How Good Is Brock Motum

Young giants aren’t supposed to boast the skill set Aussie Brock Motum does. That’s why US college scouts signed him up.

A tower of strength at the basket. image: Getty images

Brock Motum is poised to become the next big thing in Australian basketball. At 18 years of age, he’s 205cm tall and weighs 98kg. He can shoot, dribble and rip down boards at will. The Brisbane-born prodigy is aiming high, and why shouldn’t he? He’s just confirmed he’s on his way to the US collegiate Pacific-10 super-conference in the United States’ west. He’ll line up for the Washington State University Cougars in a competition many consider faster and tougher than the NBA.

Brock Who?

Motum is a quiet but determined athlete who knows exactly what he wants. In the second year of an AIS scholarship, his game has reached an electrifying level. The self-described “power forward with small forward skills” has played in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) for the past two seasons. In 2008 he took out the Southern Conference under-21 Youth Player of the Year, an award previously won by Andrew Bogut and Patrick Mills.

His speed, skills and ability to knock down a long-range jumper make him a handful for opposing defences. In a game recently against the Dandenong Rangers, Motum scored 32 points, shooting 10/10 from the field and 12/14 from the stripe. Numbers like these first caught the attention of Cougar scouts in 2007. Since then, potential has become performance, with consistently outstanding form for his club, state and country. Washington State scouts were ecstatic to secure his signature in November 2008.

Washington State is a proud institution and the buzz surrounding the lanky Australian is reaching fever pitch. Websites and chat forums indicate Cougar fans can’t wait for Motum to arrive. It’s a lot of pressure for an 18-year-old, but he’s taking it all in his stride. “You’re going to play against an NBA player [of the future] every night. So to play against the best gives you that benchmark as to know where you’re at and where you have to be,” says Motum.

Who’s he like?

Chris Bosh of the Toronto Raptors is a fine example of where Motum should aim to be in five years’ time. Bosh is the premier left-handed power forward in the NBA. His similar body type and playing style to the Australian has made him a superstar. Motum knows he needs to fill-out and muscle-up to become an influential match-winner like Bosh, but, at 18, time is on his side and, scarily, he still has plenty of growing to do. Bosh’s ability to score heavily, yet bring team-mates into the game, mirrors Motum’s versatility as a big man who can create. Players like these are a coach’s dream and being a southpaw only adds to their exclusivity.

Motum is like a brick wall. image: Australian Sports Commission

Unusually, Motum doesn’t follow basketball fanatically. He does have a favourite player in Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks, but prefers to develop his own unique style. “I try to take bits and pieces from things I see in people … I’m 205cm and I can shoot and I can dribble and not many people my height can do that … It’s pretty hard to model myself on anyone because there are not many people in the world who can do that sort of stuff, so I just try to be creative and original,” says Motum.

What’s his story?

Motum has been playing basketball since the age of seven. Like most Aussie kids, his devoted parents used to shuttle him to games and training all over the state. The love and support from his folks, paired with valuable guidance from junior coach Penny Bairstow, encouraged Motum to develop his skills and persist. They recognised something special in their boy, a judgement that’sbeen well and truly vindicated.

Motum made his first State team at 15 and in turn was invited to numerous training camps at the AIS. As young hopefuls were gradually cut, he continued to shine. At 16 he was offered a scholarship, which he eagerly accepted. Playing in the SEABL against the “men” was essential in the young man’s growth. A scintillating debut season was rewarded with selection in the under-19 Australian Emus squad.

The Emus travelled to Germany in April 2008 for the prestigious Albert Schweitzer Tournament, a renowned launch pad for future stars. It was here that Motum played his first international minutes and fuelled his boyhood desire to one day play for the Boomers. He also visited Taiwan with the Australian team for the William Jones Cup in July and capped off a remarkable year by touring Italy with the AIS.

In May, Basketball Australia announced its team for the July 2009 FIBA Under-19s World Championships in Auckland. Motum was one of the first picked and lead the scoring as the Emus finished fourth, improving on their fifth in 2007. The tournament had been a long-term goal for the Queenslander and he was keen to repay the faith shown in him by coach Marty Clarke.

The month of May brought Motum another unexpected surprise when he was named in the new-look Boomers squad. Since the departure of guru Brian Goorjian, Basketball Australia has gambled on youth to ignite some passion and carry the struggling game forward in this country. Motum was thrilled with his selection and is looking forward to continuing his rapid development while training with the squad.

Brock Motum. Image: Aus Sport Image Library

June and July made previous months look almost pedestrian for Motum; with an Emus tour to France, a World Championships warm-up tournament in Melbourne (Motum was named MVP) and of course those Under-19s Worlds in New Zealand. Next on his list is a Boomers camp, AIS graduation and finally he’s off to college. The kid is ready. Bring it on.

What’s the drama?

In late March this year, the man responsible for recruiting Motum to Washington, head coach Tony Bennett, resigned and accepted a position at the University Of Virginia. This was a bombshell for Cougar players, fans and especially the Motum family. It threw Brock’s plans into chaos and ignited speculation that he and the other draftees would ask to be released from their letter of commitment. The story was massive news in the States, with daily updates of Motum’s movements splashed all over the web and ESPN.

Bennett’s decision caused a lot of anxiety for Motum and his family. Washington State was fully aware of the ripple effect Bennett’s departure would cause and moved swiftly to appoint highly-credentialled coach Ken Bone to the vacant role. Such was the urgency to secure Motum that within weeks of signing, Bone and his assistant were on a plane to Australia to meet Motum and his parents. The meeting went well and the rest is history. Motum is a Cougar and well on his way.

– Adam Pearson

What do they Say?

“Brock is a gifted athlete with the ability to cause match-up problems due to his array of skills, his size and his athletic ability. He has huge margins for improvement. He’s capable of becoming a great rebounder and has the length and athleticism to be a versatile defender.”

– AIS and Australian Under-19s Emus coach Marty Clarke

“He’s very mobile – a really lively, active player who has some skill and can play multiple positions. And a real unselfish player who can score.”

– Former Washington State coach Tony Bennet