Josh Giddey is set to light up Bacchus Marsh Basketball Association and give some of the next generation a once in a lifetime opportunity.
The Australian NBA star will hold two clinics and be part of a VIP event at Bacchus Marsh on August 31.
Bacchus Marsh president Tenielle Brown said it was pretty exciting for the association.
“It is insane,” she said. “The last couple of months for us have been pretty cool.
“Jeff Van Groningen had helped us with getting Brian Goorjian and Luke Travers.
“He said that Josh was doing one more clinic in Australia and he asked us if we wanted him to come here.
“It’s massive for the kids who don’t often get an opportunity to meet someone like Josh.”
Both clinics with Giddey have sold out with 300 children to go through the clinics.
It comes after clinics with former Australian coach Brian Goorjian and Australian player Luke Travers were also sold out.
NBA skills trainer Jordan Lawley also hosted a couple of sessions for local coaches.
Brown said they wanted the local basketball community to see what they could be.
“We want them to see there is a pathway at Bacchus Marsh and you don’t have to go to Ballarat, Sunbury, Wyndham or Melton,” she said.
“It shows the kids they can achieve anything. Josh can talk to them about not being the best player at 10 and building over time.
“They can see how people in Australia can make it in basketball.”
Brown said the association had grown by 50 per cent in the past two years.
After moving into the new stadium in Bacchus Marsh, the association is looking at having to run additional games at local schools.
“We are having 72 games every week,” she said. “For Bacchus Marsh that is pretty big.
“It’s nice to have that growth, but we weren’t ready for it.
“We’re now preparing to build a Big V program in the next couple of years.
“Hopefully we’ll have a Big V team in 2027. We’ve had CBL [Country Basketball League] for a number of years and we’ve had a record amount of players try out.”
