BALLARAT Miners import Reggie Larry hopes to use the SEABL season as a springboard to the NBL. He has only been in the country a month, but is already turning heads from within Australia’s highest level.

Between games for the Miners, last week Larry found himself among 25 talented young players in Wollongong, fighting for a chance to play in the NBL.

‘‘I really don’t know what my chances are for playing for the Hawks, but I know I can definitely play in that league,’’ he said.

Larry had a successful college career in the US at Boise State University and was close to signing with the Sydney Kings NBL team in 2009. Unfortunately, the Kings folded that season, and Larry found himself playing instead with the Idaho Stampede of the D-League, a development league to the NBA.

‘‘After college I had a trial with the Golden State Warriors to make their NBA team. I played against C. J. Watson, who now plays with the Chicago Bulls, and a heap of other NBA players. Unfortunately, I just wasn’t lucky enough to make it,’’ he said.

Boise St Bronco Reggie Larry with a nasty jam

Larry hopes he can make it with an NBL team, but says if that doesn’t pan out he will return to play in the D-League so he is visible to NBA teams.

‘‘The NBA is the ultimate goal, so playing in the D-League is a great way to do that, but I’d love to play here. It’s cold here in Ballarat right now and I’m not used to it, but I’d love to make the NBL as well,’’ he said.

With his NBA and NBL dreams at the back of his mind, right now Larry is focused on winning a SEABL championship for Ballarat.

‘‘I’m still settling into a new country, but we need to win at least five or six of our last eight to make play-offs, so that’s my main concern right now,’’ he said.