They share DNA, one of Australian sport’s most famous names, a passion for basketball and a plethora of achievements.
Now, as he prepares to accept his latest accolade, Andrew Gaze has dedicated it to the legend in his life: father Lindsay.
Andrew, a five-time Olympian, four-time World Cup representative and 297-game Australian Boomer, like his father is a member of the Sports Australia Hall of Fame and later this year will be elevated to legend status.
Gaze was inducted as a member in 2005 with his illustrious career in the NBL, where he played 22 seasons, won two titles and seven times claimed the league’s MVP award which is now adorned with his name, for Australia, of whom he captained for eight years, and in the NBA recognised.
Hall of Fame members must be retired for 15 years before being considered for legend status and elevation is voted on by the SAHOF board based on recommendations by the organisation’s selection committee.
“It’s very humbling and came as a big shock of course. To be alongside my Dad (in the Hall of Fame and to now be elevated) is more a credit to him than it is me because if it not for him then I would not have had this opportunity,” he said.
“I’m incredibly grateful for him, what he’s done for me as a father but also for his incredible contribution to the sport.
“Growing up, through my Dad, I was educated about the Olympic Games, spirit of competition and the values associated with representing your country at the Olympics along with the spirit of the Games and everything that goes with it.
“Those values were instilled in me at a very early age, so my dream was always to play for Australia and compete at an Olympics.”
Gaze remains at the coal face of the sport and deeply entrenched in the club that runs through his veins, the Melbourne Tigers.
He coaches the senior men’s team, and son Mason, in the NBL1 South competition, leading them to a Grand Final appearance earlier this month.
“The club’s gone through some turbulent times and to be part of rebuilding the club and have an opportunity to make a contribution to the development of players and to see the Tigers go through this transition, I feel indebted to the club. It’s a way in which I feel like I can give something back,” Gaze explains.
“I love it, love everything about it and enjoy it and know I’m doing everything I can to repay the club for how it’s assisted me along the journey.”
Australian basketball great, and Sports Australian Hall of Fame member, Luc Longley said this latest accolade was worthy recognition for his great mate.
“It’s no surprise to me that he’s being made legend status, the only surprise was that he wasn’t a legend already,” he said.
“Andrew has done a lot for Australian basketball, Australian sport and stays involved to this day. He gives every man a taste because he doesn’t look like a rockstar, he looks like an every man with a big, bobbly head,” Longley laughs.
“And that always makes the sport accessible for people and connects them to it.”
The 40th edition of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame gala will be held in Melbourne on Monday November 17 where Lleyton Hewitt AM, Jason Dunstall, Laura Geitz, Cameron Smith AM, Mark Schwarzer OAM, Torah Bright and Dr Peter Harcourt AM will be inducted as members.
Gaze looks forward to catching up with his sporting peers and celebrating the crème de la crème of Australian sport.
“I was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005 so to be in that company sometimes it can be a little bit awkward because you think ‘Crickey, what am I doing getting recognised alongside these types of people?! There’s a whole lot of emotions that you go through,” he said.
“And this time I get to share it with one of my good friends in Jason Dunstall (former AFL champion) who’s going into the Hall of Fame so to be there for his night as well will be a nice addition.
“The Sports Australia Hall of Fame is full of incredible talent – playing basketball and being surrounded my entire life by sport you have an appreciation for all athletes. If anything, I may have a bias towards the Olympians, of course.
“We’re very lucky when we think about Australia, it’s population and geographical challenges and all those things and you look at the Sports Australia Hall of Fame and it would rival some nations that have far greater advantage.
“It’s a credit to what we can do as a nation, the culture we develop and the opportunities we provide.”
