Crows cross-code rookie Indy Cotton says training under the guidance of NBL great Steph Curry is a sporting memory he’ll never forget but has no regrets swapping a potential basketball career for footy.

Cotton, who Adelaide picked up as a Category B rookie, was a highly talented junior basketballer and was fresh off spending a week in China with Curry upon joining the Crows.

Speaking to AFC Media, Cotton described Curry as a down-to-earth man, who he had learnt a lot from during the week.

He said he was grateful for the experience with Curry but joining the Crows was an opportunity too good to pass up.

“Training with Steph Curry over in China was a dream come true, getting to meet one of the people you’ve looked up to your whole life,” Cotton said.

“It was pretty good learning from Steph, he’s a pretty personable guy, so being able to talk to him one-on-one was pretty cool.

“I learnt heaps of stuff about his preparation and training, and just what he does after training. I talked to him about life, which was really cool.

“I resisted going to college and came here, it was a big decision… But I think the connections I had at the Crows and the people here and my love for footy was massive.”

Cotton, 18, grew up playing junior footy in SA with Golden Grove, and was an avid Crows supporter, despite his dad, Jarrod, being on Port Adelaide’s inaugural list and playing four AFL games for the Power.

It was when Jarrod, who was an assistant with the Crows from 2014-2016, became an academy coach at the Suns that his son transitioned into basketball.

“I played (footy) all the way through under-16 state, then dad got the job to move up to the Gold Coast with the Suns, so we moved up there, and I was fortunate enough to get a scholarship for the Centre of Excellence down in Canberra,” Cotton said.

“That’s when football came to a bit of a halt, and I pursued (basketball) as far as I could, but I ended up coming back to footy.

“I come from a massive football family, and everyone was made Crows supporters growing up, especially because they were the first Adelaide team in the competition.

“Dad happened to be drafted to Port, which was great, he loved it there and had no ill feelings there, but it’s pretty cool when you look back and think that I get to live this out and play for the Crows.”

Despite having not played football for a few years, Cotton said there were many transferable skills which was helping him transition back.

But said his running capacity would be a work in progress.

“My marking and my aerial work are massive for me, and my skills and decision making are also big ones, and obviously I can grow and get better,” Cotton said.

“I’m working on the running - that’s a bit different to basketball, but that will come.

“In 2026, I’d love to play, that’s the main goal. But just for me, getting back into and continuing to build on what I’ve been good at, and areas of improvement, then the rest will take care of itself.”

For more from our in-depth chat with Cotton, head to the Club’s YouTube here.