Once the coronavirus pandemic suspended the NBA season, George Hill escaped to a place where he had space to social distance — 850 acres, to be exact.

The Milwaukee Bucks point guard flew to stay at the Hill Country ranch he purchased in 2017, according to a recent ESPN profile. The sprawling property, a 35-minute drive north of Hill’s offseason home in San Antonio, is home to a number of exotic animals.

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Hill keeps kangaroos, six zebras, wildebeests, donkeys, elk, and antelope, among others.

“I just think it’s cool for my kids to see,” Hill told ESPN. “And for them to have something different. Everyone has a dog or a cat … I just choose other animals.”

When Hill bought the ranch, the realtor told mySA that he “knew it was the one he had been dreaming about.”

“One thing many people do not know about George is that he loves the outdoors,” the realtor said. “He loves paintballing, hunting and fun, outdoor toys, so he will definitely be using the land for recreation and hunting.”

The Spurs drafted Hill with the 26th overall pick in 2008. (He was traded to the Indiana Pacers in 2011 in exchange for the rights to Kawhi Leonard and Davis Bertans.) As a rookie, he learned to hunt with season-ticket holders Will and Gloria Drash.

Hill has since become an avid hunter, but he said the animals on his ranch are not for hunting. Four employees are charged with taking care of the animals.

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“The only thing I hunt on my land is wild hogs and coyotes, because they cause so many problems,” he said.

The article notes that owning exotic animals is legal in Texas. Hill purchased his from licensed specialty breeders in the state. The most expensive animals on his ranch are the female sable antelope and kudu, which cost $20,000 to $25,000 apiece.

“If this is what retirement looks like,” Hill said. “This is better than I thought.”

Mark Dunphy is a breaking news and general assignment reporter for MySA.com | mark.dunphy@express-news.net |@m_b_dunphy

An investigation could be launched after photos of former North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley wearing a wig and makeup during a police interview were leaked online.

The 53-year-old has been remanded in custody on one count of stalking after he was arrested in St Kilda on Sunday night.

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He remains behind bars after not applying for bail with further charges to be revealed at a court hearing on May 11.

“Police arrested a 53-year-old man on Saturday 2 May in relation to an incident outside (an) address in St Kilda about 9pm,” Victoria Police said in a statement on Sunday.

“He was charged with stalking and other matters.

“The Moonee Ponds man was held over to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today, Sunday 3 May.

“He was remanded to appear at the same court on 11 May.

Laidley’s lawyer, Dee Giannopolous, blasted the release of the images, which also included a police profile shot, on Twitter.

They appeared to have been taken from inside the police interview room where, according to the West Australia, Laidley demanded to be called ‘Daniella’.

“Outraged that pictures of my client, taken by some police officer, on the sly, when in custody in interview have hit the media. Typical,” Giannopolous tweeted.

Lawyer Bill Doogue added: “Disgraceful. Taking photos unlawfully and sharing them. And these were sneaky photos while in Police interview in Police Station by a Police Officer.”

“Police should investigate and those involved pull down immediately.”

Victoria’s leading civil liberties advocate also slammed the leaked images.

“The images circulating of a high-profile arrest today are deplorable breach of privacy,” Liberty Victoria tweeted.

Disgraceful. Taking photos unlawfully and sharing them. And these were sneaky photos while in Police interview in Police Station by a Police Officer. FFS. https://t.co/XL57NIjDrg

— Bill Doogue (@billdoogue) May 3, 2020

“The transphobic overtones only serve to make the breach even more egregious.

“Not good enough @VictoriaPolice: we are watching,” the council wrote.

“Please deal with this unacceptable incident swiftly & properly. “

The father of three’s former manager, Ricky Nixon, tweeted: “Guess who’s the least surprised person in Aust. on Dean Laidley — if only the media knew what I knew”.

He later added that Laidley had confided in him regularly during the 15 years he managed him.

Laidley played 151 games for West Coast and North Melbourne, then coaching the Kangaroos for six and a half seasons. He won the 1996 premiership as a player.