Basketball Australia is excited to announce the next pair of scholarship recipients who have joined the NBA Global Academy program at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Canberra.
After impressing selectors at the Under 18 Australian Championships in April earlier this year, Bowyn Beatty (ACT) and Luca Yates (QLD) have already settled in at the AIS, as their training programs commenced last week.
Head Coach and Program Director, Marty Clarke is excited to watch the two athletes further their development over the next 12 months.
“Bowyn and Luca join the NBA GA as full time scholarship holders after a strong showing at the Australian under 18 championships where Bowyn helped guide the ACT to a Bronze medal and Luca impressed with his desire to collect rebounds and present a big target in the paint” Clarke said.
“Bowyn’s unique passing skills out of the post will be enhanced as he adds strength to his frame and will benefit greatly from going against older, bigger bodies on a daily basis.”
We are looking forward to watching both Luca and Bowyn grow and mature as players and leaders in the group, we see bright futures for them.”
In partnership with Basketball Australia, the NBA Global Academy serves as a direct pathway for top talent outside the United States to develop and prepare for a potential career in the NBA system. Previous athletes who have come through the academy are the likes of Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Dante Exum, Joe Ingles, Luc Longley and Patty Mills.
Knowing that this scholarship is only offered to 12 athletes per year, Bowyn is ready to make an impact.
“I’m really excited to be a part of the NBA Academy program, and having the opportunity to train daily against the best in the country and internationally. I look forward to beginning this journey, seeing where basketball can take me and making the most of the wonderful facilities and coaching staff.”
The NBA GA provides athletes the chance to be coached by a combination of NBA experienced and Centre of Excellence’s top coaching staff, which is something that Luca is excited about.
“Training under Marty Clarke’s hands is really going to boost my game to another level, I believe this will bring the best out of me.”
Bowyn and Luca commenced their training last week and the program will run through to the middle of next year.
In the spirit of reconciliation Basketball Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.