His father Paul was one of Lithgow’s best for many years while his mother Jane, like Paul, enjoyed the necessary height to parent a basketballer.

John has been chosen as one of the 20 most talented under 17 years players in Australia and through this selection travelled to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in May to trial for a scholarship.

He impressed with his skills, height and attitude and was accepted to the AIS with a full scholarship being offered.

This amazing opportunity to be a part of the AIS means John will spend the next couple of years living at the AIS and training two to three times a day, while attending school at an AIS selective high school.

Basketball scholarship winners are selected after a long process of observation and evaluation, and scholarships are normally awarded to outstanding players with the potential to represent Australia.

To be part of the AIS team John must demonstrate a desire to succeed not only in basketball but also in his personal life, education and in a career that suits his interests and abilities.

John began his basketball career with the junior basketball club in Lithgow and over the years has played for multiple teams including Lithgow High School, Western CHS, Bathurst Goldminers and the NSW country-tour team.

He has already played for NSW Country at the National competition held in South Australia this year.

It has been John’s dream since childhood to play for Australia and now through his hard work and dedication he is one step closer to achieving this goal.

John’s selection into the AIS program is a reflection of the high standard of his talent.

He is congratulated for his continuing contribution to basketball and will be missed by staff and fellow students of Lithgow High School.