Three Gold Coast basketball players are plying their trade with U.S colleges

Australia is enjoying having a big presence in the NBA and three more players are plying their trade with U.S colleges hoping to break the big time.

This week’s Double Dribble focuses on some young guns who are currently waiting on heading back to the U.S to continue their college careers.

The three young men all attended Hillcrest Christian College in what could be considered the strongest basketball high school team in Gold Coast’s history.

While at the school the team won a Queensland state school title and the under-17 national title.

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The team would have been a good chance to win the overall school national title but unfortunately players had to partake in junior national team commitments and couldn’t field their full strength side.

Tobias and Flynn Cameron are both the sons of Pero Cameron, current New Zealand men’s national team head coach and FIBA Hall of fame member. Levi Frankland comes from a strong Gold Coast basketball family with his father Matt, a former president of the Gold Coast association.

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I’ve asked the boys a few questions about when they hope to return to the United states to continue their college careers, where they are playing and what is the hardest thing about playing overseas.

Levi Frankland:

I’m going into my junior year for California State University Monterey bay (CCAA conference) and will have two years left to play.

I’m hopefully heading back around mid-August. The toughest thing about playing in the States is the athleticism. Everyone is bigger, stronger, faster and can jump higher so it’s definitely a challenge.

Hillcrest Christian College basketball traing ,L-R School head coach (?) with Former students, Jalen Patton-Croker, Levi Frankland, Sophie Johnston and Jarrod Gamble. Picture Mike Batterham

Tobias Cameron:

I’m heading back to Abilene Christian University. I’ll be in my junior year with two years left.

I’m waiting on my visa appointment, the embassy is not issuing any right now. I was meant to be back on Sunday, but I won’t be able to get back until September at this stage.

The first few months I was homesick.

But my team mates knew it would be hard for me and thew were awesome with always asking me how I was doing.

Former Hillcrest Christian College student Tobias Cameron and Alana Pols. Picture by Scott Fletcher

The next thing is living up to expectations,

You’re coming from across the world so everyone is expecting something special. At the end of the day, you’re just another kid wanting to hoop like everyone else. Take advantage of the resources you’ve got and savour every moment you get.

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Flynn Cameron:

I’m transferring from DePaul university in Chicago to University of California Riverside, this will be my junior year.

I am heading back in August and I’m looking forward to my new chapter over there. The biggest challenge is the speed and strength of all the players.