Five years ago Patrick Mills became just the second indigenous player to be drafted for basketball's ultimate competition, the NBA.
But he could have easily been plying his trade in the AFL - after all, Mills was being considered by the Sydney Swans.
“Paul Roos said ‘do you know Patty Mills? We are thinking of drafting him and getting him to play for the Swans’,” AFL Premiership winner Michael O'Loughlin said.
“Little did I know how great a player he would turn out to be.”
The AFL let Mills slip through their grasp, a feeling the Spurs star can relate to after he narrowly missed out on securing a first Championship 13 months ago.
The short term heartache proved to be just the drive he needed.
“Being seconds away and having it snatched out of our hands made this year's title even more special,” Mills said.
Since winning the title in June it has been a white knuckle ride for the boy from Canberra.
There's been shoulder surgery, a new deal believed to be worth more than $10 million over three years and a tour across Australia with that shiny trophy.
Sidelined for seven months, he is only just starting to understand they key role he has to play as an ambassador for young kids all over Australia.
San Antonio is home to the 25-year-olf for now, but Australia's national league isn't off limits in the future.
“You never rule it out,” he said.
“This is what I am about - promoting my indigenous heritage, but also basketball in Australia.”
The point guard has a blueprint to do just that - captain the Boomers to glory at the Rio Olympics.
With another two Australians drafted into the NBA this year, it is possible that he has the support to do it.
“A medal is not out of reach,” he said. “It can be achievable, especially with the new young guys coming through.”
It would have been hard to imagine an NBA title when he was drafted five seasons ago, but now Mills knows anything is possible and he wants to share that success with his countryman.
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