ALIIR ALIIR has become a big name in the Australian sporting world but the Port Adelaide defender is predicting a family member will eventually be better known.
Aliir’s younger brother Akech Aliir was on Tuesday announced as one of the Adelaide 36ers’ development players for the 2024 National Basketball League season.
While the older Aliir sibling is highly regarded as one of the best intercepting defenders in the AFL, his younger brother has made a name for himself in the NBL1 competition as a forward with the North Adelaide Rockets.
Since moving to Adelaide this year, Akech Aliir is averaging 17.5 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists, and his talent stood out during a two-day development player tryout held by the 36ers last month.
Announcing his signing, proud big brother Aliir Aliir says he has seen the work put in by Akech to get to this point.
“It’s just a proud moment for myself and my family,” the Port Adelaide star said. “To see the work he’s been able to put in. Obviously, he’s a development player but the work starts now for him. Already I’m on some days on his back to push him hard at training so hopefully he does that.
“From a young age, our whole family played basketball. Myself, our older brother. There were times we had to give that up or go down a different path but he stuck at it with my younger brothers. Their goal is to make it to the NBA as is any young kid growing up.
“Just the work he’s put into his craft, his shooting. He’s a big man but can shoot outside. He has great skills and great hands so hopefully he keeps developing that and can make a great career out of it.”
And while he has already been an All-Australian and is on track to figure in the discussion again this season, the older Aliir brother said he expected his younger sibling to be a standout in the NBL if he gets his opportunity.
“He probably will be (better known than me) to be honest,” he smiled. “The way he’s been able to develop his game. Basketball was my first love, the game I grew up playing. I was able to play (basketball) with him so hopefully he’s learned a few things off me when I was running around.
“With the way he’s going now hopefully he goes past me. That’s the plan.”
For Akech, his older brother’s journey into elite sport has proven an inspiration that he hopes to emulate.
“It’s been great to see him play AFL and make it professionally in his sport of choice. It’s been inspirational and I just hope to do the same,” he explained.
“I remember recently we were on holidays and he would make sure he got his workouts in before he could relax and seeing that, I can see what it takes.”
From a football perspective, Aliir Aliir is part of a Port Adelaide team that will chase a 13th straight win on Saturday night when it comes up against the Gold Coast Suns.
In the absence of captain Tom Jonas, Aliir’s leadership has been invaluable in a backline that has included youngsters Lachie Jones, Dylan Williams, Jase Burgoyne and Kane Farrell.
But the 28-year-old former Sydney Swan isn’t claiming ownership of the defence just yet.
“I wouldn’t say it’s my backline at the moment but my leadership, I have had to step up,” he said.
“We’ve got a lot of young guys 20 or 21 (years-old) who are playing down there and they’re playing great footy so I think my role has been just to give them confidence to be able to play their best football.
“Things don’t always go our way. There’ll be times when our opponents will go on a three or four goal run and to be able to keep them calm. Our moment will come and they have been able to handle that really well.”
To kick start the school holidays in South Australia, kids aged 14 or under will be given free entry to Saturday night’s clash with the Suns and there will be heaps of entertainment for families.
