Wildcat to use new prayer room
As a college basketballer in California, Drake U'u would join a group of his teammates and coaches in prayer before each game.
Such scenes of faith are a dime a dozen in the US, but relatively rare in Australia.
When Gary Ablett Jr thanked God in his 2013 Brownlow Medal acceptance speech, he was mocked on social media by athletes and fans. Point guard U'u has noticed a different attitude towards religion - almost a stigma - since moving to Australia last year.
But with this year's NBL season just days away, the Perth Wildcats have become the first team in the NBL to establish a "multi-faith prayer room".
The prayer room at the Perth Arena will be available to players from both teams and religious leaders will be available on request. It is a similar step to the one taken by the AFL two years ago when the league ruled each venue must have a multi-faith prayer room.
It is a step in the right direction according to U'u, a US-born Christian with a Samoan father and an Australian mother.
"I was raised in a Christian household," U'u, 24, said.
"It's a big part of my life. It's something I view as a foundation and it's something I think about every day.
"I think it's great the club is keeping faith in mind and encouraging players."
The Wildcats' initiative stemmed from a trip to the US, where managing director Nick Marvin witnessed the pre-game prayers.
"Over the years, we've had numerous players of faith and they have quite often prayed before the team steps on court," he said.
