By Tara Murray
Hume City Broncos young gun Daniel Foster wasn’t expecting a call up to the Australian team for the FIBA Asia under-18 3×3 Cup later this week.
Having not really played the shorter basketball format, Foster didn’t think he would be in contention.
But high-performance coaches from around the country thought different.
“It is really good,” said Foster of his selection.
“I wasn’t expecting it.
“It was a kind of a shock and it came out of the blue. This is the first time playing 3×3, it’s starting to really grow. It’s been one of my goals to play for Australia.”
Foster said he had watched a few 3×3 games to get an idea what to expect at the three-day event in Malaysia.
“It looks fast-paced and it’ll be a bit of a challenge and a good opportunity,” he said.
“I’ll be happy if we can win our first pool game and go from there.”
It’s the second time that Foster has travelled to Asia with his basketball.
Last year, he was one of eight Australians selected to participate in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders camp in India.
The event had a host of NBA assistant coaches serve as coaches at the camp, with a number of NBA and WNBA players in attendance.
Foster said it had been a good experience.
While this will be Foster’s first time in an Australian team, he has represented his state.
He said that had given him the opportunity to travel around the country and play with a number of different players.
It’s been a big couple of weeks for the 17-year-old, with his Hume City Broncos side making it through to the Big V men’s state championship grand final series.
The Broncos are looking to win their second championship, the first coming back in 2004.
The Broncos are down 1-0 after losing to McKinnon Cougars on Saturday night.
“The boys are loving it,” he said. “It’s their first grand final in 15 years – it’s really exciting.”
It’s Foster first season at the Broncos, having come across with his father, Matt Foster, who is the men’s coach.
It’s also Foster’s first season in open age basketball.
“It’s a really good club and I’m enjoying it,” he said.
“Last year, I played juniors in the under-18s with Bulleen.
“It was tough to adjust [to men’s] at first – they are more experienced and have bigger bodies.”
Foster, who started playing basketball because his siblings were, said he wanted to take the sport as far as has was able.
Next step is looking to get into college in the US.
“I’ve got a few schools in mind and I’ll see where that takes me,” he said.
“I’ll definitely go to college and see what opportunities open up.”
Tullamarine’s Casey Valenti-Paea has been selected in the girls’ team for the same tournament.
