The first Australian to win an NBA title and three championships
In short: Before the NBA became a global powerhouse, Luc Longley broke the ceiling for Australian basketball. From a high school standout in Perth to the center of the Chicago Bulls' historic three-peat, his journey from the Australian Institute of Sport to the world stage redefined what was possible for international talent.
Born in Melbourne in 1969, Longley was destined for height, standing 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m). His father, an architect, was also a high-level Australian basketball player who represented the country in two Olympic squads. Longley's path to the NBA was paved through the Australian Institute of Sport in the mid-1980s, where he formed a core trio with Mark Bradtke and Andrew Vlahov. This group would eventually become the nucleus of the Australian Boomers' front court for over a decade.
Drafted 7th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1991, Longley faced a slow start due to lengthy contract negotiations that kept him off the court for the first month of his rookie season. His career trajectory shifted dramatically in 1994 when he was traded to the Chicago Bulls. He quickly became a vital piece of the legendary 1995–96 team that set the NBA record with 72 wins. Under coach Phil Jackson, Longley secured three consecutive championships from 1996 to 1998, making him the first Australian to ever reach the pinnacle of the league.
Despite his success, Longley's career was marked by physical tolls and unique anecdotes. He missed the 1996 Olympics due to ankle surgery and spent two months sidelined in 1996–97 after dislocating his shoulder while body surfing. Interestingly, he noted that Michael Jordan personally called him during that recovery, urging him to return because the team lacked someone to set screens for him. He eventually retired due to a degenerative condition in his left ankle after a final stint with the New York Knicks.
Longley's legacy extends beyond the court into ownership and coaching. He served as an assistant coach for the Boomers from 2013 to 2019 and has held various ownership and advisory roles in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). His impact is cemented in multiple Halls of Fame, including the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2009, where he became only the fourth basketball player ever inducted.
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