Paul was selected for the state development program squad following a trial in Bendigo and will represent Victoria Country at the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup on the Border in January.

But it was far from easy for the 14-year-old, who injured his ankle inside the final two hours of the tryout and was worried he hadn’t done enough to impress selectors – but his fears were alleviated when his name featured on the final list.

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He’ll continue to train weekly in Benalla under the direction of high performance coaches and at regular combined training camps.

Paul is also a keen footballer and took out the under-14s best and fairest in the Wangaratta and District Junior Football League this season.