Twenty-six year old Michael Johnson from Orlando, Florida touched down on Australian soil on Thursday, March 14 and has since been training hard for the Men's Spalding Waratah League Division 1 competition.

"I came to Australia to play ball overseas and the chance to help the Lazers win a championship," he said.

The Lazers shooting guard has also joined a local gym for extra training and said he hoped to bring the best version of himself to the team.

"I hope to bring my character, my personality and the will to win to the Lazers.

"I train hard and play hard, I've also got the ability to help others and I want to be able to pass on what I know to the juniors, whatever they need help with, I can teach them," Johnson said.

Johnson said he has played basketball for 20 years and hoped that by coming to Australia it would open up the eyes for younger basketball players.

"I want to show people that basketball can take you anywhere, coming here should show junior players that this sport can take you across the world," he said.

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Previous to coming down under, Johnson said he played in China and found the transition coming to Australia much easier.

"In China I found the transition from America a bit difficult with language barriers but coming to Australia it's just the accent that's different, I've found it a lot easier coming here.

"People here in Australia are very family orientated as I found with my host family when I first got here," he said.

Johnson said he liked the idea of having a host family to get comfortable and meet more people before getting his own place.

Johnson will be in Australia until August this year and said he aimed to put 110 per cent effort every time he took to the court.

"I am a passionate player and it is a full-time thing but you've got to love it and I do.

"There is sometimes pressure to be the best but you just take one day at a time and the results will pay off," he said.

Johnson also wanted to thank Lithgow Basketball Association for the opportunity to play basketball in Australia.​

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