Career Earnings: c. $120 million
Age: 39
DOB: 28 November 1984
Birthplace: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
At exactly seven feet tall and weighing around 118 kg, it is fair to say Andrew Bogut was a towering figure in the world of basketball.
During a glittering 15-year NBA career, which saw him represent six different NBA franchises, including the Golden State Warriors – with whom he won a championship – the gentle giant from Melbourne well and truly left his mark on the professional stateside courts.
Bogut was destined for greatness from the moment he was picked up as the number one draft pick in the 2005 season by the Milwaukee Bucks. His exceptional skills, versatility and team ethic saw him make almost $120 million in career earnings. Here is how he did it.
Pre-College Years
Bogut was born in Melbourne to Croatian parents who moved to Australia in the 1970s. Due to his stature, he played a lot of Australian rules football at a young age, as well as tennis. However, his love and aptitude for basketball quickly shone through.
Given that he was growing towards being seven foot tall, he possessed a unique combination of size, agility and basketball IQ that set him apart from his peers. This caught the eye of recruiters from the United States, leading Bogut to make the life-changing decision to pursue college basketball in America.
In 2003, he joined the University of Utah, where he played for the Utes under coach Rick Majerus. His impact was immediate, as he earned numerous accolades, including the Naismith College Player of the Year and the John R. Wooden Award, both of which are prestigious honours in college basketball. Bogut’s dominance in the NCAA showcased his potential for greatness, resulting in him declaring for the 2005 NBA Draft after just two seasons in college.
NBA Draft and Early Professional Career
As widely expected, the Milwaukee Bucks selected Bogut as the first overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, thus solidifying his status as a top prospect. During his rookie season, he displayed glimpses of his immense talent, and he quickly became a key player for the Bucks, developing a reputation for his
shot-blocking ability, rebounding prowess and court vision, which made him a formidable force in the league.
Over the next several seasons, Bogut continued to refine his skills and contribute significantly to the Bucks. However, injuries posed a challenge to his consistency on the court. Despite these setbacks, his talents were undeniable, and he earned NBA All-Defensive Second Team honours in the 2009-2010 season.
Golden State Warriors and NBA Championship
In 2012, Bogut was traded to the Golden State Warriors in a move that would prove to be pivotal in his career.
Joining forces with emerging stars like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Bogut played a crucial role in transforming the Warriors into a genuine championship-calibre team. His defensive prowess and basketball IQ became integral components of the Warriors’ iconic ‘Splash Brothers’ era.
The pinnacle of Bogut’s NBA career came in the 2014-2015 season when the Warriors clinched the NBA championship 4-2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Bogut’s rim protection and ability to break play up and facilitate from the centre position played a vital role in the team’s success. Although injuries limited his playing time in the Finals, his contributions throughout the season were indispensable to the Warriors’ historic triumph.
Later Career and International Success
After leaving the Warriors, Bogut had stints with several NBA teams, including the Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers. He also played for the Sydney Kings for a season where he was voted the NBL Most Valuable Player in 2019.
Despite facing injury challenges, he continued to showcase his skills, mentor younger teammates as a veteran and display leadership qualities.
In addition to his NBA career, Bogut represented the Australian national team on several occasions, most notably at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, which saw the Boomers finish fourth.
Retirement
In 2020, Bogut underwent a couple of surgeries. One was to alleviate sciatica in the lower part of his back and the other on his ankle to remove a bone spur. However, these surgeries proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back, and after many years of persistent injuries, he announced his retirement on the first day of the Australian summer in 2020.
Personal Life
Andrew Bogut is married to his wife Jessica and has two sons. While his mother tongue is English, he can also speak Croatian fluently.
Since retiring, he has become part of an ownership group for the Sydney Kings. He also hosts a regular podcast called ‘Rogue Bogues’.
Conclusion
The story of Andrew Bogut’s rise from a young basketball lover in Melbourne to an NBA champion has been a tale of resilience, skill and determination. Being Australian in a sport dominated by Americans, you can’t underestimate the contributions he made to the NBA and the sport overall.
As fans reflect on his career, they will remember Bogut not just as a towering presence on the court but as a true ambassador for the sport. The fact he made significant wealth from doing what he loved is really what every young boy dreams of.