Want to play college basketball? You don't have to be the best player on your team to make it!

Want to play college basketball? You don’t have to be the best player on your team to make it!

Google Advertisements

Although it’s not uncommon to hear of the latest graduate from Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence to accept a scholarship to play with well-known Division I schools like St Mary’s of California, Boise State, UC Riverside but college hoops is also an option many Australian’s who haven’t been identified by the AIS, their state team or perhaps even be the best player their local team.

Melbourne’s Riley Parkinson is one of those players who, despite playing being a bench player for Diamond Valley’s Under 18s rep team, was able to earn a basketball scholarship to a University in Kansas, the state where basketball was created.

“College basketball was never a realistic goal for me, at least I didn’t think it was. I always thought it was for the top-ranked high school players in the US or maybe Aussies who had played at a junior national level like Andrew Bogut or Patty Mills. Then I found out there were two players from my town who had got the chance to play college basketball in the US, it gave me the chance to say, “why can’t I?” and I took this mentality pushed me to do extra research about the recruiting process.” said Parkinson.

Parkinson decided if he wanted to play college basketball, it was going to be up to himself to gain notice from college coaches… but how to do that all the way from Whittlesea, a Melbourne suburb with a population of 200,000 people.

“First, I spent hours watching videos and reading articles on the best ways to go about getting a scholarship. Many late nights and countless hours had gone by, and I finally decided to put my foot through the door. I set up a Twitter account for myself. I set it up almost like a player profile page. I included things such as my height, weight, position, and the year I graduated high school. After my page was set up, I would then just follow every single college coach I could find, whether that be Division I NCAA, NAIA , or even prep school coaches. I wasn’t picky. After a few days of following coaches, and getting some to follow me back, I started to reach out and message them.” said Parkinson.

Riley’s plan was to provide each coach with a brief summary about himself and provide a link to a highlight tape he had put together. It was a laborious exercise but after a couple of weeks, some of the coaches began to respond. After a couple of he’d been able to have conversations with multiple coaches from across the US, coaches from LA, New York, Maine, Kansas, North Carolina and more.

“I had many coaches show genuine interest, but it wasn’t until coach Artaz at Bethel College in Kansas that I had received a scholarship offer. We connected straight away, when I finally got that offer to play there, it was a dream come true.” said Parkinson.

Riley’s chance to go to Bethel College wasn’t a one-off either. Even though Riley had received the offer to play at Kansas based Bethel College he continued reaching out to other coaches. By the end of a six month period, he had received ten prep school offers, all from various schools, but ultimately it was Bethel College that felt like the best fit.

“I never went to the Australian Institute of Sport, I never played on a national team, or any of that. I was the kid who played essentially two seasons of rep ball, and maybe 3-4 years of playing domestic competition. Before that, I didn’t pick it up. I had no interest in it. It just shows how far hard work can get you. Working out, practising, and eating right will get you to the places you want to go. You just need to put in that extra effort. That’s what got me to where I am and earned me an offer to play college basketball in the United States.” said Parkinson.

Despite the closest NCAA programs being 16,000 kilometres away, there are more opportunities to play college basketball than what the average aussie baller thinks. Matt Woodcock, currently a coach at Baker University, another Kansas based school only two hours away from Bethel took the same route as Riley did to play college basketball, albeit 15 years earlier.

“My journey started out exactly the same as Riley back in 2007. I wasn’t the best player in my team in Gippsland, and I didn’t really have a grasp of the different levels and where I might fit in (or not) but I knew I wanted to get to a US college by any means possible.” Said Woodcock.

Through a very similar process to Riley, albeit a little more old school using emails instead of social media as “Twitter wasn’t really a thing here in Australia in 2007” says Woodcock.

“My strategy was to send as many emails as possible with no reservation on level or area and see if there was any interest from coaches. The great thing about Aussies finishing up high school in November is that we can use a gap year to dip our toes in the recruiting water, see if there is any interest and either go for it or go to uni without really too much risk in – both options are still open without closing one before you have to.” said Woodcock.

Through copious emails, Woodcock received a scholarship to play at Southeast Community College in Nebraska. He spent two seasons there before moving from the Community College to Columbia College, which plays in the higher NAIA division. There Matt had two successful years; winning one conference championship as well as reaching the NAIA national tournament in both years before transitioning into a coaching career at both his alma mater Columbia and now Baker University.

“College has been great for me. I didn’t even think I would get here when I was 17 but to play four years and continue things through my coaching is a dream come true.” Said Woodcock.

 

“If I had to give ay advice to players keen to follow Riley’s path or mine, it would be that players who are really committed and persistent in their pursuit of college basketball can make it happen if they can add value to a team. There are many levels of play and scholarship levels so finding the right combination of what a team is looking for and pairing that with how you can impact that team is what it’s all about for those looking for a chance to play while continuing with school. Prioritizing best-fit over highest-level made my playing experiences very enjoyable and has provided some pretty cool opportunities and life experiences along the way.” Said Woodcock.

Dan Boyce (815 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.


Share:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Jamie O’Loughlin on NBL25 Coaching Trends, Strategies, and the Wildcats’ Back-to-Back Titles

    Jamie O'Loughlin, a veteran coach with championship experience at the Perth Wildcats and extensive work with the Cairns Taipans, joins the podcast to discuss the evolving coaching trends in the NBL and insights from NBL25. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. From noticing shifts in offensive and defensive strategies across the league to reflecting on his time helping the Wildcats secure back-to-back championships in 2016 and 2017, O'Loughlin shares invaluable insights for basketball fans and aspiring coaches. He also breaks down the…

    READ MORE
  • Shawn Dennis on Whether Too Many Foreign Coaches Are Hurting the NBL, Plus Japanese Stars Who Belong in the NBL and Aussies Who Should Be Playing in Japan

    Shawn Dennis, head coach of Japan's Nagoya Dolphins, joins the podcast to discuss the evolution of Japanese basketball and its strong connection with Australian players and coaches. Since its launch in 2016, the B.League has become one of the highest-paying leagues worldwide, attracting both seasoned Australian coaches and NBL talent. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Dennis, going into his sixth season in Japan, joins host Dan Boyce to shed some light on how the NBL and B.League could benefit from closer…

    READ MORE
  • The 12,000-Seat Southport Stadium Set to Bring an NBL Team to the Gold Coast

    Plans for a new 12,000-seat stadium in Southport have injected momentum into the Gold Coast’s bid for an NBL franchise, positioning the city as a frontrunner for league expansion by 2027. Set to overlook the scenic Broadwater at Carey Park, the proposed stadium has sparked confidence among NBL officials that the region could sustain a national basketball team. NBL Chief Operating Officer Vince Crivelli expressed optimism, emphasizing that a world-class venue is essential for expansion. “We are encouraged and supportive of the exciting progress on…

    READ MORE
  • Dyson Daniels: The Defensive Maestro Fueling the Hawks’ Success

    Dyson Daniels is making waves in the NBA—not just with his scoring or playmaking, but through his relentless and disruptive defence. The Atlanta Hawks guard is currently ranked second in the NBA for steals, averaging 2.4 per game, and leads the league in deflections, making him a constant threat to opposing offences and a valuable asset for his team. This defensive prowess has been instrumental in the Hawks’ strong performances, including their 121-116 win over the New York Knicks today. In today’s game against the…

    READ MORE
  • Tommy Greer Steps Down as South East Melbourne Phoenix CEO

    In a major announcement, Tommy Greer, the foundation CEO of South East Melbourne Phoenix, has revealed his decision to resign after six successful seasons with the club. Greer, a pivotal figure in the Phoenix's establishment in 2018, has been instrumental in shaping the team’s identity and fostering its rapid growth within the National Basketball League (NBL). Interestingly, this announcement follows closely after the recent release of head coach Mike Kelly, marking a significant period of transition for the club. Just three weeks ago, AussieHoopla ran…

    READ MORE
  • Financial Collapse of Darwin Salties Likely Shuts the Door on NBL Expansion in NT

    The financial collapse of the Darwin Salties this week has all but closed the door on the possibility of an NBL expansion team based in the Northern Territory. Despite strong community support and government backing, the Salties have announced their withdrawal from the Queensland-based NBL1 North competition, citing unsustainable financial pressures. This development leaves the future of the club and the NT’s broader ambitions for professional sports in serious doubt. Founded in late 2021, the Salties quickly became a fan favourite, regularly filling stadiums and…

    READ MORE
  • Adelaide 36ers Lock in Montrezl Harrell for Rest of NBL Season

    Montrezl Harrell has officially committed to the Adelaide 36ers for the remainder of the NBL season. After a week of mounting speculation, Harrell’s agent, Darrell Comer of Tandem Sports & Entertainment, confirmed today that the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year has extended his contract, ensuring he will stay with the 36ers through the end of the season. Since joining the team, Harrell has made an impact both on and off the court. He's averaging 15.7 points on 55.6% shooting, along with 10.3 rebounds…

    READ MORE
  • New Wildcats Owner Mark Arena on the NBL Team Sale Process, Financial Upsides of Sports Ownership, and Expanding Basketball’s Reach in Asia

    New Perth Wildcats owner Mark Arena joins the podcast to break down the intricate details behind purchasing an NBL team and his vision for the club's future. As a lifelong Wildcats fan and successful tech entrepreneur, Arena shares insights into the business side of sports ownership and how he plans to elevate the Wildcats' brand, both locally and internationally. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. In this episode, listeners will get an exclusive look into what it takes to acquire and manage…

    READ MORE
sekolahtoto SEKOLAHTOTO sekolahtoto toto togel sekolahtoto SEKOLAHTOTO SEKOLAHTOTO sekolahtoto SEKOLAHTOTO sekolahtoto sekolahtoto SEKOLAHTOTO sekolahtoto sekolahtoto sekolahtoto sekolahtoto SEKOLAHTOTO toto togel situs togel terpercaya situs slot deposit 5000