By Lachlan Ellis<\/p>\n
Two local basketballers have taken the next step in their sporting careers, being named in squads for two development league teams.<\/p>\n
Bailey Wilson and Reece McGrath both play for the Bacchus Marsh Basketball Association (BMBA), but will wear opposing jerseys as they play for the Dragons and Hornets respectively in this year\u2019s All-Australian Basketball League (AABL) competition.<\/p>\n
The two 17-year-olds are among just 120 players from across the country to be picked for the competition this year, which features 12 teams of ten players, coached by former NBL and NBA players.<\/p>\n
The non-profit, domestic league is open to males aged between 16 and 20, and is a chance for young basketballers with aspirations to play at American colleges and professionally to play at an elite level.<\/p>\n
Last weekend marked Round 3 of the current AABL season, and both Wilson and McGrath are relishing the opportunity to test themselves against some of the best young Aussie players.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was thrilled to make the Dragons side. I\u2019ve done a bit of research on the coaches, and to see that I had Warren [Estcourt] was awesome, I was so happy. The AABL is awesome, I\u2019m going to get heaps of opportunities from it,\u201d Mr Wilson told the Moorabool News.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe skill level of the players is ridiculous. Some of the guys are six foot six, six foot seven, and super athletic. It\u2019s been super challenging but fun, I love it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s pretty exciting, I wasn\u2019t expecting the news. It\u2019s great playing against all the talent in the league, and the coaches are fantastic,\u201d Mr McGrath added.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s challenging compared to other division I\u2019ve paid in, it\u2019s fast-paced with some different rules they\u2019ve put in for the colleges.\u201d<\/p>\n
The boys have a long history of playing on the same team, but their selections for two different AABL teams means they\u2019re likely to wear opposing colours on-court.
\nIt\u2019s a match both are counting down the days to.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t wait to play against Reece. We\u2019ve played basketball with each other since we were little, and we\u2019ve been playing with each other in the Bacchus Marsh representative team. To play against him at such a high level would be awesome,\u201d Wilson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll be fun, that\u2019ll be good times. We haven\u2019t really played each other over the years, so it\u2019ll be a good match-up.\u201d McGrath said.<\/p>\n
AABL games are played at the Melbourne Sports Centre (MSAC) every Saturday, with the nine-round 2023\/24 season commencing on 7 October and concluding on 9 December with the champions to be crowned that day.<\/p>\n
For more information on the AABL, visit www.aabl.au.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Lachlan Ellis Two local basketballers have taken the next step in their sporting careers, being named in squads for two development league teams. Bailey Wilson and Reece McGrath both play for the Bacchus Marsh Basketball Association (BMBA), but will wear opposing jerseys as they play for the Dragons and Hornets respectively in this year\u2019s […]<\/p>\n