By JARROD POTTER
STILL shining after 10 years in the best league on the planet, Andrew Bogut’s defensive prowess has been reinforced by selection in the NBA All-Defensive second team of the year.
Adding another accolade to his jam-packed trophy cabinet, Bogut, 30, originally from Endeavour Hills, was named to the team after a strong season with Golden State Warriors.
As one of Australia’s premier players in the National Basketball League (NBA), the 2005 number-one draft pick continues to excel defensively this season for the Warriors.
Bogut accrued 6.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.69 blocks to push his case for all-team selection and earned 33 first-team votes and 36 second-team votes to finish on 102 points and book his spot in the side.
That selection also resulted in a very handy pay-day for the versatile centre.
Golden State coach Steve Kerr confirmed on Twitter the 213cm powerhouse would receive a $1.93 million bonus for making the All-Defensive second team after already passing the other contract trigger – playing 65 games minimum for the season.
It is Bogut’s first Conference finals series in his 10-year career and a Golden State series win would earn the Warriors’ centre his first appearance in the NBA Finals’ series.