Gladstone coach Raymond Cooper says players Luke Hampson, Josh Morfey, Cooper Rhodes and Tyryn Littleboy could play US college basketball

Four Gladstone hoopers are potentially two trials away from American college basketball stardom.

The coach of four junior basketball prodigies said the quartet could be watched by college scouts from overseas if they are successful at upcoming trials.

U18 Gladstone rep coach Raymond Cooper said his players Luke Hampson, Josh Morfey, Cooper Rhodes and Tyryn Littleboy recently trialled well at the U18 State Performance Program trials in Mackay.

Luke Hampson, Josh Morfey, Cooper Rhodes and Tyryn Littleboy recently represented Gladstone at the U18 State Performance Program trials in Mackay.

“Talking to them they are pretty confident with how they went,” Mr Cooper said.

“They should all be hitting their best form given the first CQJBC game in Bundy next weekend.

“We have been training for the season opener for three months already so they should all be in pretty good shape.”

Mr Cooper said the four boys each had their own unique strengths which made them versatile basketballers.

“Tyryn’s strength is definitely his three-point shoot, he does a very good job at finding his spot and getting his shot away very quickly,” Mr Cooper said.

Gladstone basketball U18 rep coach Raymond Cooper said Tyryn Littleboy's strength was his ability to get to his spot and shoot the ball quickly.

“Luke is an all-rounder, a workhorse on the defensive and offensive end, he is in very good shape after the off-season.

“Cooper is strong in the paint but versatile and he can play a little bit of outside, he’s got a knack for offensive rebounding.

18 State Performance Program tribalist Cooper Rhodes.

“Josh is very versatile as well and has very good length, can shoot the three and bring the ball up despite his size, he is definitely a body that selectors will look at.”

Mr Cooper said if the boys were selected to go to nationals they would be up against the best youth basketballers in the country.

“There are American College scouts who watch the games, but due to Covid I think the games will be livestreamed,” he said.

“There is a possibility any one of the boys gets picked up by an American college if they impress scouts at Nationals.

“Even if they fall short of American college selection there is a variety of avenues these boys can take to make it in professional basketball both here and overseas.”