Tyrese Proctor experienced something akin to a baptism on Saturday night, playing against Indonesia in the FIBA Asia Cup 2022. Australia beat the home side and moved directly into the quarter-finals of FIBA.
Australia thrashed the home team with a score of 78-5, overcoming a sluggish start in front of the mammoth cheering home crowd that gave Indonesia an early lead on the board.
“Crowd is electric here,” said the 18-year-old star after winning the game “Great people here in Indonesia. It’s been fun.”
Proctor is undoubtedly gaining experience in playing in front of such an energetic crowd sooner than later, especially after enrolling at Duke University.
“Going on to college, I’m going to play crowds like this, it’s just getting a couple more under my belt before I go there,” said the soon-to-be Blue Devil, “and just having the confidence to come off the bench and just play my role.”
So far, the young lad has demonstrated that he can perform in any situation. He played a mercurial role in the Boomer’s victory over Timnas. He scored 14 points, including four rebounds and a couple of assists and steals.
“The entire group, as a whole, just lets you play freely. I think the big thing for me is just being confident,” he told the media. “It’s coming out and knowing my job, and then going out and just playing my game.”
Although h scored just four points in their opening game, since then, he is performing consistently. This was his second game that he breached double figures on the board. Despite being the youngest player on the team, Head Coach, Mike likes his assertiveness more than the on-court magics.
“He’s a special young man,” offered the veteran bench tactician. “He’s been phenomenal off the court. He likes playing with this group.”
“And he’s been pretty vocal with the group, which is cool to see because he’s 18 years old, and I think, he thinks he’s 30,” Mike added jokingly. “He’s pretty comfortable talking with the group, and he’s a good basketball player.”
Proctor is emerging as Australia’s newest young star, following in the footsteps of his friends Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels. Proctor is well aware of that, and he witnesses no pressure at all instead, drawing inspiration from the two.
“We all went to the Academy together. So just watching them, being alongside them, especially Dyson and the games we played together, it means a lot.”
“Just seeing what I can do to bounce off them, take small bits of their game and what they did when they put on the jersey and just try and help influence the other guys,” said Proctor.
Comments