Former Nicholls standout making name for himself in native Australia

The NBA is locked out and will be for the foreseeable future.

But there is still plenty of professional basketball being played around the globe.

Just ask former Nicholls State forward Anatoly Bose, he’s showing the rest of the world he can ball with the best of ’em.

In his debut season with the Sydney Kings, the 6-foot, 6-inch scorer has become one of the brightest new faces in Australia’s version of the NBA, the National Basketball League (NBL).

Despite his early success, Bose said he’s keeping things in perspective. He said he still can’t fully believe he can look in the mirror and see a professional basketball player staring back at him.

“It’s pretty much surreal,” Bose said with a laugh. “I’ve pretty much got nothing to worry about except basketball. School’s finished, so I don’t have to worry about class or tests or grades or anything like that.

“Basketball, it’s my job now. I get to get paid doing what I love to do. So I obviously can’t complain about anything at the moment. It’s unbelievable.”

To Bose, just playing in the professional ranks is a badge of pride. The way he’s playing will make his Nicholls followers even more proud.

In his rookie season with the Kings, Bose is doing what he does best, score.

Bose played his first game with the Kings on Oct. 7. He started the game and played 26 minutes.

He said he wasn’t antsy, but his stat line wasn’t overly impressive, scoring just 5 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, but having 5 turnovers.

“I wasn’t really nervous, but that’s mostly because I was really prepared,” Bose said. “I knew exactly what we needed to do. Starting the game obviously helped because it helped with my confidence. … I didn’t play great, but I wasn’t overwhelmed by the moment.”

Bose said the biggest difference between the professional game and the amateur ranks is the rugged nature of the play, something he’s had to adjust to early in his career, including that season-opening game.

“It’s a lot more physical,” Bose said. “They let a lot more contact go down low. It’s a brutal game. It really is. You have to be a man to survive.”

Since then, things have changed. Bose is trending upward.

The former Colonel followed up his 5-point output with point totals of 8, 14 and then a career-high 24 points in his next three games, he’s improved every game.

In the 24-point effort, he shot 8-of-13 from the floor and 4-of-7 from the 3-point line.

He said he’s not surprised with the splash he’s made in the professional ranks, adding that he spent his entire summer working to polish his craft with Colonels assistant coach and fellow Australian Mike Czepil.

The hard work has resulted in the former Colonel averaging 12.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 47.4 percent from the floor.

“I’ve gotten just so much better,” Bose said. “I’m more confident and comfortable. I’m not just a one-dimensional player who can shoot or penetrate just one way. I’m much better at getting to the rim and creating my own shot and creating space.”

He just wishes the referees would feel the same way and would give him a few respect calls.

“I’m getting no calls,” Bose said in laughter. “I don’t have that reputation here yet. My senior year at Nicholls, I was getting a lot of calls because I had that profile. Here, I’m not getting anything close to that. … That’s something I’ve learned to not linger on, even though it’s frustrating at times.”

Another source of frustration for Bose is his injured foot. The Sydney Kings rookie tore a ligament in his foot following his 24-point game. He missed three full weeks of action, but returned this week and said he’ll tough it out.

“I’m back now,” he said. “I’m ready to get back on the floor and help my team.”

Bose said the Kings average 6,000-7,000 fans and play in an arena similar to one close to home.

“It’s a lot like LSU’s stadium,” Bose says, reminiscing the time his Colonels beat the Tigers last season. “That’s what our building reminds me of.”

The Kings are also one of the most prestigious teams in the NBL because of a deep tradition of success, having won several championships.

Because of that, the former Colonel explained that road games are also lively affairs.

“And when we’re on the road, everyone else loves to see the other teams beat Sydney,” Bose said. “So we get a lot of people at our away games, too. So it’s not like playing in little ol’ Thibodaux. We draw a lot more people.”

Because he’s on a high-profile team and he’s having individual success, Bose said he’s developing a bit of a name for himself in his home country, adding that he never realized the off-court duties of being a professional athlete until he was thrust in those shoes.

“You walk around the street and people know you, people recognize who you are,” Bose said. “It’s a great feeling, but there’s a great deal of responsibility there, that’s something I didn’t always think about.”

Bose may be becoming an Australian celebrity, but he said Thibodaux will always hold his heart.

The Australian former Colonel said he will never forget his time at Nicholls and he’s called coach J.P. Piper several times to keep up with this year’s team.

“I tell him thanks every time I talk to him,” Bose said. “Because he’s helped me so much to get me to where I am now.”

The Australian said he has plans to visit Thibodaux sometime when his season ends.

Seeing friends is nice, but food is in this Aussie’s mind.

“I need to get me some more crawfish,” Bose said. “They don’t have that here. That’s a must-get. There’s nothing like Louisiana cooking. I miss it.

“There’s nothing like little ol’ Thibodaux.”

Sydney Kings forward Anatoly Bose makes a move during a game this season. The former Nicholls State Colonel is making his mark on the pro game, establishing himself as one of the best young players in the Australian-based NBL. COURTESY OF NBL

Mark Nolan