iPhones News 
Sydney Swans have signed a 201cm American basketballer as the AFL club try to replicate the success they've had with Canadian ruckman Mike Pyke.
While Pyke, a hero of last year's premiership win, has made his remarkable transition from a rugby background, the Swans see some of the same potential in the 24-year-old Patrick Mitchell.
From Iowa, Mitchell has played basketball for the University of North Dakota and coach John Longmire said he combined impressive athletic ability with determination.
"Obviously what we've seen with Mike Pyke coming to our footy club is that there is potential for players who haven't got a background in AFL football to develop and have an opportunity to play league football if they have the right mindset, are prepared to work, and have some athletic talent," Longmire said.
"We think that's what Patrick has got - a combination of all of those attributes."
Mitchell has been signed under the AFL's international rookie scheme, the same way Pyke joined the club in 2009.
He visited the Swans in July, along with two other AFL hopefuls from the United States who were vying for a rookie spot.
Mitchell, who has signed on as a rookie for the next two years and will join the Swans in October, was confident he could reach AFL standard.
"I think I can make it, but it's going to be with a lot of hard work," he said.
Harga Laptop