Joe reached out to me. I told him I was going to raid whatever he left in his locker. He’s a size 13 as well, so I’m going to have to look around. He gave me some words of advice … just play hard, work hard, which is second nature to us Aussies. – Hugh Greenwood, on Joe Ingles
SALT LAKE CITY — A familiar Australian accent could be heard at the Utah Jazz’s practice facility Wednesday, and it wasn’t just because Dante Exum was in the gym.
“Utah loves its Aussies,” former New Mexico guard Hugh Greenwood, of Hobart, Australia, said with a smile while greeting reporters following a pre-draft workout.
With Exum and Joe Ingles on its roster, Utah sure does have a soft spot for basketball players from Down Under. Greenwood would fit right in, especially considering how he fits the mold of being a Jazz type of player off the court.
The mature way the 23-year-old has dealt with his biggest life challenge is impressive.
The first thing you notice about Greenwood is his long hair. During Wednesday’s workout, his bounteous blonde locks were swirled together atop his head in a bun similar to those of Joakim Noah, Evan Fournier and Lou Amundson.
There’s a good reason for that.
Two years ago, his mom, Andree, was in remission for breast cancer, and Greenwood, then a New Mexico sophomore, decided to start growing out his hair to honor her.
He also got a large pink ribbon tattoo on his hand.
A year later, the Greenwood family got awful news. Not only had the cancer returned, but Andree was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer.
There is no cure for that.
Greenwood decided to make the best of this dreadful situation. He established a Pink Pack foundation to support research, patient care and public outreach for breast cancer patients at the University of New Mexico Cancer Research Center.
That charitable effort has raised $65,000.
He also volunteered at the UNM Children’s Hospital cancer ward every week.
“It means a lot. It’s something I’m very, very passionate about,” Greenwood said when asked about his philanthropic work. “Obviously my mom is battling incurable second-degree breast cancer, so it’s a priority in my life. My family and her are my priority. Basketball comes second.”
Greenwood isn’t projected to be drafted, but there’s always a chance a team like the Jazz could take a second-round flier on the 6-foot-3 guard or invite him to summer league. He averaged 11.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Lobos this past season and has vast international experience with Australia.
When teased about the Jazz liking Australian accents, Walt Perrin, Utah’s vice president of player personnel, jokingly responded, “Yeah, mate.”
The team’s lead scout then pointed out how Australians are making more of a positive impact in the NBA. Two of the country's top players — Golden State's Andrew Bogut and Cleveland's Matthew Dellavedova — are in the Finals. Hence, it makes sense to at least get a good look at the Boomers' best up-and-comers.
“They’re always great guys to talk to. They play hard,” Perrin said, reverting back to his American accent. “Hugh had a pretty good day today. He’s a very smart player, a good basketball IQ for a point guard. He was helping the other players in our workout. It was good to bring him in.”
Greenwood appreciated it, as did two Jazz players from the land of vegemite.
“Joe reached out to me. I told him I was going to raid whatever he left in his locker. He’s a size 13 as well, so I’m going to have to look around,” Greenwood joked. “He gave me some words of advice … just play hard, work hard, which is second nature to us Aussies.”
Greenwood has an incredible example when it comes to that.
His mom.
“She’s doing well. Unfortunately, it’s incurable. It’s something that’s shortened her life span,” he said. “In the meantime, she just battles. That’s what she does. That’s what we do as a family. We stick together.”
He had that same attitude with people he's helped in New Mexico.
Not surprisingly, he also had glowing compliments for Utah's other Aussies, gushing about Exum and Ingles.
He was impressed with how Ingles acclimated to the NBA as a 27-year-old rookie.
“You could tell, although it was his first year in the league, he looked very relaxed and calm out there,” he said. “And that’s kind of the way he plays. He just gets up and down and enjoys himself.”
Greenwood noticed that Exum looked bigger than when he’d last seen the 6-foot-6 point guard.
“Dante is still incredibly young, I’m very proud of him and the way he came in and competed. Obviously he had his ups and downs as a rookie,” Greenwood said. “You’re going to go through some learning experiences, and he certainly did that.
“But he played, and that’s the best way to improve is by experience. And I thought he did really well. … I think he’s going to be a very good player.”
Greenwood smiled when asked if he had any plans to cut his hair, which falls below his shoulders.
“I was meant to shave it off towards the end of the season, but I’m kind of a little bit attached,” he said. “We’ve raised a lot of money, so I think when we hit a certain goal I’ll eventually shave it off.
"But in the meantime I like it. Mum likes it too, so whatever she says goes. I’ll hold onto it for a while.”
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