By Luke D’Anello
KEILOR Thunder has a trio of rising stars in the ranks.
Dante Exum, Dusan Skenderovic and Justin Soleimani were recently selected in the under-18 Vic Metro men’s team for the upcoming Australian Junior Championships, which will be held in Tasmania between 9 and 16 April.
The noteworthy achievement was not lost on Keilor Basketball Association president Wayne Clarke, with just 10 players making the final cut.
“It’s just an exceptional show of the talent we have in the Keilor region. To get into that position, with the amount of basketball played around the state, is a very high honour,” Clarke said.
“It’s a credit to all our coaching staff and the program that we have in place.
“These guys that have the special talent … it really helps build our profile as well.”
Clarke said Keilor made it a priority to focus on home-grown players.
While basketball in Brimbank is booming, Clarke is working with the council to help deliver three new courts for the association.
“We put in the ground work to give them the opportunity, but it’s their talent and skill that gets them to where they are,” he said.
“It’s really exciting to see them get the opportunity to move on because it used to be dominated by the eastern side of the suburbs. They’ve got the money and the bigger facilities there.”
Exum, who has been labelled Australia’s most promising 15-year-old prospect by the Australian Institute of Sport’s head basketball coach Ian Stacker, is likely to be a member of Vic Metro’s starting five.
Exum joined the AIS on a scholarship in January.
“It was always a surprise to make it, knowing that I didn’t make it at the bottom age in under-16s. The main goal is to win as a team,” Exum said.
“It’s very good to learn off the older boys (at the AIS). There are a couple of 19-year-olds, so it is a more physical game and adapting to how they play has been a good experience.”
Skenderovic, also 15, said the tournament would prove an eye-opening experience.
“I put the hard work in, but I was a bit surprised (to be selected). There are a lot of good players out there. I want to be motivated the whole time and play competitively,” the centre/power forward said.
“I don’t know what to expect. It will be a good experience I’m hoping.
“I’m looking forward to a bit of a rough contest. I like playing hard.”
Soleimani, 17, was also surprised to be chosen.
“I guess in every tryout you don’t expect to make the team, but it was a big surprise and I was lucky enough to make it over a few people. That was rewarding,” Soleimani said.
“I just want to do the best I can and do exactly what the coaches say and winning it is a goal.”
Soleimani, who plays the role of shooting guard, said playing in front of larger crowds will be another challenge to contend with.
“In the normal games there (in Tasmania), you get a fairly decent crowd compared to playing down here, so it will be a lot bigger atmosphere and the games will be a lot faster.”
Both Soleimani and Skenderovic will also play key roles for Keilor in the Big V men’s Division Two competition this season.
