Angus Glover on the Nike Hoop Summit and bypassing college to turn pro
2017 has been a big a big year so far for the talented and explosive Angus Glover. It is set to get even bigger.
The 6'4 starting guard for the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence (CoE) is headed to Portland, Oregon for the 20th edition of the 2017 Nike Hoop Summit. Following the event he will then return to Australia and look to turn professional after his season with the CoE in the SEABL.
"I just can't wait to get on the plane and get over there and show what I can do," explained Glover in speaking with The Pick and Roll.
The annual Nike Hoop Summit features the USA Junior National Select Team taking on a World Select Team in a one-game contest to be played on 7 April (8 April, Australian time). The best high school seniors from across the USA face off against the best basketball players from around the world who are 19 years old or younger. The USA will be looking to improve its all-time 13-6 record in the event.
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Glover's excitement at being invited to the event was obvious, but he was very focused on just one thing; teamwork.
"I know that I am going to have to play hard and give it my all," shared Glover. "For me, it is not about scoring points. It's about showing what I can do against some of the best players [for their age] in the world, and that means focusing on teamwork."
"It is all about the team, and our focus is on beating the USA. I will be looking to make my team mates better, and I will do whatever it takes."
As a development player with the Illawarra Hawks, Glover not only received a taste of what playing professional basketball is like, he was part of a team that almost secured the NBL Championship. Demonstrating experience and maturity he dominated the U20 National Championships for his home state of New South Wales, going on to average 18.5 points and 3.17 steals per game, including a eye-catching 28-point performance against Western Australia.
While Glover also played an important role for Australia in their 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship campaign, when combined with his recent experiences, the dynamic play-marker is poised to announce himself on the world stage.
"I'm really looking forward to playing alongside R.J. Barrett (Montverde Academy) from Canada," explained Glover. "He had a big 2016 FIBA U17 World Championships and it would be fun to play with him."
"I am also looking to go up against a strong USA side, especially Trevon Duval - I think he is currently the number 1 ranked point guard in US high school. That would be a good challenge and one I look forward to."
The USA will boast a star-studded roster boasting 11 players who have won at least one gold medal in international competition, three of which have earned two international gold medals. All 12 players are currently ranked inside the top 23 players in the 2017 ESPN 100.
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Glover was also acutely aware of the significance of his participation in such a prestigious event, one that has seen 70 former USA players and 38 former World Team members active in the NBA as of December 2016, nearly one-quarter of the entire league. In addition, a total of 199 Hoop Summit alumni have been drafted professionally, including current Australian NBA stars Patty Mills (Spurs), Dante Exum (Jazz) and Ben Simmons (76ers).
Adelaide 36ers star recruit Terrance Ferguson shone at the 2016 event, scoring 21 points in leading the USA to a convincing 101-67 win over a World Team featuring Australians Harry Froling and William McDowell-White.
"This is such a massive opportunity for me," said Glover. "I just need to get over there, do a great job, focus on being a great team player and the results will come."
Like Ferguson with the Adelaide 36ers last season, Glover advised that he was also turning professional, choosing to bypass college and look for an opportunity in the NBL at home in Australia.
"I'm planning on staying in Australia and playing in the NBL for now," advised Glover.
"I have not yet decided on where I will play, but I am looking at that now. I am currently a free agent."
Glover's decision overturns his April 2016 commitment to play at Saint Mary's and bucks the trend of Australian talent playing in US College basketball. It was a decision that Glover did not make lightly, advising that it was the right decision for him, confirming he would play out the current SEABL season with the CoE.
Glover's immediate focus is on playing with the CoE and the Nike Hoop Summit. He also has more than just talent and good form behind him; he also has the right attitude and a positive frame of mind.
USA Junior National Select Team
Wendell Carter Jr. (Pace Academy/Fairburn, Ga.)
Kevin Knox II (Tampa Catholic H.S./Riverview, Fla.)
Gary Trent Jr. (Prolific Prep Academy, Calif./Burnsville, Minn.)
Troy Brown Jr. (Centennial H.S./Las Vegas, Nev.)
Jaren Jackson Jr. (La Lumiere School/Carmel, Ind.)
Collin Sexton (Pebblebrook H.S./Mableton, Ga.)
Jarred Vanderbilt (Victory Prep Academy/Houston, Texas)
Mohamed Bamba (Westtown School, Pa./New York, N.Y.)
Quade Green (Neumann-Goretti H.S./Philadelphia, Pa.)
Michael Porter Jr. (Nathan Hale H.S./Seattle, Wash.)
M.J. Walker (Jonesboro H.S./Riverdale, Ga.)
Trevon Duval (IMG Academy, Fla./New Castle, Del.)
World Select Team
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Hamilton Heights Christian Academy, TN/*Kentucky) - Canada
Lindell Wigginton (Oak Hill Academy, VA/*Iowa State) - Canada
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Hamilton Heights Christian Academy, TN/*Virginia Tech) - Canada
Angus Glover G 6-4 180 18 (Illawara Hawks, Free Agent) - Australia
Tadas Sedekerskis (Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz, Spain) - Lithuania
R.J. Barrett (Montverde Academy, FL) - Canada
Kostja Mushidi (BC Mega Leks, Serbia) - Germany
Borisa Simanic (Crvena Zvezda, Serbia) - Serbia
Isaiah Hartenstein (Zalgiris Kaunas, Lithuania) - Germany
Felipe Dos Anjos (Oviedo, Spain) - Brazil
Nick Richards (The Patrick School, NJ/*Kentucky) - Jamaica
Ikechukwu Obiagu (Greenforest Christian Academy, GA/#Florida State) - Nigeria