Let’s Bounce: Aussie Basketballer Quits NBL To Join AFL

Boom-shacka-lacka.

Perth Wildcats guard Hugh Greenwood is travelling… far from basketball.

The 23-year-old Tasmanian was recruited by the Wildcats back in June, following four seasons of college ball at the University of New Mexico. He had also represented Australia as a member of the Boomers.

Though his future in basketball looked bright, Greenwood has done a 180 and decided to leave the sport entirely, instead seeking a career in Aussie Rules football. (In fairness, Greenwood played football as a junior before trying basketball on for size.)

According to Fox Sports, Adelaide’s AFL team is the likeliest place for Greenwood to land.

The Wildcats were only told of Greenwood’s plans at 4:30pm on Thursday.

The team let Greenfield out of his contract three years early, though not without a slight bit of annoyance on their end, as expressed by Wildcats managing director Nick Marvin at a press conference.

"Whilst he leaves with our best wishes, it does require us to revise our recruiting strategy immediately,” he said.

“We made numerous decisions based on his commitment to us, so we are disappointed to lose him.

"However, the Wildcats family has always dealt well with adversity and this occasion will be no different."

Photo from Hugh Greenwood's Instagram account.