Teen sets sights on US dream

Teenage guard Indi Weeden helped Aussie Prospects under-21 team win a silver medal at the Eltham Dandenong Junior Basketball Tournament in Melbourne last week.

Weeden was selected in the team after several strong performances in the State Performance Program, picked by her under-16 State coach, who was also coach of Aussie Prospects.

Aussie Prospects is made up of WA players and is a program to provide elite basketball talent opportunities to showcase their skill to the US basketball system.

Aussie Prospects finished third on the ladder after winning three of their five qualifying games.

They took on Chelsea in a semifinal clash.

Mackenzie Taylor hit a three-pointer in the final minute to hand Aussie Prospects the win and put them in the decider against Dandenong.

Dandenong prevailed in the final, 43-30, but Weeden said the opportunity to play at such a big event was a huge thrill.

“It’s such an honour to be selected and invited over to play for Aussie Prospects,” she said.

“It has opened up so many opportunities for myself for American colleges as there were selectors there but also just to have this experience behind me, as I played against Victoria people, who are going to colleges in America next year.

“So being selected just opens up so many more pathways.

“The tournament was amazing; I met so many new people as well as creating new friendships with coaches and players, who can all help me in the future.

“The highlight was definitely when we won the semifinals by two points and also being able to be in the grand final and come second.”

The 17-year-old scored in five of the seven games she played in and said her dream was to play in the US.

“I would love to go over to the US in the future,” she said.

“It’s a big dream and an amazing opportunity and with this experience behind me, it will help so much.

“My future goals is really just improving my basketball to become a better player to hopefully get more opportunities, like going to a college in the US.”

More than 1400 participants took part in the event, which was played across 10 stadiums in Melbourne, with most of the teams coming from Victoria.