Swaka Lo Buluk will be counting on chemistry for Australia at U17 World Cup

WANTIRNA SOUTH (FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018) - Wani Swaka Lo Buluk wasn't even born when the state of Western Australia won their last national U18 title. But the athletic forward features in a trio of WA players who ended an 18-year drought this year and now want to use that chemistry to help Australia challenge for the title at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018.

Mark Worthington and Cam Gliddon were the leaders of the last WA team to win the Australian U18 crown - way back in 2000. Swaka Lo Buluk, who wasn't born until 2001, brought joy back to Perth and the rest of the state in April as the team knocked off Queensland South in the final in 2018 Australian U18 Junior Championship.

Swaka Lo Buluk was just one of the leaders of the WA squad along with Luke Jackson and Luke Travers.

"It was a great feeling especially after the last gold medal won by WA was 18 years ago," Swaka Lo Buluk said. "We were really happy that we were able to achieve this. Playing alongside Luke Jackson and Luke Travers was great because we have been playing with each other for quite a while."

The trio followed up that success with a run together for the Australian national team at the FIBA U16 Asian Championship in April. The Crocs went undefeated in their first appearance in the competition. But it was anything but an easy ride. 

In the hugely important Quarter-Finals - only the four winners would then qualify for the U17 World Cup - Swaka Lo Buluk and co. scored just 20 points in the first half and were trailing 38-33 to Korea after three quarters. The Australians flipped a switch and scored 36 points in the fourth quarter with Swaka Lo Buluk tallying 12 of his 15 points in the final 10 minutes in picking up the 69-60 victory.

"It was very challenging, but we stuck together as a group and got the job done," said Swaka Lo Buluk, who averaged 14.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steals for the tournament. "We learned that it's a very fast pace over there. Teams like to run the floor hard and play a fast style."

The 6ft 6in (1.98m) Swaka Lo Buluk will now get a chance to represent WA and Australia globally at the U17 World Cup, which runs from June 30-July 8 in Rosario and Santa Fe, Argentina.

"I'm very excited and honored to be playing at the world stage. One of my main goals was to represent Australia at a World Cup once and I finally get the chance to do it," he said.

That will be an opportunity for him to give back to the country that gave him and his family a chance. Swaka Lo Buluk was born in Sudan and then moved to Perth at the age of 4. 

"My family decided to move to Australia because of the unfortunate war that was happening at the time. So we needed a safer place to live," he explained. "Also I believe my parents wanted us to have a better opportunity in life and to be able to have an education, and Australia is a land of opportunities and a multicultural country, so I am grateful to be here."

Swaka Lo Buluk got into basketball when he 9 years old because his older brother played - and was his role model.

Wani's talent became evident quickly, and that led him to be selected to participate in the newly-started NBA Global Academy in Canberra, Australia.

"I was super excited to be offered to join the NBA Global Academy, also being the first Western Australian was an honor," he said. "Being one of the younger athletes it was tough to start and then once I started to get used to it I was a lot more comfortable."

Now it's time for Swaka Lo Buluk to show his game in Argentina, where Australia were drawn into Group A with Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Turkey.

"Playing against the best teams in the world will be a challenge but also a great learning experience," he said.

Australia have twice made the podium in the tournament, finishing second in 2012 and 2014. And Swaka Lo Buluk insists that past success doesn't put a burden on this edition of the Crocs.

"PLAYING AGAINST THE BEST TEAMS IN THE WORLD WILL BE A CHALLENGE BUT ALSO A GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE."Swaka Lo Buluk

"We don't feel pressure. We are definitely motivated. Our goal is to win the gold medal, and it's going to be tough. But with our group we feel like we can get the job done."

When asked what some of the Australians' biggest strengths are, he said: "We are a very versatile and quick team. We don't have the height advantage but we will use our athleticism and great teamwork to get the job done."

Part of that teamwork comes with team chemistry. And Swaka Lo Buluk and his two teammates from Western Australia will play a big part in that aspect.

"Playing together for a while helps a lot with team chemistry especially leading into the U17 World Cup," he said.

Swaka Lo Buluk has shown that Western Australians can also be winners - something that hasn't been the case much.

FIBA