MANDURAH basketballer Chad Simpson is one step closer to achieving his dream of playing professional basketball after flying out to the United States of America this week.
After competing in a four-month-long basketball camp in Las Vegas from January to April this year Simpson was offered a scholarship at Nicholls State University, Louisiana, USA.
“It [the training camp] was very hard but a great experience,” Simpson said.
“The colleges send out scouts to look at the players.”
Simpson grabbed the attention of Nicholls State at the camp with the shooting guard/small forward offered a place at the college in June.
“I was really excited, I told mum and dad straight away,” he said.
Simpson said he didn’t know what to expect from college except bigger crowds at games with the Nicholls State basketball team, the Colonels, playing NCCA Division 1 basketball.
“It’s the biggest college basketball league in America,” Simpson said.
“The biggest crowd I’ve ever played in front of would be maybe 50 to 100 people max, at college they play in front of 1500 people.
“I’ll be nervous but I think the adrenaline will make me play better.”
It will be a big change for the 198-centimetre 17-year-old who began his basketball journey as a junior at the Mandurah Magic after falling into the sport.
“No one else in my family played basketball,” he said.
“I gave it a go and seemed to be ok at it so stuck with it.
“I played competitively for seven seasons at the Magic.
“I really like the team environment; it’s a very technical game.”
Simpson said the former Mandurah Magic men’s head coach Jason Chalk played a big part in his development as a junior.
“He helped get the best out of me,” he said.
Simpson said Aaron Trahair, a former Boomer who finished his career at the Magic, was his biggest influence as a player.
“I’ve learnt a lot watching him play, he was a great player,” he said.
There are four other Australians on the Colonels roster which is sure to make Simpson feel more at home.
Simpson will commence pre-season with the Colonels on August 18.
“My goal is to play at least 20 minutes a game off the bench in my first year,” he said.
“It’s going to be completely different [playing basketball in the US].”