Australian basketball icon Patty Mills has opened up about his future, revealing he hasn't closed the door on an NBA return despite stepping away to embrace fatherhood in Hawaii.
New dad prioritises family time
The five-time Olympian confirmed the exciting news that he and his wife Alyssa welcomed their first child, a baby girl, in August 2025. Mills described this period as a "very special moment in time" and said becoming a present father was the "best decision" he has ever made.
"To be able to be present, and start my little family, that's the reason that I'm here and not playing in the NBA," Mills said on the Keep It Aloha podcast. "It was an important decision, but it was actually an easy decision too."
NBA future remains uncertain
While fully immersed in his new role as a dad, the 37-year-old guard has not officially retired and remains an unsigned free agent. His last NBA game was with the Los Angeles Clippers in April 2025.
When asked about a potential return to the world's premier basketball league, Mills was non-committal but optimistic. "I'll never say never, but [the NBA] has been a big part of my life for over 16 years," he stated. "The real answer is, I'm not sure... This is a little 'put the brakes' on while I enjoy this time that I know I'll never get back again, and we'll revisit again what the NBA looks like."
Life in Hawaii and a new university role
Mills, who won an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014 and an Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo 2021, has deep ties to Hawaii. His connection dates back to 2011, and he now considers the US island state his "permanent home".
In June 2025, he took on a new position as the general manager of the University of Hawaii basketball program. In this role, he mentors players and promotes local culture while still maintaining his fitness. Social media training videos suggest the veteran guard remains in excellent physical condition.
His former Boomers coach, Brian Goorjian, strongly believes Mills could still compete at the highest level. "He's in incredible shape. He's working his ass off, works out every day, and I'm sure he's waiting for that call," Goorjian told The Canberra Times. "I can see he hasn't lost a thing."
The final decision will likely hinge on family considerations. With his wife running a swimwear business in Hawaii and their newborn daughter settling in, any professional comeback would be a carefully weighed choice for the Canberra-born legend.
