Australian basketballer Alex Condon is on the path to the NBA.
The 211-centimetre West Australian isn’t a lock for this year’s NBA draft, but he is on the radar to become a multi-millionaire this year or next as he continues to star for the University of Florida.
Florida big man Alex Condon throws down a dunk against Alabama.Credit: Getty Images
But Condon also has a “good back-up plan” – the Collingwood Football Club. The AFL team is first in line for his services should he head back to Australia. After all, Condon has football pedigree and sporting genes. He is the son of East Perth WAFL premiership player Damien Condon and international swimmer Leah Broderick.
When the Magpies hosted Condon for a week last winter, his sporting path was not set.
But the 20-year-old has since powered up the NBA draft standings this college season and continues to improve his shooting and passing game to go with defensive toughness, agility and elite effort levels.
“I am fully focused on my basketball. It [Collingwood] is just a good back-up option if it doesn’t work out down the road,” Condon told this masthead from Gainesville, Florida.
Alex Condon of the Florida Gators battles with Johni Broome of the Auburn Tigers.Credit: Getty Images
“I see footy as a back-up option now, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. It’s a very rare thing to have an option like this, to play a different sport at a high level.”
Condon’s talents showed out when he posted a career-high 27 points and 10 rebounds as the Gators beat No.7 Alabama on March 6. He backed that up with 17 points and 15 rebounds against Ole Miss on Sunday (AEDT).
Against Alabama, Condon had three impressive alley-oop dunks along with plenty of smart, team-first plays, so the chances of him joining the Magpies are drifting.
If he doesn’t get drafted this year, he’ll stay with Florida next season to focus on the 2026 NBA draft. ESPN ranked Condon as a potential pick 16 in February for this year’s draft, and more recently forecasted him going at pick 28, but draft expert Jonathan Givony wrote that Condon could be a lottery (top 13) pick in 2026.
“It was good to see some recognition for the past year of hard work, but it’s not something I’m focusing on right now,” Condon said.
“It is really important to stay in the present, and my present goal is to win a national championship with this team.
“That NBA stuff will work itself out. If it happens this year, then so be it. If I go back to school and work on my craft – trusting the process is what I’m on right now.”
Condon has been putting his body on the line for his team, and also his teeth – he had two of them knocked out against the Georgia Bulldogs late last month.
Alex Condon is treated by a trainer after having two teeth knocked out against Georiga in February.Credit: Getty Images
“I got them knocked back into my mouth a few games ago,” Condon said.
“I played last game with a metal wire to secure them. I’m getting a root canal to fix the teeth and hopefully recover them, so I don’t have to get fake teeth when I get older.
“My mum has been on my case about wearing a mouthguard going forward, once the temporary brace is out.”
Condon played Aussie rules and water polo from an early age. His football roots are embedded in his sporting persona, especially when facing taller or more explosive opponents on the basketball court.
He left his water polo career as a goalkeeper behind in under-14s but continued playing footy right through to rucking for the WA under-17s in a win over South Australia in 2021. He’s only been playing elite basketball for five or so years, but rapidly rose to the NBA global academy in Canberra and then the Gators.
“Florida play in a super physical conference, but coming from footy, I wasn’t scared to crack guys and initiate contact,” Condon said.
“Almost every game you play is against a team who has a chance to be really good. It’s been a great transition from my freshman to my sophomore year. I’m more comfortable with the players who might be able to jump higher or shoot better than me. I think I have a competitive advantage over them in outworking them or being stronger than them.”
Condon spent a week with the Magpies last winter, prompting reports he could join the club as a category B rookie should he leave college.
Alex Condon dunks
against Ole Miss.Credit: Getty Images
“I got a tour of the facility and kicked a footy for the first time in a few years,” Condon said.
“I got to meet all the players and get a vibe of what it is like to be a player at the club.
“They were very welcoming and have a good thing going on there, so credit to them.”
But a tour with the Australian Boomers in Japan last year made a big impact on Condon’s basketball career, setting the stage for his leap forward this season.
That team also included Sydney Kings forward Alex Toohey, another potential NBA draft pick.
“It was a pretty big thing for me and my basketball,” Condon said.
“Playing with these older guys like Mitch McCarron, Mitch Norton and guys like Kyle Bowen – the way they carried themselves, prepared for the games and how they compete on and off the court is something I’ve tried to take back with me to the [United] States.”
McCarron was impressed with the muscle Condon showed against Japan.
Australia’s Mitch McCarron drives to the basket against China in 2022.Credit: Getty Images
“The biggest thing I noticed right away was the difference in his strength,” McCarron said.
“He is slimmer than your usual big man. I’d seen him at some Australian camps before he went to college, and you could see the talent, but his body needed work so he could compete inside.
“The way he competed physically and went at guys, I was surprised how well he held his ground against bigger opponents. But I’m not surprised about his play this season.”
McCarron has stronger views on Collingwood’s interest in Condon.
“I don’t want to see him on the AFL field,” McCarron said.
“I want to see him stay on the court.”
Condon is blocking out the NBA thoughts and locking in on helping Florida chase the NCAA national title. They are ranked fifth in the country going into the SEC conference tournament.
A long March Madness run could push Condon further up the draft standings.
“Bloody oath – it’s a great time of year,” Condon said.
“We are preparing physically and mentally like it is going to be a war in March as you lose a game and you are out. Same with the conference tournament.
“I’ve got some family coming out to watch me play as well, and I always play better in front of them.”
