Smithton talent Walker ready for under-17 World Cup

The inclusion of Smithton’s Nash Walker in Australia’s under-17 World Cup squad continued a week to remember for north-west Tasmanian basketball talents. Read what he had to say about his selection here.

Tasmanian Nash Walker has been chosen in Australia’s squad for the under-17 world cup. Picture: Taylor Earnshaw

A week to remember for northwest Tasmanian basketball has continued with Nash Walker selected in Australia’s squad to contest the FIBA under-17 world cup in Turkey.

The Smithton product was included in a 12-man squad for the tournament starting late next month after also helping guide the Crocs to the under-16 FIBA Asian Cup title in September last year.

Walker’s selection follows Devonport product Kye Savage signing a three-year deal with Brisbane Bullets, while Burnie junior and Cairns Taipans star Taran Armstrong has been invited to attend G-League Elite Camp this weekend in Chicago.

Asked if there’s anything special in the water in the northwest, Walker said driving each other to succeed is a factor.

“It’s nothing special, it’s just hard work and determination,” he said.

“All of us started from a very young age and had the same coaches growing up. Being around each other and around the right environment has got us to where we are today.”

Walker has been at Basketball Australia’s Canberra-based Centre of Excellence for almost a year and is relishing training with the country’s best each day.

The 16-year-old guard will also seek advice from the likes of Savage and the COE coaches on what the next steps in his basketball journey should be.

“I haven’t thought about it too much, I’m keeping my options open,” he said.

“It’s handy being young and having all these mates going down different paths.

“I’ll see what works out for those guys and when my time comes to make the decision, I’m sure I’ll make the right one.

“I love it up here (COE). It’s competitive every day and being around guys who want the same goal as me, it keeps me on the right track.

“Being able to compete against the best guys in Australia and the world isn’t something I’ll take for granted.”

The Crocs will face Egypt, Germany, and Canada in Group D with the top two in the group progressing to the knockout rounds.

Walker is confident the squad can press the top sides.

“I’m confident in the group, and I know the group’s confident we’ll hit the ground running in Turkey,” he said.

You never go into these selection camps confident you’ll make the team, it’s always very competitive and there’s a lot of guys who can come in out of nowhere.”

The Crocs will hold a training camp next month before tournament friendlies in Istanbul from June 17.