Kuol Not Wasting Surprise NBA Chance

NBL Rookie of the Year Bul Kuol is taking advantage of the unexpected NBA interest he has received this offseason.

Trying to land an NBA contract wasn’t in Kuol’s offseason plans, with the Cairns Taipans star saying he wanted to spend time with family before representing South Sudan in FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

However, the enticing talents of the 25-year-old attracted the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers, who have both staged pre-draft workouts with Kuol over the past week.

A Summer League spot is now a real possibility for Kuol, who was taken aback at the number of eyeballs on his workouts.

“It's only been Chicago and Cleveland. If I do make Summer League it will probably be with one of them, but we'll see,” Kuol told ESPN.

“It's so cool, I feel like one of the things that stood out is that everybody is there. You've got the head coach walking around, observing, you've got the staff. You run into people, and they've been there for 25 years and I'm like 'wow'.

“That's what makes things more tangible. I thought it was going to be an exclusive experience with just some of the staff, but you've got everybody there.

“You're actually here in the NBA and you're working out in front of NBA coaches and executives. I thought it would be low key, but it was such a genuine experience having casual conversations with these coaches and staff members.”

The Taipans sharpshooter added the process has revealed to him how intertwined the basketball world is and how the NBL is a legitimate pathway to the NBA.

“It's been eye opening in a lot of ways, just how well the basketball community is integrated and connected,” Kuol said.

“One thing that has stood out to me through all this is that if you're a good player you will get your chance and your opportunities. If you take advantage, you get more, and it keeps developing.

“A lot of this, I haven't seen it coming, but it's opened my eyes to what's possible. It's not impossible to be a good player in the NBL, it's not impossible to make the NBA, it's made things a lot more tangible.

“Nobody really knew me, I knew I could play, I know I'm 6'6", I can play defence, I'm athletic, so for me it's just staying healthy and whatever opportunity comes in front of me I'm going to take it with both hands.

“It was my first ever NBA experience, working with an NBA ball, being around NBA executives but no pressure at all. I came in with the mindset of just appreciating the opportunity and just getting to know as many people as I can.”

Kuol rewrote the history books last season, breaking Shane Heal’s record for most three-pointers made by a rookie.