Riley Parkinson has jumped over many hurdles in his basketball career, but feels it is now paying off, with the young Whittlesea player heading to America next year on a scholarship.
Parkinson said he began playing basketball just for fun at school, but that it didn’t take long for it to turn into a passion for him.
The 18-year-old said he noticed improvements in his skills and wanted to constantly work to become a better player.
“I only started realising it could be a career once I saw Robbie Heath [a skilled player from Whittlesea, who excelled at basketball in America], and what he has accomplished coming from the same town,” Parkinson said.
“Watching him when I was a 13-14 years old workout at the local courts just seemed unreal at the time.
“After seeing what he had done, I made it my goal to take basketball as far as I can.
“And I always say, I don’t want to get to the end and say to myself ‘I could’ve done more’.”
Parkinson started playing in a small junior league in Whittlesea, then went on to play for Diamond Valley, where his season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He decided to move clubs to the Whittlesea Pacers, where he played a season of under-21s.
Parkinson said during his season with the Pacers, he turned to Heath for multiple daily workout sessions and game preparations.
Parkinson will start training with the pacer’s Big V men’s team this season, before heading overseas to play with Bethel College for the 2022-23 season.
Parkinson said he credited a rigorous and strict workout regime for his success.
“Since May 2021, [Heath] and I have been working out two to three times per day, experimenting with different types of workouts and making use of the small resources we have,” he said.
“Whether that be driving two hours to the nearest open basketball stadium, driving an hour to the beach to get a conditioning workout in, doing sprints up hills and push ups at 6:30am… we tried it all.
“Having a mentor and person like that that I can fall back on for help really benefited me and my basketball career.
“I think having the discipline and drive to wake up at 5:30am every morning, and go and do three workouts whilst also fitting in school is what helped shape my mentality going forward, and made a huge impact on my overall skill.”
Parkinson said he was looking forward to fulfilling his dream of playing in the United States.
“I’ve always wanted to go over to the states, ever since I was little, but I never really associated my passion for basketball with going over to the US,” he said.
“Once I realised it could be a reality, I did everything I could to make it happen.
“I am really excited for the opportunity, and can’t wait to get started.
“Going over by myself may be a challenge, but I’m willing to make that sacrifice.”
Parkinson said he hoped to take his basketball career “as far as I can”.
He said for the immediate future, he was focused on having a successful college career, and “doing what I do best” there.
