Two decades after Sandy Brondello competed at the Foot Locker Australian School Championship, her son is following in her legendary footsteps.
Brody Lange, 17, has moved from the US to Australia to chase his hoops dreams at Templestowe College in Victoria, been selected in Eltham’s under-20 team and has moved in with Opals Olympic medallist Allison Tranquilli, and great mate of his mum, and her family.
Now, he’s competing on the Gold Coast at the tournament Brondello once played in.
“How exciting for my son to come to his very first School Championships playing in a tournament I once played in. I’m really excited to watch him play because I don’t get the chance to often so I’m here as a parent showing my support and encouragement,” she said.
“He’s moved to Australia and wants to see how far he could go in basketball, get really good coaching from people who will pour everything into him and as a Mum I’m so proud of him.”
Brody was born in America, spent time in Australia when he was a toddler when Brondello and his father, experienced coach, Olaf Lange coached in the WNBL and has spent time in Russia, Spain and over the past decade the US.
“It’s pretty special to be here, four months ago I didn’t think I’d be here down in Australia. It’s fun to be here and I’m excited to represent my new school,” he said.
“I had nothing but good experiences in America but I thought with all the connections I had and the opportunity to come here was a big blessing and basketball programs and development in Australia is a little better than the United States. The people here, the community, and how Australians are I’m really enjoying.”
Brondello says her son is building an impressive skillset after missing much of the past two years with a back injury.
“I saw him play in Melbourne last week with grown men, NBL1 players, and I thought ‘Oh, his defence has become even better!’
“He’s a skilled offensive player, he’s leaned out a little bit, he’s competing and enjoying it. He can shoot the three ball really well and he’s really good in pick and rolls, his court vision is great with his passing ability.”
Brody says while he has grown up in a household with two of world basketball’s top coaches they are still his parents and sometimes their advice falls on deaf teenage ears.
“They know a lot and I try to take in as much as I can but I would say I’m a little stubborn to what they say because it’s kind of hard to listen at home, they are parents but also basketball coaches.
“I’ve figured out a good balance and I don’t take them for granted.”
