He was one of the greatest players ever to pass through the University of Utah, and the only No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft that the Utes ever produced.

Now, Andrew Bogut is focusing on the international game.

The 7-foot center, who plays for the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks, has said a top-four finish is a realistic goal for his native Australia at the Beijing Games, even though the Boomers failed to advance out of pool play at the Athens Games four years ago. The Boomers finished 13th at the 2006 World Championships, though, suggesting they're getting better as Bogut continues to blossom.

Unknown when then-Utah coach Rick Majerus and assistant Kerry Rupp began recruiting him at the Australian Institute for Sport about eight years ago, Bogut has grown into one of the most versatile big men in basketball, with passing skills befitting much smaller players.

He memorably led the Utes to a 29-6 record and a trip to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament as a sophomore in 2005, before leaving school to enter the draft. On his way out, he donated $125,000 to the Utes to help renovate their locker room in the Huntsman Center, where his retired No. 4 jersey hangs in the rafters.

Competition dates: Aug. 10-24

Timeline:

Born Nov. 28, 1984 to Michael and Anne Susan Bogut, immigrants from Croatia who had fled their native country as it titled toward war and settled in Melbourne.

Playtime:Discovers basketball in 1992 by shooting at a makeshift rim that hung in the garage of his father's carburetor-repair business.

Learning the game: Lifelong growth spurt unexpectedly stops in 1996, allowing smaller kids to catch up and force Bogut to learn passing and other skills more befitting a guard than a center. Parents hire personal coach who uses unorthodox exercises to drill Bogut.

Utah interest: Cut from a regional team in 1999, but later leaves home at 16 to join training program at Australian Institute for Sport in Canberra, where he begins to attract interest from then-U. coach Rick Majerus and the Utes.

MVP: In 2003, named Most Valuable Player after leading Australia to the title at the Junior World Championships.

Olympian: After a solid but unspectacular freshman season for the Utes in 2004, starts for Australia at the Athens Games, averaging 14.8 points and 8.8 rebounds though the Boomers fail to advance out of pool play.

College star: In 2005, averages 20.4 points and 12.2 rebounds while leading the Utes to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, winning numerous player of the year awards and becoming the No. 1 pick of the NBA Draft.

NBA start: Finishes strong rookie season in 2006 with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 9.4 points and 7.0 rebounds and being named to the All-Rookie first team. Leads Australia to 13th-place finish at the World Championships.

Beijing bound: This year, opts out of final year of contract with the Bucks to pursue new deal, leaving him without insurance against injury and unable to participate in some preparations with Australia. But signs a five-year extension worth as much as $72.5 million in time for the Olympics.