Luc Longley

Luc Longley AM is an iconic Australian and basketball champion.

Luc's inherent curiosity and courage led him to blaze the trail for elite Australian basketballers becoming the first Australian to play in the NBA. He also represented Australia in three Olympic Teams including at the 1988 Seoul Olympics which delivered Australia's best result for the Men's Team.

Luc joined the Chicago Bulls in 1994 and was their starting centre from 1995 to 1998. He was a critical component in their famous three-peat, winning back to back championships from 1996-1998 and setting an NBA record with 72 wins and only 10 losses. Luc was coached and mentored by the legendary Phil Jackson and played alongside some of basketball's most iconic players including Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Toni Kukoc and Steve Kerr. The Team, and this incredible accomplishment, were the subjects of the 2020 Netflix & ESPN Documentary, The Last Dance.

Following the Bull's 1998 victory Luc was traded to the Phoenix Suns and then the New York Knicks. In 2001, Luc retired from professional basketball due to a degenerative condition in his ankle which plagued him throughout his career.

After a 12-year break, Luc re-entered the world of basketball and signed on as an Assistant Coach for the Australian National Men's Team, the Boomers, ahead of the London 2012 Olympics, a role he held until recently. Luc currently works with the Sydney Kings as a special advisor and takes great pride in mentoring the next generation of elite Australian basketballers.

In 2019 Luc was named a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to basketball as a player, coach and administrator.

Contact BBC today to book Luc as part of your next Q&A panel.

‍