ANDREW Stillaway’s dream of playing in the NBA is a step closer with the talented basketballer invited to attend the Australian College of Basketball in Melbourne.
Andrew was one of five players and the only male scouted from Western Australia to attend the college
“I’m excited and nervous,” Andrew said.
“It will be hard work.”
In 2014 Andrew lined up for the Mandurah Magic’s under 18s division two team under Taylor Mullenax where he won the team’s most valuable player award.
“He gave a lot of one-on-one tuition and brought out my best,” the 17-year-old said.
Andrew finished the season with a 65 per cent shooting average from inside and a 55 per cent success rate from outside the arc.
Andrew first caught the eye of a talent scout from the Australian College of Basketball in 2013 as a 16-year-old with in the Magic’s under 18’s team under coach Steve Barlow but was unable to accept the offer.
“I couldn’t accept as I hadn’t completed year 12,” the former Mandurah Baptist College student said.
Luckily the following year Andrew once again caught the eye of a scout and this time was able to accept.
“I went over in November for an interview and took a tour of the complex,” Andrew said.
“They said it wasn’t often a player was selected by two different scouts in two years.”
Andrew will travel to Melbourne on January 29 where he will complete a Diploma of Sports Training in-between a demanding training regime during his two years at the college.
“They said to prepare for six to eight weeks of training from hell,” Andrew said.
The college was formed in 2012 with two of the graduates already selected by Melbourne United in the NBL with one also selected to attend a college in America.
Andrew said his goal was to be selected to attend a college in America and then go on to play in the NBA.
Andrew’s mother, Amporn said she was proud of her son who had always dreamt of playing in the NBA.
“I can’t believe it, he has been talking about it since he was young and now its coming true,” she said.
Andrew’s first experience on the basketball court wasn’t a great one but luckily he persisted.
“I remember being scared in my first game but the second game out of nowhere I improved,” Andrew said.
“I’ve loved playing ever since.”
His father Garry said Andrew was very determined and trained with his brother Jason – who won the MVP award for the Magic’s 16s team last year – almost everyday.
“He downloads skills session and goes out the front and practises for hours,” he said.
Garry said Andrew had always worked hard in everything he did.
“When he was at a swimming carnival in year five he still got up on the board and jumped off even though he couldn’t swim well,” he said.
“He sunk and the teachers had to jump in and get him.
“The next year he worked hard and came back and won.”
Andrew will begin his journey at the Australian College of Basketball on February 2.