Hamish Warden (202-F-1999, college: NDC, agency: BIG) is a 25 year old 203cm forward from Australia that has the Swiss/Australian citizenship that recently played with Mandurah Magic (NBL One) averaging 5/4 stats. He has played most of his career down under for teams like the Perry Lakes Hawks (SBL), East Perth Eagles (SBL),Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (WCC), and Albury Wodonga Bandits (NBL). He played a season at Notre Dame College (NCAA2) playing 29 games averaging 2.2ppg, 2.1rpg. He also played parts of 5 seasons for BBC Nyon (SBL) averaging 7.1ppg, 2.6rpg, FGP: 38.0%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT-10 (93.8%) and 5.0ppg, 2.5rpg and with the Lugano Tigers (SBL) averaging 10.4ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 81.3% and 9.0ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 65.5% and with SAM Basket Massagno (Switzerland-SBL). He also played with Basket School Messina (Italy-Serie C) and with Basket 7 Laghi Gazzada (Italy-Serie B Interregionale). He spoke to eurobasket about basketball.

Thanks Hamish for talking to eurobasket. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

Currently in Perth, been here for a week and getting ready for the upcoming NBL1 season in April. Been 3 years since I’ve been back in Australia. Really looking forward to playing at home and being around friends and family again.

Your 25 years old and have played for 10 clubs so far. Do you feel like a basketball globetrotter?

Haha yes a little bit. I’m always chasing a good adventure.

How have you experienced the grind in the last 8 years? You have moved around a lot but stuck to playing in your home countries of Australia and Switzerland.

Last year was the first time I didn’t play year round, because the birth of my son in June, but for the other 7 years been playing year round going from the Europe season to the NBL1. Sometimes in definitely becomes a grind, but you just give some perspective and remind myself how lucky I am to be playing basketball, I could be digging holes in the Aussie summer or working a real job.

You began your basketball career at Perry Lakes Hawks (SBL). What kind of a player were you going in? What memories do you have of those times?

I was a young 17 year old kid who wasn’t very good at basketball. But it was a great first year, got to train under a really great coach and learn off great players like Ben Purser and Matthew Adekponya who were great players, but also great leaders and people. I really learned a lot off them by the way they carried themselves and they showed me the daily habits you need to be successful. Had lots of great memories, but the best was winning the D-league championship that year (u23/bench sbl guys). Was a great night celebrating as well.

After playing with the East Perth Eagles (SBL), you went for a year to USA and was with Notre Dame College (NCAA2) averaging 2.2ppg, 2.1rpg. What kind of an experience was that? What steps was your game able to take there?

I was lucky that I got to Play for East Perth, my childhood team and where I played all my juniors, which was great. As a kid I went to all the games at Morley rec centre, watching guys like Tom Jervis and Drew Williamson play for East Perth, and it was always a dream to play for the eagles. After the season finished, I headed to the USA. It was a big wake up call. First time being away from home, very cold winters, school and trainings, everything was so new but it really developed me into the player and person I am today. It was a big learning year for me, learning off great players and coaches.

You were teammates with 2 very talented players with Will Vorhees and Isaiah Sanders who both have played in Germany. What do you remember from your daily battles with Vorhees on the court?

He used to kick my butt every day in training. But it was great to go against him every day, one of the best players I’ve seen. Isaiah and me were both freshman together, and he is a beast. Super athletic and can shoot it, Zay will have a long career overseas.

You didn´t play many minutes that season but had a solid game against Fairmont State with 10 points and 4 rebounds in a win. You helped win the MEC title. What memories do you have of that run?

I had a really solid pre season, and the first couple of games I was playing solid minutes, but after a few bad games lost my confidence and let it affect my play. But looking back it was a great learning experience. I taught me a lot about handling adversity and just developing some toughness. The MEC title was an amazing experience, we were underdogs but just kept winning and beat two big time schools in Fairmont State and West Liberty to win the title.

What was it like playing for Tim Koenig? What could he help add to your game that you didn´t already have had in Australia?

Tim was not only a great coach, but a great person. He pushed me everyday to get better and showed me what I could be capable of. He got the best out of our team, and welcomed me into his family and I’ll be forever grateful. No surprise to see him doing great things after taking over Joe Mazzulla at Fairmont State.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Will Vorhees?

Will, every time. Dude is a beast.

You then came back and had your break out season with Basket School Messina (Italy-Serie C) averaging 20.4ppg, 10.5rpg, 3.4apg. How valuable was this season and what did you learn about yourself as a player that season?

The previous year I had to choose between signing in Switzerland and going to college and I chose to go to college, but my dream was always to play in Europe. The previous year I didn’t play much and lost a bit of confidence so it was great to sign in Messina, play lots of minutes and have a big role in the team. I had a great coach Pipo Sidoti who is a legend in Sicily Basketball. He really got the best out of me and developed me as a player and taught me how to be a successful European basketball player. Unfortunately, this season got cut short by Covid but it was a great year and really taught me a lot.

In the 2020-2021 season you played with BBC Nyon (SBL) averaging 7.1ppg, 2.6rpg, FGP: 38.0%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT-10 (93.8%). It was your first season playing in Switzerland. What kind of an experience was it and how did your game grow that season?

It was a great experience my first time playing in Switzerland where my mum is from. The level was much higher with most teams having four Americans. The level was great. Our team wasn’t very good but I got to play important minutes and develop great friendships with my teammates.

You returned the next season and reached the cup final in Switzerland. You also lost a tough playoff series against Neuchattel. What was so challenging in that series that didn´t allow you to advance as a team?

We kept all the Swiss locals from the previous year added Jeremy Jaunin a Swiss national team player and added four very good foreigners. Stefan Ivanovic took over as Coach and we had a great chemistry and worked hard every day. We made it to the Swiss cup final which for a small budget Team doesn’t happen very often and we were very close in the Neuchatel series. We lost but every game was decided by three or four points. Play-off basketball in Europe has a different level of intensity and it was great to experience that.

How beneficial was it having a teammate like Maleye NDoye? He had a great career and played 12 seasons in the France Pro A. Was he like a mentor for you?

It was amazing. I lived with him for two years and was training against him every day. He had an amazing 25 year career playing against LeBron, playing in NCAA division one, top division France. What was great about him is every day he was teaching me how to be a great player and all the little nuances of being a power forward.

During the summers you played 3 times with the Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (WCC). What did you appreciate most about playing for this club and just living in Australia?

The year before after Italy,when Covid finished, basketball stopped around the world but in July they started the West Coast classic. I played the first three games and really enjoyed it but then I had to leave to go to Europe. The next year, I came back but it was very tough. Coming halfway through a season in a team that was struggling a bit and having to do two weeks hotel quarantine wasn’t ideal but I always love coming home and playing in Australia. it’s a great country with great people.

You also played a season with the Albury Wodonga Bandits (NBL One)n averaging 14.1ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 36.6%, FT: 84.8%. That was your break out season in Australia. How good did it feel being a main guy on the team?

It was definitely my breakout season in Australia. We had a great group of guys, I had a coach that believed in me and it was an awesome country town. I’ll always be grateful for Albury.

You then played 2 seasons with the Lugano Tigers (SBL) averaging 10.4ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 81.3% and 9.0ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 65.5%. You averaged over 30 minutes in both seasons. How did your game grow in these 2 years?

The two seasons in the Lugano were special. It was my first time having a big role in Europe and I was loving it. I also met my beautiful wife. Lugano will always hold a special heart place in my heart.

This season you moved around a lot starting with Basket 7 Laghi Gazzada (Italy-Serie B Interregionale) and then played 3 games with SAM Basket Massagno (Switzerland-SBL). Now you will play in Australia again? Have you ever thought about trimming down all the moving around?

It was an interesting off-season. We wanted to stay in Lugano after the birth of my son. It didn’t quite work out signing with one of the two Swiss teams in Ticino. Signed with Gazzada, a team in Italy close to the Swiss/italian border. I had a great six months and then got an offer to go to Australia so I decided to leave. I was training with Massagno to stay in shape before I left for Australia and the Coach asked if I could help out for a couple months. I got to learn off great players and get in shape for the upcoming Australia season. In the future I hope to find a home with one of the teams in Lugano and stay with my team here in Australia for a long time. I’ve had enough of moving around especially with a young family.

You played 1 cap against Kosovo for Switzerland. What kind of an experience was that? What is the state of Swiss basketball? Is there young talent coming up?

It was a surreal experience. I never thought I’d play for a national team so to get that opportunity was great. The game didn’t go how I’d like but I’ll be forever grateful the experience. Swiss basketball has some very good teams. There is lots of young up-and-coming talent, I think it’s going to grow in the next couple years and I’m really excited to see where it goes.

What dreams do you have as a player? Have you ever thought about playing in other countries in Europe besides Italy and Switzerland?

Honestly, my dream was to play for East Perth, so to play in Europe and all over the world is a dream come true. My current “dream” would be to play in the NBL, the top league in Australia. It’s one of the best leagues in the world and it’s great basketball. I’m always open to going to new countries and having new experiences. But for now with my family I’m very happy in Australia and Switzerland. I know these are my markets, as I’m a local player in these countries that’s where I provide the most value.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Will Voorhees by far, he didn’t quite make the NBA but has had a great career in the G league and overseas.

Who are your 5 best teammates of all-time?

It’s so hard to narrow down to 5, i’ve played in many teams with many great teammates so it doesn’t seem fair to narrow down to 5

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Wilt, Russell, Jordan, LeBron

Who is your Goat and why?

Andrew Gaze, Australian legend.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone`?

No haven’t seen it sorry.

Thanks Hamish for the chat.