Quinten Post was in Puerto Rico with his girlfriend last week when he got the call from the Warriors that they were selecting him with the 52nd pick in the NBA Draft.
Back home in Amsterdam, Post’s parents cried tears of joy. Elsewhere in the city, a group of 30-40 of the best hoopers in the Netherlands stayed up until 2 a.m. local time — watching with their fingers crossed — and cheered when Post’s name was announced.
“It was like all of us achieved something,” Jard Schuit, Post’s longtime trainer and draft watch party host, told this news organization.
“It was really emotional because we haven’t had any players drafted in years and years, and it felt so far away. It feels like miles and miles away for a lot of kids here. But now it feels like it’s in reach. It inspires a lot of kids behind Quinten.”
Post became the first Dutchman drafted to the NBA since Henk Norel in 2009. The last to play in the league were Dan Gadzuric and Francisco Elson in 2012. Besides Rik Smits, the history of the NBA in the Netherlands is sparse, and the country has been in a decade-plus drought.
Post knows the history.
“Just for some of these kids to see that it’s possible, that a Dutch player — born and raised in the Netherlands — that it’s possible to get to the NBA level, hopefully it’s inspirational,” Post, 24, told this news organization.
Right after the NBA Draft ended, Schuit’s phone kept buzzing with more good news from other players he has trained. Jesse Edwards signed a two-way deal with Minnesota. Malevy Leons signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Thunder, and Tristan Enaruma did the same with the Celtics.
They all trained together with Schuit growing up in the Netherlands, the land of the Red Light District, Heineken, Phillips, canals, bikes and tulips. And, maybe one day, of basketball.
If Post can break into the league, with the Warriors or otherwise, he could lead the charge for a new generation of Dutch ballers.
“We are the tallest people of the world,” Post said (fact check: true). “But basketball just hasn’t really exploded as it has in some of the other places. The four of us, we hope it creates a wave throughout our country. Personally, I’m very proud to be able to represent the Netherlands.”
Growing up in the Netherlands, Post would tag along to watch his dad’s late-night basketball games and practices, but didn’t start playing until 11. Like most of the Netherlands, soccer was his thing. None of his friends played basketball so he took it upon himself to commit to the game.
Around age 14, he met Schuit, the trainer Post describes as the “central hub” for elite basketball in the Netherlands. A few years later, after a growth spurt, he started working with him and his All Day Basketball program.
Schuit guided Post into a competitive environment with the other top young players in the country. Even though Post was relatively new …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
