‘The Tough Choice That Transformed Josh Giddey’s Journey in Footy’

Josh Giddey has shared insights about his journey to the NBA, including the tough choice he faced in his teenage years to abandon footy and pursue a career in basketball.

In a revealing interview set to air on Nine’s Wide World of Sports this Sunday, Giddey welcomes US sports reporter Brad Banks into his Chicago home.

During their conversation, they discuss his recent trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Chicago Bulls, his memorable buzzer-beater against LeBron James, and the pride he feels in representing Australia.

Giddey also reflects on his upbringing in Melbourne, where he, like many sporty kids from Victoria, enjoyed playing Aussie rules and cricket.

Giddey admitted that choosing not to play footy with his friends was a tough call.

“I was really into it – played like every kid does. I dabbled in various sports – cricket, footy, basketball,” he stated.

“When I reached around 15 or 16, and received a scholarship offer from the AIS, I was faced with a decision – basketball or footy. That’s when I chose my path.

“It wasn’t an easy decision. I loved footy and played with all my mates, but once I committed to basketball, I had to set footy aside.”

Though it turned out to be the right choice, just four years before, footy had seemed to be his preferred option.

While studying at St Kevin’s College, he even took a year off from basketball to concentrate on playing APS (Associated Public Schools of Victoria) footy, a well-known pathway for aspiring AFL stars.

However, once he committed to basketball, Giddey noted that his footy background proved valuable.

Watch the entire exclusive interview this Sunday on Wide World of Sports on Channel 9 and 9Now.

“It helped me anticipate where the ball would go. Some players have an innate sense… that ability to predict where the ball will bounce off the rim,” he elaborated.

“I’ve always had a knack for reading the ball, and I believe my footy experience significantly contributed to that.

“Understanding the dynamics of the packs and predicting the bounce, especially considering the unique shape of the oval ball, has definitely aided my rebounding skills.”

Wide World of Sports is scheduled for 10am in Sydney and Brisbane, and midday AEST for Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth.