Gael Force: Why Luke Fennell's ready to shine at Saint Mary's
After playing sparingly at Syracuse, a fresh start awaits one of Australia's most gifted young talents. Could he be one of .
Photo credit: FIBA
Observing an otherwise empty gym in Adelaide, there’s mostly silence as Luke Fennell stands at the arc of a three-point line, save for one sound on repeat.
Swish, bounce. Swish, bounce. Swish, bounce.
The loop continues as the supremely talented 20-year-old rinses and repeats, catching, shooting, and resetting his feet as he’s fed the ball. Fennell’s long frame is far from filled out, but he moves with a steady grace and calculated control. He’s light on his feet, able to easily shift his body in motion, and has the kind of sweet stroke that just looks right.
“I can shoot it. I can really shoot it. That’s my main thing,” he explains at the end of his workout.
It’s not a brag, a boast, or even bravado. Fennell is undoubtedly one of the most gifted young snipers in Australia. It’s why he was signed by South-East Melbourne as a teenager, and recruited to the powerhouse that is Syracuse to play collegiately.
It’s also why Saint Mary’s - arguably the most potent pipeline for Australians within the NCAA - were desperate to land the young star when he hit the transfer portal earlier this year. After only playing sparingly at Syracuse, a lot of casual observers might have slept on Fennell.
Could he be the next Australian star to come out of Moraga, California?
