Teen basketballer sets sights on States

BALLARAT’S Riley Dunn is set to make an impact on the global basketball scene, with NCAA division one college basketball experience on the horizon.

Dunn, who just got back from playing two basketball tournaments in the United States, is currently in discussion with college basketball coaches.

“At this stage I am looking at doing college basketball in America and right now I am talking with coaches,” he said.

“Along with the basketball you get good education and four years of basketball where you can get looked at by NBA teams.

“It will help me develop my skills by training every day and playing against high level and more experienced players.”

Dunn recently undertook a three-week trip to Chicago and Dallas where he participated in The Last Dance tournament and the Grind Regional finals.

“We had basketball training every day and kids from all over the Australia travelled there and got to know each other as well,” he said.

“They were a lot of fun getting to play against Americans and different people with different styles.”

Currently a studied at St Patrick’s College, Dunn said he hopes to pursue a career playing basketball internationally, either in Europe or the United States.

Basketball has always been a family affair for the Dunn’s, and his mother Kellie said her son grew up surrounded by the basketball community.

“Locally I was playing at a high level and my husband is a squad coach, so Riley literally grew up on the court,” she said.

“When I was six months pregnant with him, I was still playing basketball.”

Ms Dunn acknowledged that basketball opportunities in Australia have increased over recent years.

“Riley is also doing some work with Melbourne United in Australia and through a national scholarship which he is graduating from this year,” she said.

“The pathways in Australia are more and more broad now so it’s great for athletes like Riley because it used to just be basketball in America and that was it.”

Ms Dunn thanked the basketball community which have helped her son succeed including Basketball Ballarat, St Patrick’s College, Basketball Victoria, and Basketball Australia.

“It takes a village to raise an athlete,” she said.