He might be in his words "not a likely package" but three-time NBA champion and Boomers assistant coach Luc Longley is a big fan of Nick Kay.
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Speaking ahead of the Boomers' FIBA World Cup clash with Senegal in China on Tuesday, which they won 81-68, Longley praised the Tamworth product's attitude and compared him to Matthew Dellavedova.
"He's a bit like Delly (Dellavedova), he and Delly are out of the same mould and he's a student of the game ... he's better than he was at most things," he said.
Longley made the comment as he conceded that the world no.35 side (Senegal) would boast an athletic advantage over the Boomers because "we're not the most bouncy, athletic group in the world", and said Kay is proof they make up for that deficiency in other areas.
"Nick played 17, 18 minutes and (after Sunday's game) we asked the guys who didn't play if they wanted a burn (workout) and there's Nick, he needs another burn," he said.
"And he's out there again today (Monday)... when it's your stock in trade I suppose that's how he's got here because let's face it, he's not a likely package."
Kay was chuffed to hear of the comparison to the dogged Australian point guard.
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"Delly's game is so influential throughout Australia and the world, just because of how hard he plays," he told Fox Sports.
"I mean, it's very humbling. I just wanna be out there playing like that, and then I'm glad the teammates and coaching staff think the same."
He admits he is "not the most athletic guy out there".
"But I've been able to take that next step each time it's come around," Kay said.
"This is the biggest step I've taken so far and we're going to see if it can match up on this level and if it's enough to compete."
Against Senegal, he matched his first game effort against Canada with eight points (the fourth best for the Boomers) and three rebounds (two defensive and one offensive), and also had three assists.