Danny Morseu facts for kids
| Forward | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 January 1958 Thursday Island, Queensland |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Career information | |
| Pro career | 1979–1989 |
| Career history | |
| 1979–1983 | St. Kilda Saints |
| 1984–1985 | Geelong Supercats |
| 1986–1989 | Brisbane Bullets |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
Danny Morseu (born on January 1, 1958) is a famous Australian basketball player. He proudly represented Australia on the national basketball team. Danny played in two major global sports events: the 1980 Summer Olympics and the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Contents
Playing for Australia
Danny Morseu was a key player for the Australian national team, often called the Boomers. He competed in the 1980 Summer Olympics held in Moscow. In that tournament, Australia's team finished in eighth place.
He also played in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Here, the Australian team achieved their best Olympic result at that time, finishing in seventh place. Danny also played in twelve World Cup matches for Australia, showing his dedication to the sport.
Danny's Basketball Journey
Early Life and Start in Basketball
Danny Morseu is a Torres Strait Islander, born on Thursday Island in Far North Queensland in 1958. He grew up in Tamwoy, a mission on Thursday Island. Life there was simple, without running water or electricity.
Danny started playing basketball at school. Even though he was not chosen for his primary school team, he worked hard. He grew into a tall and very talented athlete during his teenage years. After finishing school, he moved to Cairns. There, he played both basketball and rugby league for local teams.
Joining the NBL and Winning Championships
Danny's talent caught the eye of Brian Kerle, a coach in the National Basketball League (NBL). This happened after Danny played a game against Kerle's team, the St Kilda Saints. The Saints were visiting North Queensland at the time.
Coach Kerle convinced Danny to move to Melbourne in 1978. Danny then joined the St Kilda Saints. He helped them win NBL championships in both 1979 and 1980. He played a total of 217 NBL games in his career. Danny won another NBL championship in 1987 with the Brisbane Bullets.
Coaching Career
In December 2017, Danny Morseu became the head coach. He coached the Toowoomba Mountaineers QBL men's team. He had a special connection to this team, as he won a championship with them as a player in 1991.
Life After Playing Basketball
Education and Community Work
In 1984, Danny completed a special degree. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in recreation from the Footscray Institute of Technology. After his basketball career, Danny worked for state and federal governments.
He was involved in many different activities in Victoria and Queensland. A big part of his work was helping with Indigenous health programs. Danny also became a mentor for other Indigenous basketball players. He helped guide young talents like Nathan Jawai and Patty Mills.
Awards and Recognition
Danny Morseu has received several important awards for his contributions to basketball. In 2002, he was inducted into the NBL Hall of Fame. This was a very special honor, as he was the first Indigenous basketball player to receive it.
In 2007, he was also inducted into the Victoria University Sport Hall of Fame. These awards celebrate his amazing career and his impact on Australian basketball.
Family Connections
Danny Morseu has strong family ties to other famous Australian basketball players. He is the uncle of two well-known Australian Boomers players: Patty Mills and Nathan Jawai.
