Nash Walker set to represent Australia in FIBA Asian Cup

One of Tasmania’s brightest basketball prospects is set to represent Australia for the second time in as many years. See the details.

Tasmania is set to be represented on the world stage yet again next month with talented young basketballer Nash Walker selected in the Australian team for the FIBA Under 17 Asian Cup.

The team is gunning for a third straight Asian Championship with a fourth set to qualify them for a place in the FIBA Under 17 World Cup in Turkey next year.

Nash Walker in action in the Tasmania Development Program. Photo: Basketball Tasmania.

Walker, who currently lives in Canberra at the Australian Institute of Sport, said he was excited to represent both his country and his state as the only Tasmanian in the team.

“It’s always nice to be recognised as just a kid from Tassie playing for his country,” Walker said.

“Being the only one brings some extra motivation (to perform well), that’s for sure.”

After being a member of the under 15 Australian side that won gold in the Oceania Championships last year, Walker said that the relatively similar squad definitely felt the pressure heading into the Asian Cup to perform well.

“I think there will be a little bit of pressure on us, especially given it’s an Asian Cup,” he said.

“I feel like everyone hates Australia and they don’t want to see us do well but knowing how well we performed in the Oceania Championships with many of the same players gives us a lot of confidence.”

With dreams to one day make it big in the National Basketball League (NBA) in America, Walker said getting the chance to once again represent Australia was another step on that journey.

“I feel like I’m making some small but strong steps,” he said.

“I’m big at making goals and ticking them off along the way and this was definitely one of those.”

The FIBA Under 17 Men’s Asian Cup runs from 16th-24th September in Doha, Qatar.