Melton’s Broden Collins was keen to be a part of the Victorian Country under-18 basketball team this year.
As a bottom-age player last year he trained with the side in the lead-up to the national championship and was named as an emergency.
“It was a really great experience and gave me a lot of motivation to be part of the side this year,” he said.
“Having the experience with the older kids last season was good and it helped with my development.
“I’ve kept working hard and kept working on my craft and the skills I have.”
The hard work has paid off.
Collins has been named in the state team which will compete at the Australian Junior Championships to be held in Geelong later this month.
The power forward and centre player, said he was looking forward to the challenge ahead.
Last year, the Victoria Country team which included former Melton junior Liam Allison, finished seventh.
“It’ll be tough competition and there will be some great talent,” Collins said.
“Hopefully we can get to a high position and I can go out and help the team in any way I can.”
The year 11 student at Catholic Regional College in Melton spends a lot of time on the basketball court, playing for two different associations.
He plays with Melton in the Big V competition and then represents Keilor Thunder in the Victorian Junior Basketball League.
“I started playing with mates when I was six and it started developing from there,” he said.
“I’ve played with Keilor since under-12 to help my development.”
Collins, who is playing with Melton’s youth league side, is using the experience of playing Big V senior and youth league competitions last season to help take his game to the next level.
“It’s been good just trying to find my game and get the most out of myself at Melton,” he said.
“The men are more of a challenge and helps with youth league. It’s made my game faster.”
Collins is keen to move his basketballing career forward.
“Hopefully I can get to the highest level possible, which is the NBA.”
Collins is one of two Melton players named in state basketball teams this year.
Tonga Matapule Otutaha was named in the under-16 Victoria Country team for the national championships to be played in Queensland in July.
