He's the Canberra kid in a team of superstars, but Patrick Mills trumped almost $50 million worth of talent to prove he belongs next to some of the NBA's greatest players.
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In just his third game for the San Antonio Spurs, Mills out-scored All Stars and future Hall of Famers Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker yesterday to officially end his turbulent four months.
The former Marist College and Australian Institute of Sport athlete scored a game-high 20 points, grabbed two rebounds and had two assists in the Spurs' 125-90 triumph over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Mills grew up idolising superstars Duncan, Ginobili and Parker and they are worth a combined $US46.7 million ($A45.5 million).
But with coach Gregg Popovich opting to rest the trio on their two-game road trip, Mills took his chance and got 19 minutes on the court.
Duncan (seven points) and Parker (19 points) got more game time, but speedy point guard Mills nailed four of his five three-point attempts and dominating with 72 per cent shooting from the field.
Less than a month ago Mills was training by himself in a college gym unsure whether his NBA career would receive a lifeline.
Now the 23-year-old is keen to chase a championship just two weeks after joining the Spurs.
San Antonio is second in the Western Conference with the regular season ending on April 26.
''I had no idea I was top scorer until someone told me after the game, to be with those future Hall of Famers is a great experience for me,'' Mills told The Canberra Times.
''They've helped me be myself and be comfortable playing alongside guys like those All Stars.
''They've already won championships and they want to win more, it's great to be on the same team as them and I'm just pumped.
''I got my opportunity in the first half and I had a lot of fun out there, I didn't realise I had played 19 minutes until the end of the game.''
Mills signed a two-year contract with the Spurs last month after a frustrating four months with his career in limbo.
He had to wait for a release from his Chinese club before he could return to the NBA.
But when Mills received the international clearance, the Portland Trail Blazers still held the rights to his contract and their roster was full.
The Spurs decided to sign him, but Mills's return was delayed further as he waited for his visa details to be sorted.
His extended game time is a massive boost just 113 days out from his Olympic campaign with the Australian Boomers.
Mills said joining the Spurs was the clean slate he needed to relaunch his career.
He hopes to see more action today when the Spurs take on the Boston Celtics in Boston.
