Alex Condon (Future Cat B Candidate?)
- Thread starter Copeland
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COLLINGWOOD has won the race for 212cm basketball talent Alex Condon, who has nominated the Magpies as his preferred club as a potential category B rookie signing.
But it will see a unique arrangement for the West Australian talent, who has decided that the Magpies will be his first choice under the rookie rules should his pursuit of an NBA career end.
Condon featured for Western Australia at the under-18 championships in mid-2021 and played for Claremont in the WAFL. He had been projected as a potential early first-round pick at last year's draft given his size and athleticism before deciding on basketball.
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The 18-year-old has accepted a scholarship with the University of Florida for his basketball talents and will forge ahead with that having recently participated in the Australian under-20 junior championships as he focuses on his basketball.
It was there where a number of AFL clubs – including Collingwood, Sydney and Geelong – were in attendance watching Condon, who was eligible for the draft in 2022 but chose later in 2021 to stop playing footy so he could focus on basketball.
West Coast had also flagged an interest, with Hawthorn also in the mix throughout. Condon had considered nominating for the AFL draft last year and allowing a club to pick him up while he focused on his basketball, but chose against it.
The decision would allow him to be listed by the Magpies once his three-year stint not playing football at any level has passed, as per category B rookie rules. That three-year time would have been reached in mid-2024.
Category B rookie rules allow clubs to pay players outside of the salary cap until they start playing games at the top level. It would be a similar arrangement to what was seen with Richmond and the Tigers' category B rookie Mate Colina, who played basketball in the US, should Condon decide to head down the category B pathway.
Condon's call to choose the Pies as his potential landing spot was also shaped by coach Craig McRae's influence in Mason Cox's development, with the American import having been a category B success story.
But it will see a unique arrangement for the West Australian talent, who has decided that the Magpies will be his first choice under the rookie rules should his pursuit of an NBA career end.
Condon featured for Western Australia at the under-18 championships in mid-2021 and played for Claremont in the WAFL. He had been projected as a potential early first-round pick at last year's draft given his size and athleticism before deciding on basketball.
DRAFT HUB Click here for the latest draft news
The 18-year-old has accepted a scholarship with the University of Florida for his basketball talents and will forge ahead with that having recently participated in the Australian under-20 junior championships as he focuses on his basketball.
It was there where a number of AFL clubs – including Collingwood, Sydney and Geelong – were in attendance watching Condon, who was eligible for the draft in 2022 but chose later in 2021 to stop playing footy so he could focus on basketball.
West Coast had also flagged an interest, with Hawthorn also in the mix throughout. Condon had considered nominating for the AFL draft last year and allowing a club to pick him up while he focused on his basketball, but chose against it.
The decision would allow him to be listed by the Magpies once his three-year stint not playing football at any level has passed, as per category B rookie rules. That three-year time would have been reached in mid-2024.
Category B rookie rules allow clubs to pay players outside of the salary cap until they start playing games at the top level. It would be a similar arrangement to what was seen with Richmond and the Tigers' category B rookie Mate Colina, who played basketball in the US, should Condon decide to head down the category B pathway.
Condon's call to choose the Pies as his potential landing spot was also shaped by coach Craig McRae's influence in Mason Cox's development, with the American import having been a category B success story.
Jen2310
Premium Platinum
clearly doesn't think this will lead to the NBA. Was projected a top 5 pick last year
manicmagpie
A slice of fried gold
About time we got a player with a basketball background.
Interesting situation because no doubt all of his eggs will be in the NBA basket in trying to make that eventuate, but obviously he's no dead certainty or this wouldn't have seen light of day.
With that in mind I hope he's going to spend at least some time honing his AFL craft and doesn't show up day 1 running around like a baby giraffe.
With that in mind I hope he's going to spend at least some time honing his AFL craft and doesn't show up day 1 running around like a baby giraffe.
Jen2310
Premium Platinum
going by his WAFL stats. Ruck
I imagine we make him into a forward/ruck
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manicmagpie
A slice of fried gold
I feel bad hoping that a young guy's dream of making it in the NBA completely flops. But I'm going to do it anyway.
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Even better than that - he is fast tracking his football development by spending 4 years at college in the States playing basketball. This will improve his footy way more than playing back here.
barrackers
Brownlow Medallist
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Another tick for McRae. Good that recruits are already being drawn to his skills.
The Royal Sampler
Floreat Pica, Bitch!
Can get a good college education on scholarship with his talents so good on him. Bloody hard to then break into the NBA, but you never know.
Jen2310
Premium Platinum
mid 2024 is when he can officially be signed, and he may have an idea at that point whether he is gonna make it to NBA or not.
"Can always go back to footy": NBA hopeful Alex Condon still in sights of AFL clubs
The teenager was eligible for last year's draft and might've featured among the earlier picks.
www.zerohanger.com
STATE 16s SQUAD
The Claremont Football Club are delighted to have had 13 of our Futures squad members selected in the 2020 WA State 16s Squad. This year’s Simply Energy State 16s Program sees a larger squad picked to play two internal exhibition games given the cancellation of the National Carnival due to the...
www.claremontfc.com.au
Hale School | Scarborough JFC
Smith says: “A 202cm ruckman with elite endurance who also shows the ability to push forward and take contested marks inside 50.”
Scouting Notes: 2021 AFL U17 National Championships - South Australia vs. Western Australia
Western Australia sought revenge on South Australia with a win in the Under 17s clash prior to their Under 19s sides going at it.
central.rookieme.com
The highly touted tall prospect will have a tough decision to make within the next 12 months, representing WA at Under 18’s Basketball and winning a gold medal earlier in the year. Much like Luke Jackson before him, Condon will have options in both sports, and football fans will be hoping he chooses the Australian code. Condon was untouchable in the ruck throughout the game, using his reach, athleticism and body work to keep his opponents away from the ball. Condon’s leap is the most impressive part of his athletic profile, easily getting above his opponent and putting his knee in their chest, tapping the ball well every time to his teammates advantage, or putting it straight onto their chest. Condon did well to have an impact aerially through the game as well, taking a few marks overhead or intercept handballs to stop the SA side moving the ball easily.
Scouting Notes | 2021 Under 17 National Championships: South Australia vs. Western Australia
SOUTH Australia and Western Australia kicked off the 2021 Under 17 National Championships in style, playing to a three-point thriller at Hisense Stadium on Sunday. It was the Croweaters who came out on top after leading at every break, though they were truly made to earn the victory. WA had...
central.rookieme.com
The talented ruckman from Claremont who is also a talented basketballer, Condon showcased his great leap and deft touch in the ruck in a great contest with highly regarded SA ruckman, Will Verrall. Condon’s clear athletic traits were on display, showing that leap not only in ruck contests, but also around the ground as he flew for a nice mark to prove he could be a handy forward prospect as well. Condon has plenty of upside and with those athletic traits and with 12 disposals and 23 hitouts, he has shown to be one of the leading ruck prospects for the 2022 draft.
By the way, he has a Basketball background.....
- Jul 2, 2017
- 8,923
- 18,790
- AFL Club
- Collingwood
So he's shot up another 10cm?"Can always go back to footy": NBA hopeful Alex Condon still in sights of AFL clubs
The teenager was eligible for last year's draft and might've featured among the earlier picks.Alex CondonSTATE 16s SQUAD
The Claremont Football Club are delighted to have had 13 of our Futures squad members selected in the 2020 WA State 16s Squad. This year’s Simply Energy State 16s Program sees a larger squad picked to play two internal exhibition games given the cancellation of the National Carnival due to the...
Hale School | Scarborough JFC
Smith says: “A 202cm ruckman with elite endurance who also shows the ability to push forward and take contested marks inside 50.”
#40 Alex Condon (Claremont)Scouting Notes: 2021 AFL U17 National Championships - South Australia vs. Western Australia
Western Australia sought revenge on South Australia with a win in the Under 17s clash prior to their Under 19s sides going at it.
The highly touted tall prospect will have a tough decision to make within the next 12 months, representing WA at Under 18’s Basketball and winning a gold medal earlier in the year. Much like Luke Jackson before him, Condon will have options in both sports, and football fans will be hoping he chooses the Australian code. Condon was untouchable in the ruck throughout the game, using his reach, athleticism and body work to keep his opponents away from the ball. Condon’s leap is the most impressive part of his athletic profile, easily getting above his opponent and putting his knee in their chest, tapping the ball well every time to his teammates advantage, or putting it straight onto their chest. Condon did well to have an impact aerially through the game as well, taking a few marks overhead or intercept handballs to stop the SA side moving the ball easily.
#40 Alex Condon (Claremont) 201cm/78kg | 25/07/2004 | RuckScouting Notes | 2021 Under 17 National Championships: South Australia vs. Western Australia
SOUTH Australia and Western Australia kicked off the 2021 Under 17 National Championships in style, playing to a three-point thriller at Hisense Stadium on Sunday. It was the Croweaters who came out on top after leading at every break, though they were truly made to earn the victory. WA had...
The talented ruckman from Claremont who is also a talented basketballer, Condon showcased his great leap and deft touch in the ruck in a great contest with highly regarded SA ruckman, Will Verrall. Condon’s clear athletic traits were on display, showing that leap not only in ruck contests, but also around the ground as he flew for a nice mark to prove he could be a handy forward prospect as well. Condon has plenty of upside and with those athletic traits and with 12 disposals and 23 hitouts, he has shown to be one of the leading ruck prospects for the 2022 draft.
What's he doing on Anzac Day?......
Gives me Tim English vibes. A natural ruckman from WA, tall and skinny now, so will take time to develop, but once he does will be a very good player....
- Dec 16, 2013
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Like it
Think Andrew Bogut did the same thing. Went over to America at 18 and was like 6'9, then grew another few inches to 7'0. Giant people seem to have weird growth stages.
This is great news. Avoids the draft and gets to pick his club of choice (us) by playing basketball in his development years. Available mid next year! So could pull the pin on basketball and take up footy when / if his numbers are low and / or he misses Aus and footy.
& if he was rated pick 5 at 202cm, he must be pretty compelling at 212cm.............
& if he was rated pick 5 at 202cm, he must be pretty compelling at 212cm.............
Yes from U17's.
Jen2310
Premium Platinum
This claims he weighs over 100kg lol
Alex Condon - Men's Basketball - Florida Gators
Alex Condon (21) Forward/Center - Overview Appeared in all 36 games and earned SEC All-Freshman honors, totaling 277 points, 229 and a team-leading 45 blocked
floridagators.com
The Royal Sampler
Floreat Pica, Bitch!
By mid-2024 when available to sign, he will be just turning 20yo. I don’t understand how he will have been out of the game long enough for Cat B, but I’m not good to argue!
EDIT: So he was draft eligible in 2022 but at that time hadn’t played since mid-2021? I guess that goes some of the way to explaining the 10cm gain…
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