Geraldton’s Alex Ducas set to sign with Oklahoma City Thunder in NBA following five years in US college system

Former Geraldton Buccaneer Alex Ducas is set to sign a contract with a NBA contender, erasing any disappointment after missing out in the draft. The 23-year-old, who played five years of college basketball with Saint Mary’s in California, has agreed to a two-way contract with Oklahoma City Thunder. His dad Aaron said he was thrilled with the news. “I spoke to him this morning, he’s absolutely rapt, super excited about it,” he said. “He can’t wait to take that next step to see how far he can go.” In a NBA draft that saw Perth Wildcat Alex Sarr head to Washington and Aussie Johnny Furphy to Indiana, there was initial disappointment within the Ducas family after he failed to have his name read out. However, 30 minutes after the draft concluded, Ducas was handed the deal with the Thunder, which could see him line up alongside NBA stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren. His father said there had been interest in him ahead of the draft, including the two sides that faced off in the NBA Finals. “He had done a workout with the San Antonio Spurs and the Boston Celtics,” Aaron Ducas said. “He was due to go have further workouts with the Dallas Mavericks, LA Lakers, Atlanta, and OKC who eventually picked him up. “But when he was at the workout with Boston, he strained his quad and wasn’t able to do those other workouts unfortunately.” However, Oklahoma City had seen enough to schedule interviews and meetings with the Geraldton product, before offering him a contract. This year was the first time Ducas had nominated for the NBA Draft, according to his dad, despite being eligible when he was 19. Instead, Ducas opted to play his full five years in college, an extra year on the traditional four-year limit due to the pandemic exemption. The 23-year-old’s father believed the extra time in the college system, where he completed a business degree, was invaluable. “He learnt a lot of stuff through the coaching and all his different experiences he’s had,” Aaron Ducas said. “I think it’s developed him as a player, and as a person as well.” Ducas averaged nine points, four rebounds, and one assist across his college career, and earned a spot in the All-West Coast Conference second team in his final year. He had always been a prodigy in the sport having started in Geraldton, making his first representative side when he was 12. It would often involve trips to and from Perth for coaching and training, as is common with many young Mid West athletes. When he was 17, Ducas was invited to the Australian Institute of Sport, where he trained for two years before making his way to America to continue his journey. Prior to his departure in 2019, he took part in the Geraldton Buccaneers’ championship triumph, helping end the side’s 19-year premiership drought. Ducas has also represented the Boomers, making his national debut in 2022. Aaron Ducas said his son wouldn’t have been able to make it this far without the help of the Geraldton community. “My wife said to me it takes a village to raise a kid,” he said. “Alex has had that, he’s had support right through, whether it be from the coaches he’s been involved with, his teammates with the Buccs, his local teams, and even the general people in town. “Everyone’s had a hand in developing him to where he is now.” The deal is set to become official on Monday, July 1.