Riley Nicolson relishes greater minutes in Country Basketball League

The 17-year-old power forward/centre is using the 2019-20 Country Basketball League season to hone his skills in the men's grade as he aims to secure Big V minutes next winter.

"I didn't make the team last year and hopefully I keep playing well and everything goes to plan," he said.

"I'm hoping for some minutes and so I can have a chance to get into the team next year and then try to get as many minutes as I can."

Nicolson, who has been playing basketball for eight years in the club's junior ranks, took some constructive criticism on board from CBL coach James Mitchell after the side's round one defeat.

"He told me I needed to work on a few areas to improve my game," the Brauer College year 11 student said.

"I need to work on controlling my nerves when I play because there has been some times I have given away some silly turnovers.

"I also need to work on defence while trying to minimize the amount of turnovers and he also thought that too so it was good for him to tell me also."

READ MORE:

The rising star, who has aspirations of heading over to America to chase his basketball dreams, drained 21 points in the Seahawks' 27-point loss to Portland Coasters last Saturday night.

Nicolson said he was slowly adjusting to life as a senior basketballer.

"I played a bit of junior squad and represented Vic Country at state and national cups so it's definitely been tough to get used to," he said.

"I have always played against people my age, who have the same strength and height as me and going into this level there are different abilities and different types of players to get used to.

"I have had to change how I play, learning how this team plays and trying to get used to new teammates. It has been tough but I'll eventually get there."

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.