Which Crow could lay claim to being the ‘Kobe’ of West Lakes?

Kobe Bryant walked off the Staples Center for the last time this week, signaling the end of one of the greatest NBA careers of all time.

Bryant won five NBA Championship rings with the Los Angeles Lakers, was twice named the NBA’s Finals MVP and was crowned the competition’s overall Most Valuable Player in 2008 as part of a long list of achievements from his 20-year career in the sport.

There aren’t many athletes in the world who could stand up alongside Bryant’s decorated basketball career, but several current Crows boast their own bit of history with the round ball.

Hugh Greenwood unsurprisingly heads the list. The former Australian Boomer trialed with the Utah Jazz last year and carved out an impressive collegian career with the University of New Mexico Lobos, where he won five college championships.

Josh Jenkins was a national representative at U19 level and even toured America. He later signed with NBL’s Townsville Crocodiles and played with the Mount Gambier Pioneers in the SEABL before switching sports.


Josh Jenkins from his days with the Townsville Crocs

Ricky Henderson played as a skilful Point Guard with the Ballarat Miners and sparked interest from AFL recruiters, including Adelaide’s Hamish Ogilvie, while attending a NBL talent camp. His ability to find space and navigate through traffic on the footy field can be credited to his early days as a basketballer.

Ruckman Sam Jacobs has the height required to make it as a big-time basketballer. The average height of players in the NBA hovers around 79 inches (200cm), so ‘Sauce’ would fit in perfectly standing 202cm tall. Jacobs is a huge Adelaide 36ers fan and follows the NBL and NBA with intense interest. He even showed his prowess on the court in our recent Player v Coach challenge.

Tom Doedee represented Vic Country at the U18 Australian Basketball Championships and was hunting down a US basketball scholarship before committing to football. The talented teen could give his new Crows teammates a run for their money on the court.

Eddie Betts and Cam Ellis-Yolmen also fancy themselves as handy basketballers and may spring a few surprises. Both catch up on occasion with former Crow and close friend Andrew McLeod to shoot hoops as an escape from the weekly footy routine. Betts seems well suited to a role as a speedy Point Guard, while Ellis-Yolmen likes them from long range so could start as a Shooting Guard.

Speaking of McLeod, he'd have to be a contender just purely based on looks alone. We're sure he'd be more than handy on a basketball court too with his electric pace and sweet sidestep.

Who do you think would be the king of court at the Crows?

Two champions of their sports - Andrew McLeod and Kobe Bryant