Tassie hoop star continues to get national attention. See what’s next for the young gun

After leading the national championships in scoring, a Tassie teenager continues to rise among the national basketball ranks. See their story and what’s next for the rising star.

HIS dream is to play in the NBA but for now Tassie hoop sensation Kye Savage will look to continue his rapid rise on the national stage after being invited to the Australian Under-19 Camp following a blistering national championships.

Savage will battle it out with the best 17 and 18-year-olds in the country in Canberra in March for a spot in the Australian under-19 side.

The Grade 12 Don College student was invited following a sizzling performance at the recent under-20 national championships in Geelong in which the speedy Tassie guard finished as the country’s leading scorer despite being a bottom-aged player.

Tasmania's Kye Savage during the Under-20 National Championships in Geelong. Picture: Lachlan Hannah

Savage averaged 30.5 points per game across six matches to finish with the highest points average, the most total points, and the most three-pointers made (24/65 at 37 per cent).

The red-hot outing continued a big 12 months for the wirey teen who represented Australia for the first time last July at the FIBA under-17 World Cup in Spain.

The ambitious youngster said selection in the national under-19 camp was a shock but an opportunity he was ready to grasp with both hands.

“I’m super pumped and just keen to push myself as much as I can and see what happens,” Savage told the Mercury..

“Coming off the 17s [World Cup] team I didn’t think I was going to get an invite to the 19s [camp] but I’m over the moon to be invited and ready to give it my all.”

Savage, who has already committed to playing college ball next year at California Baptist, said a failed tryout a few years ago had increased his hunger to become the best he could be.

“I didn’t make the ‘16s’ state team a few years ago as I don’t think I really fit in with the team back then,” he said.

Tasmanian Kye Savage has been invited to Australian Under-19 Camp following a stellar national championships for the Apple Isle. Photo courtesy of Simon Sturzaker Photography.

Savage in action. Photo courtesy of Simon Sturzaker Photography.

“But I thank the coach for not picking me as I wouldn’t have improved as much or be the player I am now as missing out on that really drove me to work harder on my game.

“I’m still a bit scrawny but after missing out on that I knew I had to get stronger to compete with bigger players so I focused on that and also my conditioning and getting in really good shape which has helped me a lot.”

The 186cm guard, who likes to mould parts of his game on Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, said he was working hard on the next evolution of his game.

“I’m currently a two-guard but I’ve been trying to back myself a bit more bringing the ball up and trying to improve that aspect of my game as I know going forward I’ll have to play a lot more point guard at my size so I’ve got to bet better at running the point,” he said.

“Another step for me will be improving my three-point shooting, which is all right at the moment but I still think I can make it a lot better as I want to be deadly from outside and want to pair that with great point guard skills too.”

‘Sav’ will battle it out for selection in the national under-19 team in Canberra from March 21-23.

Meanwhile fellow Tassie star Rubi Gray will also look to represent the country after her recent inclusion in the under-19 Australian Gems squad.

Gray will take her place at the selection camp from March 13-15.