Michael Luxford made short work of the New Zealand under-17 basketball side in a world championship qualifying event. 72924 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Liam Twomey
MICHAEL Luxford is on his way to becoming part of Australia’s next generation of basketball superstars.
The 16-year-old has just returned from a triumphant three-match series with the Australian under-17 side against New Zealand that secured the nation’s place at the world championships next year.
The series was the first time the teenager had represented Australia and it didn’t take him long to get used to the big match conditions.
The 183-centimetre point guard was a star on the court, top scoring in one of the matches with 19 points.
“The first game was a bit nerve-racking but by the time I got on the court I was fine. I just got used to it as the games went on,” Luxford said.
“I was really happy with the top scoring in one of the matches and just rapt with how I played. It’s also a bit of relief to know that all the hard work is paying off as well,” he said.
The Hoppers Crossing resident said a tour he went on last year to Los Angeles with members of the Australian Institute of Sport provided him with the ideal preparation and experience to topple New Zealand.
“It was an under-19s tournament and we were more like 16/17 year olds so it was more for the experience playing against other countries. We won two games and lost three,” he said.
“That’s what they did it for, so we could get used to playing other countries and then when we came up against New Zealand it wouldn’t be a shock to us and we would be ready for it.”
With the world championships not taking place until June next year Luxford could be excused from taking a break from his busy schedule.
He is involved in over 18 hours a week in practice sessions with some of Australia’s best coaches including former NBA player Chris Anstey.
“He is very encouraging and has a lot of knowledge to share. He has played with some of the best point guards in the world both for Australia and in the NBA,” Luxford’s mother Mary said about Anstey.
“He also talks about opportunities and tells the kids that every time they step on that court they have to play their best. It doesn’t matter if they are playing the weakest kids or the strongest kids. It’s all about taking your opportunities.”
Slowing down is not something on Luxford’s radar and while waiting to take on the world in Lithuania he will be kept busy with a number of other representative duties.
He will compete in the East Coast Challenge against sides from Australia’s eastern states and from that tournament a 12-person Victorian side will be selected.
Luxford will also continue to play representative basketball for his home club, the Werribee Devils. Long term he is hoping to earn a scholarship to America to play college basketball.
