NBA Champion Patty Mills and NRL Legend Johnathan Thurston’s Unlikely Bromance Takes Center Stage at State of Origin

In a peculiar pre-game moment before the commencement of game one of the State of Origin series in Sydney, NRL legend Johnathan Thurston found himself immersed in a basketball conversation with none other than NBA champion Patty Mills.

As the cameras rolled, the unexpected interaction between the two sports stars unfolded, with Channel Nine capturing Thurston’s sheer excitement at being in the presence of the Australian Boomers point guard, Patty Mills.

Mills, hailing from Canberra and of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Australian descent, narrated his deep Queensland allegiance to Thurston, tracing it back to his childhood admiration for Brisbane Broncos and Maroons icon, Steve ‘The Pearl‘ Renouf.

Thurston and Mills shared a heartwarming chat just before the kick-off of the State of Origin clash at Accor Stadium, where Mills disclosed how he used to emulate Renouf by donning Maroons gear religiously before key NRL and State of Origin matchups.

Patty Mills, a proud indigenous athlete, reminisced about his childhood connection to Queensland and his uncle, the renowned Queensland legend and Olympic basketballer, Danny Morseu, which further deepened his allegiance to the Maroons.

The camaraderie between Thurston and Mills, both born in 1988 when the Brisbane Broncos joined the league, blossomed into a strong bromance over the years, fueled by their shared indigenous heritage and love for their respective sports.

Despite his NBA success, including a championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, Patty Mills proudly identifies as a Maroons supporter, a sentiment he expressed to Thurston during their heart-to-heart on the sidelines.

Not shying away from his Queensland fervor, Mills, clad in a Brisbane Broncos jersey, even took the opportunity to briefly interview Thurston before a New Zealand Warriors match in a gesture that showcased their mutual respect and admiration.

From impromptu appearances in Townsville to official ambassador roles for events like the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, the bond between Thurston and Mills transcends the boundaries of their respective sports, uniting them in a shared passion for representing their heritage on a global stage.

As the unlikely duo stole the limelight at State of Origin, their unique friendship serves as a reminder of the unifying power of sports in bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.