But not Zoe Roulston. The 14-year-old enjoys the team-based nature of the game, the way five people work together to combine for a basket at one end, or a turnover at the other. Even if some of those efforts may go unnoticed to the untrained eye. 

Roulston’s efforts on both offence and defence have gone noticed by the trained eye, however, with the Illawarra and NSW Country junior representative recently selected in the Australian Country under 14s team.

“I love the feeling when it’s a hard game and you put so much effort in and you finally come away with the win after a struggle,” Roulston said.  “It’s a sense of accomplishment playing as a team and there is that feeling of pride after a tough match.

“I was very surprised to be selected. I had been training to try and make that team for a very long time and I was very happy when I was told that I made it.”

Roulston will travel to New Zealand over Easter for the Mel Young Easter Basketball Classic, where she will compete against some of the country’s best youngsters. 

“I’m very proud to be able to wear those colours and say that I made the Australian Country team. It’s a big achievement and I’m going to wear those colours with pride.”

Roulston’s father Craig said he was proud of the effort she puts into the sport and was pleased to see her rewarded for her hard work. 

“Having her picked for New Zealand was a proud moment,” Craig said. “It reflects the hard work she puts in, she trains five to six times a week and it’s great to see a reward for the effort.” 

Roulston is a fan of the San Antonio Spurs, her favourite player being Kawhi Leonard. The reasons, of course, being his proficiency on both ends of the court.

“I think he’s very two-ways in his game and I like how he puts effort into defence and offence always when he’s on the court,” Zoe said. “Like Kawhi, I always try to put effort into both ends of the court.”