Ferguson suited up for the Adelaide 36ers last season in the NBL, after forgoing offers from many powerhouse programs in the NCAA collegiate system in the United States, and rather chose to be paid develop his game for a year in the Australian league.

"It was very physical - it was a grown man league." Ferguson said recently after a workout with the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA.

This choice to join the NBL rather than take up a "one-and-done" opportunity with Kentucky, Arizona, and others, culminated in his selection as the 21st pick overall in the 2017 NBA draft on Friday, which will now see the talented young shooting guard join the Russell Westbrook-led Oklahoma City Thunder in the upcoming season.

The Australian-based league being seen as an alternative pathway to the NBA is encouraging to Loeliger, who said that Ferguson joining the league last season helped to improve the exposure of the NBL even further to a worldwide audience.

"So, you've got Terrance Ferguson drawing attention to the league which is great, we had every NBA team sending a senior scout to have a look at the NBL this year and as a result, other guys are getting looked at and picked up around the world as well," Loeliger said.

"It is a fantastic marketing tool and it will start to encourage those potential one-and-done players, like a Ferguson, to the NBL instead of going and playing NCAA ball in America - or perhaps instead of going to Europe - to come and play against some really good competition in Australia."

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