Los Angeles Laker Nick Young could be playing for another team soon if word about his alleged interest to be part of the Australian National Team prospers.
Of course, it does not necessarily follow that Young would be playing there full time. He could still suit up for the Lakers or any other team (provided he does not get traded soon) and then don the Australian colors during event like the FIBA World.
For that to happen, Young would have to undergo the naturalization process. It is something that Andray Blatche of the Philippines underwent to play in a naturalized player capacity.
Such could be possible considering the Aussies could put him to good use. If all goes well, he could end up playing alongside another NBA player, Andrew Bogut.
Why the sudden interest? Well Young has been known to come up with crazy ideas and seeing that he is engaged to Iggy Azalea, the possibility has popped up.
The idea of playing for the Australian team started out something as an option but according to a report from TMZ, Young’s representatives were officially inquiring about ‘Swaggy P’ possibly playing for the national squad.
But for that to happen, the process could be a lengthy one. Young would have to start by living for an extended period of time in Australia which could come pose some problems with his NBA tenure.
Now aside from that, there is no guarantee that Young would be a shoe-in to make the team.
"He would be considered for selection on MERIT like everybody else," according to TMZ Sports.
Young is set to marry Azalea next year and made his first trip to the country recently. From the looks of it, Young may have fallen in love instantly which resulted in the whole Australian national team bit.
According to a report from Fox Sports, however, Basketball Australia explains that citizenship cannot be granted to marriage alone.
“You become a permanent resident and you need to be a permanent resident for three years before you can apply for citizenship,” according to Basketball Australia.
So the whole process of possibly playing for the Boomers could take a while. If Young is indeed dead-serious, it could happen but not immediately.
Young’s inclusion could be a big boost to the Australian team, seeing a lot of Aussies strutting their wares in the NBA. But another point that could be up for debate would be Young’s age.
He is already 30 and depending on the length of the process, his age could be a deciding factor when it comes to who head coach Andrej Lemanis would pick to comprise the team.
So will he eventually don the Aussie colors? If we are to take the word of Basketball Australia, that won’t happen until after three years – the period of residency Swaggy P has to satisfy.
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