Patty Mills has been rewarded for a golden year after he was named the winner of The Don award for 2021.
Mills enjoyed a tremendous 2021, with the highlight being his brilliance at the Tokyo Olympics which saw Australia’s men’s basketball team win its first medal ever.
After being Australia’s flagbearer alongside Cate Campbell at the Olympics, Mills led his side to the bronze medal with 42 points against Slovenia to secure a piece of history.
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“I never set out to win awards like this,” a humble Mills said after receiving the award.
“I go about my craft as a professional and learn ways to get better, trying to carry myself in a way that I think can inspire others. Being recognised in this way to me isn’t about who I sit alongside, it’s about how I can inspire others with my journey.”
Mills finished the Olympics having averaged 23.3 points per game and was named as a guard in the FIBA All-Star five for Tokyo.
After ten seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Mills joined the Brooklyn Nets as a free agent and has been vital to the Eastern Conference leaders’ start to the season.
Mills drained seven straight three-point shots on debut for the Nets and has shot a career-best 47.8 per cent from deep through 21 games this season.
Mills joins the likes of Ash Barty, Cathy Freeman, Jeff Horn and Michelle Payne as athletes to have won The Don award.
Tennis great Evonne Goolagong-Cawley was also honoured, named the inaugural winner of The Dawn Award, an award named after Dawn Fraser given to a courageous ground-breaker.
“To win The Dawn award is an incredible honour,” Goolagong-Cawley said. “I have been unwell and this has been the ultimate cheer-up for me. To be the first recipient makes it even more special.
“Dawn is one of Australia’s greatest athletes and has been a source of inspiration throughout my life. She is also a good friend, and I am so pleased the Sport Australia Hall of Fame has chosen her to have such a prestigious award in her name alongside Sir Don Bradman.”