BASKETBALL
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Teenager Angus Glover is one of those precocious talents that falls squarely into the if-you're-good-enough-you're-old-enough category.
Australian under-19 coach Adam Caporn obviously sees something special in Glover, selecting the Wollongong basketballer in the Emus team for the upcoming World Championships in Greece.
Despite being only 16, Glover forced his way into the final 12-man team with his mature performances at the national under-18 titles and recent Australian squad training camps.
The Holy Spirit College student was a standout for the gold medal-winning NSW Country team at the national championships in April, averaging 13.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
Being named in the Emus side was a dream come true, Glover said. "Once I got the news I was overwhelmed.
"If the world was ending right now I could die happy.
"I had a good camp but I was still very nervous going into the individual meeting with Capes. When he gave me the 'yes', all the nerves were replaced by excitement."
The Emus leave Australia on June 12 and will play warm-up games against Spain and Croatia. The touring party will then go to Greece to finalise preparations for the June 27 tip-off of the world titles.
The Emus are drawn in Group C against Canada, Italy and Tunisia.
"I'm a bit nervous but it's also very exciting," Glover said. "The best thing about it is that you get to go and represent 23 million Australians.
"Heaps of people watch it or download it to keep up with the tournament, so it's not just us against the world. It's also everyone back here supporting us."
Glover is looking forward to living out of a suitcase for a month. "It's a good experience just to go overseas and see different cultures, and get to meet new friends from other countries," he said.
"I want to become a better player and better person on and off the court, learn from the older guys in the age group, and just represent Australia with pride."
A 195-centimetre southpaw guard, Glover is still growing and is eligible for national under-19 selection in 2017.
He hopes to get a basketball scholarship with an American college team.
"Hopefully I get a look-in with the Emus in two years time," he said. "I want to be one of the leaders of that 2017 team if I can, and then pretty much go straight to college after Worlds."
Caporn believes his side has most bases covered. "In terms of basketball style, we have a group that will play up-tempo and with great energy," the former Wollongong Hawks guard said.
In the bigger picture, it was a positive chance for growth so these guys ultimately represent Australia at the senior level in the Olympic Games or World Cup.
AUSTRALIAN UNDER-19 EMUS
George Blagojevic (Vic), Kyle Clark (Tas), Deng Gak (NSW), Angus Glover (NSW), Jordan Hunter (NSW), Tanner Krebs (Tas), William McDowell-White (Qld), Geremy McKay (Vic), Jack McVeigh (Qld), Dejan Vasiljevic (Vic), Jack White (Vic), Thomas Wilson (Vic)