Swans trial US college basketballer, Alex Starling.

**Reggi** · 30th January 2012, 07:29 AM

I found a link from a scouting link which ranked his attributes as a drafting rank.

Anyway he looked to be two thirds of the way down, I presume too lowly ranked to have any chance of being drafted. Basketball is a very different sport though

**jono2707** · 30th January 2012, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by Velour&Ruffles

Yes, I think we should go after the next likely #1 draft NBA pick. l'm sure playing an unknown sport for rookie pay on the other side of the world will be far more appealing than earning $20 million a year for playing the sport they love at home.

Gee and I thought Kobe and LeBron would be just busting to play for us.........................

**Cheer Squad** · 30th January 2012, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by FootyontheBrain

Alex was identified by one of Roosy's stateside connections. He did some preliminary workouts in Florida with former US Revolution FF Matt Dainauski. I think Matt introduced Alex to the Squids.

Thanks for the answer.

**aardvark** · 30th January 2012, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by jono2707

Gee and I thought Kobe and LeBron would be just busting to play for us.........................

Just stick em in the square and kick it long................

**DeadlyAkkuret** · 30th January 2012, 07:23 PM

Kobe would just keep trying to take shots from outside the 50.

**ScottH** · 9th February 2012, 08:10 AM

Found this email from a few weeks ago in our feedback emails:

Originally Posted by Dan Ryan

I was Alexander Starling's publicist at Bethune-Cookman University and wanted to thank everyone for the interest. Our traffic from Australia has been amazing -- Alex' page is more popular than our football site this week.

G'Day Mate: Former B-CU Star Starling To Play Australian Football - Bethune-Cookman Official Athletic Site

**wolftone57** · 9th February 2012, 12:16 PM

Is he out here training with the boys or at the Academy yet?

**Quiet_Observer** · 9th February 2012, 10:48 PM

Starling’s startling move - NCAA.com

"ARF is more of a finesse sport where rugby is more strength. The rules are different. The playing field is different. More skills in ARF instead of outmuscling the other guy. Skills, endurance. Everything. But I have been through all that."

**Old Royboy** · 9th February 2012, 11:01 PM

Guess we'll see him in July after he graduates. But I would think he has been given a training regime to get the aeobic fitness up. Those big Afro-Yanks excel in athletic / power sports, but their ability to combine that with endurance is unknown because most American sport stops every other minute for an ad break.

**Bas** · 11th February 2012, 10:07 AM

I wrote in a post last year (couldn't find it after searching and I can't remember the game) but at the Reserves Lakeside game, pre main game there was a Father and Son U.S Basketballer types that Swans Officials were taking around. So if it wasn't him it was someone else. They had tracksuits on with reference to a U.S University.

**Primmy** · 11th February 2012, 12:14 PM

Actually I remember that (happy new year btw Bas). We did a bit of a confer and whattha at the time....I forgot. You gonna make the Friday intraclub game?

**Big Al** · 11th February 2012, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by Bas

I wrote in a post last year (couldn't find it after searching and I can't remember the game) but at the Reserves Lakeside game, pre main game there was a Father and Son U.S Basketballer types that Swans Officials were taking around. So if it wasn't him it was someone else. They had tracksuits on with reference to a U.S University.

I remember you pointing them out at the game Bas. I would say it was Alex and his old man having a look around.