The day before our first game at the 2017 Helloworld U18 Nationals and its time to meet our captains! Some great thoughts from our mens captain Sebastian Bald and vice captains Lewis Ridley and Mitch Wellington. 

 

Sebastain Bald - U18 Mens Captain

Age: 15

Association: Eastern hills 

Which Basketball Player do you idolise? Reggie Miller

When did your basketball career start? 5 years old

Why did you start playing basketball? Dad was a coach

Who has been the biggest influence on your basketball? Dad

What do you think will be your biggest challenge at the 2017 U18 National Championships? Competing against and adjusting to the bigger bodies will be a tough challenge as abottom ager

What are you most looking forward to at the 2017 U18 National Championships? Getting to play at a high level against the best talent our country has to offer

 

Lewis Ridley - U18 Mens Vice Captain

Age: 16

Association: Great Southern Slammers

Which Basketball Player do you idolise? Russell Westbrook because of his nonstop energy and ability to put up ridiculous numbers.

When did your basketball career start? My basketball career officially started when I was five years old. I was under 8s playing in Melbourne for my local domestic club Diamond Creek “Creekers”.

Why did you start playing basketball?  Everyone in my family has played basketball and it has just been a family sport. I grew up watching my older brother David play BigV basketball for Diamond Valley Eagles. All my life as a toddler I would mainly be on the side line watching or sleeping on mums lap. Everything about the game I loved.

Who has been the biggest influence on your basketball? Many people have influenced my basketball, such as coaches and family. I have always been fortunate enough to have had excellent coaches. My under 8’s coach Nick Linton was the under 16 boys Victorian Metro coach. My brothers Luke and Dave are the ones I’d always try to beat in a one-on-one game. Being 12 years younger than Dave has really shown me what it’s like to work hard and to be elite at a sport.  David has really influenced my game the most out of anyone.

What do you think will be your biggest challenge at the 2017 U18 National Championships? I think my biggest challenge will be consistency. I feel I need to be able to not only push through the whole week with consistency but place 110% effort in every quarter and minute I place myself on the floor. At the level of play we are competing in, anything can happen, shots could miss, plays could fail, but the effort stays constant. I feel this would be a challenge. Not only if I complete this, but the whole team, may results look a lot better. Being consistent with the one percenters.

What are you most looking forward to at the 2017 U18 National Championships? I am looking forward to see how far SAC u18’s can go as a team. I feel we can do a lot better than we think. I think with Ky being absent, this leaves a big gap for someone to step into. I think it will be a challenge but something I am willing to try. I am looking forward to see how I can control the tempo of the game and how my voice and leadership can impact the players around me. I feel that this nationals will help to define my future in basketball and my ability to continue to climb the rans as a player and as a leader. Nationals 2017 will be an amazing opportunity to show the other state and scouts what an explosive player I can be.

 

Mitch Wellington - U18 Mens Vice Captain

Age 16

Association: Barmera

Which Basketball Player do you idolise? Paul George ( Indiana Pacers)

When did your basketball career start? When I was 5 I started Aussie hoops

Why did you start playing basketball? Our whole family played

Who has been the biggest influence on your basketball? My Dad

What do you think will be your biggest challenge at the 2017 U18 National Championships? Making sure I do what I have to do when I'm on the court, every game, every day and helping the boys do the same.

What are you most looking forward to at the 2017 U18 National Championships? Playing with a great group of lads !