Since then, the 39-year-old has represented Australia at three Olympic Games, won three consecutive NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and played for four teams in the world's premier basketball competition.

He is arguably Australia's greatest basketball export.

Longley was back yesterday where it all began as a 17-year-old scholarship holder.

Now enjoying retirement, the 218cm giant was in Canberra to cheer on his 12-year-old daughter Lily at the Pacific School Games.

Playing for Western Australia's under-12 side, 182cm-tall Lilyhas clearly inherited her father's physical attributes. And if genetics is anything to go by, playing for her country could be just a matter a time.

As for what country, that's another story. Born in Chicago, Lily can represent either the United States or Australia.

Not that Lily's worried.

''I'm not entirely sure, but my heart is with Australia,'' she said.

Longley said the old training hall took him back to his youth.

''There's lots of good memories as well as some bad ones but you take all that,'' Longley said.

''It's nice to be back with Lily who's playing in my old stomping ground for Western Australia here: it's a great environment where she can compare herself against other kids.''

Longley was impressed with the Pacific School Games competition.

The under-12s event features nine teams one for each Australian state and territory, and one from Singapore competing for the No1 spot.

The strength of the Games had Longley wishing he'd had such a competition to play in when growing up.

''It would have been nice to have the PSGs. We had an Australian championships which was quite similar, but it's nice to see countries like Singapore and China here and getting involved as well.

''I've only really seen the under-12 girls, but it's been great. It's been well organised and [Lily] seems to be having fun which is great.''

Lily is competing at her first Pacific School Games and has been enjoying the competition.

Her side is undefeated after two matches, beating NSW 54-39 and Tasmania 92-51.

She said despite her father's impressive resume on the basketball court, she was being left to make her own choices.

''He leaves me to let me find my own way, but I can go to him for help obviously,'' Lily said.

''I really enjoy basketball and I hope to be at his stage at one stage.''