He is the epitome of how Australians like their sports stars, an unassuming force of nature who is again showing that he is comfortable breathing rarified air.
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And according to basketball legend Michelle Timms, Nick Kay "doesn't understand his legacy yet".
Commenting on Twitter after the Tamworth-raised forward posted a double-double in the Boomers' 97-59 quarter-final defeat of Argentina at the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday night, Timms added: "From here on in Australian basketball we will be saying 'you need a Nick Kay on your team' or 'that kids [sic] a Nick Kay'.
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She continued: "He's been outstanding these Olympics ... I'm well and truly on the band wagon [sic]."
Kay's former club the Perth Wildcats called him a "national treasure" in a tweet before the Argentina clash.
Playing 27 minutes against Argentina on a day he turned 29, Kay had 10 points, 10 rebounds and three assists as undefeated Australia set up a semi-final showdown against defending three-time Olympic champions Team USA on Thursday afternoon.
It was a continuation of an impressive debut Olympics for the 206cm weapon, who has signed with Japanese club Shimane Susanoo Magic for the upcoming B League season.
Kay has averaged 14.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and three assists per game in wins over Nigeria (84-67), Italy (86-83), Germany (89-76) and Argentina.
He was part of the Boomers' starting five against Argentina, along with Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Matthew Dellavedova and Jock Landale.
While at a pre-Olympics tournament in Las Vegas last month, Kay told the Leader that Tokyo 2020 would be the realisaton of a childhood dream.
"To be here now and heading towards Tokyo, I'm super excited," he said.
At that Las Vegas tournament, the Boomers won both their matches against the US.
Post-match on Tuesday, Boomers veteran Joe Ingles said: "We've had one goal in mind: to win a gold medal and leave here with that."
The winner of Thursday's semi will advance to the gold-medal match on Saturday.
The loser will play for bronze, with the Boomers getting a double-shot to win a breakthrough medal.
France and Slovenia will meet in the other semi-final on Thursday.
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