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Aussie sport legend's 'touching' moment after Boomers triumph

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·5-min read
Andrew Gaze (pictured left) tearing up during Channel 7 broadcast and Joe Ingles and Patty Mills (pictured right) hugging and celebrating.
Andrew Gaze (pictured left) became emotional during Channel 7 broadcast after the Boomers won bronze (pictured right) for the first time at the Olympics. (Images: Channel 7/Getty Images)

Aussie basketball legend Andrew Gaze let all his emotions go in a beautiful moment after the Boomers defeated Slovenia to win bronze at the Tokyo Olympics.

A Patty Mills scoring explosion helped the Boomers to their first Olympic medal in team history, winning the bronze medal match over Slovenia 107-93.

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Fresh from signing a deal to join the Brooklyn Nets next NBA season, Mills dropped 42 in an inspired effort to get the Boomers over the line.

Though the Boomers played well, it wasn't until the second half that Mills got proper scoring support from his teammates, at one point accounting for more than half of Australia's points.

You could see how much the medal meant for the team and Mills with the group celebrating in powerful scenes.

And the medal also meant a lot to one of the stars that helped pave the way for the sport in Australia.

Gaze was part of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics team at the age of 19 and went on to compete at five Games.

And after joining the Channel 7 broadcast team for the Olympics, the emotional scenes from Tokyo spilled over into the studio.

"When you are there and in the trenches, and when you see that resilience being rewarded," Gaze said of the Boomers.

"So for me, selfishly, I feel a part of it.

"And to see Patty and the boys..."

Gaze stopped as he took a moment to compose himself as he teared up at the beautiful scenes.

"You don't have to win a medal to have a beautiful journey and it's about what we want to stand for in representing Australia and representing the sport," Gaze continued.

"I think about those that have been along for the journey and having their DNA on this.

"For me, I am so grateful that before the game, I called up my dad and just to hear him talk about what it means to the sport and his humility and [it had] nothing to do with him.

"And how this is going to be good for Australia and Australian basketball."

Andrew Gaze praises Boomers DNA at Olympics

Gaze went on to say the Olympic spirit was instilled in the DNA of Australian basketball.

"It's all about getting on that podium and showing the friendship and love," he added.

"Making sure you do the right thing by the game and the nation and the pride that comes with pulling on a green and gold jersey."

Fans shed a tear with Gaze after watching the beautiful scenes unfold.

Gaze, who won an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 1999, was the flag bearer at the 2000 Sydney Olympics for Australia.

He became the third basketball player to compete at five Olympics after making the Sydney 2000 Olympics team and had previously led Australia to its best place (4th) at the Games.

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