NBL: Interview with an international basketball star Mitch McCarron

Interview with Mitch McCarron of the NBL. 

Mitch McCarron, a 29-year-old from Australia, is a professional guard currently playing for the Adelaide 36ers in the NBL. The NBL is the top basketball league in Australia, comprising of many past and future NBA players. Most famously, Josh Giddey, Lamelo Ball, and RJ Hampton played in the NBL.

McCarron attended the Australian Institute of Sport for high school and then went to the University of Denver (Metro State) between 2012 and 2015. He led the Roadrunners to back-to-back NCAA Division II Final Four appearances averaging 16.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

McCarron then went undrafted in the 2015 NBA Draft but has had a very impressive career so far internationally.

McCarron has a huge impact on the court; averaging 7.5 points, 5.5 assists, and 7.5 rebounds a game in the 2021-22 NBL season, but also makes sure to have a large impact off the court. He is known as a great teammate and is involved with the Kmart GameTime program, where players go to their local schools to meet young fans.

He also helped facilitate a successful fundraiser run by some school students for Helping Hoops, a Melbourne-based charity who supports underprivileged youth through basketball.

Below I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to ask Mitch McCarron some questions about his career, and what being a professional athlete is like.

Q: When did you start playing basketball? Did you always want to be a basketball player? 

“I started playing when I was 6 but was bouncing a basketball from as little as 1 or 2. I grew up with one in my hand! I always loved playing, but I think I made the decision at 15 that I wanted to really pursue playing in college, and hopefully as a professional. “

Q: What is it like playing in the NBL?

“It’s a lot of fun, but also a lot of work. This country has a lot of talent and the quality of imports continues to rise every single year. Every team can beat you on any given night, which makes for a fun and competitive league.”

Q: Who have been your favorite people to play with during your career?

“There are so many, it’s hard to narrow it down. In every team, you play with somebody new, and it’s nice getting to know somebody and their family that you’ve only ever seen on the basketball court.”

Q: If you had to choose three events, what have the top three moments of your career?

1. “NBL Championship with Melbourne United. 
2. LEB Oro Championship in Spain
3. Slovenian League Championship.” 

“Winning always feels the best” 

Q: Funniest moment/story from your career?

“So many! But a lot of them are inside jokes. After winning the Spanish Championship, the team celebrated with the town of Palencia and it was a really fun time. We had a lot of characters on that team, both young and older. The Spanish love to party, and some of the veterans were in great form causing chaos around town. Was a great night.”

Q: If there is one thing you want to accomplish in the remainder of your career, what would it be?

“Win another championship!” 

Q: Tips for anyone wanting to accomplish their goals- such as playing pro basketball?

“Have to work hard in practice, and you have to provide something for the team other than scoring. Be a great defender, be a great communicator. People have built 10+ year careers off playing for the team!”