STEPH Gorman has committed to NCAA division one college Utah State on a full scholarship.
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The Lady Bandits star will follow in the footsteps of players like Jess Foley, who played for Duke University in 2004 and 2005 before being drafted by the Indiana Fever in the 2006 WNBA draft.
Another former Bandit, Maddy Plunkett, played at Utah State in 2011 and 2012.
Gorman will wait until this time next year to join the team, having only turned 17 back in April.
It leaves the door open for a farewell season with the Lady Bandits before departing for Utah, but Gorman is keen to enjoy the fruits of her labour for the time being.
She and her family flew from Melbourne to the university straight after the Lady Bandits's final game of the season, staying there for a week to learn more about life in Logan, Utah.
“It was crazy – the facilities over there are amazing,” Gorman said.
“To see it all in front of me was insane.”
As well as two years running the point for the Lady Bandits, Gorman boasts an illustrious career for Victoria.
It was through state coach Gerard Hillier that Gorman came onto the radar of Utah State assistant coach Benjamin Finkbeiner.
“They said I was really versatile, could p[lay four positions on the court which was something they were really stoked about,” she said.
“The visit was more about me going to see the college – they'd done their homework and I'd done mine, so it was all about getting a feel for it.
“It's pretty exciting, there's no excuse not to improve over there.
“With the Bandits we have a head coach and two assistants, at Utah there's three assistants and all kinds of other staff to help you out.”
Gorman said her time in the SEABL would be the ideal preparation for one of the highest levels of play in the world.
“Playing season has exposed me to bigger players and a faster pace than if I was playing juniors, it's helped me a lot,” she said.
"I was able to talk about it with girls like Emma Mahady, I was able to learn a lot about college from them, get a bit of insight about what it's like over there.
“I'm definitely keen to improve on where I'm at now.
“I'm ready for the challenge of Div 1 basketball, I've been training so hard for so long so hopefully it all goes well.”
Gorman averaged 10 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the Lady Bandits last season, shooting 39 per cent from the field and 34 per cent from three point range.
She lead the squad of young players assembled by coach Jim Wilson for 2017.