Among the 20,000 students cramming for the HSC business studies exam two Sundays ago was 17-year-old Sydney Boys High School student Henry Lau.
But instead of trawling over past papers at home or in the library, Lau was studying by his locker in the Sydney Kings change room, using a chair to prop up his laptop while balancing his written notes on his lap.
Sydney High student Henry Lau balanced his burgeoning basketball career with the rigours of the HSC.Credit: Louise Kennerley
He received some playful teasing from his teammates, the oldest of whom is almost double his age, while they prepared for their clash against the New Zealand Breakers.
“I hadn’t been to training for a whole week, so I thought I had to go to support the team, but I also had to get my study quota in,” Lau recalled.
“I got a few shots up, but then went back to the locker room to get ready for the exam.”
Lau found it difficult to adjust to the academic rigours of Sydney Boys High after arriving in year 9, observing – to his initial surprise – it was “cool to be smart” on campus.
He was assigned a tutor by the school after signing with the Kings as a development player in July, and has been called a “terrific student, class- and teammate” by his teacher and school basketball coach, Ben Hayman.
Lau balanced his studies with six training sessions a week, including at least two with the Kings.
He hopes for an ATAR in the mid-80s, which would enhance his prospects of landing a basketball scholarship from an American college next year – a step he thinks could propel him to his “ultimate goal” of making the NBA.
While his Sydney Kings teammates prepared for their NBL game, Henry Lau crammed for his business studies exam.Credit: Paul Smith
Sydney Kings coach Brian Goorjian approached Lau with his first professional contract after he stood out in practice games featuring semi-pro players and other rising stars. So far, Goorjian “couldn’t be happier” with his recruit.
“He’s really aggressive about learning and being with the team. He interacts well and is liked by all the players and is always asking questions,” Goorjian said. “The kid’s got a really bright future – he’s into his education, he works really hard and is a pleasure to be around.”
Now with his HSC behind him, Lau hopes to earn a larger on-court role with the Kings.
Sports agent Daniel Moldovan, who counts Australian NBA players Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels among his clients, has already signed Lau, and is expected to guide his transition to college, where he wants to study entrepreneurship, following the NBL season.
Lau names the University of Connecticut, the University of Kentucky and the University of Arkansas among the college basketball programs he admires most.
“Everything is part of the path to my ultimate goal [of playing in the NBA], so if I’m trying to do my best on the court, then I want to do my best when I’m studying,” Lau said. “I expect nothing, but prepare for everything.”
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