ANDREW Bogut's rise towards basketball superstardom took another giant step upwards yesterday when the Milwaukee Bucks chose the Australian first overall in the 2005 NBA draft.
The announcement brought joy to Bogut's Croatian born grandparents, Zdenka and Michael, who now live in Clunes.
"We're flying high," Mrs Bogut said yesterday.
After an initial panic, the couple connected to pay television to watch the draft at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
"When I called them (Austar), they said I'd have to wait six to eight days," Mrs Bogut said.
"I told them I didn't have six to eight days. I needed to have it by the 28th, because by the 29th I had to see something.
"When I was told `no,' I said I'd call back in November, and they asked why. Then he went to somebody, who went to somebody, and I was told people would come out the next day. So I had the pleasure of seeing it the first moment
it happened."
Mrs Bogut, who was unable to sleep for the excitement, downplayed her expectations leading up to her grandson's draft.
"His father was 100 per cent confident he'd be selected, but the rest of the relatives said `don't count your chickens before they hatch'," she said.
"You're never as confident when you're brought up in a communistic system because when you're good, you're never good enough, and when you're bad, you're punished."
The Boguts keep in regular contact with Andrew via the Internet, and hope to see him in Australia before he begins competition in November.
Mrs Bogut said she was very close to the 20-year-old, who gave her the will to live.
"He's our joy," she said.
"But any grandmother will boast about their grandchildren, because they're the best and the loveliest. We're only fortunate to have one who is in the spotlight."
Mrs Bogut knew her grandson was destined for sporting fame when he was just seven-years-old.
The youngster spent most of his holidays in Clunes, and honed his skills with his grandmother, a former volleyball player.
"He wasn't scared of my hit at the ball, and he'd catch it every time," she said.
"He'd tell me to hit harder, and I could not believe what he would do. It was then I realised he would be great."
Bogut is the first Australian and just the second non-American to be a number one draft choice after China's Yao Ming was selected first overall by Houston in 2002.
As expected, the Victorian-born 20-year-old surpassed Australia's previous highest draft choice Luc Longley, who was Minnesota's seventh overall pick back in 1991.
As a first pick, Bogut will receive a guaranteed three-year contract worth in excess of $14 million.
Bogut raised a fist in celebration when NBA Commissioner David Stern read his name.
"I'm just taking that deep breath," Bogut said.
"It's surreal to me still. I think I'll wake up tomorrow morning and have a better realisation.
"It's just a dream come true."
The 213cm-centre emerged as a possible number-one pick during a stand-out sophomore season at the University of Utah.
He picked up a swag of US college player of the year awards after averaging 20.4 points and 12.2 rebounds per game, leading the Utes to a 29-6 record.
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