Aussie Condon shines as Gators claim US college crown
Sebastian Tan |
NBA prospect Alex Condon has become the first Australian basketballer to play in and win the US national college championship.
Condon’s Florida Gators defeated the Houston Cougars 65-63 in a nail-biter in San Antonio on Monday (Tuesday AEST) to claim their first March Madness title since 2007.
The 210cm giant became the highest-scoring Australian in a national championship final, recording 13 rebounds, 12 points and four turnovers.
His coach Todd Golden also became the youngest coach to win the championship since 1983, aged 39.
“We did what we did all year – we stayed the course,” said Golden. “Like we did all year, we made plays when we needed it the most.”
Florida overcame a 12-point second-half deficit, capitalising on Houston’s low field-goal percentage (34.8 per cent) and high foul count (19).
In the final play of the game, Houston’s Emanuel Sharp leapt to make a three but Walter Clayton Jr outstretched his arms and the Cougar let go of the ball.
Condon dived on it as the siren sounded, a moment he said felt dreamlike.
“I just dived on it and hearing the buzzer go, it didn’t feel real. It was a great defensive play by Walt (Clayton Jr),” the 20-year-old said.
“We got in a huddle at one point and said ‘We’re good, no one’s stressing out.’
“We have elite confidence in those situations. We seem to be in those situations alot.
“We were great down the stretch, and we played hard defensively. I think we had nine stops towards the end of the game.
“It was a team effort to get this win. It’s crazy.”
Three successful free throws in the final 46 seconds saw the Gators overturn Houston’s lead to win.
Will Richard (18 points, 15 rebounds), Walter Clayton Jr (seven points, 11 assists) and Denzel Aberdeen (seven points) all starred alongside the West Australian for Florida.
Houston’s LJ Cryer finished with 19 points, but it was not enough as the Cougars’ 42-year national championship drought continues.
The last time an Australian appeared in the national championship was in 2004 when Luke Schenscher’s Georgia Tech lost to Connecticut 82-73.
Andrew Gaze was the first Australian to play in the March Madness final in 1989.
After producing a memorable defensive performance against Michigan, his Seton Hall side went down 80-79 in overtime.
Cairns Taipans’ Kody Stattmann was the last Australian to win the national championship in 2019, after Mangok Mathiang won the vacated title in 2013, but neither appeared in their finals.
AAP
