Season Update #3 With guest Boti Nagy (NBL Media Legend) |
 | Episode 93: Rashad Tucker (NBL Triple Double Record Holder) |
 | Episode 92: Rob Beveridge (Illawarra Coach) discusses AJ Ogilvy's Boomers omission and finding great imports |
 | Episode 91: NBL Off-Season Update #2 w/Aussie Hoopla Writers |
 | Episode 90: Paul Maley (WNBL GM & 1994 NBL Champion) |
 | Episode 89: BIGV 2017 Mid-Season Review With BigV Communications Coordinator Steve Chalmers |
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| Episode 87: NBL Off-Season Review Feat. Aussie Hoopla Writing Staff |
 | Episode 85: Andrew Gaze The Greatest Player in NBL History |
 | Episode 84: Dean Vickerman Melbourne United Head Coach |
 | Episode 83: Josh Childress Former Sydney Kings Import |
 | Episode 82: Ian Stacker (2x NBL Coach Of The Year) |
 | Episode 81: Jeremy Kendle Former Brisbane Bullets Import |
 | Episode 80: 2017 NBL Season review with Bruce Bolden and Clint Stiendl (Leuven Bears) |
| Episode 79: Jeremy Loeliger (NBL General Manager) |
 | Episode 78: Torrey Craig (Brisbane), Frank Drmic (SE Melb Magic) and Shawn Redhage Retires |
 | Episode 77: Thomas Abercombie (NZ Breakers) & Reggie Smith (Newcastle Falcons) |
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 | Episode 75: Greg Whittington (Sydney Kings) and Tim Coenraad (Illawarra Hawks) |
 | Episode 74: Mike Mitchell (Gold Coast Rollers) and Rhys Carter (2x NBL Champion) |
 | Episode 73: Charles Thomas (2001 NBL Champion) & Bruce Bolden |
 | Episode 72: Todd Lichti (Denver Nuggets) & Ben Madgen (Panevezys Lietkabelis) |
 | Episode 71: The Professor, AO and Bone Collector (Streetball Legends) |
 | Episode 70: Larry Kestelman (NBL Executive Director) & Bruce Bolden |
 | Episode 69: Andrew Vlahov (Perth Wildcats Legend) & Bruce Bolden |
 | Episode 68: Vince Crivelli (Melbourne United CEO) & Bruce Bolden |
 | Episode 67: Mike Kelly (2x NBL Defensive Player of the Year) |
 | Episode 66: Boomers Olympic Recap II - "Quarter-Finals Time" |
 | Episode 65: Boomers Beat France! Olympic Recap |
 | Episode 64: Rethinking The AIS Basketball Program with Ian Stacker and Phil Smyth |
 | Episode 63: Randy Livingston (200 Game NBA Veteran) |
 | Episode 62: Julian Khazzouh (Sydney Kings) |
 | Episode 61: Lanard Copeland (Melbourne Tigers Legend) |
 | Episode 60: Jason Cadee (Sydney Kings) |
 | Episode 59: John Rillie (Boise State Broncos Coach) |
 | Episode 58: Phil Smyth (Australian Basketball Legend) |
 | Episode 57: Joey Wright (Adelaide 36ers Coach) |
 | Episode 56: Jack White (Duke Blue Devil) |
 | Episode 55: Jamar Wilson (Former Cairns Taipans & Adelaide 36ers Import) |
 | Episode 54: Aaron Fearne (Cairns Taipans Coach) |
 | Episode 53: Kevin Lisch NBL MVP and Defensive Player of the Year |
 | Episode 52: Andrew Gaze (Greatest Player in NBL History) |
 | Episode 51: Shawn Dennis (Townsville Crocodiles Coach) |
 | Episode 50: Terry Dozier 3x NBL Defensive Player of the Year |
 | Episode 49: Chris Anstey 1996 SE Melbourne Magic Championship 20 Year Anniversary |
 | Episode 48: Kavossy Franklin 2003 NBL Champion |
 | Episode 47: Rob Honan Townsville Crocodiles GM |
 | Episode 46: Scott Fisher NBL Hall of Famer |
 | Episode 45: Corey "Homicide" Williams NBL & Streetball Legend |
 | Episode 44: Ryan Broekhoff Lokomotive Kuban |
 | Episode 43: Igor Hadziomerovic Melbourne United Rookie |
 | Episode 43: Building a Basketball League |
 | Episode 42: Bruce Bolden Sydney Kings & West Sydney Razorbacks Legend |
 | Episode 41: Nik Popovic NBL Strength and Conditioning Coach |
 | Episode 40: Chris Goulding Melbourne United |
 | Episode 39: Tony Ronaldson Winningest Player in NBL History |
 | Episode 38: Ricky Grace Perth Wildcats Legend |
 | Hyping the Hoopla "The $6 Million Question" |
 | Episode 37: Ben Madgen Sydney Kings Captain |
 | Episode 36: CJ Bruton 6 Time NBL Champion |
 | Episode 35: Adrian Hurley Basketball Australia Hall of Famer |
 | Episode 34: CJ Bruton 6 Time NBL Champion |
 | Episode 33: Stephen Jackson Sydney Kings Legend |
 | Episode 32: Isaac Burton Sydney Kings Legend |
 | Episode 31: Brett Maher Adelaide 36ers Legend |
 | Episode 30: Jacob Holmes & Rhys Carter discuss the NBL Points system |
 | Episode 29: Damian Martin Perth Wildcats Captain |
 | Episode 28: Shane Heal Australian Boomers Legend |
 | Episode 27: Darryl McDonald All-Time NBL Steals Leader |
 | Episode 26: Mark Bradtke The NBL's Greatest Big Man |
 | Episode 25: Cal Bruton NBL Hall of Famer |
 | Episode 24: Shawn Redhage Perth Wildcats |
 | Episode 23: Leon Trimmingham Sydney Kings Legend |
| Episode 22: Rob Beveridge Perth Wildcats Championship Coach |
 | Episode 21: Brian Goorjian The Greatest Coach in NBL history |
 | Hyping the Hoopla Ep. 7 "Bogut, Ubaka, Goorjian and more" |
 | Hyping the Hoopla Ep. 6 2013/14 NBL Season Preview Show |
 | Adelaide 36ers Feature Podcast with Willie Farley |
 | Episode 20: Brock Motum NBA Draft Prospect |
 | Episode 19: Acie Earl Former Sydney King & Iowa Hawkeye Legend |
 | Episode 18: Ater Majok LA Lakers Draft Pick |
 | Episode 17: Daniel Kickert Australian Boomers |
 | Episode 16: Chuck Harmison NBL General Manager |
 | Episode 15: John Rillie (Part 2) NBL Legend |
 | Episode 14: John Rillie (Part 1) NBL Legend |
 | Episode 13: Sedale Threatt (Part 2) LA Lakers Legend |
 | Episode 12: Sedale Threatt (Part 1) LA Lakers Legend |
 | Episode 11: Derek Rucker Future NBL Hall of Famer |
 | Hyping the Hoopla Basketball Podcast Ep. 4 “Selling Ice to Eskimos” |
 | Episode 10: Simon Kerle The Most Controversial NBL Player Ever |
 | Hyping the Hoopla LIVE PODCAST "First Ever LIVE Australian Basketball Podcast" |
 | Hyping the Hoopla Basketball Podcast Ep. 3 "Dream On" |
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 | Episode 8: Matthew Dellavedova Australian Boomers |
 | Episode 7: Corey "Homicide" Williams NBL & Streetball Legend |
| Hyping the Hoopla Basketball Podcast Ep. 2 "Asian Persuasion" |
 | Episode 6: Daryl Corletto New Zealand Breakers |
| Hyping the Hoopla Basketball Podcast Ep. 1 "The Debut" |
 | Episode 5: Rob Rose NBL Legend |
 | Episode 4: Adris DeLeon Gold Coast Blaze |
 | Episode 3: Mitch Creek Adelaide 36ers |
 | Episode 2: Daniel Dillon Melbourne Tigers |
 | Episode 1: Rhys Carter Former Adelaide 36er |
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
