DUBBO basketball star Will Howell has revealed being selected in the Australian under-17 team is the highlight of his already impressive career.
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Howell, 17, was selected in a 24 man squad which will converge in Traralgon, Victoria, for a four-day training camp.
Following this, a squad of 16 will be selected to attend another training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport where a final squad will be selected to go on and represent Australia in New Zealand in the hope of qualifying for the World Championships in 2016.
Howell gained selection in the squad following standout performances for NSW County at the under-16 Nationals tournament last year and again at the under-18 Australian Junior Championship held in April this year.
That side was a particularly impressive one for Howell to make as he was selected as one of three lower-age players in the squad.
His NSW coach described him as an exceptional athlete and was full of praise for his approach and attitude towards the game, something which no doubt also impressed national under-17s selectors.
Upon hearing the news of his Australian selection, Howell was over the moon.
“I couldn’t believe it, I was speechless,” he said.
“I came home from school and Mum said there was an email for me.
“It was from Basketball Australia informing me of my selection and I was that stoked.”
The rising star believes his parents and coaches deserve much of the credit for his recent recognition.
While he is always hard at work training locally, the rising star has been all over NSW and interstate with basketball and couldn’t thank all those who have helped him enough.
“My parents have been great as have all the coaches I’ve had,” he said.
“Everyone who has supported me has really helped me achieve this so its a big thank you to all of them.”