THE only White Stripes Traralgon teenager Jack White cares about are the ones painted on the basketball court.
The 15 year-old small forward earned selection to play in the under 18 division of the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup in Albury after an impressive performance for Victoria Country at the under 16 Australian Junior Championships in July.
As the youngest player chosen for the January competition, which will act as a trialling ground for the under 18 Victorian Country team to contest the national championships, Jack said he was eager to learn from his more experienced teammates.
“I just want to give it my best shot and try to improve in every way I can to be the best I can against those bigger and older guys,” he said.
“Playing against the older guys will make me more experienced and a better player overall.”
Jack is no stranger to competing with the big boys, playing A grade for the Traralgon Thunderbirds and under 18s domestically.
The ACJBC will be Jack’s third foray for Victoria Country, and selection in the 14-man national championship side would be a giant leap toward the six-foot three-inch rising star’s ultimate goal in basketball.
“Hopefully I can try and play for Australia one day; that’s my dream,” he said.
“When I finish school I definitely want to go to America and play college (basketball) over there and see where that leads.”
Jack’s journey in the sport began as a four year-old playing billy ball and he has since made a rapid rise through the grades with precise shooting, dominant defence and speed off the dribble the hallmarks of his game.
Jack, who is currently focusing on his fitness and ball handling, said his primary goal at the ACJBC was to develop as a player, but winning a spot for the nationals would be a welcome bonus.
Jack recently received a $500 local sporting champion Federal Government grant to assist with travel costs to attend the Albury competition.
The Southern Cross Basketball Challenge will also be held in Ballarat in January for under 14 and 15 representative sides, with several Gippslanders selected.
