Bunbury's Tyler Hickert is off to the AIS

18th May 2009

With an average of 16 points and 10 rebounds per game, Bunbury’s Tyler Hickert put in an impressive performance at the recent Australian Under 18s Basketball Championships in Gawler.

Officials took note and named the 16-year-old as one of 25 basketball players from around the country selected to attend a special development camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in June.

The camp will give Hickert the opportunity to practice with some of the nation’s best young basketball players and receive specialist coaching – something he was looking forward to.

“It will give me the chance to see how I am compared to the other players and gauge my ability,” he said.

The camp is a significant training event in that it forms part of the program of preparation in the lead-up to the 2009 FIBA Oceania World Championship qualifications and the 2010 Under 17 FIBA World Championships.

The South West Academy of Sport athlete has proved an exciting talent to watch and is also being considered as a potential Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holder and Emus squad member.

SWAS development and State country under 18s coach Steve Hawkins congratulated Hickert on his recent achievements.

“Tyler has come a long way over the last couple of years and has developed into a very exciting prospect for the future,” he said.

“His ability to understand the game and to perform all basic skills very well, due to his hard work in and out of training sessions, has produced a fine young player.

“Tyler is more than happy to play defence or shoot the ball but one of his best assets is to work for the team, understanding the teams’ philosophies and working to achieve them.”

Hawkins said basketball in the South West had a bright future, with many up-and-coming players now able to take advantage of talent development programs in the region.

“We have built a strong foundation amongst our juniors and we are likely to see more of them featuring at a State and national level as the sport continues to demonstrate strong growth in the region,” he said.

“The opportunities and support for elite athletes provided by SWAS through Basketball South West are showing outstanding results.”

 …ENDS