Today's birthday, July 24
For pictures please call AAP Images on 9322 8709 or visit the website at www.aapimage.com (trans reference number 20000925000019382031)
Today's birthday, July 24: Australian basketballer Andrew Gaze.
Australian Olympian Andrew Gaze is an Australian basketball legend.
Born on July 24 1965 in Melbourne, Victoria, Andrew Gaze followed in the gym boots of his father, Australian basketball great Lindsay Gaze.
After joining the National Basketball League at 18, he was named Rookie of the Year in 1984 and joined the Melbourne Tigers under the coaching tenure of his father.
Gaze was a shooting sensation - his tremendous ability to land the basket almost every time saw him top the highest scorers rankings 14 seasons in a row.
He led the Melbourne Tigers to two premierships and numerous finals, but became a household name and national treasure representing Australia on the international stage.
His 280 games for Australia saw him lead the Boomers at five Olympic Games (1984, 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000), including the team's best-ever performance at the 1996 Atlanta games where they placed fourth.
Gaze holds the record for top Olympic scorer and is also the second-highest scorer in World Championship history.
He was chosen to lead the Australian team out at the Sydney Olympic Games opening ceremony and has described his flag-bearing role as one of the proudest moments of his life.
He retired from international competition after the 2000 Olympics.
Gaze played for various teams in the United States in the `90s but didn't achieve as much success in the NBA as he had at home.
Gaze's leader stature and genial personality made him a popular sporting figure.
After he retired from professional play in 2005, Gaze stayed in the public eye, moving into the media as a sports commentator and participating in the 2006 series of Dancing With the Stars.
He was approached by the Australian Labor Party in 2007 to stand as their candidate for a by-election for the Victorian district of Albert Park, but turned down the role.
He and his wife Melinda have four children.
