University of Richmond Athletics
Duinker Will Make 9,000-Mile Journey To Richmond
12/12/2007 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 12, 2007
This is the first of three spotlights on the incoming class of freshmen men's basketball players. Darrius Garrett and Francis-Cedric Martel will follow.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - Spider head coach Chris Mooney made the 9,000 mile journey from Richmond to Sydney, Australia after watching tape of a 6-foot-10, 215-pound forward, who can shoot the three and score inside.
Mooney liked what he saw and offered Josh Duinker (Dunk-er) a scholarship.
Duinker liked what Mooney had to say and the fact he made the 24-hour flight to Australia.
"Everything looked and felt right, and it still does," Duinker said. "Richmond's campus and facilities look great, and the Atlantic 10 Conference is a strong one."
Without ever visiting the United States, Duinker accepted the offer. Australia's schools are on a different schedule and he has already graduated, so Duinker will be getting an early start to his American college experience. He will come to Richmond for the spring semester, which starts in January, and begin practicing with the team immediately upon his arrival.
"We are elated that Josh is planning on enrolling in January," Mooney said. "It will give him an opportunity to adjust to college life in a new country. At this point in time, we are planning to redshirt Josh for the 2007-2008 season."
Josh Duinker is a 6-foot-10, 215-pound forward from Sydney, Australia.  |
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"I'm fortunate to be able to start training with the team for the Spring 2008 semester, allowing me time to adapt to college life in the U.S and giving me a head start for the next basketball season," Duinker said.
This past year Duinker was selected to the All-Star game at the Nike All-Asia Camp in Beijing, China, participated in the 2007 under-19 All-Australian Camp and was a member of the Australian National Junior Team.
He was a four-year starter and team captain for coach Neil Gibson at St. Pius X College, leading the team to a New South Wales runner-up finish. Duinker played on several other teams at different levels, including a Combined Independent School team that won the New South Wales State Championship.
Duinker captained his Independent School Association team and was team captain and MVP of his New South Wales State Schoolboy team at the Australian National Schoolboys Tournament. He was selected to the Australian Schoolboys team, which is the highest level of schoolboy basketball in Australia.
"Josh is an athletic and skilled big man. He is comfortable on the perimeter as well as the interior, and should excel in our offense," Mooney said.
"The Princeton style will give me the opportunity to contribute and develop every aspect of my game," Duinker said.
Duinker competed in the high jump, played soccer, tennis and was on the chess team at St. Pius X. He is the son of Veronica and Hendrik Duinker and has an older sister, Esther, and a younger sister, Tanya.
