The NBA 2020 Draft is set to be a can’t miss event for Australian fans of the NBA.

Former NBL alumnae LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton are expected to be selected as a top-3 and lottery-pick respectively.

Australia’s very own five-star prospect Josh Green is also expected to be drafted as high up as a lottery selection following his one-and-done season at the Arizona Wildcats.

The current crop of Aussie NBA stars is spearheaded by Sixers All-Star Ben Simmons, Spurs sixth-man Patty Mills and Joe Ingles of the Jazz.

The rest of the Aussies are either back-up or rotational players including Aron Baynes (Suns), Jonah Bolden, Matisse Thybulle (Sixers), Matthew Dellavedova (Cavaliers), Dante Exum (Jazz) and Thon Maker (Pistons).

Related: 76ers’ Matisse Thybulle: the Aussie thief becoming an NBA cult hero

Josh Green is considered to be the next rising prodigy of Australian basketball as he enters the 2020 draft, and looks a lock to be selected in the first round.

Josh Green – Arizona Highlights 2020 JoshGreen #ArizonaWildcats Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidetheed… (No copyright intended, All videos belong to their rightful owners,…

Green was born to an Australian mother and an American-born father who both played semi-professional basketball. Raised in Sydney, Green excelled at basketball as well as Australian Rules Football and accepted an offer to join the Western Sydney Giants’ academy at age 13.

Later on that year however, the family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona due to his father’s work commitments and so Green could no longer pursue his footballing career in Australia with the Giants.

Green decided to continue playing basketball and after enrolling and impressing at Mountain Ridge High School he transferred to the famed IMG Academy where he won the national high school championship in 2019.

Green was also named MVP of the championship game and was regarded as high up as a top-10 pick.

After making the leap to college basketball and committing with the Arizona Wildcats the athletic forward is officially a one-and-done player after declaring for the 2020 draft.

Joining him will be his Arizona teammates and freshmen Zeke Nnaji and Nico Mannion, the trio all expected to be picked in the first round.

Green piled on the highlights at both ends of the floor in Arizona, averaging 12.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game though 30 appearances, shooting at 36% from beyond-the-arc.

“I know without a doubt I can bring a work ethic and motivation to do whatever it takes to become the best player I can be, and help the team wherever needed.” Green told ESPN.

“I feel like I can bring a defensive intensity and the ability to guard several positions. Offensively, I thrive in transition, can hit the open shot, make the right pass, and make whatever play it takes to win the game. I’m already working hard at other areas to help me make a bigger impact.” he continued.

Green is only a consistent jump shot away from having the ability to become a star player.

Defensively he’s already got the potential to be a strong role player early in his career and he’ll thrive at a team where there is no expectation to score many points.

He’s already an elite defender thanks in part to a phenomenal wingspan of 6’10.

He’s also got an ideal frame for an NBA guard at 6’6, 210 pounds and has proven versatile, showing a strong ability to play at the PG role at Arizona.

Green has shown elite athleticism with strong body control, able to adjust well in traffic and mid-air to make tough shots. He’s got good handles, vision and has shown how valuable he is in transition.

Green will also provide good value as a team player and is very unselfish.

“I don’t really pattern my game after anyone else. My goal is just to be me,” Green said when at IMG. “I love to get in transition and either score or make plays. It’s a team game, so I love to make plays and get my teammates involved.”

Where Green will need to find improvement is from beyond the arc as well as his distribution of the ball.

He also favors driving off his right foot and needs to be stronger coming off the left in a league favoring ambidexterity.

Improving a free-throw percentage of 78% and shooting at 43% from the field should be a priority for Green, but he did hit 9 of his last 13 attempts at Arizona.

And although he is a good all-around player, there isn’t any specific strength that is top shelf separating him from other prospects in the draft.

For the team that does pick him up, they’re no doubt getting an intriguing wing with immense upside.

From his humble beginnings kicking the footy in a Sydney backyard, he’s destined for great heights. On our hands is a potential future star for the Australian Boomers and the NBA.