WATCH TAB Courtside 1v1 on SBS - episode 5 - with Megan Hustwaite and Ryan Broekhoff from 7pm (AEDT) on Thursday February 4 via , or catch up via .
Broekhoff, who played two seasons with Dallas in the NBA, has learnt the hard way how ruthless the NBA with his career left in limbo after being cut twice by teams in the past twelve months.
The 30-year-old fractured his leg while playing for the Mavericks in January 2020, and by February the club had released him.
After sitting out the NBA restart due to health concerns and to be with his family during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Broekhoff was given a second chance in the NBA by the Philadelphia 76ers.
However, after only three weeks after re-signing with the team for the upcoming season, the Boomers swingman was once again waived and left searching for a new club once again.
It is the latest bump in the road for the veteran guard who played six seasons in Europe with Besiktas of Turkey and Russian outfit PBC Lokomotiv Kuban after being overlooked in the 2013 NBA draft.
In the interview set to air on Thursday night’s episode of TAB Courtside 1v1 on SBS at 7 pm on the , Broekhoff speaks about the lessons he has learnt about the cold-blooded business that is the NBA.
“You realize pretty quickly in the NBA that it is ruthless. It is all about performing and making money,” Broekhoff said.
“It was a big change from playing in Europe which is very similar to Australia in how the game is played and that the coaches have the power and control of the team.
“In the NBA it is very much dominated by the star players who have a lot to say on the guys the team brings in and everything that goes along with that.
"When you go to a new team you have no time to adjust and you need to have the mindset that it just a big business.
“As a player, it is best to keep your options open and do the best for you and your family.”
One of those options could be a return to Australia and the NBL for Broekhoff who has been linked with a move to the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
The Frankston born guard, says he would welcome a move back to Australia and his home city of Melbourne.
“Coming to the NBL and being back in Melbourne is something which is always in the back of my mind,” Broekhoff said.
“I left home at the age of 16 and since then I’ve rarely been back so it would be great to play in front of family and friends.
"I’ve had contact with a few NBL teams over the years but the timing was never right for me.
“I’m keeping every option open, whether that be back in the NBA, in Europe or even playing in Australia.”
The interview features on the latest episode of the new SBS series - TAB Courtside 1v1, which gives fans a chance to get to know more about the unique personalities from the NBA, WNBA, NBL and WNBL, which help shape basketball in Australia.
Hustwaite, who has been covering all levels of Australian basketball for the past 13 years as a reporter, commentator and journalist, will helm the weekly show - every Thursday at 7 pm (AEDT) via - where she interviews stars of the past, present and future.
SBS will again broadcast multiple regular-season NBA games per week in HD on SBS VICELAND and streamed live via SBS On Demand. Plus, every game of the upcoming 2020-21 NBL season will be LIVE, FREE and in HD via SBS On Demand, with select games also live on SBS VICELAND.
