By Tania Martin
LUKE Kendall has bounced back to the top of his game despite a tumultuous year courtside.
The former Emerald basketball star has overcome the crushing disappointment of missing out on the Beijing Olympics.
He was the last man to be cut from the 12-man squad in final preparations for the Games in July.
Kendall was also left without a team when his club, the Sydney Kings, folded last season.
He returned home in August to reassess his options.
Kendall has picked up a temporary berth with the Perth Wildcats while injured players, including Paul Rogers, watch from the sidelines.
The 193-cm point guard is still holding out hope for a spot in the European league in either Italy or Spain.
Kendall is already proving himself and in just his third game on Friday night scored 11-points.
He has been in love with the game since he was just 10.
Kendall started his playing career with the Kilsyth Cobras in the juniors but soon made a name for himself.
He made it all the way to the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) before heading for America.
Kendall led the Cobras to the last championship title in 1999, before heading for the basketball promise land – the United States.
He spent four years playing college ball at Metro State University in Denver.
Kendall returned to Australia to take up a position in the NBL but was shocked when his club folded.
He said his contract with the Wildcats could run out this week, next month or even at the end of this season.
But Kendall said it’s great to get back on the court.
