Sport
11 March, 2024
Atherton ballers ready to hit USA
FOUR of Tableland’s Tigers top basketballers will be getting a taste of what the NBA has to offer when they head to the United States next year for the Junior Advance Training Squad (JATS).
Kye Walton, Thomas Twomey, Zane Hook and Blake Lang will be touring the United States alongside other elite male and female players, as a way to expose them to an international standard of basketball.
JATS will also encourage young players to pursue a career in sports after high school.
Only starting basketball four years ago, Twomey joined Atherton Basketball and then Mulgrave Magic after watching NBA highlights with his friends.
“Ever since, I have been obsessed with getting better and playing at higher levels and aspiring to be like those players in those highlights and games,” he said.
“I love the competition and hard work this sport requires to build and improve.”
When the opportunity arose to join JATS, he jumped on it, hoping to chase his dreams of becoming a professional basketball player.
Twomey was left speechless after finding out he had passed the trial and was selected, and said he was excited to learn new skills and make new friends.
“My reaction when I heard that I made it on this team to have the opportunity to participate in this program and go to the States was pure excitement,” he said.
“I was speechless - going to the States for a sport I love is an opportunity I am truly grateful to be able to participate in.
“I'm hoping to learn more skills overall for my game and to improve as a player both physically and mentally and get a feel for the competition in America.
“Learning and improving to be a better hooper than I was before is something a lot of players value, and that's what I would like to improve upon by being able to participate in this experience.”
Hook has only been playing club basketball last year, hoping to seek out a challenge after winning at school competitions with his friends.
Now, the centre and small forward will have the opportunity to see professional competition in person.
“I was excited when I heard that I’d been selected in the team to tour America,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing international teams, learn new training styles and just getting better in general.”
The idea of playing overseas is “pretty cool” for point guard Lang, who said he was keen for the new experience.
“I thought it was pretty cool that I was getting to have this opportunity,” he said.
“I am hoping to learn how to be a better player.”
Walton agreed it was a great opportunity and he was excited to play at a high level of competition.
In the lead up to the program in December next year, the team are hosting fundraisers to help pay for their trip.
The Tigers are calling on any community groups or members who would like to help them in their fundraising efforts.
