You could not script a story like the story of Angus Glover. It's the ultimate story of triumph over adversity.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
''My dream is to grow up and to play for the Hawks. It's been my dream since I was two," a 10-year-old Angus Glover told the Illawarra Mercury in 2009.
This was a comment from a story in which young Angus was receiving a jersey from then Hawks captain and now general manager Mat Campbell as part of the Save the Hawks campaign.
\That young kid, a floor wiper for Hawks home games, would grow up to be one of most promising junior basketballers in the country.
His talents were being recognised internationally. He was chosen to play in the World Select team at the Nike Hoop Summit, a path taken by Australian NBA stars such as Ben Simmons and Dante Exum. Yet fate played a cruel hand.
Three knee reconstructions would have stopped any other ordinary human being in their tracks but it didn't stop Angus. With the injuries behind him, Angus finally got his chance to play in his rookie NBL season for his beloved Hawks this summer. He had a terrific season which led to selection for the Australian Boomers for this week's Asia Cup qualifiers.
Now the kid from the Gong is a Boomer and he looked right at home at international level. By his side on Thursday night were two people who have been by his side through all the literal blood sweat and tears, mum Mandy and dad Al.
Heck, his dad even gave his son part of his hamstring which now doubles as the tendon in his talented son's knee, a point raised on the national telecast by sporting broadcaster and Wollongong's best known cafe dishwasher Matt Russell. Matt and Cindy Russell run Wollongong's All Good Things Cafe. Al is now claiming to be part Boomer.
His mother had always reinforced to her son during his recovery that his injuries "didn't define him".
At the same time a year ago, Angus Glover had not played a game of basketball in two years. He had not even taken part in any five-aside training. And now, at just 21, he's back and representing his country at a national senior level.
Angus Glover is one of best sporting stories the Illawarra has ever seen. Yet the most beautiful thing is we are only really at the foreword. Bring on the next chapters.
Juilan O'Brien is the editor of the Illawarra Mercury
