Nymburk strengthened the Australian for the first time. His uncle got a taste of the world's most famous league

Gorjok Gak will strengthen Nymburk basketball players for the new season. The 24-year-old pivot, measuring 211 centimeters, will thus become the first Australian in Nymburk's history. This will be his first stint in Europe after graduating from California Baptist University in the spring, having previously played at the University of Florida. He signed a one-year contract with an option in Nymburk.

“When we examined the market and the possibilities we have, we decided to bring in Gorjok Gak, who is very well equipped athletically and has very long arms. So he could be a very good rim protector on defense and should fit well in our system. He had great numbers in the last NCAA season, moreover, he has a lot of room for improvement and can be an even better player than he is now," said Nymburk coach Aleksander Sekulič. "Now it's about him quickly adapting to the European style of play so he can fully develop his potential," he added.

The Sydney native grew up basketball in America, attending high school at Victory Rock Prep in Florida, where he went on to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville. However, he did not make much of an impact here due to injury, first struggling with his knee and then with his shoulder.

But he overcame the problems and after four years transferred to California Baptist University for his final year, where he became one of the main stars of the team with which he advanced to the playoffs of the Western Athletic NCAA Conference. He averaged 13.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.7 blocks per game. He was subsequently ranked in the top five defense in the conference and in the second best five in the conference, and was ranked in the second five in the region by the National Coaches Association.

Gorjok Gak will strengthen the Nymburk basketball players for the new season Source: ERA Basketball NymburkGak's parents are from Sudan, but during the civil war they fled through Egypt to Australia, on the way Gorjok was born in 1996, who has five siblings. Basketball was a favorite activity in his family. His uncle Longar Longar even made one start in the NBA for Oklahoma City. Gorjok played for the Australian national team at the 2017 Universiade. His younger brother Akoldah has now represented Australia at the Under-19 World Cup. Another brother, Deng Gak, also plays in the NCAA.

Basketball is generally very popular among refugees from Sudan, as it is the main activity for boys in the refugee community in the suburbs of Sydney. In addition, basketball was made famous among Sudanese by Manute Bol, one of the tallest players in NBA history, where his son Bol Bol now plays. Luol Deng, who fled Sudan at the same time as Gak's parents, paved the way for his followers. He now organizes camps for his compatriots, and thanks to this, more and more young players of Sudanese origin are getting scholarships at universities in the USA.

But Gak has a different role model, namely Anthony Davis from the Los Angeles Lakers. He is nicknamed "G" and wears the number 12. "The number is based on my motto: If it doesn't work the first time, it will work the second time," he explained.

For Nymburk, he is the first new foreign signing for the upcoming season. He will join the American Jerrick Harding, who is awaiting his second season in the Czech champion's squad. Gak is the second new face in the team after František Váň. Nymburk plans to bring two more foreigners.

DAVID ŠVÁB

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