MATT Gray and Will Cranston-Lown have undoubtedly been two of the stars of this year’s Basketball NSW Youth Men’s division two competition, but now the Bathurst Goldminers duo face an even bigger test.
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They are hoping to attract the interest of American college scouts while playing in the United States and take the next step in their basketball careers.
Though competition is stiff, in the past fellow Goldminers Haylee and Hannah Lepaio (Newberry College), Rachel Murray (Seattle Pacific) and Laurence Mifsud (Indiana Tech) have shown Bathurst players can handle that level.
Gray departed Australia just over a week ago, while Cranston-Lown flew out following last Saturday’s match for the Goldminers in which he scored 29 points.
Though Goldminers coach Andrew Osborn has been left with two very big holes to fill on court, he wishes the duo luck and believes that they can impress.
“This is the time of year where they run a number of competitions in the states and then they make up their minds which Australian kids they want to take,” he said.
“Without a doubt it’s a great opportunity for them, that’s what they want, that’s their goal in life and hopefully it works out for both of them.
“I do think they’ve got the potential, absolutely. Probably Matt more so than Will, simply because of Matt’s height.
“But by the same token, I mean Will can still get off the ground and dunk a basketball and Will’s ball skills are sensational. I guess it depends on what the different schools and college’s are looking for.”
From Wednesday Cranston-Lown, a point-guard/shooting-guard, will play at the Adidas Invitational in Indianapolis, an event certified by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
There he will put his skills to the test against sides from across the United States, his division including 73 teams which have been split into pools.
He and his Basketball NSW team-mates will face the Kardia Kings-Gongwer, Washington outfit Peoria Area Elite and Truth 2018 from the host state.
Following that Cranston-Lown will attend the Big Foot tournament in Las Vegas.
Gray, who stands at 200 centimetres tall, will be looking to show the type of form which has already earned him NSW All Schools this season.
In the Youth Men’s competition Gray has been in devastating form, topping the scoring statistics with 509 points at an average of 36.36 per game. He has also made the most free throws (96) and two-point baskets (164).
