CHONGQING, CHINA — Australian junior basketball star Indy Cotton has a decision to make.
The 18-year-old, who has come through the ranks at Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence, has carved a path as one of the country's best junior hoopers, representing Australia at under-15, 16, and 17 level...but there's another sport that's calling his name.
Cotton, who played Aussie Rules from the age of five, picked up a basketball at age 12 as a means of getting out of playing cricket in the summer — and the rest was history.
At age 14, he put down the Sherrin and turned his attention to hoops full-time, and while he's on course to make it at the next level, that hasn't stopped AFL clubs from picking up the phone, with a reported eight teams attempting to secure his services as a Category B rookie.
"Having two opportunities in sports, you've got to be super grateful for God that he gives you that opportunity," Cotton told Sporting News Australia.
"People ask me all the time, they wouldn't want to be in my shoes to make the decision, but I just think you've got to be pretty grateful for the opportunity you got in front of you. So it's pretty cool."
Cotton's father, Jarrod, an under-19 Academy Coach and VFL Development Coach at the Gold Coast Suns, played for Port Adelaide in the 1997 season, and despite his deep AFL background, he isn't pushing his son in either direction.
While several footy clubs chase his signature, even more US colleges have expressed interest in bringing him Stateside to play NCAA basketball.
"I'll probably take it as it comes," Cotton added. "I think Dad said it a few times 'be where your feet are', so kind of enjoy every day that's happening. But it's pretty cool.
"I love both sports...It's going to be a tough decision, but I just love them both."
With his feet firmly planted on the hardwood for now, the international element of basketball is something that goes a long way in keeping Cotton in hoops, representing Australia at the FIBA U15 Oceania Championships in 2022, FIBA U16 Asian Championships in 2023, and FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in 2024.
"That has to be the greatest honour anyone can have, representing your country at a world stage," Cotton said. "That's something I took away a lot of confidence from being able to play in those tournaments."
Under Armour
Cotton shines at Curry Camp in China
Cotton was one of two players selected to represent Australia at Stephen Curry's recent Asia Camp in China, alongside some of the most talented players across the Asia-Pacific.
The four-day programme saw campers receive hands-on training from the four-time NBA champion, working on individual skills development and team scrimmages.
"You get out there and you see him standing there and you're like, 'Wow, that's him'. It's actually pretty insane to be able to see him [given] everything that he's been able to do for the sport of basketball," Cotton said.
The 6-foot-5 combo guard excelled at the UA Combine on Day 1, before putting together a dunk-filled highlight reel in the showcase games, displaying his supreme athleticism and basketball IQ.
Working up close with the game's greatest-ever shooter is an opportunity not many get, and for Cotton, the camp left him in awe of Curry's process, bringing home a few trade secrets to add to his game.
"I think it's just his work rate and in his detail," Cotton said. "It's not just hard work without any purpose, he's got a lot of purpose to everything he does."
"[Also] the way he interacts with everyone as well, he has time for every single person he talks to, and I think that's one of the best things about him."