Basketball On The Internet.

LUC Longley's visit to Adelaide last weekend for Free Throw Foundation functions reinforced what a superb ambassador he is for our game and just how lucky we are in basketball.

I consider myself luckier than most to have had the chance to meet great and impressive young men and women such as Luc, Brett Maher, Rachael Sporn, Suzy Batkovic, Chris Anstey and a holy host of others who are not only superb athletes and icons for our game on the floor but exemplary human beings off it.

The only drawback for me personally to being in Perth for the NBL's opening round was missing Perth's greatest basketballer in Adelaide doing what he does so well, communicating with the new generations of sportsmen and women, girls and boys.

The Free Throw Foundation is the brainchild of 1986 Adelaide 36ers NBL Championship winner, 1987 Adelaide Buffalos SEABL Championship captain and multiple West Adelaide Bearcats Championship winner as a player and coach, David Spear.

It's the type of initiative State programs should run but in Adelaide, Basketball SA is too busy typing in results of last night's games and updating its tables to ever seriously look at how to help its less fortunate basketballers.

Speary is not the type to be pursuing personal accolades but to genuinely help those in need.

Luc, currently a Boomers assistant coach, a multiple Olympian and three-time NBA Championship starter with the Chicago Bulls, was a coup as the Foundation's inaugural guest speaker.

"The night was a huge success," Spear said.

"We think we will have raised over $20,000.

"Luc Longley was awesome on the night, a great bloke."

Indeed. Our sport is full of them but Longley, other than being 218cm (7-2) stands out regardless.

My colleagues in the media who met him for the first time ALL remarked how affable, down-to-earth and thoroughly enjoyable it was for them to hang with the big guy.

His Saturday morning clinic for big man coaching also was a hit, although it should have been better attended. Some of our clubs and coaches just cannot get over themselves.

"The clinic was excellent for those with enough nous to attend," Spear said.

"As an example, sitting front-row taking notes were people like Jan Stirling, Rupert Sapwell and Rachael Sporn, with note pads and pens, asking questions."

Longley is one of our greatest human resources and a true blue Aussie to boot.

We are blessed to have him and also to have David Spear.

For what the Free Throw Foundation is all about, just hit this link: http://youtu.be/ikTf7tHjkiU and kick yourself if you missed Longley's visit and/or clinic.

He was gracious to bring along one of his NBA Championship rings and even to let a few wide-eyed fans try it on, to sign autographs, to be in photographs and, as always, be the perfect gentleman.

We are so lucky.

Speaking of which, this is where I was, just in case you were wondering: http://bit.ly/1aLu8mn